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We left 10-to-10 after sunrise, got less than 2 hours sleep and reach down at the boatyard 9ish. As expected, there was already one set of people in front the entrance either making their way inside or looking for tickets for the cruise. Yes, tickets for the Booze Cruise are like gold hidden away in some sunken treasure chest some where in Dead Man's Island! You see, what Diamond Vale Breakfast Party is to us in TnT Carnival, Booze Cruise is to us in Crop Over … all close friends and family with just all the right ingredients to make the perfect recipe for a sweet fete!

While folks running around asking every Tom, Dick and Harry if they have extra tickets, golden ticket holders were constantly entering the Boat Yard (with a smile on their face) so they could get some drinks and warm up for sail time. About quarter past ten, a small rhythm section start up some tunes on the outside and this set the pace. A crew spill a six pack of beer outside, but dat ent nuttin', de boat ride is all inclusive! Yeah Yeah… time to join the pre-boarding lime on the inside of the Boat Yard. Big respect to Shane for taking care of TJJ.

Lick back a few brewskies and drink a coconut water, and it was time to board around 11 AM. Walking up the ramp, all we could say was "WOW." The view was too good to be true … this is what the Caribbean is all about; blue skies, clear waters and white sand. And when we say clear waters, we talkin' bout Tobago's Nylon Pool water, but right on the shore. Pure paradise yes! On board the MV Harbour Master, it was quite spacious with 3 floors of party room. Another Banks beer and it's time to mix and mingle. Smallies looking good to go, with most of them wearing their swim wear as part of their sexy outfits. There was someone was reppin' for most countries on the boat…. Bajan, Trini, Grenada, Lucian, V.I, US, Canada, London… you name it.

The boat set sail around noon and braaaapppps, it start to rain… well more of a heavy drizzle. No worries, folks who weren't ready to get wet yet just came down from the top deck until the rain subdued not to long after. Early warm tunes and vibes were all too sweet. There were some big artists (we go give you a hint…. "You make me waaaaaaaaaant to…") and DJs on board, and good friend of the Jungle, Alex Jordan of 1Xtra BBC International Sounds of Soca had things broadcasting live. (Alex, where were you going with 3 Guinness? We carrrr watch ya slight eh!) Drinks were accessible from all floors, with the top deck bar having most of the traffic since everyone wanted to catch some sun and establish their 'wuk up' zones. Speaking of 'wuk up' zones, ah fella tell ah smallie, "If you take another step this way, you will be in the 'wuk up' zone… so be very, very careful." Where Caribbean men get de small talk from??!!! We love it!!

About 1:15 PM or so, the boat docked at another coast so folks could grab their lunch and take a quick dip in the sea. Yuh believe it start to rain again??!! But it didn't even phase anyone as folks continued feteing in the rain like first time. The food was on point. You had your choice of chicken, steak or fish before boarding, so at this point it was just a matter of taking your food chit to your food station to collect your lunch. Steak meals on the 2nd floor and we believe chicken and fish was on the bottom floor. Everything was very well organized, where you could help yourself to the salad bar and all side dishes, and when ready for the meat/fish, just turn in your chit to the grill man and you good to go. While some were grubbin', others decided to take a joyride on the slide from the top deck down to the sea - including TJJ crew. After like 2 slides, the slide entertainment was cut off. Waz dat one??!!

About 2 PM, we set sail again and it was time for the live performances. First up was Biggie Irie. The man have one smooth voice yes, and wasn't afraid to let the ladies know it. Everyone particularly loved when he sang his 2006 hit "Nah Goin' Home" and Peter Ram's big 2006 tune, "Woman By My Side". That tune sweet eh… "I need ah woman by my side… (and the crowd sings) down de road, one who can make me realize … (and the crowd sings) down de road … that I shall never lose my pride … (and the crowd sings) down de road…" Up next, another local Bajan artist, who goes by the name Pong. Pong was entertaining, more so because he was very tight! He sang tune after tune, including his two crowd favorites for this year's festival, "Young Ting" and "ABC Highway", (who knows all the words for Pong's alphabet yet?) and was then politely asked by the DJ to turn in the mic for the rest of the performers. Of course he had to sing another two tunes first.

Who next? Who can it be, it's your boy R-U-P-E-E in full effect. Well yes, we literally had to squeeze pass one heap of smallies to get to next to the stage for photos, fuss they love de man. Rupee had the crowd tizzick, singing all almost each and every one of his tunes. We talking bout, "That's Where I'll Be", "Jump", "Insomnia", "Ice Cream", "What Happens In De Party" (or shall we say "What Happens In Barbados" hehehe), "Tempted To Touch", "One on One" and "Hands". And that's all we can remember off hand. Where was de camcorder??!!! No tape… steeeeeps!! And when you thought it was all over, who tell Rupee to sing 2006 Crop Over release "Frenzy"??!! Everyone truly went into ah frenzy to the pulsating beat. So again… blue skies, clear waters, white sand and Atlantic Recording Artist Rupee up close and personal… life real sweet!! Look out for our 2006 exclusive interview with Rupee.

Although it was Crop Over, the feters not only enjoyed all the Bajan tunes, but Trini tunes as well. Every time Patrice Roberts and Machel "Band Of The Year" played, folks went mad, mad… especially the Trinis. Coming around 4 PM with the boat almost back at the docks, who tell the DJ to play some dancehall??!! "This is a ghetto story… ah real ghetto story…" whaaaaaa, all we can remember is people lovin' de dancehall vibes. Baby Charm, Sean Paul and Tony Matterhorn tunes received nuff forwards. It was only at this point we remembered that one of our cameras can shot video. So bap bap, it was 1-2-3… Action! There was no way in hell we could not capture some of the vibes of the Booze Cruise. "Bend your back and lift your head up, Turn side way, lift your leg up, Bend your face and twist it up, And turn true side like you know you fed up (Whoa), Back it up, cock it up, my girl dutty wuk."

After the MV Harbour Master docked, there was an after cruise party at the Boat Yard that went on till about 5:30 PM. During this time, most of the people from the cruise took a dip in the sea, laid out in the sand and was in and out of the after party trying to soak in as much of the Caribbean elements as possible. Large up everyone the inside, BIM massive, Grenada Massive (we love how allya hang onto the ceiling and wine up on de smallies), Lucian Massive, JA Massive, V.I. Massive (thanks for the ride home), T-DOT Massive, US Massive, UK Massive and all crew and crew.

Time for a cowboy bath, some new threads and we off to Brian Lara's 1st Annual All Inclusive in St. Peter at Ebworth House starting at 6 PM. Rendezvous time is 5:45 PM.

Sleep… is there such a ting??!! ;-) As Lil' Rick say, "All Day All Night", raise yuh rag and keep dem swingin' … until daylight … de action is up in here…"

-Chooks aka Daddy Juice

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