The Home of Cricket's Photo of the Year Competition 2012

I have just discovered that I do not take nearly enough photos of the people around us, and the cricket itself, when we are at the cricket, all around the world! Loads of photos of us having a great time....but clearly I need to focus my lens on some more aspects of the experience!

Going through this years set of photos from the West Indies with the MCC-Wisden Photo of the Year Competition in mind, I have pulled these ones out as my best shots, but they only really capture such a small aspect of the experience of the trip!

Chirpy, the Kiddy Cricket Mascot in Barbados (above), joined the kids at lunch for a bat and a bowl, and then some general mischief on the ground at Kensington Oval. A source of much amusement as we attempted to track down our rotis and mac pie.  Those kids are the future of West Indian cricket, and they had a great stint out on the ground that day.

The photo above is the view of Queens Park, in Port of Spain, Trinidad, from the top of the opposite side of the ground to where we were sitting.  Such an amazing view - we had lunch up here to take in the mountains and play.

Capturing the excitement felt and shown by the Dominicans at the fact that they had Test Match Cricket on their island nation home, was impossible. The grins, the greetings and meetings of the locals. Having a rum with them at the bar, and talking about cricket days of old, and their love of the game.

The view from ground level of the Party Stand at Windsor Park below, also captured our hearts.  The Shillingford Stand, full of local cheers, is a sight to be seen, as play is ready under the glorious sunshine.

Which photos will you submit?  Prizes of £ and a camera will come in very handy for the back to back Ashes in 2013!

National Academy for the Performing Arts, Trinidad

The new National Academy for the Performing Arts building on the edge of the Queens Park Savannah in Port of Spain, stands out in the city as it is so very different to everything around it. It's all glass, and steel arcs, and a modern anomaly in this old style town.

Opening in November 2009, it features a performance hall, teaching room, practice halls, and reportedly a hotel for performing guests! Although I have been unable to find an official website for it, nor a list of performances for visitors to Port of Spain to see...this is one of the many world-wide structures around the world funded in part by Chinese government funding, through a "concessional loan".


An intriguing sight to see, I hope it grows to provide a place of Trini culture and learning, live performance and music....

Squashed Bus in Roseau

When we were taken through the Botanical Gardens in Roseau, Dominica, and shown the crushed school bus under a massive tree, we could not quite believe our eyes. The tree fell in the destruction of Hurricane David in 1979, and luckily there was reportedly no one on the bus, which was soon rendered near-unrecognisable.



The tree, an African baobab, has since managed to grow around and above the remnants of the bus, and seems completely undeterred by it's acquired trapped metalwork.

The bus remains essentially intact, with seats and luggage racks, as well as it's tyres and engine parts in there. It quite an eerie sight, and it's totally amazing that no one was in the bus and killed at the time. Amazing!

Street Art of Port of Spain

Finishing my walk through town in Port of Spain, I started walking back to the hotel via Queens Park Savannah, and found these displays of street art along the wall of the sports ground on the grassy expanse of the city.


There actually was not much out and out graffiti that caught my eye when I was walking around the city, but these these panels along the outer wall of the ground seem to capture a voice and spirit.




Such powerful feminist images, with the use of colour and underlying gender themes. I can only assume 'Me', as the artist has signed one of the creations, is a female Trinidadian.


"I am shaped like bright freedom" - indeed! These works of art were the end of my time in Trinidad, and felt like such an uplifting and fitting message of fun, hope and empowerment.

Up Close to the Leatherback Turtles in Dominica

Getting up close to two very large leatherback turtles on a beach in Dominica, as they made their way to shore in an attempt to make a nest and lay their eggs, was a pretty amazing and special experience on my recent trip.

After Springer and Lynne managed to see turtles making their nests and laying eggs in Trinidad, and being so blown away by their experience, a group of us hired a driver after the cricket in Roseau, and were driving across the island country to Rosalie Bay and the eco resort there.

Getting to the Bay, were we taken down to the black sand of the volcanic beach, and trekked around in the dark for a bit, with the waves lapping, in search of some turtles. In between wandering the beach, our guide, Simon, told us how the turtles land on the beach, somehow drag themselves up to a safe place to lay their eggs. Going into a trace once they have picked the spot, they make a deep hole before delivering some 90 eggs, before filling the hole again. She will then set up a dummy laying site, to try and put any predators of her eggs off the trial.

Finding nothing on these first walks, we took the time to sit and wait while Simon scoured some more. Here, we were sitting under the stars, with the moon and palm trees aloft, in serenity with all but the waves continuing to come in. So amazing.

