Thursday 6th August, 2009
Thursday is here and all 84 contestants have finally made it with Miss Zambia (who actually lives and studies in Richmond) rounding off the delegate list.
When you consider each contestant has around 5 suitcases at least, the law of averages have been relatively kind and have insured only a small amount of us have had luggage lost or delayed (myself included).
But today was glorious, as all luggage was finally tracked, traced, hunted down and returned to rightful owners.
First stop yesterday - Ardastra gardens, a zoo where we were treated to a whole flamingo show to the theme tune of Monty Python's Flying Circus. Ministry of Silly Walks watch out! Clifton Heritage site, pirates and catamaran boat trips completed the whole affair.
We were out for 15 hours on the trot and if a 6am start this morning didn't sound the most appealing at first, excitement soon kicked in when we realised we were off to meet the dolphins and sea lions.
Electra was the most playful and ever so slightly mischievous lady dolphin you could imagine and out diva-ed the whole of us put together. Electra, I salute you!
Having built up an appetite, I sat down next to Miss Nicaragua at lunch. She told me all about the flame she holds for Prince William.
She seemed a little disappointed when I had to admit to not knowing the man personally and shattered her dreams of thus becoming a real life princess, but needless to say for such a beautiful lovely, there are plenty more fish in the sea.
Tomorrow we shop in Nassau and the evening is a biggie, the welcome dinner, where I am told I will get to meet the Prime Minister of the Bahamas.
I've brought him a little something something from home - tea from Harrods of course! I'll let you know how I get on.
Love
Clair xxx
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Wednesday 5th August, 2009
There was a particularly high quota of bevy of beauties at the Terminal 5 departure gate to Nassau.
Miss India, Hungary, Germany, Slovak Republic and Switzerland were all on board the beauty airbus.
Introductions would have to wait however as the theory of 6 degrees of separation proved bang on as I settled in next to the neighbour of Welsh boxer Joe Calzaghe.
My national auction gift is a pair of boxing gloves signed by the man himself you see.
All proceeds from the auction go to HIV and Aids awareness charities all championed by the Miss Universe organization and I'm hoping for a legend like Joe, who has never been defeated, that people reach deep into their pockets.
On arrival we were taken to the Atlantis Resort in 4 stretched limos.
Living in the West End of London, I'm pretty used to hustle, bustle and sirens going off left right and centre, so it only dawned upon me a couple of minutes into the journey that the sirens were for us - we had a full on police escort literally stopping traffic to usher us through
Since settling in with my room mate Miss Egypt, the first 48 hours have been non stop.
The team has just a couple of days to shoot and interview all 84 girls.
Hair stylists and make up artists have been flown in from all over the world - including good old Covent Garden, London - to help with the High Definition "Beautification process".
My highlight so far has without a shadow of a doubt been my shoot with Fadil. The man is a legend and shoots the swimsuit section for the programme every year and every lady looks like a goddess in them.
I can't wait to see the results (they don't release those for a while longer), especially as it involved skill clambering up into mid air.
Yes you read that correctly, I think I deserve extra brownie points for not breaking my neck, and lets face it the whole neck brace look is so much more becoming on Avid Merrion.
My make up for Fadil's shoot was executed by Isabel Perez. If you're not familiar with the name, you would be with her work.
She's had the likes of Britney pimped and preened to perfection on tour as well as in her "I'm Slave for You" and "Toxic" videos.
The lady is magical, I want to put her in my bags and bring her back to London with me.
Isabel is allergic to the sun and I felt her pain, the weather is hot heavy and humid.
Miss Guatemala who I figured would cope with it no problem commented on how strong the sun was as I was lotioning sun block on her shoulders.
I decided it best to take my lead from Miss Panama and plonk myself under a brolly to have lunch and got chatting with Miss Israel.
She explained to me that she had taken a month's leave from her training in the army to compete in the pageant.
To me that's the depiction of a strong beautiful mama if ever I saw one.
The Bahamians have made us feel so very welcome and all sorts of shenanigans are planned over the upcoming weeks. There have even been whispers of swimming with dolphins!
For now, over and out - your roving reporter from Nassau!
Clair xxx
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