Female Chief Justice for Jamaica

Justice Zallia McCalla has been appointed the first female Chief Justice of Jamaica with effect from June 27, 2007.

Congratulations! Another woman leads Jamaica. Let's hope that with this appointment comes radical and much need change within our judicial system.

I trust that one of the first issues on My Lady's agenda is the Caribbean Court of Justice!

Source of Photo: http://www.jis.gov.jm

My Journey to Toco - Trinidad

When I arrived in Trinidad, I received rave reviews about Toco, which is the North Eastern section of the island. I heard how beautiful the beaches were and how it was the most ideal place to visit on the island.

Being the adventurer I am, I decided to hitch a ride to the area. ( With someone from work). We departed at 5:30 am from Port of Spain.

On my way up, Raymond became my tour guide. He graciously stopped at the various hideaway spots to show me the beautiful spots along the way. These included Matura Bay, Salybia Bay , Cumana Bay , Galeria Point and another Salybia Bay. Why there were 2 Salybia Bays in the same area was beyond me. Did they run out of names?

Most of the beaches were unspoilt! Some would say under developed. But it was an awesome feeling to experience the natural beauty of the rugged beaches.

We arrived at his mother's home which over looked Mission Bay. She gave us breakfast and then we went "a touring " with her as she visited Toco Radio station and a few other places to do her usual community work.

The plan was that they would drop me off at one of the villa's nearby. However, Miss Gloria decided to take me on and play my mother for the weekend. I am eternally grateful to her for taking me into her home and sharing her life and family with me.

Turtle Watching - Trinidad

I had a terrific weekend exploring the North Eastern section of Trinidad. One of the things I did was turtle watching.

The leather back turtles were amazing to see and feel! They were soo huge! The longest one I saw was about 4feet 5inches! It was wonderful to watch the turtle come ashore and choose it's spot. The guides say that the temperature of the location where the eggs are laid determine the sex of the turtles. Places nearer to the water, the cooler spot, produces males and the warmer section produces females.

I watched as a turtle carefully selected a spot and then started digging with its fins in a methodical way. She dug a bulb shaped hole and then deposited her eggs. Some eggs were yolk-less eggs, which they say help to cushion and provide breathing space for the baby turtles, who will have to find it's way up from beneath the sand in about 66 days.

The turtle was careful about the manner in which it laid and covered its eggs. So patient and calm. I truly admired the process. I know I'd be upset ( to put it mildly) to have to dig a hole before giving birth ( not to mention to over 20 babies) and then turn around and cover it up!

Turtle watching is famous here in Trinidad and the season is May - August. The owner of the place said that there were approximately 300 persons that night. Normally they to accept people up to 11pm. However last Saturday night as I left just after midnight, I saw several vehicles pulling in. People were showing up with igloos as if they were going on a picnic.

The area isn't the most sophisticated. Don't expect to find a 5 star hotel. However, you can stay at Nature Seekers, where the rooms were clean and fairly comfortable for overnight accommodation. ( see the pictures) . Or if you are blessed as I was, you will meet a wonderful Trinidadian like Miss Gloria, who welcomes you into her home! That's a much better experience!

Shark & Bake - Trinidad

I am Grateful

I am grateful that although there was no sun this morning, I woke with a song in my heart
I am grateful that as the rain pored down, I was thinking "Lord rain down your blessings on me"
I am grateful that I have memories of turtles swimming to the shore
I am grateful that I saw them lay their eggs 20 and more
I am grateful that I heard my daughter's voice every day this past weekend
I am grateful for Miss Gloria and her family
I am grateful that I found a family full of love and kindness
I am grateful that I could see and capture the images of unspoilt beaches
I am grateful that I climbed a mango tree, something I haven't done since thirteen
I am grateful that I arrived safely to Sangre Grande, even after the taxi driver stopped to pick up a STAG beer, Lord have mercy!
I am grateful that it only cost me $TT10 from Toco to Sangre Grande, $TT6 to Arima and TT$7 to Port of Spain
I am grateful that I arrived "home" safely at 8 pm
I am grateful that I can share this experience with my friends here.

Congratulations

Queen's Counsel Dennis Morrison will be appointed a Justice of Appeal of the Court of Appeal of Belize. Mr. Morrison is a senior practitioner at the Bar in Jamaica and a partner in the firm of Dunn Cox. He is a former President of the Jamaica Bar Association and Chairman of the Council of Legal Education. He lectures at the Norman Manley Law School and is a Rhodes Scholar.

( He is also someone I have always held in high esteem!)

http://www.belize.gov.bz/press_release_details.php?pr_id=2719