First Barramundi

While in Cairns I took the opportunity to head south to Cardwell to meet Adam's Uncle (Wazza) and Aunt (Col). I have to say they are two of the nicest people I've ever met. They have a beautiful home up on the side of a mountain, out of town so it is very peaceful. It was like staying at a resort, I wasn't allowed to do a thing for myself. Fantastic. Hopefully I get to repay the generousity some day. Adam has been torturing me with tales of his adventures barra fishing at Hincherbrook Island for years. We have often talked about doing a trip together but it hasn't happened just yet; we'll get there. It was well worth the drive (and the weeks recovering from the bastard midgi bites). I had never caught a barramundi before so that was the aim of the two (Sat arvo/Sun morn) trips out.

 Two minutes from the boat ramp we come across this bad boy. Easily four metres long. Any lures lost in snags had a reasonable chance of staying there after seeing this beast.

 After losing two barramundi due to nothing but inexperience with how they fight I got a cracka of a first fish. 74cm of quality salt water barra. Does it get any better. It only took three hours and I had achieved my goal, everything was going to be cream after that.

Still trying for the front cover shot.

 Commonly referred to as the 'brag mat'

 Terrible conditions. To be honest we ended up wanting a little wind because as the wind dies the midgis come out even harder. Bastard things.....

 Wazza was pretty impressive with the cast net and it also gave me another opportunity to play with the digital SLR.

 No bait fishing today. All these guys were going home to feed Wazza's pet barra 'Boof'.

Sunday morning saw us out again, unfortunately the tides weren't ideal for a morning fish so we caught some bait and relaxed for about two minutes before my second barra came into the boat. Proving to me how fortunate I was to get such a good fish the previous day. We soldiered on and caught more small barra, mangrove jack, cod and a barracuda. No trophy fish  on the second day, needless to say I lost a great jack at the boat.......

I know the people in the northern parts of Australia are used to this sort of thing but I was blown away by the experience. Loved it. I'll try to get down that was for another crack in a month or so. Thanks Wazza and Col, you guys are absolutely top shelf.

FSS MICRONESIA Arrives in Cairns

Scott headed over to Cairns for three weeks to help with the eight week refit of the FSM patrol boat FSS MICRONESIA. The first few days were spent unloading the boat, removing the remaining fuel, removing equipment that will be replaced, organising hotels and hire cars for the crew. It was a very busy time. Then there was the liaison with the patrol boat support contractor and the shipyard. Luckily for Scott they have done this many times and they provided a lot of assistance when required.

 FSS MICRONESIA arrives after a slow seven day journey from Pohnpei.

 Muchos Cudos. The crew got straight into a full working day, starting the unloading process to prepare the boat for coming out of the water. Juanito and Lewis are super stars and lead from the front.

 Fuel containers in the foreground and one of what soon became two sea containers full of 'stuff'.

 Yep, it didn't take too long before I was asking for sea container Number 2.

 The boat on the left was one of two that moved the boat into the floating dock. Nothing like a fuel diesel exhaust marks to prove you've been at sea.

 A short 'turn the boat around' trip. All the fuel had been removed so the little boats did it all on their own.

Into the floating dock we go.

Scott's back in Pohnpei now for three weeks. There'll be a lot more photos of the refit when Scott goes back to Cairns in three weeks to wrap things up and come home on the boat.

02 May - Fan Coral Dive

Before I headed over to Cairns to support the refit of FSS MICRONESIA Nic and I went for dive at a spot we dive a few weeks before, this time with the camera. We saw plenty of fan coral on the previous dive and we weren't dissapointed this time either.

 As soon as we entered the water we headed down to 20 meters and right there was the first one. These things obviously come is all shapes and sizes, some of them are massive.

 Along with the fan corals there was the standard fare of maginificently coloured fish.

 The photos don't do them justice.

 They are just everywhere on this dive. I have only seem them in one other spot on the entire island. I'm not sure why they are all in this spot, but I'm glad they were.

 Nic and small fan coral.





 This one was the biggest we saw, at least ten foot high.

