It aint all Cocktails Out of Coconuts

There isn't any garbage collection here in Pohnpei so one of the many jobs that Scott gets to do is take the rubbish to the local tip. It is the ugliest tip you have ever seen and you can smell it three miles away.

Pony (the chief stoker) nearly threw up the first time he went to the tip so he bought a gas mask to allow him to help and not add the stench.

A literal sea of trash. So be really thankful the next time the garbage man comes.

Fishing 06 March

I took the new Chief Stoker out for his first proper fishing session in Pohnpei. A 0510 rise for a 0545 departure was a bit of an effort. Especially after the Rotary Club raffle at one of the bars last night. Between 0630 and 0900 the dolphinfish were pretty much jumping into the boat. It was an awesome sight to see fish after fish launching themselves out of the water and come screaming across to have a go at our lures. We took enough to feed the three families on the compound for a the next few weeks. The highlight of the day was seeing a 200kg+ marlin jumping out of the water about 100m behind the boat. Unfortunately he didn't like our lures today, but there is always next time. Home by 1100 with every cleaned up and fish in the freezer by 1230. A great fishing day.
Dean hooked up to his first fish in Pohnpei.

Solid little dolly with the light in the right place.

Trying to get the front cover shot.

Dean with the fish of the day.

Andt Atoll 20 Feb 2010

Saturday was the pick of the weather days since we have been here, so a call to the babysitter on Thursday saw us on the boat and leaving Kangaroo Court about 0800. We headed to a place called Andt Atoll. There is about five separate islands with surround reef forming a large lagoon, with only way channel in and out. We had a quick fish when we saw some birds on the way over. The lures were in the water for about 60 seconds and we were on to a nice little dophinfish. We tried for another five minutes and then kept going to Andt.

A nice little dolly that must have wanted to come to Andt.

The beach we anchored the boat on for a few hours. Then it was just quick walk to a couple of close reefs for some quality snorkling.

The water is pristine. Gin clear.

Nic enjoying the good life.

One of about thirty underwater photos we took. A great day on the water. We were very puffed at the end of it and hit the hay about 8pm.

Sat 06 Feb Fishing Tournament

Every month someone from the local industry sponsors a fishing tournament. This month it was an Aussie guy (from Tasmania but we will claim him as Australian due to our lack of numbers on the island). He runs an IT company on Pohnpei. We took him out on our boat; it was a 0630 start and we were straight into fish with a solid wahoo and a nice dolphin fish in the the boat within half an hour of starting. Unfortunately the IT guy got really seasick and we had to come all the way back in and drop him off about 1000. We headed straight back out but only caught one more fish up until returning about 1600. So we ended up with a grand total of four dolphin fish, a wahoo and a skipjack tuna. More than enough to keep us in fish until the next time we go out and some to give away to our gardeners and cleaners. A good result all round.

A nice dolly at the official weigh-in.

A solid yellow-fin tuna (not from our boat unfortunately).

The winning fish; a nice 127lb marlin. The only marlin caught on the day.

Captain Jaxon and our boat driver Biru. I put Jaxon on the boat for the short trip back from the weigh-in to our boat shed.

Doing it Tough

Without a doubt we are doing it tough over here in a third world country - but don't worry we are doing okay. I think we will survive.


Sunday's after Church we often head to a place called The Village for brunch. This is the view, terrible.....

One of the tables at the village is located behind us in this photo. Once again a terrible spot to have to put up with.

Monday was Superbowl day, so work finished at 1000am and we went to the pub. What else would you do on Superbowl day.

Nic and I have been lucky enough to be invited to a few high society events since we have been here. We are very lucky and privileged to be a part of some of these party's. This one included ambassadors from all of the embassys, congressmen and the Vice President. They are always at pretty flash places as well and the food is as good as it gets on island. Not quite as good as Nic's cooking, but it goes okay.

Sometimes these official functions can get a little messy.....

Miller's B'day

The Pohnpei Surf Club is right next door to the compound and we were lucky enough to get an invite for his daughter's birthday party. We all loaded into one of the boats and cruised up the river for an hour or so. There was cake and chips so Jaxon and Indi were very happy.


The birthday girl (Miller) and her mum Haley (a Rockhamption girl)

Jaxon and the boss's son Josh feeding their faces with cake.

Indy having a break from eating chips and cake.

Indy loves coconut milk; straight from the coconut.

Jaxon and Alouse (the owner of the surf club). Great guy and the trip out was appreciated and enjoyed by all.

Australia Day Function

Nic and I were a little puffed after our day on the water, but duty called and we had to go to the official Australia Day function hosted by the Australian Ambassador to Micronesia Susan Cox. Scott had about 45minutes to shower, shave and get there to complete the preparations by the time the boat and fish were all cleaned up. It ended up being a pretty big deal with over 200 guests, including the acting President of Micronesia, heaps of National Senators, and Ambassadors from the five other Embassys on Pohnpei. The Bi-Lateral coorporation between Australia and Micronesia seems to be extremely high on the agenda for K Rudd and his team. A great night with heaps of traditional Australian and Local food. Scott felt a little ordinary this morning after indulging in the feel VB and Tooheys and kicking on to a local night spot for a few more. Today was a long day.

Australian Ambassador to Micronesia Susan Cox

Nic trying to get lucky with a sailor.

Dinner is served.

Indy enjoying the balloons that Scott brought home from the offical function.