Mother's Day

Mother's Day started the day before with Jaxon and Scott collecting some flowers from around the compound.


Sunday morning after breaky it was off to Church for a special Mother's Day service. We arrived to find that the power was out and that the service was being postponed until 5pm. So headed home to the pool.

Nic enjoying the pool all by herself.

That was never going to last long.....

Up to The Village for lunch. Our favourite eating spot here in Pohnpei.

The Church service eventually got underway in the afternoon. Jaxon (and the other Sunday School kids) sang some songs they had been rehearsing for the last month or so. The highlight for us was when the microphone was past from child to child to say something. Jaxon's line was "My Mum's Number One".

Andt Atoll 01 May

Saturday was used to head over to Andt Atoll once again to relax and enjoy some peace and quiet (read Jaxon and Indi didn't come).

Scott's first Blue-Fin Trevally. Not a monster by any means. It was more than happy to swim off after a couple of photos.

Just one of the hundreds of beautiful beaches that make up Andt Atoll.

Out boat driver Beru disappearred into the bush and came back with his dinner - a coconut crab.

Nic made sure that there was a 'safe distance' maintained at all times.

Another awesome snorkeling experience was enjoyed by us all.

Andt Atoll 01 May - Continued

Andt Continued.....
The huge clams have some magnificent colours.

Four different coloured clams in one sport.

They even have pesky toad fish here in paradise.

Calm inside the Atoll.

Nic and Heather kicking back under the sun shelter. Unfortnately you can't relax in the shade of the coconut trees due to the risk of falling coconuts.

The Chicken

Some of you may remember from a previous blog that we had a compound hen that decided to lay her eggs in a safe place - away from the rats, cats and land crabs. This meant the resident pot plant was ousted to the balcony floor to make way for what ended up being nine eggs laid over about seven days.

Enjoying some time in the sun.

Nic looked out and the mother hen was on the balcony floor clucking away. Supposedly waiting for a suitably trained human to help carry the chicks from the hanging pot plant downstairs.

Number one sticks it head up. Boombie was wondering what all the fuss is about.

Out of the pot plant at last.

Alive and doing well in the garden. It's been five days now and they are all still with us, a minor miracle in itself. Lets hope it stays that way.

28 April - Trade Minister visit

The Aussie Trade Minister Simon Creen flew in to play a major role in the 2010 Pacific Islands Forum Trade Minister's meeting. Scott didn't have a major role to play except help with delivering luggage off the plane and then delivering the four members of the RAAF and the QANTAS maintenance tech to their hotel. He did get to relax on the jet for an hour or so while the 'island time' issues with refueling took place. A sweet gig kicking back in a VIP jet.

ANZAC Day

Even though there are only three Australian Defence Force personnel on the island of Pohnpei ANZAC day is still very much a big deal. Unfortunately the day before was probably the wettest day that we have had since arriving so setting up nearly required a mask and snorkel. Fortunately when we awoke at 0430 it wasn't raining and a couple of stars were even attempting to break through. Scott laid the first wreath on behalf of all veterans past and present. The Ambassadors from the US, Japan and China joined the Australian Ambassador in laying wreaths. Jaxon and Scott's bosses son Joshua laid a wreath on behalf of the children of Australia - a light-hearted way to complete the ceremony.

Jaxon pretty pumped to be awake so early.

CPO Dean Moore, Scott and LCDR Paul Ruhl - The RANs contingent in Pohnpei.

Jaxon and Joshua posing for photos - re-enacting the wreath laying ceremony.

Like father like son (except Jaxon is naughtier than Scott ever was......)

Posing for a photo before hooking into the rum, port, beer and bacon and egg rolls.

Lehn Paipohn Falls

We finally got our FWD into 4L as we drove over rocks, through the mud and tried not to slide down embankments to get to Lehn Paipohn Falls. After we drove the car as far as we could go it was another 15 minute climb through the bush to the falls. Definately worth it (Scott can say that now after a Radox bath). Scott once again carried Indi in and out, with Sonstar lugging Jaxon around for us.

Lunch in the middle of the road. Nothing to worry about believe me; no one else was crazy enough to drive up this road.

The falls from above.

A huge amount of water; as Scott and Nic found out when they tried to swim out to it. It was like being in a swim training pool where you have to swim against the current.

Thank God for the 10 second timer option.

One of the nicer bits of the track in and out. That's Pony and Heather trying not to get bogged.