Sleepin, Sunshine and Swims

Yep, you've got it! Another blue sky, hot day today. It did cloud over a bit at about 4pm so there has been some respite.

I slept in until 8am this morning as there was nothing planned and it was blissful to catch up on a bit.

We've had a lazy day going to the markets, eating some lunch by the water and just reading and snoozing this afternoon.

                                           The beach this morning  at Baie des Citrons

   The Underwater Club getting ready for a scuba dive this morning - young kids included

       The air was pungent with the smell of all these olives at the markets this morning - Yumm!

 We ate this last night at Veronique's house, a local specialty apparently-  Manioc

Baie des Citrons this afternoon. Spot the locals! They were the ones in sweatshirts and long pants just enjoying some 'people watching'!

We had a lovely evening at Vero's house last night - there were 13 of us. She had invited the teachers that I had started the exchange with and friends we have made over the years. We celebrated our 10th visit to Jean Mariotti.

The table was set with hibiscus flowers down the centre and we were served signature dishes from the french islands in the Pacific.  I am an absolute 'Foodie' so I must share all of this with you!

We began with an entree of Poisson Cru, a real favourite of mine, which is raw fish marinated in lime juice. Also known as Tahitian salad. Along with that we had the three types of fish Bill had caught that afternoon.  These also were raw - very finely sliced fillets that had been marinated in lemon juice, lemongrass, roasted sesame seeds and a little oil. It was delicious! There was also quiche to have and pieces of goat's cheese drizzled with honey and wrapped up in filo triangles and baked! Divine!

                                                                   Raw fish slices

Poisson cru. The photo doesn't do it justice. Trust me, you must try it if you get the opportunity!

For the main course, we had Yams from the island of Mare sliced and cooked in red wine, deep fried slices of Manioc, rice and slow roasted pork.  As an accompaniment to the pork we had cooked bananas. These are green when bought and can only be eaten cooked. They are very sweet. All very tasty!

The next course was a lettuce salad (and this is always only lettuce - not with all the things we add to a lettuce salad). It had a mustard dressing mixed through it and to go with that you cut off pieces from a wide variety of cheeses! Yumm!

Dessert was next and it was the most beautiful chocolate cake made by Monsieur Morand - the owner of the chocolate factory we visited.  It had a chocolate mousse filling but running through the middle of that was a line of passionfruit gel - unbelievably scrumptious!

The wines to accompany each course were chosen to enhance your taste buds and help savour the flavours of what you were eating! The french do this so well.

Well, it will be an early night tonight. We need to be all packed up and out of here ready to meet the kids at 7am at the Nouvata Parc Hotel.

  I know they are so excited for this part of the trip!  We have our Farewell Party with all the billets and their families at 5.30pm at the school, so it will be a long day.

Au revoir and only one more blog before most of  you get your babies home!

Cheers

Colleen