There's Never Enough Time (Feb.6)

There is never enough time. It's the truth. No matter how much you've said or done, it will never seem like enough when the hourglass runs dry. I realized that this past Tuesday when my ouma phoned to tell me that my oupa had died. It wasn't really unexpected...we all thought he'd pass within the next year or so. We didn't think it would be this soon. I thought I had more time...more time to thank him...more time to talk to him...more time to just love him. Like I said, there is just never enough time.

I found out about the cancer in Roatan only a few months ago. It seemed improbable to me that he wouldn't be around forever. It was less than two years ago that he danced at our wedding...thrusting his hips as he jived...his silver hair glinting in the candlelight of the reception room. He seemed the picture of health swaying in the suit he wore to his own wedding. Even then, I realized I would cherish the moment for all time. There would be no forgetting and I placed the memory fervently in my already hot heart...stashed it with all the other beautiful memories I'd gathered of him over the years. I knew, one day, I'd have to take it out and remember it as I said goodbye. I just didn't think it would happen now. There I go again...thinking about all the time we should have had.

I honestly believe my oupa was the last true gentleman alive. When I was smaller, he'd push me to the inside of the sidewalk stating that a man never let a lady walk close to traffic. I always felt comfortable with him. His sense of integrity and respect never dwindled...never faltered. He was a true man until the very end. My oupa taught me that the right decisions aren't always the easy ones. He showed me that family is the most important gift and that the truth is something you can never hide from. He taught me how to tie my shoelaces with the necktie ribbon of my teddy bear and scolded me for crying wolf in our swimming pool. He eased my worries about the Easter Bunny not being able to find me when we came to visit and explained what a good marriage was really all about. He taught me how to behave simply because I didn't want to disappoint him. The last thing I wanted as a child, or as an adult was to see him hurt by my actions. I had/have so much respect that I will forever live my life in a way that makes him proud.

We were so much alike in so many ways. We both love white chocolate, are sometimes overly sensitive and seek our true selves in our family. We had our inside jokes and I still think he used to eat trees to become so strong. He always said he should have been born in the olden days - I have always felt the same way.

This goodbye is bittersweet. While I will miss him more than I can ever express, I know his passing was a gift. He did not suffer. In the end, he outlived most of his children and all of his grandchildren. He lived a long and passionate life experiencing Africa with all that he was. He had loving parents, good looks and built a beautiful family. We should all be so lucky. In the end, he went gently into the sweet night...passing in his sleep. What a fitting ending for a life lived so well.

Goodbye my oupa. Thank you for all that you were and for all that you gave to me. I am forever blessed because of what you've been for me.

The African Sun....(Feb.1st)

I know, I know...long time no update! The photos and stories just kept building until it seemed like one massive job to let you all know how our trip has been going. I have a few hours to relax and thought I'd better get back to letting the 'real world' know how we've been! Sorry guys! Oh and before I begin, please ignore the formatting errors. I've been trying to space out the paragraphs but Blogger won't let me...the photos are messing it all up for some reason!! UGH!

We left our beautiful little island on Christmas eve and arrived in Houston without any problems.

It was so sad to say goodbye. I cried as I saw West End fade into the distance as the sky swallowed us up in her vast blue arms. The silky beaches glistened in the hot sunshine as turquoise waters enveloped the shoreline...a gorgeous memory etched into our thoughts forever. I remember arriving much the same way - wondering what lay in the reefs we saw from our perch in the sky...wondering what people we'd find at the shoreline. Now that we know, we've realized it was all so much more amazing than we'd ever dared to hope for.

Our nights in Houston were awesome and filled with lots of sushi, warm baths, new movies and fluffy towels...luxuries we'd long forgotten in Roatan. Everything seemed new again after living so long without washing machines and television. Christmas was quiet and strange. It was the first time I'd ever been without my family and I couldn't quite wrap my head around the idea that it was actually the holidays. We spent the day in our hotel room before heading out for sushi and the movie theatre. You couldn't get more yuppy than us that day! I have to say, I missed the snow, my mom's cooking, my brother's antics and my dad's laugh.

That's what next year is for!

We departed for Doha, Qatar (cheapest flight option...) on Boxing Day with a nice surprise. We were chatting to the guys checking us in as we always do...asking questions about the holidays...making fun of impatient travelers...when Kevin asked if they had a seat by the exit for his long legs. They said they didn't and Kevin said it wasn't a problem. When we got to the flight gates we were stopped, pulled aside and told that we had been upgraded to business class because we were so nice!!! WOW!! What an amazing surprise. We had fully reclining leather seats, French champagne, food to die for, 150 movies, luxury perfumes, gorgeous pajamas and so much more. Was it ever a treat! I have never had a 15 hour flight pass by more quickly. We didn't even want to sleep because it was simply too awesome! Let me add, however, that once you fly business class it ruins flying for the rest of your life. Going back to economy class is like being sent back to a prisoner of war camp.

