On the train. Amy, our wonderful guide for the second half of our journey looks as if she's wearing a Mickey Mouse hat!
We have arrived! Time to study the map.
Eileen & Miss Judith along with Bonnie take advantage of the ten minute walk to photograph the ocean.
We're about to walk onto a short enclosed 'walkway' to step onto the island.
The view from the walkway.
Up close. See, there really are Cherry trees everywhere!
There's a viewing room in the main building where people (us) sit to watch the 'scheduled' visits of the Ama. The Ama are the women who dive for the pearls. They grow up doing this and have known little else. Some of the older women work with their husbands who are in charge of the boat as they dive. There are even some Ama in their 60's! I found it strangely sad and wondered if they found joy in their lives. The day was overcast and quite chilly and the ocean became quite rough as we watched and waited.
Right on schedule.....the boat with the Ama girls arrived.
They wear white clothing over their wet suits as this is supposed to repel the sharks. I'm not so sure about that theory.
The women have baskets that they're tied to via a long rope.
Here we go!
Oysters anyone?
Into the basket yo go!
The girls wave goodbye to us!
......And Bonnie & I decide to go shopping! But we have our priorities so first.....lunch!
Pearl heaven!
As well all left the building we heard the loudest thunder clap ever and were grateful the Ama girls were safely out of the water! The winds seemed gale force as we walked back to the train station. I wondered what they were telling us with this sign. How about....be afraid, be very afraid!
But then, on cue...the sun came out!
And Pam spotted an island bird.
No thanks, I'll take the escalator!
Had to capture 'The Girl With the Pearl Earing'!
Fun on the train...
Bye bye train!
Cute kids on an outing.
All the businessmen dress alike. Who sends out the memo?
Oh happy day!
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