Sir Viv Richards: Why the west of England is just like Antigua
Sir Viv Richard, the Antiguan former cricketer, on working with a prince, his passion for golfing and ambition to explore Zimbabwe.
I used to lead a quiet life
...at a slower pace, as a young man from Antigua, before I first arrived in Britain in the Seventies. But now I travel around the world quite often, including most recently to Islamabad in Pakistan, which I really enjoyed.
I nearly didn’t make it
...to England when I first touched down in London in 1973. I hadn’t received the paperwork for my work permit before arriving, so I was quizzed by suspicious airport officials at Heathrow. It was very awkward. Eventually they made a call on the PA system in search of the guy who was organising my stint at Lansdown Cricket Club in Bath and thankfully everything was ironed out.
I feel a sense of calm
...in the west of England similar to that peacefulness I felt back in Antigua. It’s why it’s been of my favourite part of Britain. But London is my favourite city as I’ve walked the streets of the capital so often, I know it really well.
I can hear history
...and tradition echo from the stands at Lord’s, which is my favourite cricket ground. I’ve played in some spectacularly scenic grounds in Cape Town and Johannesburg, but Papua New Guinea in the Seventies was the most remote place I’d been for my cricketing career.
Cricket is like a religion
...in India and I love how it is worshipped by the locals there. It’s always so heart-warming to play in a place where people are so devoted to the sport. I also really love India for its mixture of different cultures.
The mountains in Kashmir were out of this world
...when I visited a city called Srinagar. We travelled around the region on a houseboat and the weather was amazing. It was one of the best holidays I’d ever had.
Rambagh Palace is one of the most magnificent hotels
...in Jaipur and one of my favourites. Over the years, it has been used by the maharajas, the maharanis and other figures from Indian high society who had turned it into this stunning luxurious palace.
I’ve spent time with a prince
Prince Hakeem of Brunei, who I worked with several years go, which was an extravagant experience – I was well looked-after. But more recently, I’ve found Dubai to be the most luxurious place I’ve been. Hotel stays there usually entail a host of luxuries such as a personal chauffeur car service.
I need to indulge my passion
...for golf wherever I am in the world. I am a fanatic when it comes to the game, so I need to know there is a golf course not far away when I’m on holiday, such as when I stayed at the Four Seasons Resort Nevis. It is a beautiful hotel with a great golf course, which made it even better.
The people in the Caribbean are incredible
...especially in Antigua where I’m based, which is a fantastic place to live. It was lovely to see how people came together during the recent hurricanes and helped one another. Sir Andy Roberts [former Antiguan cricketer] also helped to get aid over to Dominica, which was devastated like Barbuda. Sugar Breeze, my favourite restaurant in Antigua, serves the best local food, while my local golf club, Cedar Valley, is where I always go for a drink.
Queenstown, New Zealand is the most beautiful place
...in the world I’ve been to so far. The city is really underrated as a golfing destination. One of my most disappointing golf experiences has been a Disney course in America.
I remembering visiting Cape Town
...just after the end of apartheid on a white water rafting trip. It was one of my most adventurous travel experiences during such a historic period. Marlin fishing with Sir Ian Botham [former England cricketer] in Cairns, Australia was also one heck of an experience.
Some airlines are special
...such as Etihad, Emirates and Qatar, for their incredible service. I’ve enjoy flying with British Airways too.
Know what you are taking
...on your travels. Check everything that anyone gives you, regardless of who it is. As for flights, I avoid drinking alcohol and drink loads of water.
I hate it when people are possessive
...about their sunbed by the pool, putting a towel on it. It strikes me as having an authoritarian attitude. It’s the one bugbear of mine when I’m travelling abroad.
I’d love to see Zimbabwe
...one day, especially following such historic times. I want to take a good bit of time exploring the rest of Africa in a big way.
Sir Viv Richards is a tourism ambassador for his native country Antigua. For more information, see visitantiguabarbuda.com
Interview by Roz Lewis