After eight hours in Doha airport we made our way to Cape Town where my uncle Gary met us at the gate! Finally we were under the hot African sun. After a few days we made our way down to Plettenberg Bay (Plett as everyone here calls it) to stay at my dad's house for a couple of weeks. There we enjoyed plenty of books, amazing food, a great beach and some nearby wildlife!

Our first real excursion was to take the Cheetahs at Tenikwa Rehabilitation Centre for their morning walk. We got there by 7:15 a.m. and Duma and the other one whose name I can't remember were waiting. What an experience!! We had them on leashes but it was really pointless. As soon as they begin to run in the forest you simply have to let them go! Obviously we can't run as fast as a cheetah! Every now and then they would sprint into the jungle only for us to find them lazing together under a tree. The process repeated itself until the cheetahs decided to have some fun and take off into a steep ravine. All the coaxing and calling wouldn't get them out before they were ready! It was an incredible feeling hearing them purr (which actually sounds like growling from such a big cat) when we scratched their ears.

After the walk we toured the habitats of some other cats including a leopard who decided to spray Kevin's leg. It was hilarious!! Kevin was, no doubt, surprised but decided it was a compliment (he would). Here are a few pics to share...and yes, Kevin and I do have the same jacket. We picked them out without one another and still ended up with the same one!

Great minds.....

After some time in Plett we decided to strike out to the surfing town of Jeffrey's Bay (known as J'Bay). It has some of the world's best surfing and tons of Billabong shops. We thought we'd go the cool kid route and stay in a hostel. After several brandy and cokes, meeting a guy name Matches, Kevin running around in his boxers and me speaking in an Italian accent all night, we woke up in bunk beds. Suffice it to say, the surfing crowd is similar to the dive bum crowd in a few key areas! HAHA!! Here's a pic of us before the mayhem started....

A couple more pics from when we got back to Plett...

Another incredible experience was our trip to the Knysna Elephant Park! WOW! We were able to spend some quality time with orphaned elephants and it was incredible...this is what I wrote when we got back that night...

'Trunks and tusks fill my my thoughts. What a magical experience today at the Knysna Elephant Park. We started off buying buckets of apples, turnips and pineapples and ended up dirty with crazy grins of glee spread across our faces. After a short video, we took a ride into the bush to find the majestic beasts. Pulling up to them I felt my heart tug. They took my breath away. Feeding them was an experience! They stretched their long trunks and whipped us with their anticipation. It was a frenzy and my white shirt got the brunt of their excitement. Trunks felt my hair, my neck and my shoulders looking for their sweet treats. I laughed and tried to turn my back to them but they out-manouvered me in every way. Kevin was mesmerized! His face spilt over in excitement and awe.

After we have handed our spoils to the giants, we are allowed to roam freely with them. The guides make sure to warn us of coming in between them, of bending over and of approaching them from behind. For over an hour we take photos, learn about these gentle giants and touch them. It is an incredible experience to note the sensory hairs on their faces, their long, thick eyelashes and their mischeivious ways. During this experience, I move towards one to pose for a photo. I put my foot too close to his and, he starts accidentally putting his foot on mine. I don’t flinch or squirm – in fact, I barely notice, but the elephant does. Gently and slowly, he moves he leg as if embarrassed. He is so sweet and sensitive. It seems to me he hopes no one has noticed his near transgression. This cements the elephants even more so into my heart. We come away exhilarated, excited and filthy!'

This impatient elephant felt I was taking too long to hand over the goods so he let out a

serious yell!

Love this pic! Kevin looks so small in comparison!



Such a sweet baby!!

Even more than the animals, this trip to SA was to see my family and introduce them to my amazing new husband!! Most of them couldn't come all the way to Canada for the wedding so this is the time for them to see what a special guy I married. Let me tell you, Kevin fits in so well wherever he goes. He has won them all over and I am so proud to have him as my own.

After we finished up in Plett we went to see my cousin Olwyn who is growing so fast we couldn't believe it! So tall and sweet. He is turning into such a wonderful young man...wow....don't I sound like an old lady! HA! Anyway it's true...he spent some time in Canada just after Kevin and I got engaged and we had a blast! He has a very good heart and is very special to the Bothas & Horrelts!

