Legions of followers have been most likely been pining for this post since I unplugged a couple weeks ago to go on an adventure. That or didn't notice I was gone. Either way, I have challenged myself to wrap a whole vacation in 10 pictures.
Grappler's Quest https://www.grapplersescape.com/ is the vacation of a lifetime for Brazilian Jiu Jitsu practitioners. Usually a week on a cruise ship with an itinerary overflowing with training sessions, dining, and parties of all sorts. Before I get too far ahead of myself, here are the champions who were givin' 'er with us this year.
- Bruno Malfacine https://www.bjjheroes.com/bjj-fighters/bruno-malfacine-bjj-wiki 10-time world champ and so much more.
- Xande Ribiero https://www.bjjheroes.com/bjj-fighters/xande-ribeiro-fighter-wiki is speaking in this introduction session. Countless world championship titles and one of the founders of the school I first trained in.
- Gezary Matuda https://www.bjjheroes.com/bjj-fighters/gezary-matuda 3-time world champ, 3-time pan champ
- Braulio Estima https://www.bjjheroes.com/bjj-fighters/braulio-estima-facts-and-bio repeat world and international champion with techniques named after him.
- Michael Langhihttps://www.bjjheroes.com/bjj-fighters/michael-langhi-bjj-fighter-bio Multi-year world champ
This was not my first time on this trip so I was not so star struck as last time but definitely happy to be in the company of these and so many other talented grapplers.
As you might expect, there is PLENTY of training to be had. Zebra mats https://zebraathletics.com/ all over the floor in the conference room with 2-hour morning gi sessions and daily afternoon nogi seminars. If there was nothing else to do on this trip, the lessons and concepts learned through these world class teachers and sparring with people from across the globe is special. So much fun to be had.
Besides our martial arts ties, it is quite a thing to be a group of 150 instant friends making your presence felt on a cruise ship! This is a part of the crew as we made our way from the training room up to the helipad for group pictures. Chanting and having fun the whole way, we were quite the procession.
Then, it was go time. Others who have been on cruises will know that half the fun is the destinations and excursions. Leaving the floating hotel to explore the islands and coastal towns makes it actually feel like traveling. Now imagine rolling to these with 50 close friends with a good ratio of Brazilians. This photo of us bussing it back to the ship after a day at the beach on Curacao will give you an idea.
Plenty of goofy vacationers to wander the beaches with and booze cruises to hit. I have a couple I may get into individually to share the adventure in future posts. Wonderful weather and walking in the sand is good for your soul.
We attended musical acts, comedy shows, karaoke competitions, diner together and even swamped the dance floor in the night club nightly. Traveling alone or with a partner would be great with all of the ship's entertainment options but bringing a whole battalion with you makes them even better.
.jpg)
What kind of post would it be without a little beer? This #beerologist is partial to craft brewed IPAs but I make an exception when on a Caribbean vacation. These delicious looking beverages were even better on a beach in Curacao where they were brewed. Corona is the default but I love to find a local beer that goes well with lime in the sun.
Getting to spend time on the mats and partying with this crew again this year seems too good to be true. The last time we went, it felt like we were pulling off a heist to get so lucky to escape like this. Having done it again, feels like I have found my ultimate vacation. So many positive, fun, active, instant friends out here on the helipad all together. Their families that accompanied them were just as fun and delightful. I feel privileged.
The sun may have set on another huge adventure for me but it is just starting for you. I am getting my feet back on the ground here with the business and garden to attend to before some more summer adventure. I will make sure to sprinkle some more of last week's highlights in posts this month. Buckle up!
I am honoured to curate for:
https://leofinance.io/threads/zekepickleman/re-leothreads-wexyuk3z
The rewards earned on this comment will go directly to the people ( zekepickleman ) sharing the post on LeoThreads,LikeTu,dBuzz.
Man, this must be a very interesting experience. I've never heard of it before and who knows what's going on all over the world that I've never heard of before. Congratulations on completing the 10 photo challenge.
Haha thanks! I have hundreds of others to sort through and will see what stories I can come up with next to share this adventure more fully.
Awesome trip nonetheless.
Damn that looks like a great vacation.. well minus all that training.. and more of those amber colored beers.. I've never been on a cruise.. Soon
I think I would prefer a destination vacation rather than a cruise for my self but that sounds like white people problems.
Only adding the training and this group of people would make me cruise again.
Karate is something a person should learn because if they ever get into trouble, it's a lot of fun, and the way we see it, vacationing with all your friends is a much more beautiful way. Celebrating at the most beautiful place. Sunshine looks so beautiful.
Yes but this is ground karate! ;)
I have plenty of other sunshiney pics to show over the next while to warm all those in winter up.
Waiting for new pictures.
It looks like you had an amazing time on your vacation! The pictures you shared are incredible, and I can really feel the sense of excitement and camaraderie that you experienced.
It's clear that you're passionate about Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and it's so cool that you got to spend a week training with some of the best in the world. I'm also impressed by the fact that you were able to fit in so much sightseeing and partying on top of all the training.
I can definitely see why you've found this to be your ultimate vacation. It sounds like you had a truly unforgettable experience.
Oh for sure. For people who don’t train, it would be good enough to party a full week with these awesome people. For those who do, these are hall of fame world champions that people would line up for an autograph. To hang out with them, get to know them and become friends is such a gift. Nothing can compare.
Man, pirates trying to take over that ship would get a rough wake up call!
A gun probably defeats all grappling skills but I could think of easier targets!
Congratulations @zekepickleman! You have completed the following achievement on the Hive blockchain And have been rewarded with New badge(s)
Your next target is to reach 16500 replies.
You can view your badges on your board and compare yourself to others in the Ranking
If you no longer want to receive notifications, reply to this comment with the word
STOPCheck out our last posts: