New Year's Eve. I should be at home with my family. Instead, courtesy of Virgin Atlantic and my old pal Sir Richard Branson, I will be landing at Cyril E. King Airport in the US Virgin Islands within the next hour. By the way, in case you were wondering , that is Cyril E. King in the top picture. He was the second governor of the US Virgin Islands from 1975 until his untimely death in 1978. It was cancer that got him.
If all goes according to plan, I will be sped directly to Little St James aboard a jet hydroplane that Sir Richard recently renamed "The Lady Joan" after his late wife.
Text messages from Rhymer on the island reveal that many of the "invited" or should I say, designated guests have already arrived.
As we sometimes say in Yorkshire, "There's no accounting for folk". Some guests greeted their complimentary transport providers with unbridled joy but others raged against the prospect of an enforced New Year break in the Caribbean. They had to be frogmarched into waiting taxis and helicopters and I am sorry to say that a few had to be tranquilised by Laughing Horse collection agents.
Some objected vehemently to the selected venue with Jennifer from South Carolina saying, "Oh dear. Not THAT island. Nope" while mysteriously, Steve Reed, Blogger of the Year in 2016, said, "Oh my. I might have to sit this one out! Bad karma on that island!" Jenny O'Hara, from Nova Scotia, Canada and overall winner in 2019 referred to "bad juju".
All three of them are currently in transit. I am afraid that they had no choice. They may fabricate tales about ordinary New Year celebrations in their blogs but the truth is they will be on Little St James with the rest of us this very night. It's a bit like wartime - when Laughing Horse calls you simply have to go.
Frankly, I find their objections puzzling. After all, these moaning minnies are getting free transport and a short break on an exclusive Caribbean island with all-inclusive luxury accommodation. Plus the unique honour of witnessing the eighteenth Laughing Horse Awards Ceremony. What's not to like? Here at the very end of 2025, it's nice to spread a little love.
Weather permitting, tonight's awards ceremony will take place around the main pool
We had no choice, huh? Seems to be a theme with that particular island. Bad juju, YP, but we'll forgive you this time!
ReplyDeleteWe're starting to party like it's 1999! Woo hoo!!!!
Happy New Year!
Oh how I love your party dress Jennifer. It's so sparkly! May I have the pleasure of the next dance?
DeleteAbsolutely! 💃💃💃
DeleteWhere the bloody **** is my helicopter!!!!
ReplyDeleteDon't play games with the readers Bruce. Steve Reed just snapped your picture at the pool bar.
DeleteIve suddenly come down with flu and I wouldn't want to infect your collection agents but i will watch the livestream
ReplyDeleteYour ploy did not work Kunning Kylie!
DeleteWhat channel did you say I could watch this on?
ReplyDeleteWell you will be able to watch it on The English Channel catch up service when you get back to Alberta.
DeleteActually, although I meant that comment to be funny, it's horrifyingly not, when you consider the history of the place. I wish I could delete it.
ReplyDeleteI deleted it for you Jenny. What the hell did happen on the island?
DeleteSince Kylie can't make it, it is just River and myself. It's hardly worth sending a private jet for just two people. Can the ceremony be broadcast online, like a funeral?
ReplyDeleteYou are as tricky as a slithery snake Andrew. You were there last night and it was very nice to meet you even though you kept slurring.
DeleteFor myself I find The Caribbean calling every time I watch certain movies that feature those bluest of blue seas, the whitest of white sands and all those trees! I would love to spend time there.
ReplyDeleteWell you just did spend time there! As I write you are snoring in the Seagull Suite with Rhymer.
DeleteI‘ve always wanted to do what I have seen in films, landing in the pool in full evening dress with a glass of chamagne in my hand. Seems like I got it this time! Good job I brought an extra dress to change into after my big splash.
ReplyDeleteAnd may I say that your Bayern Munich football dress in towelling material was... unusual.
DeleteI am sure it has been steam cleaned and redecorated for the occasion
ReplyDeleteThe place was spotless thanks to the local hospitality team. Sorry you did not do very well in the early evening general knowledge quiz Traveller. I thought you might at least know that Iceland is in the North Atlantic Ocean!
DeleteI assumed you were referring to the shop. Too many margaritas, I guess.
DeleteWell, I'm glad the dentist was very understanding about the late cancellation of my appointment, though I don't think he was very impressed with my excuse. Not when I told him where the awards were being held.
ReplyDeleteHas anyone else found that there has been a look of utter horror, followed by disbelief, when told of the venue? We could lose friends over this, YP!
Oh dear, I always get seasick on a jet hydroplane.
ReplyDeleteRumor has it that previous visitors often spread a little love on the island.
ReplyDeleteHave a Rum Punch or a Painkiller or both and put it on my tab!
ReplyDeleteTo me, I have no desire to visit that island, a prison, dressed up as a resort. So many girls and young women had their lives destroyed by men who manipulated, groomed, and raped them there. An island filled with the destroyed dreams of girls and young women, because some men think it is their right to take what they want.
ReplyDeleteMaybe its a good thing i don't own a passport?
ReplyDelete