Just when the group was just about giving up for the night, disappointed, Simon returned from a final look down further on the beach, and reported back that there was a turtle. We followed him down, carefully, over seaweed and water, and there she was.

She was struggling, after the effort of getting up onto the beach at the waters edge. She was huge! This beautiful animal trying to complete her mission of the night.

Simon told us that she was clearly disorientated and that she was trying to get back into the water, as laying that close to the water was not safe. Plus she was too spend to make her way further up the beach at this time. We watched from a safe distance as she maneuvered herself back around, and into the water, and away.

As we walked along further, we came across another. So big! Here on the beach, and again, very close to the water. This one seemed to be trying to set up her nest right there, which Simon was very worried about. Again, we watched her for a bit, before she too decided to heave herself back towards the water, and away again, having not managed to find the right conditions for her egg laying mission.


These beautiful giants of the sea were actually fairly young turtles in the scheme of laying according to our guide and turtle-watching data recorder, one of them a new visitor to the beach, perhaps seeking to complete her first lay of eggs.

I was hoping that having a group of us watching them did not detract them from their mission, but Simon assured us that that wasn't the case. He was confident that these ladies would swim around, rest for a bit, and then return to the beach over the next few hours to try again. While we were making our way back over the mountains to Roseau, very wowed and happy that we had seen these amazing, massive creatures out there in the night on the beach.

Thanks to Kim for the use of her amazing photo from the night.

Tropical Dominica

Dominica's tag is the Nature Island, and it is instantly apparent why. This little volcanic isle in the Caribbean is covered with lush forest, full of greenery and an abundance of fruit trees, and the occasional splash of tropical colour.

We have managed to cross the island a couple of times now, in our 9 days here, and from the window of each mini-bus, these vast mountainous views are spectacular. Cloud brushing the tops of several peeks most days, and then ocean views at every other turn.

Walking within the central forest area, when we visited the Falls, the tropics included ferns and tributaries, and crisp, fresh air!



Last night was our last night here, as the last of the group pack and prepare to head to the airport this afternoon, marking the end of the cricket tour.

Will be pretty sad to leave, as we have all fallen in love with this little island nation, it's amazingly friendly people, and gorgeous picturesque vistas. The group has had such a great week here, and this test match visit will be long talked about as a favourite of the small group of us who made it to this final game.

Series Victory in Roseau

What an amazing test match, and week, we have had here in Dominica! We have loved every little bit about this place, and Windsor Park is now ranking top in most of the touring group's best places to watch cricket lists.

Following our first great day, the Sheilas in the Waving The Flag group, and many of the blokes, donned our Chick Pink, as is our tradition. Adrian, inexplicably, managed to come to the day's play in a full Santa suit, and wear it all day, attracting so much attention. So funny.

Day 2 was a cracking day of cricket, with the home boy in Shillingford finishing the innings with an impressive 6 wickets, and Aussie 'keeper Wade gritted through to score his maiden test century. The day just kept giving, with the change in innings giving us 8 WIndies wickets, as the Aussies had a very good day.

After the Dawn Service, Springer and I ventured into the Party Stand for the first time on tour, and as a right of passage here in the Caribbean.

Having heard of the disappointment of the Party Stand in Barbados, and seeing the action but not making our way to Trini Posse in Port of Spain, it had to be done. Also, the sign promised all that we wanted in a party stand for Day 3, with drinks listed within the price (for Days 3 and 4 at Windsor Park), and so we thought we were set. Getting over to the sun-drenched side of the ground and grabbed a shade tent, we were given drink tokens which certainly did not last long!

Getting a different, ground-level perspective of the ground and the day's play, we were soon chatting with the locals around us, and taking it all in. But as the sun crept further into our shade position, and it's heat was unbearable, we returned to the shade of our stand seats with the group, once our rum allowance was exhausted! Nothing will really beat the Party Stand day in Antigua!

With Australia completing their second innings, with half centuries to Cowan and Ponting, the West Indies were set the seemingly mammoth target of 370 to win by Lunch on Day 4. Shillingford, again, brought the crowd to life with another 4 wickets in that innings, bring a 10-for for the match. So impressive!

Getting to a five day test match at this beautiful ground, the atmosphere walking through town to the ground yesterday morning was buzzing still. The stands were full, loud, and full of local colour and excitement. It was so great to see, and be part of it. Dominica is certainly proud to have test cricket here.

The West Indies put up a great fight to the end, with an amazing last wicket partnership between the captain Sammy and home boy hero Shillingford, before the final wicket was taken by the Australians, and the series was won 2-0.

It felt a bit bittersweet at the end, to be honest, with the local crowd so involved and vocal throughout that last partnership, as they believed in the possibility of victory. The Aussies were humble in victory, and our Waving The Flag group were acknowledged and mentioned in captain Clarke's speech, which we were very pleased about!

