26 April - Ant Atoll

With Anzac Day behind us it was time to relax and enjoy a day off. The three families headed over the Ant Atoll for the day. Scottt and Geoff drove the boat and Heather and Dean rode their new jet skis across for us all to have a 'play' on during the day.

Scott and Geoff cooked up a storm for lunch. Nothing quite like a bbq on the beach.

It's a beautiful thing.

I'm not sure much of the compound was left behind, but we didn't go without so all was good.

Melissa taking her 'pet' crab for a swim.

The hermit crabs came from miles away once the bbq started. They must have experienced a few bbqs before.

This one got all shy when the camera was pointed in his direction.

Any home is a good home for these guys.

Yet another great day on Pohnpei. 2011 is proving to be a great year for us, life is good.

25 April Anzac Day

Nothing like an Anzac Day Dawn Service for a great reason to be up early. Still it was a little painful when the alarm went off at 4am. Luckily we had spent about four hours applying the finishing touches to the compound and our own 'Anzac Cove' the day before. We had a great service that had a pretty good attendance by Australians and New Zealanders on Pohnpei as well as many others. Their attendance lets us know that they appreciate the job the Navy is doing here in Pohnpei with the patrol boats and is always welcomed by us.

Indi didn't make it to last years ceremony but was pretty well behaved this year. She evened added a 'Daddy, Daddy' as Scott was laying a wreath.

Wreaths from all the foreign embassys and from within the FSM Government. Jaxon and Melissa (Dean's daughter) laid a wreath on behalf of the children of Australia.

Dean, Scott, Geoff and Martin Quinn (Australian Ambassador)

The three compound families along with the Aust Ambassador and his family.

After the service it was up to the Nahs (bbq area) for bacon and egg rolls, rum and coffee, and a couple of beers. It was pretty much all over by about 9am as the local community headed off to work. Another great Anzac Day in Pohnpei.

24 April Easter Sunday

Easter is a pretty big deal here in Pohnpei. Off to church first thing in the morning with Jaxon and all the other 'Sunday Schoolers' being part of the service. Jaxon stood up on stage with all his friends and got his line out without a hitch. "Green is for the grass He made".

Then it was back home for a swim and an Easter Egg hunt around the compound. Heather got out of the pool a little bit earlier and hid the eggs.

Jaxon and Indi didn't have too many problems finding the eggs. No chocolate lasts too long here in the heat so if we find and little alfoil lumps it might have been the egg that got away.

Sunday night saw us at the Church Pot Luck dinner and Easter Egg hunt. After a great feed all the kids were shut into a room while the eggs were dispersed. Notice Jaxon right at the front ready to go once the doors were opened.

Indi you're going the wrong way baby.

Jaxon at speed. If only he cleaned up his room this fast.

There has got to be some Easter Eggs in this long grass somewhere.

Nothing like a bit of help from Daddy for the high ones.

Indi was more interested in a couple of puppys that someone had brought down. I think she knew that Mummy and Daddy wouldn't let her miss out.

We now have enough lollies to last until next Easter. They'll be slowly handed out over the next twelve months or so.

09 April - A day on the boat

The weather is finally starting to calm down as the 'trade winds' subside. This allows us to access the northern waters of Pohnpei that are normally too uncomfortable due to the wind and swell. One of our favourite places is Manta Pass so after the baby sitter was sorted we headed off. As we were tieing up to the bouy we saw a manta cruise under the boat and Nic saw two more as soon as she entered the water at the back of the boat. Unfortunately over the next hour we only saw another four but it was still very much worth the trip.

While looking out for mantas the rainbow runners kept us entertained.

Before heading back to the boat we had a quick snorkel over the reef on the side of the pass.

At 30+ degrees it is always a comfortable time in the water.

After a great lunch we headed out the closest pass for a quick troll on the way home. Not long into it and we had this beauty on ice. A 26lb 8oz wahoo. We had what we came for so it was lures in and off home.

As if on cue to round out a great day on the water we had a pod of dolphins turn up and play in the bow waves for five minutes or so.

There were heaps and they stuck around to entertain us.

'Queen' for the day Nic relaxing and reading a 'mag' on the way home.

07 Apr - The Rakoskis leave Pohnpei

As the nature of living on the island with a multitude of transient people; at times people leave for home. Waldemar and Irina have become some of our best friends on Pohnpei and unfortunately on Thursday it was time to bid them farewell as they head back to Germany. On the lawn at our place.

The kids all played well together every time they got the chance. Jaxon especially will miss his time with the boys.

All packed and waiting to enter the 'lounge' at the airport.

Scott and Waldemar pose for one last photo. Until they get together for that much talked about 'Octoberfest' some time in the future.

Irina and Nic have yet another 'last hug'.

The last photo in Pohnpei. Good luck guys and we'll see you again soon.

PMA Farewell

Sunday evening saw us head to communion at the PMA Church which was followed by a 'pot luck' (bring a plate) style banquet as a farewell for Waldemar, Irina and Pia. Waldemar and Pia have both worked at PMA over the last few years but are both leaving very soon. Not a bad sized piggie to head the table.

No machettes this time. This pig was carved in record time. I'm sure Waldemar may have been sampling the goods though.

A very frustrating Pohnpei tradition. It may even be a Pacific Island thing. Makes it hard to come out holding a plate of food and not break an ankle.

It was a bigger than expected turn out so all the seats were handed over to those most in need.

Nic and I didn't mind standing up for our meal.

Once the meal was over then the festivities began. These young ladies are part of the 'Girls Discipleship' that Pia has been working with and came it to sing a few songs.

Pia proudly holds up the shirt that was presented to her.

Ringo and Waldemar have been working together at PMA for the last three years and have become good friends and brew break buddies.

Scott isn't looking forward to Thursday when Waldemar flies out.

Next it was the 'Boys Youth Group' turn. Waldemar is the Youth Pastor and has a lot of influence on these young guys. You could tell how much respect and appreciation they had through their performance.

The lastest addition, Mark Jacob, didn't seem that fussed by the goings on.

Next up was a couple of young girls doing the hula. Pretty bloody good too I might add.

I know Nic will miss Irina a lot. They have become very good friends over the last year.

Then the ladies of PMA got together for their farewell songs with plenty of Pacific style giggling thrown in for good measure.

Waldemar and Irina have left a impressionable mark on Pohnpei and PMA. A great couple that will do well where ever they are.

Indi Boombie's new bed

Mummy and Daddy's little girl is growing up so fast. Saturday saw us pulling apart the cot we brought over with us and moving a bed over from one of the other houses. It took a little bit of 'furniture rearranging' but it fits and all is well. There were no issues with getting her into it. A splash of pink and it was all over. Loves it.

Later that afternoon we heard a bit of noise in the lounge room and went to investigate. Apparently because Indi was kicked out of her cot, 'dolly' (uncerimoniously naked underneath) should be moved on aswell. We still haven't worked out how Indi got in there and can only be thankful for the quality Chinese workmanship holding dolly's cot together.