I left India on December 27th at 11:30 in the night. Everyone stayed up until it was time to go to the airport. We said by to the cousins then went in the car. When we arrived it was pretty busy. [surprise surprise!] We gave hugs and kisses then checked in to the airport. After a gazillion hours we finally boarded the plane. We started off and then 2 planes later we came home. I loved going to India but  I am happy we came home. I look forward to seeing you soon!

Yesterday I went to the local orphanage to hand out toys and chocolate.When we came in they were very nice and they seemed excited. They greeted my mom and my aunt by “Hello Aunty!” Even though they are not related.[That is how everyone greets each other] Once we were in the orphanage we saw the room that the girls were in, there were beautiful flower paintings on the walls.We handed out the toys and all the girls said thank you and smiled, it makes me happy to see them happy.Giving toys is better than receiving toys because you not only create endorphins but you also give the gift of giving.I loved going to the orphanage it was really fun.

P.S. I wish I had a picture but I don’t! Sorry!

In India I went to a place called Wonder La! It is a water park. It also has amusement rides! I went on a lot of rides with my cousins called Lara,Andy,Ari and Samara. My favorite rides were the Termite Coaster,Wonder Splash and the Techno Jump. They had a wave pool and a huge Ferris Wheel! I got soaked at the wave pool but it was worth it. While my shorts dried my mom,sister,dad and one of my aunts with my younger cousin, Samara went floating down the Lazy River. I went on one last ride and then we went home. It was really really fun!

I was on a plane for 26 hours to get to India. I have finally arrived and we are staying in my grandparents house. My cousins are going to see us today. I am going to the Corner store to get some things and Christmas decorations. Here in India it is way different in a lot of ways. Like in the morning guys ride on bikes selling fruit or veggies. All of that is strapped to the bike.India may be different but there are some cool things do to like the last time we came to India we got coconuts in the morning! A nice man shimmed up a palm tree to get it for us. You are probably thinking it would hurt but most people do a lot of things barefoot. I am super excited to see what India has in store!

Smolts are almost adult salmon .Smolts are between 1 to 6 inches long.They weigh less then 4 ounces. If they had parr marks the marks have faded now. They are silver,this helps with camouflage. The smolts have already swam to the estuary. They hang out there for a while until they are ready to go to the ocean. Smolts eat herring,crustaceans,shrimp and squid. Dolphins,Orca’s and Salmon Sharks eat the smolts. They are on the top of the food chain in the ocean.Many salmon have a type of camouflage called countershading. The smolts are gonna be adult salmon soon!

Do you want to learn about fry and parr? Fry and Parr are the 3rd and 4th stages of the life cycle of salmon.

Fry have teeth,scales and fins. They are 2 times bigger then alevins. When there yolk sac is all used up,the bottom of the fry is silver.They are about 3 to 4 cm. If they develop black marks then they are called parr. These marks help to camouflage them. Fry move out of there redd because they have to find food at this point.

They eat water insects,salmon eggs and plankton. Some predators for fry are birds and large fish. Some fry never get parr marks. They also use there swim bladders for the first time. Now you know about fry and parr!

Welcome to the Alevin stage! Alevin is the second stage in the life cycle of salmon. Alevin are about 1 inch long. They have a tiny tail and no fins,they are very delicate. The alevin also have a yolk sac attached to their body. The alevin live in a nest called a redd. There should be trees,shrubs and logs for hiding places and shade. They don’t go far from the redd or they will get eaten. Do you know how alevin get their food? They have a yolk sac attached to them. They grow as they suck the nutrients out of their sac. Fish and birds are alevin predators like Trout and Blue Hero. Different types of salmon have diffrent looking alevin. Alevin are the best!

The first stage in the life cycle of salmon is egg. Salmon eggs are small and soft.They are a light pinkish orange color and are delicate. The eggs are about the size of a pea. They have 2 black beady dots that are the eyes. the eggs need to be in cold, clean, clear water. They are layed by the female in a nest called a redd. There should be tree’s, shrub’s and logs for shade. Tree’s also hep by holding the soil in place so erosion does not happen. The eggs are hidden in rocky gravel to protect them from predators. Eggs have a yolk sac from which they get there food. Predators for eggs include birds,humans,Trout and bears. Only 3 out of 3,000 survive to be adult salmon. Salmon eggs are amazing!

In ten days I am going to India! I am excited and have already started packing because when the time is here we will be busy. One reason I love going to India is because there are so many fun things do and I get to do them with family that I love! Another reason is because I love hanging out with my cousins because they are so fun! We will get to go to a amusement park and go on fun rides! I am thankful that I have a family like them. I will write a post for every time I do something fun! I can’t wait to go!