Leana, Everyone,
I'm sitting out in my favorite sunset spot on my deck,
watching the setting sun turn the sea and the puffy clouds hanging over Mbulo
lustrous shades of blues and pinks. The
palm fronds are still, and the ocean gently calm; the birds are winging their
way to their nightly roost, and a quarter moon hangs above me. It is a scene of utter and complete
serenity.
It's hard to believe this is my second Christmas in the
Solomons. And what a year it has
been. This afternoon we were graced
with 22 young singers from the village of Biche ( several miles away). Their church youth group, the Pathfinders (
ages 6-9) were in Peava for the day, and with their 7 leaders, put on a lovely
program of music. Adam Ravetch, my
adopted "son" of 27 years, and his wife Sarah and their 3 kids are
here diving and visiting and staying at Wilderness Lodge. They were out here and joined in the fun.
Popcorn and juice were served and we all sang Christmas
carols together. It was so lovely, and
so simple. For most of the kids, it was
their first time to taste popcorn, and for some, their first visit to
Peava. Adam and Sarah, by the way,
filmed the Paramount film "Arctic Tale" and will be hosting 3
fundraiser showings for our library and headstart program. Their experiences in the Arctic are beyond
amazing.
It has been a year of challenge, learning and adventure, of
greeting old friends, and making new; of becoming a grandmother, launching a
new business, seeing the construction phase of our project completed ( although
Wayne still wants to build new things!!)
It is unbelievably rewarding to watch my fledgling
divemasters, who 15 months ago had never used SCUBA, computers or cameras
efficiently and joyfully catering to our wide variety of guests and their
particular needs and desires, coming home and downloading their photos, sending
E mails, operating the compressors, repairing SCUBA gear ( thank you, Tom, for
that one).
It is a thrill to share my adventure with family and friends
who wend their way out here.It was especially poignant to have Tom come out and
meet all the "characters" in my monthly niusletters- including the
fireflies ( pino pino) and the stars of the evening bat shows. I know that many thought I was absolutely
nuts to pull up stakes and move out here- when they experience my life here,
they quite fully understand.As I look back at the circuitous and often
difficult route it took to get here I know, without a doubt, that I am exactly
where I am meant to be, doing what I am meant to do. I am, quite simply, home.
The big downside, of course, is being so very far away from
family and friends- thank the gods for E mail.
I cannot imagine doing this project without it. I miss you all, and am greatly looking
forward to my trip back at the end of January- to catch up with everyone and
especially my grandson, Kyle, who will probably be walking by then. Latest report has him standing, grinning
with his 5 teeth and saying "Mamamama" ( incredibly intelligent young
man- takes after his Grandma!!!).
And so, my beloved family and friends, know that my thoughts
are with you as I sing along the traditional carols with my Ipod- and I am
wishing all of you a blessed, peaceful, funfilled Christmas, and an adventurous
New Year.
And I hope one of your adventures will lead you out here to
share the beauty of my little bit of paradise.
So much love and so many hugs,
Lisa, Midget and MacTavish Lisa Choquette
SOLOMON DIVE ADVENTURES
Peava Village- Marovo Lagoon SOLOMON ISLANDS lisa@solomondiveadventures.com
"Lose yourself in the adventure-find yourself in the richness".