22 July - The Guns of Sokez

After Sunday lunch Jaxon and Scott went for some Father/Son bonding up on Sokez Ridge. There are three big gun emplacements left there by the Japanese after WW2.

 

 Spectacular to look at, even 60 years after the fact.

 

 Pretty glad I wasn't part of the team carrying this up Sokez Ridge.

 

 Jaxon 'needed' to have a look down in the ammunition bunker. His 'need' evaporated in a few short steps once the tunnel got dark.....

 

 The view from the top of Sokez Ridge. Now you can see why I was glad to not have to carry those big guns up all this way.

 

Parts of Pohnpei seem nearly pre-historic, like these massive leaves.

21 July - Ant Atoll

Scott was only one island for ten days before the USA trip so we made the most of it. A day trip to Ant Atoll is always a great way to unwind. Amazingly on a perfect day we had the entire place to ourselves.

 

 As is now custom we started the beach time with a search for hermit crabs.

 

 A bucket full and the racing track in full preparation.

 

 A keen field of racers were chomping at the bit.

 

 And they're off and racing.

 

 And we have a winner.

 

 Indi's Barbie and Ken got up to some mischief while we were snorkeling.

 

 Roro snagged a couple of awesome coconut crabs.

 

 Jaxon is pretty much a fish now after this long on island.

 

 Indi loves the water as well.

 



 The usual suspects make the snorkeling spectacular.

 

 Indi can swim well enough now (she's only three) to take off the life jacket for extended periods.

 

 Loving life on Pohnpei.

 

 

A nice big brain coral in the middle of no where.

Nana and Granddad hit Pohnpei

While Scott was spending so much time in Australia with the patrol boat refit Nana and Granddad came back over to Pohnpei to spend time with Nic and kids. (Read help keep Nic from going crazy)

 



 

This was their second trip so it a lot of same-ole same-ole. However one adventure day had them searching for eels in one of the local streams. The eels are sacred on Pohnpei, you even need permission to look at them.

 

 The local villagers are always very accommodating for the curious whities.

The grass is always greener on the other side. The only problem is the rope. You get out and drag the buffalo back across the road.......

The stream with the eels always has a fair collection of locals.

Five-Six feet of Pohnpei eel.

Always happy and smiling. Great to see.



Indi -  So proud to be 'eating like an adult'.

Nana had her '21st' birthday while on Pohnpei.

Up at The Village for a birthday lunch.

Jaxon loves The Village. Ice cream and coconuts.......

 

Too much birthday cake Nana!!!!!!!!!

 

 

The mandatory trip to Ant Atoll.

 Beaches don't exit on Pohnpei so it's off to Ant Atoll for some fun in the sun.

General July Post (Still catching up)

The catching up on the blog continues. Life on Pohnpei is still awesome for us all, with many friends and different events to keep us with more than enough to do.

Jaxon has been wearing that superman suit since we arrive two and a half years ago, lucky it stretches. Indi is a real little girl now, piggy-tails, hand bags and even heels at times. The writing is on the wall...... Gonna need a shotgun....

A Princess and Pirate Bday party at the cinema. Woody and Jesse made an appearance here....

The party continued in a hall downtown. A massive effort was put into this, amazing what you can achieve if you put your mind to it.

 

Scott didn't finish work until after six so he missed the movie but made it in time for cup cakes. Nic was happy to be out and about.

 

 Dini is just one of the kids when it comes to having fun. I'm sure she ended up wearing a few of these water balloons.

Indi cooking up a storm at home. Always so smiley.

FSS MICRONESIA's slipping - Part Two.

It's been really busy with the refit, a short stop back on Pohnpei and then off to the west coast of the US of A for a holiday so the Blog is very much behind - but I'm working on it. No doubt you want holiday photos...... I'll put up a few blogs to fill in the gaps before putting up all the holiday stuff.

 

July saw Scott back in Cairns for another four week stint to finish off the slipping of FSS MICRONESIA. It was a very busy but rewarding time, on many levels.

The crew achieved a lot in a short time and were very proud of their efforts.

One Saturday the crew and Scott went up into the hills behind Cairns and had breakfast with the beasts. Breakfast surrounded by hungry lions was certainly an eye-opener for some of the Micronesians.

I'm not sure how many of you have heard an emu's 'onk onk' noise, it's pretty unique. The lads were amazed.

 

Patting a rhino, now that's a pretty cool way to start a weekend.

The lads enjoyed the experience, and love posing for photos.

After a delayed departure the boat was finally on the way home. The first couple of days were rough as hell, with most people, including Scott bed-bound. Lyra Reef is all the lads talked about the entire slipping so we were all happy to arrive there with awesome conditions. As soon as lures hit the water the fish started coming in. A virtually untouched fishing place.

Scotts best of nine dogtooth tuna, 30kgs of pure power.

After trolling for three hours the boat stopped on top of the reef so Scott could jig. The jigs were getting hit on the way down so it was going to be mayhem. After a couple of fish, and more lost to sharks it was time to wrap it up.

Commanding Officer Stuart Peter looking forward to touching Pohnpei soil again.

The lads, very much looking forward to seeing their families.

 

That's right boys, were back. Best you stick to the rules.

 

A gift from Japan, the FSS Unity. A very sweet inshore patrol craft.

 

Always great to see the family waiting for you on the wharf.