Jaxon and the End of Year Productions

The end of the calender year isn't such a big deal over here as the schooling is based around the American school system. Being a pretty religous place Christmas is pretty big.

Jaxon's Sunday School class got up and sang a couple of songs for everyone.

The island of Pohnpei had a return visit from the Morgan family from Australia who had lived on the island 15 years ago. Some things are very different and some things are very much the same. Jenny (mum), Sam, Chloe and Nicky (I hope that's spelt right) were great and very excited about seeing Pohnpei again. We had them over for a nice dinner of baked fish (rainbow runner) and fried Mahi Mahi.

Jaxon's school put on a Nativity Play. Jaxon (with is chiseled jaw and confident nature) played the role of Joseph. Here he is quietly waiting for his opportunity to shine.

'Hey Mr Inn Keeper, do you have any room?' Jaxon's first lines on the way to Broadway.

More bloody presents.

The Morgans came to watch the production, returning to see the differences from when they went to this school. Look out Nicky, I think you now have a boyfriend.

Staff Xmas Party

Our first year on The Island is drawing to a close. Throughout the year we have be assisted greatly by some Pohnpeian locals. We have Monica who comes and helps out with the cleaning and washing a couple of days a week. The boss has Elery who does the same at his house. Francisco and Eddie help us out with 'boat advisory' services and Sonstar and Brandon do a great job keep the compound grounds looking great. So as a sign of appreciation there was a BBQ under our house for all of their families. We set up the slip and slide and opened up the pool. The kids had a great time and it was nice to sit back and relax with the people that have worked so hard for us this year.

Monica, Dean, Scott and Francisco watch the two 'peas-in-a-pod' Jaxon and Josh.

These two young lads were more than happy to take over cooking duties on the BBQ. They giggled like little girls when Scott poured beer on the onions telling them it was a secret Australian recipe. They then provided us with much amusement when they pretended to be drunk while eating the onions on their hotdogs.

Elery and her family.

Brandon and his family.

Sonstar about to launch Jaxon down the slip and slide.

Away Jaxon, away.

The slip and slide was a massive hit for everyone.

After lunch it was down to the pool for all the kids and the few brave adults on life guard duty.

The 'peas' together again while Nic took one of Sonstar's daughters for boogie board ride.

It's raining again

Like our friends the Quirke's over in Tonga it's poured down here in Pohnpei over the last week. The following pics are from a solid hour and a half session.

Pool number two is open for business. Bring out your boogie boards and floating toys.

Joshie was riding the waves while the rest looked on.

Indi wasn't so much into the splashing but loved having the boots on and walking through the water.

There's always time for a sibling hug.

Desert at Uta's

As you do in Pohnpei. It's all about making your own fun when you are stuck on an island. Nic was invited to a girl's desert party where everyone brought along a desert to share.

Uta with her two daughters Sophie and Maggie.

Good work if you can get it. Sitting around drinking wine and eating desert.

A very relaxing evening by the look of it.

Nic and Ecky were happy to be part of the crowd.

Now you would think that with this much desert that there might have been to some left over to bring home. Think again...... Break out those exercise DVDs ladies.

What a difference two weeks makes

Another fishing tournament. I know, I know - more bloody fishing photos.

Well two weeks ago the weather was shocking. This time the sun was out, it didn't rain, there was only a little bit of wind and low swell. But unfortunately the fish didn't want to play. We couldn't use our boat due to insurance reasons. It's a long story.....

I went out with Waldemar in his boat. We even rigged up our own version of outriggers to get two extra lines in the water.

We only caught three fish for the entire day. This coral trout was the pick of them. Dinner tonight - you beauty.

Great colours on these fish.

Oh well: A nice day on the water doesn't always mean productive fishing. I'm kind of torn between comfortable conditions and a reduced catch or shite weather and heaps of fish......

Climbing Sokez Ridge

Yet another Friday afternoon adventure for Scott and Nic. Sokez Mountain is the focal point of the Pohnpei Harbour. Apparently beneath Sokez Rock is a big water fountain that used to spray water out and scare the locals when they were praying. So the village chief got the local men to fill the fountain with sea-sponges to dry up the water and then put a big rock on top to stop the villagers getting scared at prayer time ever again. Beside Sokez Mountain is Sokez Ridge. You can drive all the way to the top but it is a bit of a scary drive. So we stopped halfway and walked the rest.

The halfway point were we parked the car and walked up from from.

Don't let the smile fool you. With the heat and humidity Nic wasn't really enjoying the ascent.

The view from the top of part of the harbour. Pohnpei is a often a stop-over point for yachties.

There is a telecom tower at the top of the ridge. Nic was pleased to make it up to the 'viewing platform'.

The world famous surf break Palikir Pass over my left shoulder.

Ten second time-lapse photography to the rescue.

Lots of these green critters all over the island.

Being the second wettest place on earth makes for muddy roads.

They have carved a road out of the side of the mountain. I'm sure the roots of this tree are solid but I couldn't help walking quickly past it.

There is plant life all over the island; even on a sheer rock face.

They find places to grow anywhere.

Aft Starboard side is missing but otherwise you're in good nic.

Nic's R&R Trip to Guam

Living on a small island, much less a shared compound, after living in Australian suburbia can get a little claustrophobic. Also Nic is spending just about ever minute of her time awake with at least one of the two kids. She was starting to go a little 'mental' so I shipped her off to Guam for six days before anyone suffered any major injuries; namely me.....

One of our good friends, Irina, is also over in Guam. She is having her baby over there as the safe delivery of a child in Pohnpei is a little 'hit and miss'. So when I booked the hotel room we made sure it was big enough for the both of them to relax and enjoy some 'kid free' time.

Irina is missing her husband and two boys..... Sure looks like it Irina.

I'm hoping at least one of these drinks is a Mocktail.

Nic at Planet Hollywood with her 'Number Two' pick.

Irina is German so make she prefers the toughguys.

On her last night Nic went to a place called 'Two Lovers Point'. It was a bit of an adventure as Guam has recently turned Japanese with respect to the visitor market. Signs in Japanese, bus timetables in Japanese, hotel staff that only speak Japanese.

After missing a couple of buses due to Japanese timetables and then the bus that she eventually caught breaking down she made it up there for sunset. Lucky she left early.

So hopefully Nic has got the shopping and quality restaurant eating out of her system for another five months or so. We're hoping to get to Guam and Hawaii for a holiday in March or so.