The celebrations moved from the stand, to a walk over the ground and look at the wicket, to more drinks and banter out the back little bar village with the locals. Several bars were found on the walk home, before a hotel party here had our group's final tour dinner and the players from both teams, and all the pretty people of Roseau having a great time at the Fort Young.

This was such a great test, in an amazing venue and town, and everyone talked of the hopes of returning here for another amazing week within the cricket schedule. Dominica has elevated to be my favourite Caribbean destination, such a surprise and late inclusion, which has been so amazing.

Cute Ramshackle Houses of Roseau

Walking around Roseau, these houses are a feature in every block. Homes to locals, with much life all around them, they are a sight to be seen!

ANZAC Dawn Service in Dominica

This morning a group of us gathered around the War Memorial here in Roseau, Dominica, to pay our respects to our ANZAC heroes, at dawn.

Nothing official, just a large section of our Waving The Flag group, and the Australian cricket team management members, up before the sun to be part of it. Luke read out a piece about the meaning of the ANZACs, and then also read the names of the fallen soldiers who served alongside the Aussie and New Zealanders from the Commonwealth of Dominica. Peter read a prayer. Justin Langer read the Ode to Remembrance. A Dominican Army officer played the Last Post, after a minutes silence.

Just a simple service, as the light arrived for the day, with a gathering of proud Aussies marking the sacrifice of our serving men and women. So proud to be there for this special experience, to be part of it. And so very proud to be part of the Waving The Flag group this morning, with Luke putting together this lovely and important service for us all.

Lest we forget.

Third Test at Windsor Park

Only the second test match ever to be played at Windsor Park in Roseau, it was clear that the locals were very, very happy and excited to have the Australians in town to play cricket this week. Never have I been to a ground where the atmosphere and feeling among the people in town, and in and around the groups has been so ecstatic.

Walking to the ground from our hotel, the Fort Young on the waterfront, Springer and I were greeted with smiles and calls of hello from the locals all through the town, the place abuzz about the match. Taking our seats in the stand with the Waving The Flag group for the first ball, the cheering from the locals barely stopped all day. Such a shame that the schedule had it so that this match is being played Monday to Friday, perhaps preventing more locals from coming to the ground.

With the Aussies batting, the locals got to cheer even louder as their homeboy Shillingford did some damage with the ball, finishing the day with 4 wickets.

Another picturesque ground, Windsor Park is closest to the mountains from town, and thus as you sit in the stand you have a full view of the clouds tempting to spill over and down, but never quite managing it. Just gorgeous!

At the end of play for the day, Fi and Dave and I popped down to the little food and bar village within the grounds, for drinks and banter with the locals. Meggsie joined us, and as we laundered with the crowd about how great a day, and place for test match cricket, it was, we started making our way down the street into town.

Going from bar to bar, then down to the local party on the waterfront, and then back to the little bars around town, we had such a fun and crazy night! We love Roseau and Dominica!

Titou Gorge, Trafalgar Falls, and Screw

Sunday was a day trip into central Dominica, and was such a brilliant day! We experienced the amazing Titou Gorge, swimming deep into the gorge to find a waterfall with a killer current. We then checked out Trafalgar Falls, before a perfect lunch stop. The day ended with a swim in the sulfur spa pools, which was glorious!

Driving into the volcanic mountains of inner Dominica, our little busload took in the forest and the mountains all around us in every direction.

Our first stop had us walked down to the water of Titou Gorge, and taking a dip in the chilly water. Equipped with a flouting device around each of us, we ventured into the gorge in the rocks, paddling through the narrow gap in the volcanic rock, through pristine water. Above, you could see the sun and sky, and the trees aloft right at the top, but as we swam deeper into this gorge, we could hear the waterfall at the end. This was such a spectacular experience, and place to find ourselves!

The gorge had pockets of space to take a break, and hang in while working up the strength to give the waterfall another look, and swim up to. These areas were actually used in the Pirates of the Caribbean movies (2 and 3, I am told). (photo source)

Swimming in the pool before the gorge was pretty magical, right there in the middle of Dominica, but working ones way into those rocks, that sliver of water, cool and crisp, with the sun above - one of the most amazing things to do, and a highlight of this trip.

Back onto the bus, we drove a little longer and checked out Trafalgar Falls. Here, from the vantage point in among the trees, you could see both the Papa and Mama Falls making this waterfall landmark, cascading down from above.

Being within the forest, and the tropical plants and flowers all around, highlighted the Nature Island tag for this little Caribbean nation.

