Petanque and paella

Our Ambassador hosted an ad hoc petanque tournament last weekend -- lots of enthusiasm among the largely beginner crowd!

Farewell Melissa!

Our friend Melissa departs soon -- we're very sad to see her got but have been enjoying some fantastic parties in her honor! Last weekend, some British colleagues hosted a beach bash -- photos below. We hosted a fiesta Mexican-themed event this weekend (photos to come).

We're really luck to have made such a good friend and are looking forward to staying in touch.

Happy 4th of July!

Steve and Liam attended a community Fourth of July celebration at the Ambassador's residence. Good fun was had by all -- particularly Liam, who participated in his own sack race. Steve, meanwhile, served as a tough judge in the chili cookoff!

Memorial Day 2007

This year, Liam was at school so we decided to take a catamaran out to a neighboring island (Gabriel Island). Unfortunately, Steve's back was playing up so he wasn't able to go. I joined several colleagues and out-of-town visitors for a great day out on the sea...as you can see, fun (and much rum punch) was the order of the day!

Wendy in Hammondsport!

As most of you know, I recently traveled back to the U.S. for training and a bit of vacation. Liam and Steve soldiered on in Mauritius without me. One of my first stops was chez the Tompkins clan in Hammondsport, New York -- wine country. The highlight of the trip was meeting baby Markus -- who turned one days after my visit. What a champ! In addition, we toured around, shopped, and tasted wine, among other things. I also took a dip in the FREEZING Keuka Lake (one gets spoiled in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean).

Thanks Deanna, Andrew, and Markus -- you have a wonderful home and I had a fabulous time with you!

Houseguests welcome!

Steve's sister, Deb, and her friend Pete spent two weeks with us earlier in the month. As you can see, they had a great time (or at least they hid it well if they didn't!). We enjoyed their company, and Liam still talks about Auntie Deb and "Peach". They had a chance to go out on a catamran (twice!) and spend some quality time at the beach and around the pool. We all took the opportunity to sample some local rum...

Happy Earth Day!

Steve and Liam participated in a beach clean up project on Earth Day 2007. It was obviously quite exhausting merited much rest!

Yes -- Cape Town is FABULOUS!

Unfortunately, we can't show you much because our real camera died (shame on Kodak - we won't buy one again). These are from our disposable -- not bad!

Steve joined me on Thursday and, despite the UK and Portland-like rainy weather, we had a fantastic visit. Friday, we met some colleagues-to-be (who are joining us in Port Louis) and they toured us around some vineyards. We had an outstanding lunch (kudu -- my new favorite meat -- I have no idea what it looks like living but it's darned tasty) followed by a stunning drive along the coastline.

Saturday, we travelled with our professional guide throughout Cape Town and the Cape -- hitting both the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point (erroneously thought to be where the Indian and Atlantic Oceans meet -- alas, we'll save that for next time). Saw penguins, baboons, elants, ostrich, and a field mouse -- all in the wild. The coast is stunning (reminds me of home). And, of course, more wine!

We'll definitely be going back (who knows -- maybe for a posting one day!) and taking Liam who, by the way, had an excellent time with Joanna and her family. I think he hardly missed us.

We're now gearing up for Steve's sister's visit (Deb). She and her friend arrive shortly...

More later -- and some scanned photos to follow once we retrieve them from our horrible disposable camera! (Pox on Kodak).

Maybe the best city ever?

Le Jardin du Roi may be my favorite restuarant in the world, but Capetown may be my favorite city. No photos to back it up yet, but arrived Sunday and have fallen in love with the place. The landscape is beautiful, right on the water, the temperature is perfect (a little chilly but sunny -- life fall in Oregon), and the people are SO friendly. Of course, busy with work during the day but getting out in the evenings and walking around and having a blast. Just being able to walk around is out of this world. Steve joins me Thursday for some hard core tourism so more then....

Domaine les Pailles

Had a nice Sunday out -- took Liam for a train ride and then a horse and buggy ride at Domaine les Pailles -- gorgeous afternoon. It rained a bit but it was hot and really cooled us off.

Seychelles - le Jardin du Roi

Just got back from a quick jaunt to Seychelles -- work related. Did manage to go to what is currently my FAVORITE RESTAURANT IN THE WORLD -- the Jardin du Roi. It's fabulously located on the top of a hill overlooking a bay. It's owned by a wonderful American woman and the land has been in her family for 300 years. Delicious creole food and a relaxing afternoon. She's turned her great-grandparent's home into a museum.

Easter fun...

We were fortunate enough to spend the day on the beach with friends -- their house, not ours! Liam had a blast with all the kids and even managed to score a few chocolate eggs.

Happy Easter from the Rydes!

Liam's pal...

Liam spends almost every afternoon with Mia -- here, seen imparting words of wisdom as he turns 3...

Liam turns 3!!!

Liam's third birthday was yesterday. He enjoyed tons of cake and lots of presents. We baked cupcakes and took them into school -- his classmates sang Happy Birthday in French and English. I think Liam sang the loudest! Afterwards, he enjoyed a pizza lunch with his nannies and played with a friend. All in all, a great day!

Easter eggs and more...

We're trapped at home this weekend as Liam was diagnosed with hand, foot, and mouth (not to be confused in hoof and mouth, which resulted in mass extermination of sheep in the U.K. 2001! His U.K.-trained pediatrician assured us that no such measures would be necessary). At any rate, he's a little spotty so we're taking it easy at home and decided that we'd do our Easter egg dying one week early.

Had a good time -- our hands are mostly blue and green now. Liam is busy manhandling the colored eggs and I somehow doubt there will be any survivors with which to make the dreaded week-after-Easter egg salad.

Otherwise, all's well -- gearing up for monsieur's 3rd birthday on Wednesday and enjoying the seemingly last of our summer weather....yes, yes -- the pool is ALMOST too cold to enjoy.

We're still here...

Unfortunately, no pics this week as they wouldn't be very nice -- 2/3 of Team Ryde is sick. Steve and Liam both fell ill today so we're having a rather quiet three day weekend in. The weather isn't that great so we're lying low and taking it easy. Good thing March 20 is another holiday -- so we don't feel too cheated!

We won't be attending the festivities tomorrow -- on the auspicious occasion of Mauritian independence.

Still Wet and Windy

Although we're not technically in cyclone mode anymore, the wind and water continue to pound us. I was eating in a restaurant near the port today and water and waves crashed over the railing and into the restaurant. Here's a news photo capturing the waves -- particularly unusual because we're surrounded by a coral reef -- and typically don't get any!

Cyclone Gamede

In one of the most irritating 72 hour periods of our lives, we are currently under siege in our home – being pounded by rains and winds of up to 120km per hour. Gamede is a particularly slow moving cyclone – it ranged from Class 2 Friday to Class 4 overnight. We’re now half-way into Sunday – Steve’s had to spend the morning on the roof trying to sort out draining problems (before our bedroom becomes a swimming pool) and filling our generator so that we can have limited power, water etc. It’s supposed to pass through this afternoon but I imagine we’ll have our hands full with clean up for the next week(s) to come. Communications are down, our beloved Armed Forces Network dish was dismantled Friday – what to do? We’ve done quite a bit of cooking/baking and are all going to be cutting out some sugar cookies this afternoon to stave off boredom (and whininess!).

Liam mows down on one of the cookies (yes, shaped like the continental U.S. to remind us of home!)

Day out at Casela

One of our favorite places on the island, the Casela Bird Park offers something for everyone. We particularly like the petting zoo, where you can feed pigs, wild boar, deer, goats, and, on occasion, an albino wallaby. Lim’s favorite is wild boar – Cecile.