We were also able to see my cousin Jacolize and her new fiance Rocco! What a treat. Those two are the nicest couple and we are so sad we won't be there for their wedding April 24th. She is going to be a GORGEOUS bride. Those two have a beautiful future ahead and we look forward to spending more time with them.

We also picked up my two youngest cousins Zandre and Mika (Gary and Elize's sweetie pies) for the day. We took them to the zoo for the afternoon (where a chimp literally spat on us...that was hilarious) and then parted ways. Zandre and I hit the beach (we are both photo freaks) and Kevin and Mika hit the pool (both dare devils). It was such a rare treat to be able to spend time with these special cousins of mine.

Zandre has such a big, beautiful heart. She has a sweetness and softness to her that make the biggest impression on anyone she meets. I am terribly lucky she's family and I look forward to lots of time spent together in the future. I am hoping she can come to Canada soon so that I can show her off! She is a tremendous spirit. Plus, she has this incredible creative side. At only just under 14 she taught me a whole lot more than I could have imagined about light, angles and photography. We are planning another beach photography session really soon but this is just a taste of what we did last week. I miss her already!

This is Zandre....I think this photo sums up her sweetness...

.......and yes, we both have a crazy side! We are totally related...haha!

This is a photo she took for us at sunset in Blouberg...

At dinner, these two characters couldn't stop pulling faces and laughing! Mika is a bundle of positive energy and is very clever. He had us cracking up with his crazy comments all day long!

While we were in Cape Town we ran into some Roatan friends! Will (our PADI course director) and his beautiful new wife Loren were on their honeymoon! The original plan was India but the visa thing didn't quite work out in their favour (lucky for us!). We spent a few days having some great food, delicious wine (Boschendal was unbelievable!) and plenty of laughs. It was so good to see them and wish them all the happiness in the world. They are such a great match.

One of our best experiences was at Moyo in Stellenbosch. It is HUGE and filled with African food, culture, dance and song. AMAZING. We had a tree top table and spent hours indulging ourselves. I can honestly say I'll never forget the experience.

Here are a few photos..the first two are of our African face paintings...

Kevin was hungry and already tired of photos.....

The tree top tables...

One of the many food stations...YUM!!!

They had huge fires with marshmallows for roating everywhere. Before we left we had to take advantage! Oh and for those of you who don't know, Loren broke her wrist at the beginning of the honeymoon snowboarding. I tell you, no one has ever made a cast look so classy or been able to roll with the punches of an injury quite like Loren.

After saying goodbye to the newlyweds it was off to my favourite place in the whole, wide world...the Great Karoo!! My family settled here in 1900 and it's one of the oldest farms in the Karoo. My uncle Nico and the familly is now at the helm of 20,000 sheep, 800 boer goats, and 200 cattle. It's a busy operation filled with life and love...and damn good food!!!

Since we moved a lot growing up, this place is the only place that's been like a home for me. No matter what changes, Kareehoek (that's the farm's name) stays mostly the same. I've been coming here since I was in my mom's tummy and I can't explain the thrill that I feel when I'm here. It's the one place on Earth where I feel like I truly belong...where the people are my own...where a sense of history cements itself and reminds me of the stock from which I came.

I am infinitely grateful and blessed that I can come to visit and be around the land my ouma and oupa worked so hard to build a life on. I never had the chance to meet my dad's parents but being here, surrounded by the things and people they created, I feel the only connection I've ever had. Here the stories come to life...made vital with the dusty roads and salty red earth of the Karoo. I am blessed and honoured to be a very small part of it...blessed that my family has worked so hard to not only keep it going but to make it thrive!! I really think my grandparents would be proud. It truly is a spectacular place.

On the way to the Karoo...

On the way is a very famous stop called Ronnie's Sex Shop. Apparently Ronnie decided to start a small bar in the middle of nowhere and wasn't having any success. He had resigned to close it down years ago but one night his friends added the 'sex' part to the shop's name as a joke. Thus, a legend was born and Ronnie's Sex Shop is now world famous!

Arriving at the farm was like stepping back in time. I was instantly reminded of a million different memories...being bucked off a horse, chasing puppies and kittens, my fear of bats, spraying champagne at new year's and family reunions. I was instantly thankful for all that I have been given and reminded of everything good in life. Of course, being an emotional person at the best of times, I struggled not to cry.

Anyway, this is our first night. It flooded a few hours away giving the farm's river an exceptional amount of water- absolute gold in this part of the world. We stood in absolute awe as the banks overflowed with the lifeblood of this land. It was a thankful evening.

