No word from Matt - but that's good news!

We haven't heard from Matt, which I'm sure is a good thing, as he is I'm sure staying busy doing wonderful things.

We did get a good sign that he is still alive - we recieved his Scuba Certification card in the mail.  This means that he had to successfully complete some open water dives - which he did in Palau.  I am assuming that successful includes returning in one piece as well.

On another note, there is no truth to the rumor that Matt has disappeared in the same manner as Amelia Earhart did 75 years ago and that is why he has not contacted us.  This baseless rumor seems to have been initiated because of the clothes Matt was last seen wearing ;-)

OK, so I'm just trying to fill space since I don't have anything from Matt yet.  But there is a group going out in search of her plane on the 75th anniversary of her disappearance - and her 115th birthday.  See http://tighar.org/

Here's where the search will take place:

Spoke to Matt

Matt called Beth and then me on the 7th of August.  Every other word from his mouth was "Awesome" - with the inflection behind it even better ;-)

He's having a great experience.  The Kitalong's are treating him very well.  Ann is keeping him busy with marine biology work, and Clarence has taken him fishing with freinds and relatives

Matt has been doing some aquaculture work - my knowledge is limitied but he mentioned things such as mapping trenches with GPS.  They have measured the bacteria levels at these trenches, as this is where fish waste and other matter collects.  The smaples they have taken have shown very high levels of bacteria.  These studies - of course - are intended to help ensure the health of the marine aquaculture.

Matt has also worked with studies for land based solid waste treatment.  He spent one day conducting a survey at a waste facility to determine the interest of the residents in being more diligient in their waste handling - things such as segregating material.  Rivers are being polluted a bit from run-offs from wast facilities.

Clarence and freinds took Matt on a fishing trip - they caught tons of fish - snapper, grouper, trigger fish.  Did some Net fishing.  After they returned and ate some of the fish for dinner, they relaxed that night around a fire, playing guitars.  One of the other fishermen was a guitar player, and he and Matt spent a good deal talking about the ins and outs of the guitar and techniques - right up Matt's alley ;-)

Matt mentioned it's a great life-style - big surprise ;-)  He's borrowed the Kitalong's Moped to ride aroung the Island - mentioning how beautiful it is and how spectacular the sunsets are.

He was also planning to try to go scuba diving - he needs a few dives to complete his certification.

He made it!

------- Original Message -------

From    : Beth Sent    : 8/4/2012 3:43:33 AM

Subject : RE: Matt

 Hi Ann, Just checking to see if Matt arrived in one piece :) If so could you ask him to send up a smoke signal or something?

Thanks for getting him at the airport! 

------------------------------------------
On Aug 3, 2012 7:11 PM, wrote:

Alii Beth,

Yes Matt is here and doing well. I will tell him to call or
email. We have been going to an aquaculture farm for two
days- this weekend I will see about him  doing some diving-
try to get a student discount for him.  next week your
son will help us with our solid waste management- a bit
of a waste stream analysis..in between he will have fun

We are enjoying your son's company, you should be very
proud of him, so well mannered and helpful - doing
the dishes!!! thank you mom!! ..so thank you for sharing your son with us
this summer as I know its time away from his family and it sounds
like he only has a few days home before he heads back to school ..

We will do our best to make sure he has a good experience.

Feel free to email to me and I will keep you posted/

in Palau.

Ann and Clarence

------- Original Message -------
From    : Beth
Sent    : 8/4/2012 12:50:29 PM
Subject : RE: Matt

 Hi Ann

We're very grateful to you and Clarence both for being so accommodating, and from this little bit that I've heard I can tell you that he must think he's in heaven right now! I can't wait to hear everything.

My husband says it's amazing you've taught him to do dishes in just a few days after we've been trying for 20 years :)  Make best use of him as he's anxious to pull his weight and show his appreciation for such a treasure of an opportunity.  Many thanks again,


Beth

On his way

Beth dropped Matt off this morning at Logan Airport for his 6:15 start.  Tough waking up at 3:30 AM to start the day. 

His trip is a total of 24 hours.  He flew from Boston to San Francisco, then to Honolulu, then on to Guam, with the final leg taking him to Koror Airport on Palau.  He will be staying on the Island of Babeldaob

He texted us from Honolulu, as he was boarding his flight to Guam.  All is good ;-)


Since this long journey required super-power strength, here's Matt prepping for his vigorous journey with his cousin Patrick "I won't go to Hawaii unless you send me 1st class" Chittenden - two hearty souls  ;-)

Prep for Palau

Palau is known for World Class diving.  Matt's lucky - he'll be working with a Marine Biologist who does work that Matt is interested in, and who's husband runs a diving business - what could be better.  Matt has been a scuba diver from some time - on vacations - but never got certified.  This summer he took the PADI course at the Atkinson Pool in Sudbury.  So he's all set - a few real dives in Palau and he'll be certified

A little about Palau

Palau (ⁱ/pəˈlaʊ/, sometimes spelled Belau or Pelew), officially the Republic of Palau (Palauan: Beluu ęr a Belau), is an island country located in the western Pacific Ocean. Geographically part of the larger island group of Micronesia, with the country's population of around 21,000 people spread out over 250 islands forming the western chain of the Caroline Islands. The islands share maritime boundaries with Indonesia, the Philippines, and the Federated States of Micronesia. The most populous island in the group is Koror, with the capital city, Ngerulmud, located on nearby Babeldaob.

(Thank God for Wikipedia)

More info from wikipedia can be found at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palau

Matt is doing a Marine Biology trip to Palua for August of 2012

This is a Blog to post and journal some of the great experiences he will surely have.

Matt was lucky enough to land a great trip.  His Mom's tennis Partner - Ann Marie - heard Matt was a Marine Bio Major at Eckerd.  Her cousin is a Marine Biologist on Palau, who graciously offered Matt the opportunity to work with her during the Month of August!