In celebration of Barbados 46th Anniversary of Independence Backyard Promotions put on their first event in a boat, on the Thames, in the UK, during November. Keep in mind that this is not the Caribbean Sea, it’s the grey, cold and miserable London Thames. It could be said that a UK boat ride in the winter season is madness and on the face of it, and logically, such an event should be complete disaster…

…Not in this case though.

A genuine vibe is more than enough to cancel out the cold, wind and rain. To be fair, the weather wasn’t too bad at all. The boat was packed and the atmosphere was FIRE! Even when outside, you were not affected by the winds due to the design of the boat.

CLICK HERE TO SEE ALL THE PICTURES FROM GEM OF THE CARIBBEAN SEA

The Vibe: Bajans know how to party. Food was served from early which meant you could eat early, then drink and fete for the rest of the night. There was a noticeable difference once everyone had eaten. Vibes were taken to another level. Whether upstairs or downstairs the whole boat was getting on.

The Music: Supreme Blessings and Baddis Sounds provided a the soundtrack to the night which was a mixture of Soca old and new, Reggae/Bashment and a splash of Hip Hop and R&B. The DJ’s worked the crowd all night long catering for all. There perhaps could have been a touch more soca, but maybe that’s just my preference.

The Crowd: Hands tapping on the ceiling, feet stamping on the floor and many cheers as a riddim dropped. All these traits of appreciation were heard constantly on the boat. You could see that many were not ready to leave when the boat docked. The time went rel fast.

All-in-all: It is true that a boat party in winter should be a disappointment in the UK, but yet again the love for Soca and a quest to party all night reigns supreme. Well done Backyard Promotions, we await more events from you.

CLICK HERE TO SEE ALL THE PICTURES FROM GEM OF THE CARIBBEAN SEA