CRICKET WITH PLEASURE. JAMAICA - PART 1

International cricket match referee, Devdas Govindjee shares his Caribbean travel experience with all the blog readers. Dev was recently in Jamaica for two T20 one day international cricket matches. I was joking with Dev, that he has in fact become a travel correspondent for this blog.I am so blessed to be acquainted with such a wonderful human being who loves to impart and share his knowledge and experiences with the rest of the world.

JAMAICA - Sunday 16 February 2014

When the Jet Blue flight 59 touched down at the Norman Manley International airport in Kingston at around 8 pm last evening, all the passengers broke out into a spontaneous and enthusiastic round of continuous applause- this epitomized the spirit of the Caribbean as I arrived for my first ever visit to the West Indies.
Having left Port Elizabeth airport at around 2 pm on Valentine’s Day , I took the SA203 flight which was supposed to be a direct flight from ORTIA in Joburg to JFK in New York – this all changed once the captain announced soon before take off at around 8 pm that we would be heading to Dakar in Senegal – it was explained that weather conditions would not allow a flight without re-fuelling- this after about 8hrs we reached Dakar- an hour later- after re-fuelling and the usual on board security checks we were on our way- the other concern was that the USA had been having severe snowstorms and many flights at JFK had been cancelled or diverted.
Thankfully we were told that the skies had cleared sufficiently for our landing which did happen at around 7.30 am ( USA Eastern Time) on Sat 15th.
Our approach was a spectacle in itself and fortunately my camera was at hand for me to try to capture the blanket of snow that had enveloped the entire JFK airport- the runways had been cleared of all snow and ice and with temperatures below zero it was a freezing arrival into New York’s Terminal 4.
A fter customs and baggage I made my way via the overhead airport train to the next stop to be at Terminal 5 where i would check in and await my 7.30 Jet Blue flight to Kingston.
After a lovely shower and change of clothes in the Air Space lounge I relaxed and sent out some fb messages as well as enjoyed a waiting time by frequenting the terminal shops and getting something to eat .
The 3hr 30 min flight to Jamaica meant that about 38 hours had elapsed from the time i had left PE to the time I arrived at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel in Kingston- having been met at the airport by the assigned West Indies Cricket Board representative.
After a lovely sleep I was awakened around 6 to the sounds of loudspeakers blaring and reggae music filling the air- down below I could gather that preparations were in hand for some or other walk/fun run and that people in big numbers were gathering in support of the event- as i type balloons have been sent into the heavens and joggers and walkers are all on their way around the area of the hotel.
I have had my swim in a lovely Olympic sized pool set in a garden area which also boasts a jogging track and two stunning tennis courts with seating areas for spectators as well.

My first match of the 3 I am doing here at the famous Sabina Park is on Wednesday so I have three days to get to see as much as i am able to- have stadium inspection as well as a pre-series meeting scheduled for Tuesday.

What am I most looking forward to on my visit to Jamaica?
Nelson Mandela inspired millions around the world- but who inspired Mandela?
Outside of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi and Martin Luther King jr there was one other person who played an influential role in determining the political outlook and approach of Madiba- that person was MARCUS MOSIAH GARVEY- during my lecture days I spent many lectures talking about this philosopher, educator, visionary and an extraordinary charismatic leader.
A visit to the Marcus Garvey museum is high on my agenda – he spent the better part of his life reflecting on the injustices of racism he had experienced in the West Indies as well as during travels in South & Central America. I shall refrain from going into a lecture on Garvey but merely add that in 1914 he founded the worldwide movement known as the Universal Negro Improvement Association & African Communities’ League – vowing to work to change the status quo of the Black man’s lack of influences, power and wealth in the world.
Next on my agenda would be to get into the rhythm of Kingston and this would start with a visit to the Trench Town Culture yard and move on to the Bob Marley Museum- a big fan am I so this is also a dream come true to learn more about the legend – then get to have a night out at Usain Bolt’s Tracks & Records joint ( use that term with caution of course!)
Time to get this 1st update off and to get down to some breakfast- not sure what to expect of
Caribbean cuisine but lets leave that for my next mail as the Reggae sounds of “ African Queen ” come filtering through my window as the announcer congratulates the finishes of the charity run/walk.

As always

I am Just

deV

Terminal 5 at JFK airport in New York. The warm glows belie the miserable weather outside where temps were below zero with snow covering most of the airport.


Sunrise over the Blue mountains in Kingston Jamaica — in Kingston, Jamaica.

"Out of many,One People" - that's the motto of Jamaica- Across from the hotel is Emancipation Park- these stunning works at the entrance to the Park -the man and woman stare into the heavens, symbolising Jamaicans' rise to freedom.The work is titled Redemption song. — in Kingston, Jamaica.


Emancipation Park- milling with people who took part in a fund raising event today (Sunday) — in Kingston, Jamaica.


My first visit to a national stadium in the Caribbean. The very famous Sabina Park- 1st Test here in 1930. This is where Sir Garfield Sobers scored his 354 not out in a Test Match- a world record that stood for 36 years. Gregory Brathwaite and Joel Wilson the two WI umpires with me. — at Sabina Park.


The beautiful Blue Mountains form a backdrop to this unique "party" section - looks like a vessel sailing along!— at Sabina Park.

                                                              With Maureen Mutunga Rina