So we were looking around the Internet and found a website for a book called Ibiza Rocked, when we instantly thought how on earth has this book slipped past us? It had been a while since we read the Is Harry On The Boat series so this book seemed perfect, we had to have it. We got a copy of the book and read through it quickly, it was brilliant. It was a book about being a rep in Ibiza, the things you get up to, the job, the people you meet and also about falling in love.
However rather than us going on about the book, here is an interview with the author of the book Stu Griffiths.

 

When you went to rep in Ibiza did you ever imagine you would write a book?
It never crossed my mind once that I would ever write a book or that Ibiza Rocked would become a reality; however the events that make up the book was a story that just had to be told. Whilst I was a rep I did write for the resort newsletter under a pseudonym and would randomly report on fictitious events that had happened across the Island. Quite often causing the rumour mill to go into overdrive and probably got a few people into a bit of bother. I say that now, I don’t think anyone ever realised it was me. So I may become public enemy number one after admitting that.

What is your best memory of Ibiza?
Ah so many wonderful memories, where do I start? I guess it would have to be the moment I walked into Ground Zero in the West End of San Antonio. Ibiza was and probably still is known for dance music (more recently indie/rock) but at the time ‘Ground Zero’ was a rock bar slap bang in the middle of all the dance craze, that quite happily stood up with two fingers in the air and said “We’re doing it our way”. I absolutely love the place, the staff, the music they played and the fun we had in their as reps. I guess Ibiza Rocked would have never come about if I had not been in Ground Zero.


Tips for anyone who has never been to Ibiza?
Go without any preconceptions. Go at your own pace, enjoy every minute and explore the Island at least once. Ibiza is a fabulous Island that is more than just pubs and clubs. Bambuddha Grove is a restaurant slap bang in the middle of the Island. The food is exquisite and you’ll no doubt catch some famous faces there. I hear Leonardo DiCaprio, Puff Daddy, Madonna are amongst the recent visitors. Oh yeah and you must go into Ground Zero in the West End – and see what I am talking about.


Describe the average day of a rep in Ibiza?
An average day? The hours were incredible. I talk about the job in my book at length – but if I had to paraphrase it would be something like this:

Wake-up 8am (after going  to sleep at 7am from previous night clubbing). Be on the hotel desk at 8.30am – eat breakfast or vomit (I never knew which would happen). Chat with other reps, reminisce on previous nights antics. Either do a welcome meeting for the new guests or do ‘PR’ with existing guests. Try and sell excursions. Afternoon was usually an excursion of some kind – a beach party, water park or foam party. Go back to the flat, change clothes and get back to the hotel desk for more duties. Sometimes weekly accounts or a reps meeting would happen. The night would either be another excursion. Airport or another night out with the reps in the West End. We never paid for drinks, and entrance to all the Super clubs was completely free. I sound like I am complaining – I’m not, it was the best job ever. Whilst we were out there having “beach parties” on a Thursday afternoon, millions of Brits were stuck working in offices back home. Hah-hah-hah.

The guys in your book are quite the characters, are you still in contact?
Very much so, I think all will be friends forever. We were only recently talking about a 10 year anniversary reunion. I can’t believe it’s gone that fast. The joys of Social Networking – it’s so easy not to keep in contact. Some of them are still in Ibiza (so I am extremely envious).

Is there going to be a film version?
Yes Ibiza Rocked will be on the big screen sometime in the future. It will definitely be a hell of a lot better than the previous ‘Ibiza’ films I know that for sure.

How long did it take you to write the book?
That’s a good question. On and off I would write down recollections of stories would remember from my time there. It was only really put into a ‘book format’ once I knew publishing it was what I wanted to do. So the complete re-write probably about 3-4 months. The name ‘Ibiza Rocked’ incidentally was something I originally wrote as the title of my ‘memoir’s in 2002 way before the hotel. It was actually in honour of the Rock Bar Ground Zero and the amount of time I spent in there. Hence the name Ibiza Rocked.

Any plans for any more Ibiza based books?
Only the other day I spoke with my friend Sarah (who’s half Brazilian) and hot! About writing a new book on Ibiza. Lots of people have also asked if I am. I wouldn’t want to make something up for the sake of it. So I guess I need to go back to Ibiza this summer 2011 and find something that will make a new book. Mischief required I do believe.


Anything else you would like to add?

You could always follow me on Facebook

And Ibiza Rocked is now available for download on Kindle, iPad etc at Amazon

I think Ibiza 2011 will be the best yet – I’ve heard it from the people in the know.

 

 

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