12th of Jan - Jaxon's Birthday

As all birthday's do they begin in the morning. Why do they have to begin so early though. Jaxon was up early and we could hear him searching the house for presents. Once they were found it was time to wake up Mum and Dad and get to the opening presents part of the day.

Nothing like fighting off a two year old while you open a present for a four year old; all before you've finishing your morning cuppa.

Toy Story is a massive hit in our house at the moment. He hasn't put these two down since opening them. They went for a swim with us this afternoon, listened to stories tonight and are now sleeping soundly in Jaxon's bed.

Jaxon went to school today and celebrated his birthday there as well. Birthdays are a big deal in Micronesia. Nic bought a cake for them to share at school and the celebration began.

First of all Jaxon had to enter through the tunnel.

Then he was placed in the chair of honour.

Then he was escorted around the cake four times. Got to love the Pohnpean traditions.

Buddy I wouldn't be that happy if they made me wear a tiara either. A great 21st photo though.

Happy Birthday to you. Happy Birthday to you.

The girls obviously loved it.

Super Mario on the Wii is also massive in our house. It gets a run pretty much every day and Jaxon is getting pretty good at it. So the decision on how to decorate his cake was pretty easy. Some handy baking by Nic and downloading and plastisicing of Mario figures by Dad and the cake was done.

Heather and Dean joined us in the birthday celebrations. Nothing like a four year olds' spit to put out a candle. I told you Buzz and Woody were everywhere.

Jaxon wins the Piston Cup (not quite yet but today he got the trophy). Happy birthday little man.

New Years Eve Boat Trip

New Years Eve on Pohnpei isn't that big of a deal but it was a day off so we took advantage of it. We decided that we wouldn't be seeing the new year in so we organised a baby sitter and maximised the day. We left home about 10am in the compound boat and anchored up on an inshore reef. We all jumped over for a snorkel first and then enjoyed a few beers and some Aussie cheese and wine and countless other niblies.


Even with the run out tide silting up the water a little it was still very clear and warm water.

Stephen is an experienced diver and enjoyed cruising along taking it all in.

Lots of colourful fish all over this reef. I'm sure that all the inshore reefs are exactly like this. Beautiful.

There were lots of sea cucumbers on this reef. This one had some pretty funky colours.

Blue starfish were everywhere.

The reef had dropoffs on either side. It was great fun duckdiving down deep and seeing it all as you float back up.

More incredible fish life.

Nic hiding behind some black coral.

After lunch and another quick swim to cool off we took out the tube for a bit of fun. I definately wasn't keen; 18 years of packing into scrums guarantees that I would suffer if I did this. Everyone else had a great time getting thrown around and the only pain I suffered was in my face from smiling and laughing. Nic went first and loved it.

Next went Heather. The girls are too bloody good at this. We couldn't throw them off no matter how hard we tried.

Next came Lori. Lori is an old hand at water skiing and this sort of thing. Great style leaning into the corners.

Stephen did pretty well but had the honour of being the first to be thrown off.

Dean had a go last. After a pretty solid face plant into the tube he did well to enjoy the rest of his turn. We then went to Palikir Pass to watch the surfers and try and jig up some fish. No luck with the fish but the surf is starting to build and looks like it should be pumping by Tuesday. There are some big name surfers heading this way to ride the predicted swells next week. I'll try and get out to snap some pics.

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.