Club Med - Pro Beach Volleyball - Jan 11, 1997

Some of the AVP pros playing an exhibition match

My Club Med Vacation

Mike Dodd and Mike (the Author) Prepare to Receive the Serve

It started at the airport,as we waited in the bag checking line we unconsciously started sizing up the people around us. Some volleyball players, some not. We knew who we were. Suddenly we recognize people. There's Doug, there's DB. This is going to be great! During the flight, several of our group, head for the rear of the plane, returning wearing shorts, ready for our island paradise. As we deplane it is evident that they had the right idea.

We blast through customs and head for the bus. The bus fills with volleyball players. When they come by to attach the Club Med bracelet that will be our id and meal ticket, I make sure they put it on my non-hitting hand. Later I found that some among us had it attached to their ankle. (Why didn't I think of that?) On the bus we are briefed on how to have fun on a Club Med vacation. We become GM's and learn that our hosts are GO's. Little colored paper tickets are currency for buying our precious fluids, and it's later than you think (Club Med time is one hour off of local time). Anyhow it is getting dark so we are easily convinced. As the bus hurtles down the rickety road I note that it is on the wrong side of the road, just then we turn in to Club Med Turkoise.

We hear the sound of island music, people greet us as we get off the bus, nobody will let us carry anything. Someone is circulating with glasses of fruit punch. We get our room assignments send our bags on ahead and settle in. JV and Bob must have paid someone off, because they got the best room in the village. Right next to the main volleyball court, steps from the dining room, and just as close to the pool.

And so started our routine: Party late into the night Retire when we can't party any more Awake to the sunshine in the Palm trees Amble down for a leisurely breakfast Hit the sand courts at around 10:30 Play volleyball till around 12:30 Wander back for lunch Attend a volleyball clinic coached by the AVP pros Play some more volleyball till sunset Head for the rooms and shower Amble down for a gourmet dinner Play some volleyball under the lights Watch the stage show Head to the disco and party late into the night. Repeat

Day after day. Night after night. But there was more there than volleyball.

There was excellent scuba diving, tennis lessons, circus lessons, day excursions to Iguana island and the cave safari.

Pro Beach Volleyball - Turkoise

Slam, dig and serve with the top men and women pro beach volleyball players who will host skill clinics, pro-am tournaments, question & answer sessions, and more.

The Club Med Village of Turkoise is on the Island Group of Turks and Caicos which is at the South Eastern tip of the Bahamas.

• Miles of perfect powder-white beaches and turquoise seas.
• A water sports lover's dream come true.
• Your own desert island in the sun, with a lively, sporty ambience.

Volleyball Vacations

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