We returned home to Aruba for the 2002 New Year celebration.
As
usual, there were lots of spectacular fireworks
(they are legal for the general population to purchase at this time
of year), and plenty of dinners and parties.
Ed's brother and sister and their family made the trip down, and
also
our cousin Mey Ling and her family.
As for our cousins from Oranjestad, Chee Chew and his family also made
the trip, joining his brother
Chee Choon, who lives on the island with his family.
Ed and Agnes' Moms were both very pleased to have extra company of
their
children
and grandchildren for the holidays.
The cousins assembled for the holiday. They sure are growing
fast!
Ryan and Stephanie holding a baby lizard that they caught and they
freed.
We saw again our friend Jan Poets,
who was in charge of the shooting of the documentary on
Ed's work at NASA last March (2001). The documentary was well
received on the island,
with repeat showings requested numerous times.
On New Year's day we went to Dim Sum as a large group.
One of the parties we attended was held by the Governor of Aruba.
On 1/5/02, he invited us along with many other guests to join in his
New Year celebration.
Two of the guests we met at the Governor's party were Eugene Kingsale
(left, Seattle Mariners),
and Calvin Maduro (right, Baltimore Orioles). These gentlemen
were born and raised in Aruba.
The three of us were introduced as young Arubans with special careers.
After our suggestions, Stephanie decided to cut her hair shorter.
Here we see the full lenghth and
the shorter version. The shorter length allows her to take care
of it herself, and she looks much
better with it now.
The big moment. Her first haircut since she was a baby.
The original length was 31 inches.
The hair was cut as a braid so that it could be donated
to make a wig for cancer victims.
We spent one week of the two week vacation at the Aruba Marriott
Hotel.
It was a
great way to finish the vacation. We had a lot of fun, swimming
and sunning
every day. The two pools were huge, and Stephanie learned to
swim this
vacation.
There were many nights out including this one at a local ice cream
shop.
There were many beautiful sunsets from the beach. This one was
shot from the
fishing pier near our hotel.
On our last night there, we took the kids fishing on the fishing
pier.
Stephanie caught a 3 inch fish, and
it wiggled off the hook back into the ocean. So unfortunately,
no picture of said fish. Needless
to say, they enjoyed the fishing tremendously.