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Published: July 31st 2018
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Saturday July 14 - Today is technically a day off for the bat teams, but Lisa wanted to scout an area near Soufriere, and we all joined. Not much in it for me but a time to leave camp and hopefully a smoothie and some wifi, so I went. I talked to Charlotte about trying to find a time to do the two field trips - whale watching and the vulcanology trip - as well as the Boiling Lake trip on the side with Rob acting as the guide. We would need at least two of us for him to take us up, but he is giving us a good price. It's quite a special part of the island, so I'd love to be able to work in the trip. Charlotte is going to ask if there is enough room on the whale boat tomorrow, so I can do the Boiling Lake trip the following Sunday. Those are the only Sundays available, since the last one is packing up camp. I did not realize that in advance, so that is really limiting. Here's to hoping.
We left camp later than expected, as is expected. Lisa was working on something and
then Carcel was busy for a bit. Lisa and Erin have net poles that are extendable, like ours, but one of them will not extend, so she wanted Carcel to see if he could fix it. He came across the river with us but could not get it open either. Andrew eventually got it to open. We left all the poles in the car behind, so we could ride in the car a little more comfortably, and headed to Soufriere. I felt a little more like a tourist, and could take some photos along the way, which I enjoy.
When we got to the right area, Lisa wanted to drive up the hill? mountain? to get a look at the views from the top, which she was told were quite good. As we drove up the dirt road slowly, another car drove down with a load of people, and then shortly afterward it was coming back up at us quite quickly. The driver lives in the area and works there, and told us that we couldn't drive past a certain point, since they had just laid cement to make a new road. He said we could go there tomorrow
morning, if we wanted, when it was dry. We agreed to turn around at the next place it was possible, and start back down. As we drove down, he was headed back up, so Lisa stopped him to ask him about the possibility of netting on the road at the top. He said he thought it would be fine as there is not really any traffic, and he also mentioned that there is no view from the top, because the guy who owns all the land is developing it and has it closed off for several years. He also asked us if there is anything he can do to remove the bats who live in his guesthouse. It was an interesting conversation.
After that, we headed to a property where Lisa has set nets recently to let them know we will be back on Tuesday, and that Meagan and I will net there. It is an ecolodge that is similar to the one I stay at, also rebuilding. We ate our lunches there and then headed into town. We ended up at the beach bar again for wifi and smoothies for an hour. I wasn't able to reach anyone,
but it was very nice to see all the birthday messages I had received a couple of days ago.
We got back to camp just before dinner, which was fried chicken. And it was so good. I even managed to get two pieces by the end, when there were some leftovers. It made up for the lack of chicken in my birthday dinner. After dinner I waited around in hopes of talking to Charlotte, to see if I get on the trip tomorrow. She was out collecting someone from the airport. I hardly ever see her. Eventually Jem called her for me and the answer was no. I'm not even sure I can get on the next - and last - one next week since Lisa has asked for her and Erin to go. So there goes most of my plans. It's a shame, because I've been looking forward to taking part in these activities.
Back at the room, Meagan and Erin were reading outside while our photographer roommate Katie was sleeping. I showered and by then, the girls were gone and I settled into a quiet room to read and sleep. Lovely.
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D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley
Whales and Boiling Lake
I'm sorry you are not getting to see all the things you wanted to see. Hopefully, it will be good in the end.