The Family Kayak Trip

Nic recently went to Guam for some R&R. While over there she went and checked out the stores for some kayaks. As luck would have it they were ingredibly cheap. An added bonus was that a friend of a friend who was also over there arranged to ship them back to Pohnpei for us in a container that was being used for their business. Much appreciated. Local people here are very generous and often go out of their way to help. It's a fantastic place to be some times.

We haven't sorted out roof-racks yet so with no real laws (none that are inforced anyway) about stacking a car it was get them in anyway you can and have the kids on your lap.

Just waiting for that first wave man.

And away we go. We decided to paddle into the mangroves that are between the mainland and Sokez Island. We went early (0730) so the place was pretty quiet and starting to come to life. Bats flying home and birds and insects flying about in the warm morning air. We even saw a few kingfishers which was great. The parrots were that loud at one point that you couldn't talk over the top of them.

Massive tree ferns and tree palms lined the sides of the canals.

Indi obviously wasn't happy with the speed that Mum was going up so took over the job herself. Pretty strong for a girl that just turned two.

The water wasn't clean by any stretch of the imagination. Mangroves mean mudding water. Plus the locals locate their pigs on the water ways so it is probably best to stay inside the boat at all times.

On the way out we came across the grandson of Francisco, who is one of our boat advisors. It's a small world on Pohnpei.

It was a great way to start the day but very tiring as well. We will all sleep well tonight.

Xmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day

You guessed it. It's a long post so grab a coffee and read on.

Christmas Eve began with Nic and I diving at P-Pass with Lori and Stephen. Lori is the second in charge of the American Embassy here in Pohnpei. Stephen is the house husband and I'm very envious. That evening along with some other expats we were invited up to Lori and Stephen's place for a roast turkey. Every one brought a dish so it was the beginning of three days of feasting. Here are the boys looking out from Lori and Stephen's balcony. Tell me you wouldn't be sitting out there having your morning coffee every day.

The girls turn. Don't ask me why but Jaxon had to be in this photo.

Christmas morning. Looks like santa has been. Two very excited kids.....

More evidence. The cookies are gone (I think Indi might have finished them off) and there is a 'Thank You' note.

Unwrapping a mountain of presents has begun.

Anything 'pink' and Indi is a happy camper.

Daddy's always get stuck with putting things together and working out where the batteries go.

Heather and Dean (neighbours) generously bought small gifts for all the local kids that live in the shacks on the side of our driveway. Our gardeners found out the ages of all the kids and then age-appropriate gifts we bought. Dean and Heather graciously allowed us to come with them for the delivery. It was a great feeling seeing the smiles on the kids and parents faces.

They were a little hesitant at first but once the first one got a gift they came from everywhere.

Indi doing her best to make some new friends.

Cute, happy and content. If only Jaxon and Indi could be like this a little more. Definately a case of 'you don't miss what you don't have'.

Top job Dean and Heather. BZ.

Christmas lunch followed shortly after the gift giving on the driveway. Australian turkey was a real hit and so it should have been at the price (it's a long story). We also enjoyed beautiful Aussie ham and chicken roll. The feasting continues.

Jaxon's favourite Christmas present. Look closely and you'll see that this is an action shot!

Another big hit was this do-dad. Anything to do with water is a huge hit here.

The evening was quickly upon us and kids went to sleep pretty easily. Sam, Ecki, Lori, Stephen, Emmanuelle, Nora, Dean and Heather joined us for a for yet another great meal. Mostly leftovers from everyone's Christmas lunches. Did the job superbly. Sam decided that he didn't need sunscreen today while spending an hour or two drink beer by the pool. Silly Sam!!!!!!!

Emmanulle, Nora, Lori, Sam, Ecki, Heather, Me, Dean, Nic and Stephen.

Boxing day saw a large portion of the leftovers dwindle down even further. Indi loves fish, crabs, prawns, lobster - not sure where she gets that from. Coconut and Lobster; a meal fit for a queen.