Not far from the Falls was our lunch stop, with a 3 course meal including callaloo soup, fish for me, and then coffee and cake to finish. All washed down with a rum punch with a kick!

The restaurant allowed for more views of the mountainous and forested surrounds, a perfect place for our long table of Flaggers.

Our day continued after lunch, to drive just 7kms away from Roseau, and to the sulfur spa pools called Screw.

These hot water springs have been sectioned off into pools, ranging from the hottest at the top, graduating down in temperature as you made your way through to the next pool. This, again, was so amazing, swimming and chilling in these baths of murky water out in the open, experiencing the strange sensation of hot, warm and tepid water pools.

We spend ages here, enjoying every moment. A completely brilliant day here in Dominica!

Rum Shack Stop Between Melville and Roseau

Saturday was our travel day, coming from Trinidad to Dominica. A very early transfer, and a very early flight, I bounced through St Lucia, before landing at Melville Airport in Dominica.

Now, Dominica was not part of the original schedule for this tour, but substituted in near the last minute, with trouble in Guyana. So this seems to be a bit of a bonus travel treat for us on this tour.


With the mini-buses full of Flaggers and luggage, a rum/breakfast stop was suggested to our driver, and he found a spot called Isle View Bar.

Here, a wall of homemade rums was found, ranging from Star Fruit to Guava, Carrot to Garlic, Spinach to Gooseberry, to Grandma's Kitchen special. These were pretty potent on empty stomachs!

Sitting on wooden benches over looking the forest and the sea, this was a gorgeous rest break, before pushing on through the middle of the island to Roseau.

What a view!

Our roadtrip to the hotel consisted of winding roads, with thick lush forest and ocean views, with sheer drops at many turns!

A gorgeous introduction to the Nature Island of the Caribbean, and what has started out as an amazing last stop of this tour. One of the surprise country visits that amazes you, and you totally didn't expect it to be so wonderful!

Port of Spain

My last day in Trinidad I had all to myself, with the rest of the group heading to Tobago, and Melissa flying home. Thus, after taking it easy in the morning, and also waiting out the rain, I walked into town to check out the city sights of Port of Spain.

Taking about 30 minutes to walk from the hotel, past the Queens Park Savannah, and all the way down into town to the Independence Square, I was able to chat to school kids as they spilled out onto the street for the day (or they dared each other to speak to me, the only white girl in town at the time!), take in the food stalls and bustle of the middle of the day.

Once I got to the imposing Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, I sat and took in the strip of space that runs all the way along the bottom of the city, before walking the length of it, seeing men out playing chess among more stalls, and people leaving work for the day.

Reaching the other end, just adjacent to the water taxi terminal, I found the Brian Lara statue. In some brochures this Independence Square is actually referred to as Brian Lara Promenade, such is the reverence to the great local batsman. 'The Prince of Port Of Spain', as the sign below the statue declares, Lara is certainly a figure about town. He has been given a piece of government land for his home on the edge of the Queens Park Savannah for his very impressive, and much talked about, residence. Several of our group managed to meet him during the match, and have their photo taken with him. Some very jealous Sheilas among us, let me tell you!

Walking back into the city and away from the waters edge, I found the impressive Old Police Headquarters and the pretty Old Fire Station Tower, before wandering into Woodford Square.

This space of land in the middle of the city is famous as a place of political and religious gatherings, but there was nothing so topical going on on this particular day. Just people walking through after work, or hanging about.

From the Square I could see the Red House, which is the house of parliament, and perhaps one of the more prominent buildings of the city. It was covered in scaffolding, but grand and bright nonetheless.

Also from the Square I could see the Old Library building, as well as Greyfriar's Church. Having grabbed a leaflet about the historical buildings in Port of Spain, it seems they are all really close together in this compact city area.

Walking back out of the centre of town again, I returned to the new and very modern National Academy of Performing Arts for a closer look, and to take some photos of the impressive sails. This is on the edge of the Savannah. We had joked with a taxi driver earlier in the week that it was the Trinidad Sydney Opera House, which he was delighted by!

Taking one last look at the capital of Trinidad, I returned to the hotel for a swim and some relaxation time within my much needed holiday. I then packed and prepared for the early morning airport run, which will take me and the rest of the Waving The Flag touring group, to our next destination.

Drawn Match in Port of Spain

A disappointing end to what was poised as a great day of cricket, the Second Test between the West Indies and Australia at Queens Park Oval here in Port of Spain finished in a draw, as the rain washed out the final day. The match ended whilst the covers were on, and the rain falling, and with the majority of the Waving The Flag crew having beers and cocktails in the All Out Bar in the Member's Stand.


