After hiring John and his taxi, we drove to Hewanorra to meet Janet and kids at the airport. John was a friendly man that Amanda (the housemate) and I had come to know from walking through Rodney Bay on our way home most days from the bus.
John insisted on leaving early and there was no good reason for me to disagree so we traveled leisurely on the airport while listening to Christian reggae. He asked if I liked music and I replied, “Who doesn’t like music?” and then we fist-bumped.
Somewhere during the last two months, he had figured out that I didn’t drink alcohol and may have been surprised that I liked music. It’s likely for the best that he didn’t ask for my thoughts on Christian music – his musical choices were fine by the way (just not what I would have chosen).
When John and I approached a vehicle stopped on the narrow highway, we stopped and John asked if they were okay. Help was on the way but a couple needed a ride to the airport and would be late. The couple got in the vehicle the pace of our drive went much more quickly.
We had over an hour to kill before my family’s plane would arrive, so John took me to Thunder Beach and then we had lunch along the road near the airport – I’m guessing it’s a common stop where taxi drivers and locals meet for food and drink.
We saw the plane as it stopped at the airport and time started crawling. I knew they were there and I just wanted that big amazing hug (after two-months absence).
The next day, everyone woke up early. The kids were in the pool (the pool is shared with other tenants of our 3-month home) within minutes and then we went to the beach and back to the pool. They visited for two weeks and I managed to get five days off work (plus weekends) so we fit a lot into the visit: walk to marina; bus to Gros Islet and walk to and up Pigeon Point; lots of ice-cream and lots of beach; zip-lining in Babonneau; Gros Piton climb; Sufriere; sulfur springs volcano; botanical gardens; impromptu carving lessons; and more.
- zip-line
- Pigeon Point
- Gros Piton
- Ani & Zioni with the kids.
Made it!! We made it to the top of Pigeon Point! It wasn’t a long climb, but the heat and steep climb got us hugging and puffing a little bit! Be sure to take a pic where you’ve reached a milestone! It’s nice to remember your accomplishments with a picture! #stlucia #phototips #documentyoursummer #photolessonsforkids #onlinelearning #justforkids #pigeonpoint A photo posted by Kids Photography Academy (@kidsphotographyacademy) on
We also went to junior carnival, had friends over for dinner and the kids met their own friends. Friends at the hotel, friends at the apartment, friends on the beach and friends at Holy Family Children’s Home.
- Junior Carnival
- Carving
- Baby Time
- Working with Beads
A photo posted by Kids Photography Academy (@kidsphotographyacademy) on
And then they left.
John drove us back to the airport on July 16. I sat between the kids for the long ride and I knew I would again miss the family. We held back tears at the airport. Knowing we’d see each other again in two-and-a-half weeks, the tears did not flow as heavily as when I left Calgary two-and-a-half months ago. We hugged, said our good-byes and I watched them enter into security.
- Airport Security
- Plane Taking Off
My awesome travelling companions! goodbye #stlucia #westjet. A photo posted by Kids Photography Academy (@kidsphotographyacademy) on






