Lauren performs on stage as Penguin in Raymond Briggs The Snowman

Lauren's Birthday Party, fun for everyone!

7 Pounds 8 ounces, 20.5 inches

Lauren's birthday starts with the traditional pancake breakfast, goes to Chucky Cheeze and ends with a wish.

Dinner with dad and then a sleepover before Lauren's big day.

We arive at Salt Whistle Bay on the north end of Mareau. We were here in 1997. Then the island had no roads, no cars, no electricity, and children played near town runing around in the nude. We walked a dirt path to the top of the island where we found a Catholic Church with a priest from Sacramento, California. Down the other side we walked through homes with little wind mills that charged 6-volt batteries used to power a light bulb after dark. We encountered a donky with a tin can on one foot; the edges of the can were cutting his leg. We went to the only building in town and meet Robert Rightous who opperated a small bar run on a generator. When we told him about the donky, he explained that the donky had been bad and probably ran off. The donky's owner put the can on his foot to keep him from running off and doing bad things. We had a beer and listened to Reggae music.

From dinghy dock view of Bella Donna on Salt Whistle Bay.

Grenadine Map on Catholic Church, click on it to enlarge.

At the top of the island is the school with goats on the porch. On the other side of street is the Catholic Church that has changed little since 1997. Paved road and cars now.

Behind Catholic Church is view east of island. First, to the south, is Union, Palm and Pete St. Vincent islands. To the northeast is Tobago Cay.

The new cement road falls down the other side of the island. Notice all the new power poles. There is even an upscale boutique.

The only billboard on the island warns of the danger of aids. We stop at the Robert Rightous Bar and Resturant - much changed since 1997.

Robert's place is covered with pictures (Bob Marly) and things reflecting the Rhasta lifestile. He hires very good looking local girls to serve customers. He sits by the front door and talks to people nonstop, all day.

Here is a street view of Robert's Bar and Resturant. John catches Robert down the street at another of his local water hole bars.

Outside Robert's place the school kids climb to the school at the top of the island. Two girls stop to rest on the way. There are no school buses yet.