Kevin was quickly transfixed by the Bothas and decided to do some hunting. He bagged a Springbok and a beautiful Impala from quite a far distance uphill. It was very impressive and we are thankful for the meat! It will no doubt be delicious. Kevin is learning about farm life quickly and all that it entails. Of course, farming is never easy but, up here, it is a completely different ballgame. You deal with so many more obstacles, dangers and decisions.

One of the things you never quite get used to is the amount of snakes up here in the karoo that can kill you! Last night we had a brown cobra in the backyard ready and aimed at my cousin Dini when she stepped outside. It is extremely poisonous and, here at the farm, there is no anti-venom close enough to save you. If you are bitten, you're going to die. There's no easy way to say it. We are much too far away from any life-saving facilities.

This cobra was about seven feet long and it had to be killed. Once around the house, they simply won't ever leave and it's a recipe for disaster. Uncle Nico had to shoot it three times with a shotgun before cutting off it's head. We were worried about the dogs and cats but everyone came away unscathed. I had Casper (the wonderful farm manager) hold it up for a photo...it's massive!!!!!

And so life in South Africa continues. We are having such a nice time in the Karoo and have yet to decide when exactly we're leaving. We keep hoping that Kevin's killing exploits and my coffee-making skills are making us somewhat useful around here!! It is just such a great place to be.

I wish everyone could have a Kareehoek.

Time to Say Goodbye...(Dec.22/09)

It's hard to believe that almost four months have passed since we landed on this exotic island. I vividly remember racing along the winding roads in a taxi that first day- our bags strewn across my lap. My hopes strewn across my heart. Roatan was more than a place. It was the staging point for a dream. It was more than a destination. It was a turning point in a life burning bright. It was more than sand and sea. It was a cocoon for everything we deemed daring, adventurous and brave. This place - these people - became a catalyst for our life less ordinary.

And now, in the plain fashion that it always has, time ticks on. The hour of our departure looms. There is much to be said about what we have learnt and who we have become in this diving mecca, but words just seem to fall short. There are so many things we need to say, and yet, this comfortable silence seems understood. This etheral place shines with the secret knowledge that it houses something magnificent. It's almost as though God presents His finest showings in every dive...in every sunset...in every wave that breaks the shore. We are blessed to have seen it firsthand.

There is more adventure ahead. Although this is an ending, it isn't the end. We leave for Houston on Christmas Eve and then for South Africa on Dec. 26th. Contact will be limited until we arrive on the 28th (our computer is also broken). We hope you all have a wonderful Christmas season! God bless all of you.

Finally Living! (Dec. 13/09)

There is something to be said for finally living. I thought I was free for most of my life - free to make my own decisions, free to choose my own path, free to be the person I truly wanted to be. I was wrong. It took coming on this trip for me to realize that I have always been tied up in the weight of other people's expectations. I've never been the type of person to blindly follow the will of others, but I did let their fear and misgivings dissuade me from pursuing life. I'm not talking about getting that job that you've always dreamed about or finally saving up for that car you've always talked about. I'm not discussing financing a great house or taking a trip once a year. I'm talking about LIVING - feeling the blood rush through your veins...feeling the fear of not knowing what's around the corner and going there anyway...feeling the piss-in-your-pants nervousness and doing it regardless. Those other things are by-products. They aren't the parts that count.

Last night I spent some time reading an old journal I'd save online. It was angry, regretful and unsure. I read over three years worth of entries and could see the twists and turns in my life. Looking back, I realized that there was only one real problem. Although I couldn't see it at the time, I was trying to be someone I wasn't. It's that plain and simple. The funny thing is, the journal ends when I meet Kevin. There are no more entries because I could finally be exactly who I wanted to be. He and I were the same in all the ways that count. There were no unrealistic expectations anymore. I could breathe.

As we approach the end of our trip to Roatan, I can see more and more how this place - these people - have changed me. Even after I met Kevin and felt more at peace, there was still this restless disquiet within my life. I had this nervous energy that translated well when it came to my journalism jobs, but not so well in my personal life. It was fear...fear that I wasn't really living. Truth is, I wasn't. I was bored and, deep inside, I knew there had to be more. There is....hells yes there is!!! I found it in Roatan.

Three and a half years ago, while I was writing that last journal entry, if you had told me I'd be here teaching my first open water course, I would have laughed! How could I go from that state to this one? It is literally a lifetime apart. But I have. Somehow I pulled it off. It wasn't easy and I made mistakes, but I learnt a hell of a lot (much like this topsy-turvy thing called life).