 As well as the fans there was plenty of beautiful soft corals aswell.

 And triggerfish (leather jackets).

 A pretty cool starfish.

 This fish swam around our heads getting pretty close at times.

 At the right angle and when the sun stuck its head out is was simply magnificent.

 Magazine quality.

 A dive in Pohnpei wouldn't be complete with seeing Nemo. This was a big soft coral.

 Along with the angry but shy Nemo.

And plenty of sea slugs.

Yet another great few hours in our lives in Pohnpei.

01 May - FSS MICRONESIA heads to Cairns

One of the patrol boats, FSS MICRONESIA, sailed for Cairns for a six week refit. A slow seven day trip that hopefully sees the crew commencing some of the refit work during the transit.

 A motley crew.... Hand picked to make it a success.



The Commanding Officer Steward Peter does one final checks before giving the order to sail.

 Kayvin waves good-bye to the family. Eight week away is a long time for a pacific islander. Family is a precious thing here. As it should be everywhere.

 Going.

 Going.

Gone.

29 April - Sunday Sailfish

Our friend Brenda has been talking about her daughter coming to visit her in Pohnpei for a long time now. We had talked about it many times, taking her out to catch the big one while she was here. Well we did 'okay'.



 25 minutes after having lines out we hooked up a solid sailfish right at the back of the boat. After the initial scramble of winding in the other lines and get the back of the boat clear I strapped Gina into the fighting gear and with a little coaching she did great job of fighting the fish all the way to the boat.

 That Digital SLR we bought on one of our holidays takes bloody good action shots.

 And again.

 Gina was very proud of her achievement.

 Brenda was proud aswell, and relieved that we got what we came for. Many fishing trips end in tears when such high expectations are set.

 I tried to get a few 'magazine' photos.

 This one is probably my favourite fishing photo right now.

 Another photo, this time up the front end of the boat. Trying to show off the beautiful colours of the sail.

 I took the underwater camera on board for this exact photo. I must have known we were going to catch a good one.

A bit of free advertising for Allois and the Pohnpei Surf Club.

Mission accomplished, a great day in Pohnpei. Brenda can sleep at night now.

25 April - ANZAC Day

Our final ANZAC Day on Pohnpei. Mixed emotions on many levels. Our boss was away so it was up to Dean and I to make it happen. Dean pretty much did everything on the organising side of things and it all happened without a hitch. Many people commented that it was the best ANZAC Day service they had been part of in years. A job well done.





 Sam (2 I/C of the Australian Embassy) got us off to a flying start reading the Anzac Day Requiem.

 Dean read a great introduction and I read out an Anzac Day Poem.

I also read out the Ode.

 I laid a wreath on behalf of the fallen.

We were honoured and privilged to have Jeff (Heather's father) visiting us over the period. Jeff is a Vietnam Vet and laid a wreath on behalf of them. Having Jeff and Kath (Heather's Mum) on island for ANZAC Day added to the significance of the day for us all.

 Jaxon laid a wreath on behalf of the children of Australia and New Zealand. Indi was meant to help out but chickened out at crunch time. There was a fair sized crowd that must have been a bit daunting for a three year old at five-thirty in the morning.

 Once the service was over and the crowd moved up to our bbq area for the bacon and egg rolls, rum and coffee, beer, etc I talked Indi into laying a wreath. She was all smiles and happy to be part of it once the crowd moved on.

 Good girl.

 Everything we do is for the last time we will do it on Pohnpei. Sad but happy moments at the same time.

 Nic did a great job getting the kids up and ready. No bingo this ANZAC Day.....





Our 'Eternal Flame'. Until the rain came any way.





The lads in front of our ANZAC Cove memorial.



The old and the new. A great photo.

It wouldn't be a day off if I didn't go fishing. Nic, I and the kids went for a snorkel at one of the close inshore reefs. I then dropped them off and snuck out for a quick fish landing this nice 22lb wahoo just as I was about to call it a day.

Slab up. Dean and I made the front page of the local paper. Oh well, we'll have to buy each other a case of beer......