Joan & Arvin came visiting!

We were truly excited when we were able to capture Joan and Arvin from the airport in Vieux Fort to spend about five days with us! Joan was without luggage the entire time--that's when its really nice to be twins and can share....so if she looks like she is not in her familiar clothes, and/or in the same outfit-----just remember--"same shirt, different day" (!)

The Island Zone Conference was held during the time they were here. We had about 30 extra people to gather from the airport, feed, attend meetings with for two days. Joan and Arvin attended the couples dinner at Gyros and ice cream at Elena's, attended the meeting, helped, and enjoyed!

We then toured some of the island with them--great fun (we gabbed forever, played pinocle, and just enjoyed having them with us for that short moment. Joan and Sister Collins even had a morning walk on the beach --all by themselves! Following are a few pictures of our time together--glorious!


Arriving about Sunset, we were able to take these pictures the first evening on our way to our home in Gros Islet, North of Castries--the capital city of the island.

The Market Place in Castries.


Getting tickets for the Tram in the Rain Forest--outside of Babonneau. Lawrence (a member in our Castries Branch) went with us that day, taking a video of our ride. It rained a nice warm rain on the way down!



On the ground again! Ready to tour--drink coconut water-


Another Day! Found some hidden falls--Latille Falls outside of Micoud--SE side.


One morning of snorkeling! Picture taking! Relaxing!


On our balcony!


The Pitons! And a stroll into the Diamond Botanical Gardens and Waterfall!



We enjoyed each other! The time was tooooooo short--looking forward to next time! Thanks for coming to see, and now can picture, us in our home here on St. Lucia!

Clint and Holly's Visit to the West Indies!

The first week in March was a "glorious" time with Clint and Holly. They flew to see us and spent five FULL days exploring and enjoying our islands of Trinidad and Tobago. Hope we can remember all that we did...pictures are following to remind us.







We went to the West coast for "shark n bake" at Maracas Bay and to Cuevas Bay for just a couple hours of walking the beaches and seeing the sights.























It was then time to board the Ferry for Tobago--fun ride (Holly might not agree as a little "sea sickness" crept in--1 1/2 hours later we landed.


We stayed in a quaint place called "The Blue Horizon"--older--our own bedrooms and baths--large living area--great balcony--terribly stocked kitchen--but in a great setting.

On Wednesday we toured Tobago.















We visited Englishman's Bay---and Snorkeled!





Stopped and ate at a cute islander place....



























And on to Pirates Cove--great group of stairs down into the bay-

Snorkeled!!!! in gorgeous blue-blue water!!!!! Back up the awesome stairway!!!



















We traveled the whole road around the island of Tobago that day.

Oh! and don't forget when we went to change the time on our ferry tickets--all the dogs in town decided they liked Clint and Holly :) --They could probably smell the KFC!




We also visited the Ross Couple that are missionary friends of ours on the island--they love it there!

Thursday, we went to Pigeon Point to enjoy a glass bottom boat ride to Buccoo Reef and the Nylon Pool--and snorkeled!






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WHOA!! OUCH!!

Forgot to wear a shirt at that first snorkeling spot (!) and we had left the suntan lotion up at the car (!)






Afterward, we shopped in the little shops for items to take back to the kids--like a musical pan, wooden frog (that you make a clacking noise with) and mariachis; they ended up with a regular band! "Quiet toys". Then out to eat that night--booked a Deep Sea Fishing trip for Friday morning.


On our way to catch our fishing boat, we stopped to take a picture by "Holly's" shop.




It was four hours of great fun on the fishing boat with two guys that win fishing derbys in the Caribbean--but alas! we lost three fish and Ed finally caught the only fish--a Mackerel. Nothing spectacular--but a neat experience!















We hurried back to the Ferry and went back to Trinidad---by that time, Clint's back was on FIRE! and HURT!

Saturday came and we left early to hire a fishing boat to take us to Paria Falls. On the way, we visited an open market (one of our most liked things to do).
We picnicked by this bridge.

At Blanchisseuse (a bay on the West coast) we found a fisherman and his buddy to take us out in their boat--as we carried the boat to the water (Caribbean Sea), five more islander kids jumped in for the ride; and there we were: eleven of us in a 22 ft. boat traveling for 20-30 minutes along the West coast of Trinidad to Paria Bay (and to Sister Collins' better thinking--without life-jackets!). This became one of our most favorite trips!






















We got out of the boat next to the river and began the hike to the Paria Falls--we had no idea that we would really be HIKING (in mud) for as far as we went--soooo, with nothing but flip-flops, off we went.
Two of the natives went with us, helping Sister Collins and Holly out of mud spots and over timbers and rocks....awesome hike to Paria Falls.

Look at the country we were in!




We swam in the pool under the falls!

The natives jumped off the cliffs.

















The natives (with Elder Collins' pocket knife) cut open some coconuts-- coconut water added "cheers" as we were ready to leave for the boat ride back along the coast -- again an adventure!
















We traveled back over the mountains into Arima--gorgeous drive; visited our Teresa Family to give them clothing that Clint and Holly had brought for her four children (which they wore some of to church the next day!)

We ended our day at Ruby Tuesdays.

The time went by "way toooooo fast". We loved having family here--we had a marvelous time and didn't want them to go home! Thanks Clint and Holly, for coming to see us at our home in the Caribbean.