So to anyone who is reading this and feeling that same disquiet inside, stop trying to live and just live. I know what you're experiencing. It's that ache lingering before you fall asleep reminding you that you're missing out on a great adventure. It's that ball of nerves encouraging you to take a blind leap of faith and do something different. It's the little voice in your head telling you that you deserve more than what you've been offering yourself. We are each given only a certain number of days and decisions on this Earth. Make sure each one of yours counts.

I'll leave you with something I wrote a couple of months ago describing my emotions now...

"...and so life continues on this strange little island of ours. This morning I woke up at 4 a.m. unable to contain the swelling delirium of dreams crowding my mind. I stumbled onto the balcony and fell into the soft spools of the hammock. The air was thick with salt and heavy-lidded clouds burgeoned with the weight of water. For once, my breathing wasn't laboured with thick humidity and my skin didn't prickle with kisses from the sun. I fell into an ocean of warmth, nonsensical dreams remembering my life before its kismit connection to this electric place....thankful for all that was, all that is and all that will be."

Just Call Us Instructors! (Nov. 29/09)

Woooooohhhhhooooooooo!!! We did it! We are officially open water scuba instructors!! WOW! That was an incredibly busy/stressful/packed few weeks. After finishing our divemaster program we went into the Instructor Development Course (IDC) with Will Welbourn of Coconut Tree Divers (www.goprocaribbean.com) and he proceeded to teach us how to teach others. What an incredible learning experience! I don't think we could have asked for a better course director and we are supremely happy with the results. The Instructor Exam (IE) was two days of nerves and worry but we came out ahead. There was definitely a big contrast between those candidates trained by others and those of us trained by Will. He is heads and tails above the rest. In short, he is a star! The same can be said of the instructors at CCD. They showed us everyday (by example) what great instructors are. We can only hope to have their mad skills one day in the future because they are truly incredible.

For those of you who don't know what the IE entails, I'll inform you. It starts with testing in the subjects of dive theory, physics, equipment, physiology and dive skills and the environment. Your skills are then tested in open water. After that, rescue skills are examined. Following that, a pool session ensues for confined skills. Moving along you take a 90 minute exam on the general standards and procedures of PADI certification. If you make it through that, you are able to give a knowledge presentation for the group. WOW.

I haven't been that nervous in....well....ever. During the examiner's opening speech he asked us to define professionalism. I couldn't even move. My mouth hung open while my brain tried to grasp at an answer. It was no use. I was paralyzed with fear. Looking back, I shouldn't have been. My marks were close to perfect and I walked away a happy woman. Kevin rocked it too! He was an absolute rock during the entire thing and brought his A Game! Woot! Anyway...enough about diving for a bit.

We are leaving Roatan on Dec. 24th. I found a great deal for a flight from Houston to Cape Town on the 26th. Finding a great deal from Roatan to Houston, however, is proving more difficult. UGH! I'm not sure if we'll be back this way...depends on where we'll get instructing jobs. The plan is to go to SA for two or three months and then follow the working trail. Hopefully we'll land in Thailand or Malaysia for a while. You just never know where the road will lead. Although we miss everyone terribly, this adventure isn't over...not yet!

Oh, and before I forget, let me wish a million congratulations to Jenny and Luke Brunham on their adorable new bundle of joy Ava!!! She was born on November 25th - happy and healthy! Way to go guys! I can't wait to meet her. Jenny is holding up incredibly well and has confirmed my suspicions that she's superwoman. A day after giving birth, she was walking around the Crystal Centre picking up Christmas crafts!!! If that isn't superhuman, I don't know what is. Anyway, miss you all! Big hugs and lots of love.

Whoa! Time is flying! (Nov. 18)

Thought I'd warm you up with a few diving pics to make you jealous out there in the cold!!

I am totally stunned that it's been so long since I last updated the blog. Wow. Sorry about that everyone...I'll try and get my act together! Much has happened since I last let you sneak a peak into this crazy adventure we now call life.

First of all, we finished our divemaster course! YAY! It was an incredible learning experience that was so much fun. Coconut Tree is definitely one of the best things that has happened to either of us. The attention to safety, training and fun makes it the top-shop in my opinion. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to anyone. The instructors here are fabulous times a thousand. Anyway, we did our course and survived our snorkel tests (barely). We had about a week to do some fun dives and rest a bit afterwards. During that time we had a few very interesting dives...

One of those dives happend to be the shark dive (with a different shop because ours doesn't do them)! Wow! What an experience. Being surrounded by eight or nine Caribbean Reef sharks is pretty cool. The problem was that the bad divers were more frightening than the sharks! There was an incredibly strong current so we had to use a descent line. It was SUCH a struggle to make it down. I have never experienced such a current in my life. Anyway, we made it down and almost immediately two people ran low on air. Without a divemaster to take them up (one was feeding the sharks...the other was videotaping) guess who took them up? Yup....

