----------------------------------------------------- "We worry about what a child will become tomorrow, yet we forget that he is someone today." ~StaciaTauscher ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The photos in this gallery were taken over several years, both before and after being lost at sea in 2002. After the incident I returned to the country, travelling aboard marine research vessel Flamingo Bay (owned and run by Captain Tomlinson, who was the person I was lost with). We spent time exploring the country, both above and below the surface. We also spent time delivering the many donations that were collected in Australia by different groups — anything from school supplies to vital medical equipment — to the remote villages of the Solomon Islands. Getting to know the people has been wonderful, most especially the children, whose smiles are contagious. After spending time exploring, filming, and photographing in the country, I decided to take some time off on dry land. I am now just finishing editing a book I've written about the swim (before, during, and after) that I began before being approached by the producers of Discovery channel’s show ‘I Shouldn’t Be Alive" and am now working on getting published! Thank you for visiting this gallery and I hope you enjoy the photos. Sincerely, Melissa