Goodbyes and Hellos!

November 22, 2014  Saturday

Today was a day of packing, reflecting on the week and saying good-bye to our wonderful team mates.  It has been a really good week!

Final view from Sandy's 2nd story window.

I spent the morning finishing the previous blog and gathering all the stuff I had scattered around my room all week.  Nikki’s puppy was feeling pretty chipper and crying a lot, wanting out of his box.  She seemed overwhelmed with tasks so I took the little guy out to the grass to see what he would do.  He is so neurologic.  I don’t know if there is a chance of him improving or not.  But he is a strong little fellow so I am glad he is getting a chance.  He loved being out in the grass, rooting in the dirt, chewing on leaves and grass and trying to walk and run.  He finally did a giant poop then dropped into a deep sleep.  I put the little fellow back in his box and he slept for a couple of hours.

Nikki's little puppy sure enjoyed rooting in the grass!

Brad out for a final paddle.

Sandy and Brad made it out for a paddle.  Much calmer today.  A few people went out to town for some last minute shopping.

Final good-byes as the majority of the team were taken to the airport.  I hope we get to work with some of these folks again in the future!  Sandra was very sweet and took Harmony, Sandy and me (and all of luggage!!) to our new location at the Seagrape Plantation Resort.  On the way we got to see their house and guest house.  Super nice!  May have to come back sometime and stay at their guesthouse!

Our bungalow at Seagrape Plantation Resort.

Our new place is very nice.  It is a short walk from West End on a private little peninsula.  We are staying in a little bungalow with a nice view of the water.  We are located along the “iron shore” which is beds of old dead coral (looks like lava beds), so no sandy beaches along here.  The resort has a walkway built across the coral bed that goes all the way to the water, then a platform and ladder into the water.  It was still rough today, so the ladder was up, but it may be usable another day.  Lots of crabs, hermit crabs and pretty little snails are busy in the area and fun to watch.

The view from our room.

The "Iron Shore" which is made up of old, dead coral beds.

These little crabs are fun to watch!

Looking back to our bungalow from the walkway.

Checking out the hammock on our porch... where am I??

Oh!  All cocooned inside!

Harmony and Stacy

Off to town.

A friend we met at the restaurant, "Hey, any treats for me?"

Cindy is prepping a fresh coconut water:  using a machete to take off the top, then poking it open and putting in a straw.

Harmony enjoying here coconut water!

We met Scott getting ready to go out for a dive.  He had just finished the intro course and initial dive and was going for another dive.  We were able to get Harmony onboard to participate on the dive as well!  Her goal: see a sea turtle!  Linda went off with her pal, Ron, and Sandy and I had a plan to do some shopping.

We took a taxi a little way out of town to The Rusty Fish, a little shop that sells artwork made from recycled trash and everything is made here on the island.  Their pieces are bright and comical.  Sandy and I bought quite a few pieces.  They really make you smile and laugh.  We met the owner of the shop and he is a very personable fellow.  Seventeen local families are supported by by the work they do here.  He had hoped to have 100 families involved by now, but it is still his dream.

In the same little complex there is a tiny chocolate shop!  Now I am super happy!  They make their own organic, dark chocolate bars and truffles.  Oh boy, are they good!  So we did a fair bit of shopping (and tasting!) there as well.   The cacao comes from the mainland as does the coffee and other ingredients used.  The passion fruit truffles were phenomenal, so I bought a dozen to share with our friends at dinner tonight.  

This young lady is so enthusiastic about the chocolate, you would think she was the owner of the shop!

Back to our lodging to unload and head out for a snorkel/swim.  We walked over the bay near where we are staying.  Not much coral out there, but we did get to see some fish, including a large needle nose fish, and got some good exercise in the refreshing water.  We swam to shore as the sun was setting.

Now how is that for a sunset!

Back for a shower and change and off to meet the others for dinner.  We invited the gentleman staying next door to us.  Gerard is from Holland and is on a long holiday, diving here, then in Utilla and then off to the Cayman Islands.  We got Linda and met up with Harmony and Scott at the Sundowner.  The two of them had a wonderful dive and Harmony got to see three sea turtles!  She was super excited!  That was one her of her goals and it was completed!

We had a nice dinner and visit at “That Thai Place” then back to our lodgings for the night.  We will meet again in the morning before Scott heads back home.

The second chapter of our trip is well on its way!

Until tomorrow!!