Anyway, the rest of the dive was great. We were supposed to crouch by a coral formation so that we wouldn't have the sharks behind us. Our group, however, was huge so there wasn't enough room. I, of course, was at the end so I was pushed into the open. There were a few very close encounters (sharks are extremely curious...or at least these ones were) but I had a great time.

On the ascent a lady let go of the line and was thrown into the blue with one fin. That part was frightening but Kevin swam out there and used all his might to bring her back to the line!! Awesome. Once we were back on the surface we boarded our tiny boat (all 16 of us) only to find out that the battery had died. So there we were, stuck in the open ocean with 16 people from a lesbian cruise (including a transvestite who "came along for the experience"), on a tiny boat with sharks circling below. At that moment my only thought was, "Good God..how will they explain this to my parents if I die?" Luckily, that didn't happen!!!

As of this Saturday past, we are in our instructor development course (IDC) and we are learning a TON. It is so informative and hands-on. I highly recommend anyone wanting to do the IDC to do it with Will at our shop. He is the best. It is such an organized and well-planned experience and he really knows what he's teaching. Anyway, so far so good on that. The Instructor Exam (IE) is a week from tomorrow (Nov. 25) and runs over two days. It involves open water, confined and knowledge presentations as well as a skill circuit and rescue demonstration.

So that's life on Roatan...I'm sure there are a million interesting stories I'm forgetting but it's almost 1 a.m. and my writing is starting to not make sense anymore!! Better get to bed. We miss you and love you all...

A Little of Everything...(Oct. 26th)

WOW! I simply can't believe how long it's been since I updated the blog. It's literally feels as though time is flying. We have trouble keeping up with the days of the week - difficulty remembering the date. Life is a succession of dives. Weekends don't matter much - every day here is the same to us and to the people around us who weave their way through a similar simplistic schedule. Don't get me wrong, we are constantly on the go. It just seems more fulfilling - more engaging - than activities were in the past. We are consumed by the moment.

It's been about a week since I said goodbye to my good friend Shona. She is off to tour South America and then plans on heading to Australia for a year. I have missed her more than I can describe. We were together everyday (minus only one or two) for two months. You build quite a connection during quality time like that. I confess that I did cry when she left. I knew it was coming but I somehow wasn't prepared to enjoy Roatan without her sense of humor. We sure did laugh a lot during dives - just a look underwater would send us both into spasms of laughter. She is a friend for life and I hope to meet up with her again soon. She's too cool to let go of!

I am thankful that our last dive together was a very special one. On the way to the dive site last Friday, a passing boat stopped to tell us about their grand find...a whale shark a couple of minutes away. Our boat captain Fred put Bottom Time into high gear and made of to find the giant beast. As we approached, we could see hundreds of fish popping at the surface. Without a snorkel, I joined the crew as we left the boat and fell into the ocean - her bathwater warmth enveloping us. I was tired before we spotted the creature, but my fatigue fell away as I breathlessly made my way to the spectacle. I'll never forget arriving in her presence. I watched her spin underwater and then popped my head out to see her fins fan the ocean air. For a few moments I was in total awe. My breathing became shallow...my heart beat hard in my chest...and my mind was almost at a loss figuring out how to file this incredible experience. Just as I gained the courage to get closer, she heaved her giant body and fell to the ocean floor. Then it was just us and the deep blue ocean. I am thankful Shona was able to experience that with me on her last dive in Roatan. What a beautiful memory.

The next day Christie and I took Shona to La Ceiba on the mainland to catch her flight. Little did we know it was canceled and rebooked for a day later. Thanks TACA. You are a great airline. Anyway, making the best of the situation we had a few drinks and hit up a local club. It as quite an experience because I could literally see over the heads of everyone on the dance floor. I swear the people here must think I'm a giant. In any case, we met up with a few of Christie's friends from highschool who gave me a traditional Honduran shot made of grass and fermented herbs. I proceeded to throw up six times. The night, as I'm sure you can imagine, ended there.

