Christmas Time

This year, we were visited by a very large Christmas Elf...

He came just in time to decorate our tree...

And to celebrate Grandma Ann's Birthday!

On the Field

On the Field
Originally uploaded by wendoes

Here is Andrew in the line-up on field during the Stadium Opening Ceremony (see post below). After the kids formed the honour guard for arriving dignitaries, they ran out onto the field and stood at attention.

Andrew Participates in New Sports Stadium Opening Ceremony

On October 24th, Dominica held the official Opening Ceremony for its new Windsor Park Sports Stadium. Andrew was selected as one of four children from his school (Pioneer Prep) to participate. About 100 children formed the honour guard for arriving dignitaries and then remained on the field during the introductory remarks.

Practice took place at the stadium a few days before, so we enjoyed seeing the sparkling new stadium.

Photo: Andrew & Peter take a break during the last practice session.

The highlight of the ceremony for Andrew was the spectacular fireworks display. Since the stadium was a gift to Dominica from the People's Republic of China, we expected great fireworks -- and we got them!

For more details about the Stadium Opening, check out the new Visit Dominica Blog.

One Laptop Per Child

This is an amazing program for providing laptops to children in developing nations:

"Starting November 12, One Laptop Per Child will be offering a Give 1 Get 1 Program for a brief window of time. For $399, you will be purchasing two XO laptops—one that will be sent to empower a child to learn in a developing nation, and one that will be sent to your child at home.

If you're interested in Give 1 Get 1, we'll be happy to send you a reminder email. Just sign up in the box to the left and you'll receive your reminder prior to the November 12 launch date."
http://www.xogiving.org/index.html

> Read David Pogue's article in the New York Times, "Laptop With a Mission Widens Its Audience."

Diver Andrew

Diver Andrew
Originally uploaded by wendoes

This year at Dive Fest Andrew was finally old enough to take the Discover Scuba Diving Lesson in the pool. Here he is it at Anchorage on the first Saturday of Dive Fest, already looking like an old pro.

Of course, he had a great time! So much so, he did it again at Sunset Bay Club on Wednesday.

When he wasn't diving in the pool, he was wandering around taking photographs... hhmmm... sound like anyone else you know? His photos of iguanas will be posted soon.

I've spent so much time updating the Dive Fest Blog, I haven't had a moment to work on mine. So get over there and check it out: DiveFest.Wordpress.com


Meanwhile, somehow Simon found three spare minutes to join a Photo Contest, and he came in third! Photo & details on WetPixel.com.

SeaSpace Dinner at the Fort Young Hotel

SeaSpace Dinner at the Fort Young Hotel
Originally uploaded by wendoes.

Mrs Aldrin, Buzz Aldrin, Mark Ward, Mrs. Cousteau, Simon, Wendy, Rob (Pres. of Sea Space).

What a wonderful evening! Through some strange strokes of fortune, Simon was invited to attend this dinner event, part of the Sea Space Symposium being held at the Fort Young Hotel. Sea Space is a group of elite scientists - many of whom work in the air & space industry and also have a love of scuba diving. The group travels twice a year to get together and connect with one another, and Dominica was the selected venue this April. Thanks to Rob & Jan, Mark, Dave & Maureen for stumbling across Images Dominica - it was great meeting you all and we hope to see you down here again one day soon!

Camping on the Rosalie River

Camping on the Rosalie River
Originally uploaded by wendoes.

Despite non-stop rain and campers bailing faster than a sinking canoe, we persevered and had a marvelous time on our first riverside camping expedition. Thanks to Madeleine & the Agars for providing EVERYTHING anyone could possibly need, including 'farm fresh eggs'; to the Madisettis for the ever-wonderful cooler of ice (snow ball fights are a MUST for our trips); to Duce for his unflagging fire skills; to Marvlyn & Justin for being great sports; to Janey for entertaining us and working hard on kitchen duty; to Paul & Celia for the delicious kebabs; to Nemo for performing her A1 Security duties; and to everyone for devouring our wonderful smores!

Purple Dragon in the Gardens

Purple Dragon in the Gardens
Originally uploaded by wendoes.

Andrew's Karate Class has an open-air session in the Botanical Gardens.

King Hunter

King Hunter
Originally uploaded by wendoes.

Andrew and the 2007 Calypso King Hunter on the streets of Roseau, Carnival Monday.

Zippin' through the Jungle!

Ziplines! What a blast. I may have found a new hobby. One afternoon of clambouring over cables strung through thte rainforest canopy like Christmas lights, and flying across the Layou Rivevr on a zip-line, I am sold! Gotta get me a climbing harness and some carabiners...

Halfway through the course, Andrew was already a pro, practically clipping himself into pulleys for the flight from one platform to the next, 40 metres away. Watch the video.

Wacky Rollers Adventure Park, Dominica
Originally uploaded by wendoes.

Don't miss the Birthday Boy on the Tarzan Jump! Watch the video.

Butterfly Study

Butterfly Study
Originally uploaded by wendoes.

Butterfly Bliss at Morne Prosper

Carnival Queen Contestant

queencontestant
Originally uploaded by wendoes.

One of seven Queen Contestants for Miss Dominica 2007 in the Opening Parade of Dominica's Carnival.

See my Photos of Carnival's Opening Parade here.

Hike to the Boiling Lake - December 2006

My second trip to the Boiling Lake, 12 years after the first! The terrain is even more gorgeous than I remembered. Thanks to all my hiking buddies for making it a fun trip.