pinel island

 it is an island off an island - a mini-island getaway from your island.  this place really is magical.  and today was one of my favorite times on the lovely pinel island.

 first of all, we had clare and stella with us all the way from california.  

secondly, clare insists that she's on vacation and is going to have chairs and lunch on the beach.  

 she thought it would be a good idea to have a fresh caught lobster grilled to perfection.

 clare choosing the right lobster

 this is steve our server

 ezra did not come with to pick out a lobster.  he doesn't like lobsters.

 here he is peeking out of his tent at a safe distance. he was very concerned and said, "be careful mama."

 the spread

 we are certain food tastes better outside. 

 

 after lunch ezra led us on the path through the nature reserve. 

 we found this makeshift picnic table and benches someone made under a mangrove

 we all took in the beautiful shoreline and then ezra and i continued up another path to the highest point of pinel because ezra wanted to go.
 

 he was so determined but by the last few minutes up to the top it was so hot and rocky that i put him on my back.  that probably was a good idea in the long run because i did get a little sunburned from sweating off all my sunscreen.  i think that it was the first sunburn i've had in the almost two years of living here.

 looking back to where we started

 the view to the left from the top

 this is the sign at the top which ezra was most excited about. 

    we had a great time.  we also spent some time in the water where the kids were happy kicking away in their matching rafts.  we went to the gift shop and got a few keepsakes - headbands, a straw hat and a wooden turtle for ez.  on the way home we stopped at the pharmacie.  stella slept in the car while clare did her best to get in and out of there as fast as she could.  french pharmacies are something special you see.  and then we stopped at sarafina's for baguettes and dessert.  it was such a wonderful day.  i'm cherishing these days and special moments we are sharing together.