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Where In the World are Danny, Sarah and Deidre?
DANNY ENGLISH Summer Camp Co-Director
Danny and Emma left the beautiful fall of New Hampshire behind at the end of October and headed to Central America to explore an area that they had heard many wonderful stories about. Their journey took to them to Costa Rica, Panama, Guatemala, Belize, Mexico and finally Jamaica. On the way they had many exciting adventures including hiking volcano’s, mountain biking though the rainforest, jungle trekking through ancient ruins and scuba diving in the Caribbean! Here is a piece from Danny’s Travel journal…….
A short ferry trip to the Nicoya Peninsula took us to the quaint village of Montezuma. Sometimes I arrive at places and instantly get a feeling if it is a good place or a not so good place. When we arrived at Montezuma it instantly felt like a place I wanted to be! We spent 4 days here exploring the waterfalls and hiking along the miles of golden beaches. We were lucky enough to come across a turtle conservation site just as a nest was hatching and were given the chance to release over 50 turtles into the ocean, a real treat and something that I will always remember.
After mating in the water, the female moves above the beach's high tide line where she digs a hole with her hind flippers and deposits her eggs. Litter size depends on the age of the female and species, but clutches range between 100 to 200. She then covers the nest with sand and returns to the sea.
At about 45 to 75 days, the eggs hatch and the hatchlings instinctively head directly into the water. This is the most dangerous time in a turtle's life. As they walk, predators such as gulls, crabs, coons, stray dogs and unfortunately some humans grab them. In a regular nest only about 70% of the turtles make it to the ocean. With the aid of humans protecting the nests and hand releasing them (as we did in the picture) 100% of the turtles make it to the ocean.
Little is known of the initial life history of newly-hatched sea turtles. Juveniles spend three to five years in the open ocean before they settle as still-immature juveniles into their permanent shallow-water lifestyle. Individual turtles can live up to 80 years old, and grow up to a meter in length and up to 661lb (300kg)
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SARAH HERMAN Summer Camp Director
For two years in a row I have had the luxury of Christmas in Roaring River, Jamaica. Hosted at Jackie and Andre’s lovely home in the village, we celebrate with a dip in the head waters of the Blue Hole. Lush greens, fresh water, and peaceful quiet surround and cleanse. Locals worship the mermaid of the Blue Hole with candles, beads and prayers; their elusive mermaid lives in the depths so profound they are yet to be reached by humankind!
The community gathers at the bridge to wash cars, horses, clothes and themselves. It is a festive afternoon of frolicking. Dinner brings familiar flavors; curry chicken, rice, fresh “festivals”, and coconut. Night falls and the town breaks out into a dancing fury that lasts to sunrise when the goats bring themselves to pasture- their owners finally retiring for a well deserved rest! Music still pounds in my head and heart. A Jamaican holiday is one to behold and Maroghini, Sheenia and Amri, our Kingston team on the other side of the island are also well versed in hosting and holidays. A Taurus Riley show in the tropical downpour and people still dancing madly, a booming street party until sunrise fueled by boiled potato and fish stew, and visits to recording studios hosting reggae masters such as Bongo Herman (no relation), and Sly Dunbar in the house. What a tour!
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Deidre Tobey – Summer Camp Administrator
Surrounded, for years, by camp’s world travelers and their stories I finally hit the road (more accurately the skies) and set off on my own global adventure in the winter of 2008. Upon my return to camp in May 2009 I thought I had temporarily satisfied my desire to travel. However, this past October found me itching to explore more of the world. This time I went straight for New Zealand and LOVED every minute of my time in the small island nation. The landscape is breathtaking, the lakes range from crystal clear to a smoky, glacial blue, and every town you visit welcomes you with open arms. Along with fellow Windsor Mountain-er and travel buddy, Cindy, I explored glow worm caves, went Zorbing (a NZ creation – I encourage you to google it), ate a traditional Hangi dinner during a visit to a Maori village, relaxed in the thermal spas in Rotorua, met counselor Kiwi’s pet sheep and learned how to make a traditional NZ pavlova dessert with her mum’s help, journeyed down the east coast of the South Island by train and enjoyed the fun and adventure Queenstown has to offer.
On to Australia, where I found myself sitting next to the pilot of a small plane strapped to a tired, rather grumpy skydive instructor doing his last jump of the day. Regardless, it was the most exhilarating 60 seconds – nothing compares to free falling at sunset, feeling the chill as you pass through a cloud as you float toward the ground! Many adventures later, I was swimming with the marine life along the Great Barrier Reef. Eleven dives, multiple “Nemo” fish, reef shark, and sea turtle encounters later I’m happily a certified Open Water and Adventure Diver. The rest of my time in Northern Australia was spent navigating the roads from the left side, avoiding crocodiles and stingers, eating sugar ants, and exploring the rainforest where it meets the sea.
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