Tom and Nick Carroll, on the other hand, made furious.
And imagine being in the homes of surf legends Barton Lynch, Mark Richards or Layne Beachley, this morning, if you can. Confetti everywhere. Empty champagne bottles strewn about. Paper noisemakers and celebratory hats littering the ground. Crepe streamers dangling off light fixtures. Tom and Nick Carroll standing outside peering through the window, miniature arms folded tightly over miniature chests, hopping mad.
Yes, for yesterday, leading vacation authority Tripadvisor released its highly anticipated “Top 10 Beaches in the World” list. Watch parties had been organized in Carmel by the Sea, New Smyrna, Turtle Bay, Bayeux and Bondi. Revelers ready to toast their sun-speckled superiority.
Fireworks were sent skyward, first, in Praia da Falésia, named number one, and anyone who has spent any time around Portugal’s Algarve region couldn’t help but lightly nod approval. Spiaggia dei Conigli, floating closer to Tunisia than its Italy, came next with residents digging into traditional spumoni ice creams decorated with sparklers, La Concha, in Spain, where Basque separatists demanded decorations must be red and green as opposed to red and yellow.
Ka’anapali, near Lahaina, slotted in at number four, Grace Bay in Turks and Caicos at five, The Seychelles’ Anse Lazio at six and then…
…Manly, Australia at coveted number seven. Tripadvisor swooned, “Manly Beach is at the center of everything—literally. Just a quick ride from the Sydney CBD, it’s surrounded by shops, cafes, and more. Go swimming or surfing in the warm waters (there’s a netted area for swimming plus lifeguards on duty), or take a dip in the saltwater pool. Then, go for a stroll along the long beach walkway and take in the panoramic views.”
Unmentioned were hometown heroes Barton Lynch, Mark Richards and Layne Beachley who had long been awaiting the honor and were overcome by spasms of glee before hosting proper bacchanals.
The aforementioned Tom and Nick, hailing thirty minutes up the coast in Newport, made entirely furious. Wondering if the results had been tampered with, demanding a recount, questioning election integrity.
Every rose has its thorn, I suppose.
Puerto Rico did not make the list but Olympic hopefuls are currently vying for a Tahitian ticket at Arecibo. You can watch their progress now, if you so choose.
Bon apetit.
