TEN days ago, Dexter Blackstock was plying his trade in the Caribbean sunshine of Kingston, Jamaica.
A few days before that, he was in action in similarly enticing surroundings, at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, in Antigua and Barbuda.
Tomorrow, he admits a trip to Barnsley is a little less enticing; a touch less colourful.
But, while his fledgling international career continued with two defeats, Blackstock believes the experience will stand him in good stead, as Nottingham Forest look to build a promotion challenge.
Blackstock's first international goal was almost enough to earn Antigua and Barbuda – population 105,632 – what would have been a landmark draw against the USA, the home to more than 312 million people.
Only Eddie Johnson's last-minute goal denied them a 1-1 draw.
But, despite also suffering a 4-1 loss in Jamaica, Blackstock believes the games were vital for him, as he made his Forest return on Tuesday evening with a vital goal.
Following his controversial three-match ban, for his questionable red card against Derby County, Blackstock came off the bench to secure a 2-2 draw in Blackpool. And, despite his lack of action with the Reds, he is feeling sharp.
"It was good to get a goal against a team like the USA. It was a great occasion for such a small island to go up against a country as big as that," he said.
"We looked as though we were going to get a draw against the USA, which would have been a great result.
"We missed out narrowly, when then scored a 90th-minute winner.
"But to push them so close just shows how far we have come.
"Going to Barnsley is not quite the same! It is not 30 degree heat beach weather!
"But it is something you have to contend with and I do feel sharp because of the games I have played.
"It was a great experience for me, to go away and be part of something like that; to experience a different climate and a different culture.
"I loved every minute of it."
Blackstock does still feel bitter about his sending off, for an alleged elbow.
"It was not nice. To get sent off for something like that was very, very disappointing," he said.
"Fortunately I had two international games to play in, which helped me to maintain my fitness.
"And I was fortunate enough to get a goal out there as well.
"I did feel sharp when I came on, because of that.
"It was a massive disappointment to miss the Forest games, but what can you do?
"I am glad I had those internationals in the meantime.
"My grandparents are from Antigua. It was an easy choice for me really.
"Even if you are playing regularly in the Premier League and doing well, there is nothing to say that you would get anything more than one or two caps (for England).
"So it made sense for me. It was an opportunity I did not want to turn down, playing international football."
Blackstock was not the only striker to net on Tuesday evening at Bloomfield Road, with Billy Sharp having given Sean O'Driscoll's side a deserved lead in a game they had dominated for long periods.
And Blackstock is convinced their firepower will be a decisive factor this season, because it allows them to always believe they are never beaten.
"In our squad, we know there are goals in the team. That is what gives us belief," he said.
"We have spoken about me getting the goal at Blackpool, but there is also Billy and Simon Cox as well.
"We know that if we get balls into the right areas, we will get chances for our strikers and our midfielders.
"We will score goals every time we play. We feel that every time we go on the pitch, so that is why we never feel like we are truly beaten.
"We know we are a match for anyone in this league, we are a confident team.
"You get a lift from scoring a last-minute equaliser. It is also a good point, regardless of the incidents within the game.
"We came away to a very good Blackpool side and came away with a point, following back-to-back wins.
"I have a feeling it will look like a good point come the end of the season."
And, in the meantime, Blackstock is not intimidated by the fight for places in the squad.
"There is competition everywhere. But if you look at our bench (on Tuesday), you have myself, Jermaine Jenas, Lewis McGugan, Guy Moussi... you have a very strong selection there," he said.
"And Jonathan Greening missed out on the squad all together.
"Then there is Henri Lansbury and Marcus Tudgay who did not travel. It is a very good squad.
"And, with a very good squad, there is going to be competition for places.
"If you want to be a number one striker, you probably have to go and play for a lesser team.
"It is important you feel part of things in the squad. If you do not feel part of things, they you have a problem.
"But there is no reason why you can't feel part of things here. We can all be part of Forest's plans moving forward, because we all want the same things. We all want to see Forest promoted."
And, if Blackstock can keep the goals coming, he may just find himself visiting a few more glamorous destinations with Forest in the future.
