After the brilliant success of UWMCC’s 2014 international tour to South Africa, in 2015 the club is planning on travelling to the Caribbean for a two week cricket tour. Quite literally the opportunity of a lifetime for many, and although some details for tour will be finalised at a later date, a fairly accurate picture of the tour can be seen below.
The tour will date from Sunday the 15th of March to Saturday the 28th of March, which are the first 14 days of the Easter holidays. With the short length of terms at Warwick, this still allows you plenty of time after tour to work during the Easter holiday. All tourists from last year will be able to vouch that international tour and academic success are by no means mutually exclusive. The cost stands currently at £1400 per person, along with expected additional costs of £200 for optional excursions which are mentioned later in this page. The latter costs will be discussed and finalised once the touring party is confirmed.
The £1400 includes return flights with Virgin Atlantic from London to Barbados, along with 12 nights accommodation at the Palms Resort Barbados on a quad share basis. Travel in Barbados will be via a luxury 28-seater coach, as per the itinerary. Cricket wise, the club is looking at six cricket fixtures, which come along with after-match functions. If you speak to any of last year’s tourists, the welcoming opposition hosts really do improve the whole experience massively. On a more formal note, it is worth mentioning that the amount of fixtures played during the tour is dependent on what prospective tourists wish to do. Furthermore, as international tour is open to any cricketing ability, our Tour Sec, Jack Jewson will be ensuring that fixtures are suitable and competitive to our touring squad.
As mentioned at the top of the page, optional excursions will be involved in the tour when UWMCC are not playing cricket. These include a Tiami Catamaran Cruise, a 4×4 Jeep Safari, a tour of the Mount Gay Rum Distillery, along with visits to the iconic Caribbean beaches, where many run water-sports such as Jet Skiing. All this can be done in great stash, as we will be buying customized tour kit nearer the time, along with the complimentary polo shirt and kit bag from Gullivers Travel.
If this offers even the tiniest bit of temptation to you, it is worth your time to attend the tour meeting, given by a Gullivers representative, which is provisionally on Thursday the 23rd of October. Gullivers are an expert company in running sports tours, and will be able to answer any of your questions. Of course, you are welcome to ask any of the Exec, especially our Tour Sec about any aspect of tour. Until then, keep an eye on your emails for the details of the presentation mentioned above from Gullivers. Below is a provisional itinerary.
Provisional Itinerary
Sunday, 15th March– Depart from London Gatwick at 10:30 arriving in Barbados at 3:40. Check into the Palms Resort- the rest of the day is for acclimatisation and exploring the local area.
Monday, 16th March– Match Day 1
Tuesday, 17th March– Match day 2
Wednesday, 18th March– Begin the day with a guided tour of the Island, taking in some of the most intriguing sites and enabling you to capture every aspect of Bajan lifestyle.> You will visit some of the Island’s most prominent churches and pass through some of the Sugar Cane plantations along the North and East of the Island. The experienced drivers will stop at various points en-route and provide some education into the Island’s History as well as answering any questions you may have throughout the tour. The tour will last for approximately 3 hours before you are transferred to the Boatyard for your lunch and afternoon’s entertainment.
The Boatyard is famous for it’s ‘Leisure / Adventure Beach’, which is renowned as one of the best beaches on the entire Island. Here you will be able to enjoy a water trampoline, kayaking / canoeing and snorkelling, as well as beach volleyball and sun loungers. All this is included in the price to ensure a wonderful stress free afternoon to the sound of tunes from the resident DJ.
Thursday, 19th March– Match day 3
Friday, 20th March– Match day 4. In the evening, dinner at Oistins Fish Fry – a popular trip with visitors to Barbados is to travel to ‘Oistins’ fish fry on the South coast to see how the locals eat and party by the waterfront, where you will enjoy one of the best fish meals you have ever had. The best night to go is Friday night if you can but you are sure to have a good night whenever you visit here.
Saturday, 21st March– Mullins Bay on the West Coast, where a variety of water sports including snorkelling banana boat and jet skiing are available. The West Coast is also very good for swimming, and with the variety of beach bars and restaurants is a great place to spend a day relaxing in the sunshine.
Sunday, 22nd March– Match Day 5
Monday, 23rd March– Match Day 6
Tuesday, 24th March – Tiami Catamaran cruise – Climb aboard this catamaran cruise and set sail on the crystal clear waters of Barbados. You will be greeted by a friendly and experienced crew, being treated to mouth watering local dishes prepared by our chef, along with the presence of a much treasured fully stocked bar to indulge at your leisure. We will drop anchor when you will have the opportunity to snorkel with a shoal of fish, swim with turtles or just admire the vibrant under water sea life while relaxing on the deck. This popular cruise is ideal for viewing the coast line and soaking up the sun. The cruise includes a buffet lunch, open bar and snorkel equipment. The cruise will make three stops to swim or snorkel including one stop at the turtles. Alternatively you can catch up on some sunbathing or relax on-board and take advantage of the open bar!
Wednesday, 25th March– Free morning, with rumours of an overseas appearance of the UWMCC Golfing Society. In the afternoon, a visit to the Mount Gay Rum Distillery. The Signature Tour guides you through the history of Mount Gay rum followed by the opportunity to spend some time in their bar and lounge or purchase some rum from the onsite souvenir shop.
Thursday, 26th March– 4 x 4 Jeep Safari, which will take you to places such as Edge Cliff, Bathsheba, Joe’s River Forest and more. The Safari stops on the beach twice, and offers an opportunity for a swim after lunch at a beach-side venue.
Full-Day: 4 x 4 Jeep Safari
Friday, 27th March– Unforuntately, at some point, the fun must end- the return flight leaves Barbados at 6:10 and after an overnight flight arrives back at London Gatwick at 6:30 Saturday morning.