La Ceiba was a heap of fun but mostly because of the awesome company. I laughed and laughed and laughed some more. Inbetween we did some shopping and a lot of eating. It was nice to take a break from island life and see a few shops. I bought a new pair of shorts but most things were waaaay too small. It's not easy buying clothes when everything is designed for short people. Jenny would love it here! ;-)

Since I arrived home from La Ceiba time has been flying. It's all a blur of fantastic funny memories. One night in particular will stay with me forever. We were hanging out at Christie and Monty's house when a Mariachi band burst through the front door playing La Bamba!! I swear, it was the most random thing and we laughed our faces off. Apparently a few guys from the dive shop chipped in to sponsor the surprise. That moment was pure gold for Kevin and I. I do have photos and video...perhaps I'll post it a bit later.

Diving is going well as always. We had an incredible storm at the beginning of the last week which forced diving to the other side of the island. I have never seen rain come down so hard or so fast. I really didn't think it was possible. In any case, our divemaster program continues to go well. We have both finished all of our academics (including the dreaded physics exam! Yikes!) and only have a few things left to do before we are offically divemasters! It is incredible to think how much we have learnt and how much experience we have gained in the past two months. It is not easy, but it's well worth everything you gain. It'll definitely go down as one of the best experiences of our lives. We are learning an incredible amount about ourselves and each other.

Until we meet again my friends....

Roasted Chicken & Fading Laundry (Oct. 12/09)

Success! At long last we had our Thanksgiving dinner. After yesterday's fiasco ended with sandwiches and rum, we decided to give our roast chicken supper another go. Isaac, Ally, Shona, Kevin and I crammed into our little apartment and, after three and a half hours, we had a delicious meal...that was devoured in eight minutes! It was soooo worth the effort! Besides, I think it was the first time we've had proper veggies since we've been here. I'm really not joking when I say I think we might end up with scurvy if things don't change soon!

Dinner was a great end to a wonderful day. I've been doing our laundry by hand (there is a washing machine on site but only the maid's may use it...and you have to pay them to do it), and today I noticed I had some missing clothes. I'd already done 80% of the laundry and this perplexed me. Having arrived while the maid was changing the sheets earlier, I handed her a tip and left. She must have misunderstood my gesture because, about a half hour later, the missing clothes returned ready for the drying line....smelling strongly of bleach...even the coloured items. Whoops!

After that discovery, Shona and I decided to hit up Carreon in Coxen Hole...think Wal-Mart with less class. Yup...picture mesh pants in neon colours and lime green shirts proclaiming "Blondes don't pay cover." Snazzy. Pulling ourselves away from the endless array of plaid, we made our way up the street where we found a Bojangles Chicken & Biscuits. It's really strange to see a few American restaurants mixed in with Honduran culture. Once we had our fill of fried chicken we ambled up the road to the grocery store where it was meat packing day. It was a site to see cow ribs still fully intact making their way up the aisles in shopping carts. Shona literally almost fainted when a cow's tongue slipped through a hole in one of the bags!!

And so life continues on this strange little island of ours....this morning I woke up at 4 a.m. unable to contain the swelling delirium of dreams crowding my mind. I stumbled onto the balcony and landed in the soft spools of the hammock. The air was thick with salt and heavy lidded clouds burgeoned with the weight of water. For once, my breathing wasn't laboured with thick humidity and my skin didn't prickle with kisses from the sun. I fell into an ocean of warm, nonsensical dreams remembering my life before its kismit connection to this electric place....thankful for all that was, all that is and all that will be.

Thanksgiving & Piglets (Oct. 11/09)

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! We tried to celebrate in style but it didn't quite work out the way we planned. I bought a new roasting pan which didn't fit in the oven...then we spent a good 30 minutes trying to remove the handles from a pan to use that...and then we ran out of propane! HA HA HA! What a treat! Our prep work was all for nothing and we put it in the fridge in the hopes that we'll be able to make our food tomorrow. Instead of a grand meal, we went out for sandwiches and rum! You have to love the island life. Three months ago something like this would really have pissed me off. It would have thrown me into a bad mood...these days I roll with the punches. What can you do? I feel so blessed to be here and to have the opportunity to live these days on our own terms. I doubt there's a more thankful person out there tonight. The only thing that would have made this day complete would be to be with our families. Special days remind us of just how far away we are. This Christmas will be the first time I'm away from my parents and brother....best not to think about that now though.

The diving life continues on as interesting as ever. I've spent the last few days assisting on an open water course with a little person (midget to be completely politically incorrect). He's spent the majority of the time trying to look up my shorts, so it's been an interesting game of cat and mouse. He tries to catch a peek...and I continually turn around to wag my winger at him disapprovingly. I would never have been able to predict that story...not in a million years. Roatan life is a topsy-turvy world of mayhem and magic.

