09 April - A day on the boat

The weather is finally starting to calm down as the 'trade winds' subside. This allows us to access the northern waters of Pohnpei that are normally too uncomfortable due to the wind and swell. One of our favourite places is Manta Pass so after the baby sitter was sorted we headed off. As we were tieing up to the bouy we saw a manta cruise under the boat and Nic saw two more as soon as she entered the water at the back of the boat. Unfortunately over the next hour we only saw another four but it was still very much worth the trip.

While looking out for mantas the rainbow runners kept us entertained.

Before heading back to the boat we had a quick snorkel over the reef on the side of the pass.

At 30+ degrees it is always a comfortable time in the water.

After a great lunch we headed out the closest pass for a quick troll on the way home. Not long into it and we had this beauty on ice. A 26lb 8oz wahoo. We had what we came for so it was lures in and off home.

As if on cue to round out a great day on the water we had a pod of dolphins turn up and play in the bow waves for five minutes or so.

There were heaps and they stuck around to entertain us.

'Queen' for the day Nic relaxing and reading a 'mag' on the way home.

07 Apr - The Rakoskis leave Pohnpei

As the nature of living on the island with a multitude of transient people; at times people leave for home. Waldemar and Irina have become some of our best friends on Pohnpei and unfortunately on Thursday it was time to bid them farewell as they head back to Germany. On the lawn at our place.

The kids all played well together every time they got the chance. Jaxon especially will miss his time with the boys.

All packed and waiting to enter the 'lounge' at the airport.

Scott and Waldemar pose for one last photo. Until they get together for that much talked about 'Octoberfest' some time in the future.

Irina and Nic have yet another 'last hug'.

The last photo in Pohnpei. Good luck guys and we'll see you again soon.

PMA Farewell

Sunday evening saw us head to communion at the PMA Church which was followed by a 'pot luck' (bring a plate) style banquet as a farewell for Waldemar, Irina and Pia. Waldemar and Pia have both worked at PMA over the last few years but are both leaving very soon. Not a bad sized piggie to head the table.

No machettes this time. This pig was carved in record time. I'm sure Waldemar may have been sampling the goods though.

A very frustrating Pohnpei tradition. It may even be a Pacific Island thing. Makes it hard to come out holding a plate of food and not break an ankle.

It was a bigger than expected turn out so all the seats were handed over to those most in need.

Nic and I didn't mind standing up for our meal.

Once the meal was over then the festivities began. These young ladies are part of the 'Girls Discipleship' that Pia has been working with and came it to sing a few songs.

Pia proudly holds up the shirt that was presented to her.

Ringo and Waldemar have been working together at PMA for the last three years and have become good friends and brew break buddies.

Scott isn't looking forward to Thursday when Waldemar flies out.

Next it was the 'Boys Youth Group' turn. Waldemar is the Youth Pastor and has a lot of influence on these young guys. You could tell how much respect and appreciation they had through their performance.

The lastest addition, Mark Jacob, didn't seem that fussed by the goings on.

Next up was a couple of young girls doing the hula. Pretty bloody good too I might add.

I know Nic will miss Irina a lot. They have become very good friends over the last year.

Then the ladies of PMA got together for their farewell songs with plenty of Pacific style giggling thrown in for good measure.

Waldemar and Irina have left a impressionable mark on Pohnpei and PMA. A great couple that will do well where ever they are.

Indi Boombie's new bed

Mummy and Daddy's little girl is growing up so fast. Saturday saw us pulling apart the cot we brought over with us and moving a bed over from one of the other houses. It took a little bit of 'furniture rearranging' but it fits and all is well. There were no issues with getting her into it. A splash of pink and it was all over. Loves it.

Later that afternoon we heard a bit of noise in the lounge room and went to investigate. Apparently because Indi was kicked out of her cot, 'dolly' (uncerimoniously naked underneath) should be moved on aswell. We still haven't worked out how Indi got in there and can only be thankful for the quality Chinese workmanship holding dolly's cot together.

Last Trip with Waldemar

Unfortunately as is the way on Pohnpei a lot of people that we become friends with are short-timers like ourselves. Some good friends that we have made are leaving this coming Thursday. Waldemar and Irina and their three sons are heading back to Germany. I thought it only fitting that we go out fishing one last time. Stephen came along with us for the day and landed this nice Mahi.

Waldemar was next up and landed yet another good Mahi. I'm still chasing that 'front cover' photo.

We came across a school of skip-jack tuna. And boy do they bleed a lot. This was nearly comical as this one dropped the hook onto the deck and then proceeded to bleed everywhere.

Slippery little sucker, especially as the blood was spread out.

Gotcha at last.

We found a couple of schools of good sized yellowfin tuna. Unfortunately the sharks had found them as well. I donated quite a few lures to the sharks as they snatched our tunas, lure and all.

Frustration forced me to leave the school but we quickly found and another one. The tuna were boiling on the surface, it was an amazing sight to see ten or more tuna side by side on the surface round up the bait fish. First pass in the boat and we had a double hook-up with two quality tuna in the boat shortly afterwards (one minus it's tail as the sharks had found this school as well).

Once we were home it was dinner for both familys followed by ice-cream for the kids. Yet another great day in paradise.