I rarely write letters of recommendation
Dear Margo, I rarely write letters of recommendation, I hate the constant solicitation from Amazon to write reviews, but it is with great pleasure that I write this note to you. First, thank you for sharing your wonderful husband with us here at our first Pacific Kids Sea Camp trip, especially at this time. Tom Peyton is warm and generous and made our first days at Kids’ Sea Camp Palau a very pleasant affair.
Making the effort to be perfect in Palau
Rarely have I seen so many people work so hard to make a vacation work well for my family. I know that some look for perfection in such vacations; I do not. I look for effort. Perfection is easily desired but rarely achieved. Sincere effort is rarely made and is usually driven by rules, not the heart. Only one can be achieved, and it takes a lot of hard work. Your choice of resorts around the world is, in my opinion, excellent. I can’t turn around without finding one of your staff waiting to see what I want and to try to make my vacation better. Your people are good at what they do and are sincere in their friendships. It is great just being around them.
Josh is wonderful
This brings me to Josh Comay. The number of fun and sometimes serious conversations my family has shared with these two warm and funny people will leave an impact that we will take home with us. Their concern for our stay isn’t lip service; it is from the heart. I know that I’ve already written this, but I can’t state it firmly enough. Tom may have told you that I have an overboard sense of humor. It takes stamina and patience to deal with it at times. Josh took it in and gave back in equal measure, something that takes courage and a great sense of humor. I am grateful for that and their friendship. That brings us to time spent. I came on this trip with the notion that I would learn a bit about underwater photography. (See KSC gallery)
Instead, I learned a great deal, including a good bit about my above-water photography. I am a practiced amateur at above-water shooting. The conversations I’ve had with Josh have given me great insight into shooting at depth, but they’ve also made me rethink a number of things about my picture-taking in general. His effort there was quite high and is much appreciated. In fact, the time he spent teaching me was extensive and pleasant. I will forever carry a warm spot for Nudibranchs in my heart due to conversations with Tom.
Teaching my children
The kids I have coached and refereed in youth soccer. Finding staff, people who understand children and teaching, and getting good outcomes, is tough. In my opinion, American culture has forgotten that teachers are a valuable asset in the emotional and external development of our children. We only want kids to learn what we want them to learn, forgetting that other thinking and opinion is good for them. I have been impressed by the efforts to teach my kids about the oceans, about being in the marine environment, and about our obligations to take care of that resource. Most of all, your staff’s efforts to teach my kids to behave carefully while scuba diving are greatly appreciated.
My brother-in-law is a huge WWII fan. In part, we came to Palau so he could visit and experience the WWII history here. The recognition by your folks was important to him, and it has led to numerous discussions on how to make that part of his vacation as fulfilling as possible. I will end by thanking you for your efforts on behalf of my family and for making my holiday most enjoyable.
With Regards, Lyle O. Ross, Husband of Alice Chen and father of Auden and Emerson Chen