Jaxon doesn't mind a feed either so he was more than happy to hoe in once again.

Back for the final feast. Boy am I glad there is 51 weeks to go until next Christmas. It will take that long to lose all the kilos put on in the last week.

Diving Palikir Pass

Palikir Pass is home to one the world's cleanest waves and attracts famous surfers from all over the world when the swell is right. In fact some of them are no doubt on there way right now with 15-18ft waves predicted for Tues/Wed next week (4/5 of Jan). Under the water can be just as exciting though with some spectacular sea life. Nic and I took the compound boat on Xmas Eve and dived P-Pass for the first time. The water was crystal clear and about 28 degrees.

We went straight to the bottom and spent about 5 minutes at 37.8 metres. The fish life was fantastic. Not a lot of coral but heaps of fish.

A little difficult to make out but these are Red Bass. Big Red Bass; about 15-20kgs of pure brutish fish. I'll be back here with a fishing line at some point and my cheapest jig as you don't often land too many of these bad boys.

Don't know why this picture is side-ways. But turn your head and look up to the surface from 35m down.

8 minutes of deco stop at 6 metres removed the build up of nitrogen from our blood and allowed us to look at some of the coral that lives closer to the top of the pass.

Mum and Dad stayed in the front anemone and the kids hid behind in the back one. Pretty awesome.

Not sure what this is but it was worth a photo.

Jaxon and the End of Year Productions

The end of the calender year isn't such a big deal over here as the schooling is based around the American school system. Being a pretty religous place Christmas is pretty big.

Jaxon's Sunday School class got up and sang a couple of songs for everyone.

The island of Pohnpei had a return visit from the Morgan family from Australia who had lived on the island 15 years ago. Some things are very different and some things are very much the same. Jenny (mum), Sam, Chloe and Nicky (I hope that's spelt right) were great and very excited about seeing Pohnpei again. We had them over for a nice dinner of baked fish (rainbow runner) and fried Mahi Mahi.

Jaxon's school put on a Nativity Play. Jaxon (with is chiseled jaw and confident nature) played the role of Joseph. Here he is quietly waiting for his opportunity to shine.

'Hey Mr Inn Keeper, do you have any room?' Jaxon's first lines on the way to Broadway.

More bloody presents.

The Morgans came to watch the production, returning to see the differences from when they went to this school. Look out Nicky, I think you now have a boyfriend.

Staff Xmas Party

Our first year on The Island is drawing to a close. Throughout the year we have be assisted greatly by some Pohnpeian locals. We have Monica who comes and helps out with the cleaning and washing a couple of days a week. The boss has Elery who does the same at his house. Francisco and Eddie help us out with 'boat advisory' services and Sonstar and Brandon do a great job keep the compound grounds looking great. So as a sign of appreciation there was a BBQ under our house for all of their families. We set up the slip and slide and opened up the pool. The kids had a great time and it was nice to sit back and relax with the people that have worked so hard for us this year.

Monica, Dean, Scott and Francisco watch the two 'peas-in-a-pod' Jaxon and Josh.

These two young lads were more than happy to take over cooking duties on the BBQ. They giggled like little girls when Scott poured beer on the onions telling them it was a secret Australian recipe. They then provided us with much amusement when they pretended to be drunk while eating the onions on their hotdogs.

Elery and her family.

Brandon and his family.

Sonstar about to launch Jaxon down the slip and slide.

Away Jaxon, away.

The slip and slide was a massive hit for everyone.

After lunch it was down to the pool for all the kids and the few brave adults on life guard duty.

The 'peas' together again while Nic took one of Sonstar's daughters for boogie board ride.

It's raining again

Like our friends the Quirke's over in Tonga it's poured down here in Pohnpei over the last week. The following pics are from a solid hour and a half session.

Pool number two is open for business. Bring out your boogie boards and floating toys.

Joshie was riding the waves while the rest looked on.

Indi wasn't so much into the splashing but loved having the boots on and walking through the water.

There's always time for a sibling hug.