With the day before seeing just 30 overs, and Melissa and I taking our daytrip to Tobago, we were keen to soak in the last day of cricket, which was also Melissa's last day on tour. With Springer, we walked around the Queens Park Savannah and past the Magnificent Seven one last time, mainly due to flooding due to the rain the day before, and to soggy look of the massive patch of land.

Australia resumed it's second innings at 3 for 73, and batted past lunch, working on a target for the West Indies reply, and a timely declaration several wickets after Lunch by Clarke had the match at a point where either team could win, but the Aussies confident.

As the Aussie attack was a bowler down with Pattinson reportedly on a plane home due to a back injury, Hilfenhaus did some damage early with 2 quick fire scalps, and spirits in our stand were high.

This shifted pretty quickly with Sammy taking to some loose bowling, and lofting the ball over the fence...and the possibility of the WIndies doing this easy was asserted. But alas, we could see the rain approaching over our shoulders and the mountains in view, and the players were offered the light. As soon as they were off the rain started, and didn't let up for the rest of the day. Such a shame, because this game was set for a cracking finish!

Queens Park Oval, with the mountains around Trinidad just beyond, and the views of the ocean out the other way, is really one of the most picturesque cricket grounds around the world. The characters of the locals, and the food and drink sellers, also make it an amazing place to visit for the cricket. Having beer served to you at your seat is always a winner! With the corn soup and roti for lunch add to the flavour of Trinidad.

Tobago

Thinking that one could not really claim to have been to Trinidad and Tobago without actually going across to the little brother island, a day trip to Tobago was in order. Melissa and I debated which day to make the journey, and take a day off from the cricket in doing so, and ended up picking Day 4.

We caught the 6.30am ferry across, which was painful given a large impromptu night the night before. This ferry took 2.5 hours, and got fairly rough when we were out to sea, although it did allow us some valuable nap time! The ticket seller was very reluctant to sell us our return ticket on this day, a Wednesday, when there are not as many ferry's running, and an 11pm cargo vessel being the option. We pressed, and got our tickets.

Upon arrival into the port of Scarborough, we were approached by Jerry, one of the many locals spruiking for business for the day. He talked about the type of island tour we were looking for, and of course, he could offer us just that!

He took us through a section of the main town on Tobago, including a visit to the fort to allow a view of the town and ocean, before we made our way our of town to start the lap around the island.

Having our own driver meant that we could stop and see anything that caught our eye, but also given that Jerry was a local, born and bred, and also that he is a prominent character on the island due to his work with one of the annual festivals, he seemed to know and say hi to everyone we passed all the way around!

The road wound up and around the forest mountains, with coastal views at every other turn. Full, lush forest with fruit trees, palm trees, and even evidence of landslides and water trickles from the centre, were the feature of the day.

Jerry stopped at each point of interest and explained the local way of life to us at every opportunity, including the Mystery Tombstone, and so many beautiful vantage points of a gorgeous blue ocean lapping the beach below. We also stopped at many of these beaches when we were at ocean level, to walk along the white sand, often with almost no one around.

Through village-sized towns on the map such as Plymouth, Castara, and Charlotteville, we stopped at Englishman's Bay and Bloody Bay, with Jerry pointing out the Sisters Rocks.

At L'Anse Fourmi, Jerry took us to meet his brother and a group of Rastas who were hanging about after working that morning. Chatting with the locals, many of them impressed we were in Trinidad for the cricket, we got a sense of the laidback lifestyle on Tobago.

Our lunch stop was at Jemma's Treehouse in Speyside, where levels of her restaurant were built around a huge tree, right on the beach edge. Amazing coconut grilled fish, and the local treat of butterfruit pie was delicious.

We completed the lap of the island for the rest of the afternoon, taking in the mountain views and beachside spots. It was around this time we got a sense of the rained out day at the cricket in Port of Spain, which made our decision to pick this day for our Tobago trip even better!

Upon hearing about our passage home, Jerry talked about ending out island tour by going to the airport and checking out flight options for Trinidad.

When we got to the airport, thinking we would buy a flight and then head off for a swim, we were told that the flights were all full. Jerry did some investigating, and got us standby tickets, and then at the check in desk, had us with boarding passing for the next flight. No swim, but a $23 flight home. On the flight, the sunset was gorgeous out the window over the ocean, and we heard confirmation that the cricket in Trinidad had been washed out. The guy next to me also told us about the cargo vessel return trip we had planned on – a 5 hour all night journey with a boat full of truck drivers, with no passenger spaces, just a barely covered area. We can laugh about this as a crazy near-miss, but I am not sure we would not have survived that, for a whole host of reasons!!