Today Kevin caught the morning boat at Coconut Tree and I went over to assist West End Divers with a fun dive. They needed a DMT and it was my day off. It happened to be a boat full of army guys...not the worst dive of my life ;-)

Oh and before I forget...I'd better tell you about Kevin's new "pet." He has inherited a piglet. Okay, so it's not actually a pig...it's a scooter. A bright yellow scooter. The helmet is too small and it has a very loud muffler. He looks like a circus act when he rides it and it's hilarious! We call it Piglet because he tried to get everyone at the shop to call it a "hog" which is clearly isn't. Thus, the name Piglet was born. The thing and I don't get along at all. Kevin gave me a lift the other day and I feared for my life the entire time. As soon as we got home I hopped off swearing at the thing...and proceeded to trip and tumble down our very steep driveway. I realize Piglet wasn't actually to blame for the unfortunate incident, but I do hold him accountable. Damn dangerous bastard.

Well, that's it for now. We miss you all and wish you could be enjoying the island life with us. Here's to beaches, baleadas and bottom time!

Bum shots and birthdays (Oct 8)

It has been far too long since I last updated you on life here in Roatan. So sorry! The internet has been dodgy as hell so I finally broke down and bought a portable modem. It was as expensive as it sounds, but now I can regularly keep in touch with everyone. In my mind, it's worth every penny.

Life on Roatan is ambling along as it always does. I never liked living in small towns...growing up it was the bane of my existence, but small islands are different. I enjoy walking into work and hearing about Tom dropping the price of his 1984 Bronco by a thousand bucks. Or the fact that Carl found his missing dog Deuce. The gossip doesn't seem as malicious as it does in small town Canada. Here it's simply the way the word gets around. West End is particularly a world in and of itself. It's easy to fall into the comfortable wave of friendly banter and familiarity. We feel more and more as though we belong...and who wouldn't want to belong here....

Here are a few photos I've been meaning to post for some time now. Below is a pic of Monty and Kevin playing beer frisbee. It's a tough life...

You didn't think I'd forget to post photos of Kevin's birthday, did you? Nope...he's not lucky enough to have the evidence disappear. Below are some photos of his birthday celebration which we actually did the day before on the 16th. Cactus is another DMT at the shop and they both happen to love Vanilla Ice's Ice Ice Baby. They both knew every single word and did a great dance for everyone...enjoy!

Mixmaster Monty rocking 80's night. By day he's a tech diver and instructor at the shop (and Kevin's best friend here...they are joined at the hip).

This is fellow Canadian John. He's from Edmonton and he gave Kevin a little love on his special day!

On Kevin's birthday the shop decided to bake him a cake as I mentioned a few posts ago. The "cake" happened to involve throwing eggs at him and then covering him in flour! Beautiful!

It took a lot of people!

This was Kevin's birthday breakfast!

Here's a pic from karaoke. The whole gang got involved with Kev leading the pack!

Now that I've caught you up on some previous photos I meant to post, here are a few that are more recent. Last Sunday we went on another island tour but this time it was with the Scuba Geek (http://www.thescubageek.com/). Steve was an instructor here but has recently returned to the states for a "walk about." You can't find someone who's a better guide and he gave us a great tour. It started a bit rocky though when the gear shift of jeep we borrowed came clean out of its socket. Turns out you just push it back in and give 'er. Not the safest vehicle I've ever been in. Note the fire extinguisher above the driver's side. Hmmm....

We took a few folks from the shop along and they followed us on their bikes. Below are Lauren, Bisch and Johnny.

This beach is well-hidden from the cruiseshippers and tourists. We had the whole place to ourselves.

This is the best view of the island. It took a long time to get up there but the reward was breathtaking.

After a few hours of exploring the island, we decided to check out one of Roatan's most famous spots...Hole in the Wall. It's a small restaurant out in the middle of the water. You wait at the dock and eventually a little boy comes out in a boat to collect you.

It doesn't look like much, but the lobster and steak is fantastic!

We all took a nap after indulging in all the good food.....

So, as you can see, life is pretty rough these days. Most of the people here are very much like us...trying to escape the ordinary beat of the normal day-to-day. We talk about the "real world" every now and then, but mostly to find out what people used to do for a living and where they did it. Some people have been gone for so long this life...this place...is the only reality they remember. It's the only thing they choose not to forget. I'm learning more and more that life and the way you lead it is a choice. The people we're meeting aren't rich...they don't have some secret to making it out of the 9-5 monotony. They simply made the decision to live a life less ordinary. Here we don't even have to explain. People just get it.

I'll leave you with a group shot of the Coconut Tree gang. We're missing a few key people. I'll let you decide if you can spot Kevin!