High School Musical Night

Life is good when you are a kid in Pohnpei with a Compound and Nahs to share with your friends.

So on the 28th of February Zara and Skyla (Neighbour) hosted a high School Musical Night for their friends here in Pohnpei. 

15 kids and a few adults enjoyed everything from Pizza to Brownies and of course all three High School Musical Movies. All this wouldnt have happened without the value help of all the compound members. 

A special projector box was built so all kids could lie on mattresses in the Nahs to watch the movies. They did need a break from Troy and Sharpay every now and again.

We might keep that projector box for the upcoming rugby tests!!!!

Paul

Hula Night and Zara's busy lifestyle

Upon arrival in Pohnpei we were told about Hula night that happens every Wednesday night in our compound Nahs. Skyla, who also lives on the compound, was keen for Zara to join in on the night where they learn cultural dancing. 

After 7 weeks of training Zara was very excited about their first display at PCR Restaurant on Friday 27 March.

A good crowd turned up to see them dance.

Out of all of us Zara has the busiest social life. From friends calling all the time (local calls are free), to sleepovers, tennis, Hula and getting taken out for dinner. Ive never seen a 7 year old with such a busy program. Such is life for a young girl in Pohnpei.

Paul

Jonah's Birthday Party

When you are in a foreign country for only a few weeks and then you  have your birthday your parents need to make sure it is special. Jonah wanted a slip'n Slide party so all members of the compound chipped in and set it up. Jonah's Party was held on 15 March. 

One of neighbours Alois runs the Pohnpei Surf Club so he generously offered the use of his Jetski for the party. Suffice to say the party was a hit (they didnt even have time to use the playground) and Jonah was a happy little boy on his birthday.

Paul

Surfing at P-Pass

As you can see from the photos we are very close to one of the most famous surf spots in the world.

Paul

A perfect Day in Paradise

Im taking over the blog for a while whilst Louise dedicates herself to study........Heres my first entry.

Saturday 28 March we took a snorkelling trip to Manta Road and Langer Island. This proved to be a fantastic day. We awoke in the morning to look out over the river

 that fronts our home to see a beautiful day with no wind and the

 sun beaming down.

 

The trip had been planned to coincide with the Low tide to make the most of seeing the reef up close and possibly viewing Manta Rays in all their glory.

Biru arrived at our compound and we loaded the boat. Louise had packed for a week long vacation (including jumpers, raincoats and a small medical kit St Johns would have been proud of) and of course I had to carry it all down to the jetty. 

The Bowley family joined us on this

 little trip so we had 5 adults and 6 kids all comfortably loaded on True Blue as we cast off the lines and made our way to Manta Road. The trip itself involves sailing up the river until we get near the airport and then going around a few Islands and heading towards the reef. At no time did we leave the confines of the magnificant reef that surrounds the island of Pohnpei, so it made for a very flat and enjoyable trip with all the kids admiring the beauty on offer.

We tied to a buoy at Manta Road and the kids were eager to commence 

snorkelling. We set up a safety rope behind the boat in case the current increased (it didnt). We moored right ontop of the reef. As you steeped off the boat the fish were all underneath you.

All the kids got in the water which was quite warm and viewed nature at its finest. Other boats tied to the other buoys nearby and stayed for a while. 

Biru sat on the front of the boat to try and spot some Manta Rays for us to swim with but none really appeared. 

We left after about an hour and headed to Langer Island where we tied up to a rickety old cement wharf. The kids(and adults) spent the next few hours swimming alongside the wharf, having lunch and just taking in the beauty. Biru took the opportunity to teach Jonah how to fish although they didnt have any success. 

Early in the afternoon we left Langer and headed to the world famous P- Pass to see the surfers in action. Being able to moor the boat to a buoy metres from the surf makes it spectacular. You can see the expressions on the faces of the surfers as they ride the waves. 

After staying there for 20 mins we headed home and Jonah and Joshua took turns driving the boat. A perfect day in Paradise.

Paul

Compound 3

Some more randoms of compound life.

Compound 2

More randoms of compound life.

Compound Life

Compound life is lots of fun for the kids!  There is plenty of room for them to run around and ride their bikes.  We have a great pool and an amazing playground that wouldn’t look out of place at any local park.  We also have a basketball court and a trampoline.  But probably the most fun thing of all is when Sonstar, our wonderful gardener climbs the tree to get fresh coconuts for them to drink or takes them for rides on the mower.

Kaselehlie!  

Louise

Fishing - 1

Paul’s two great loves (apart from his wife and kids of course!) are fishing and golf.  Well, there is no golf course here on Pohnpei so it is lucky the fishing is so amazing.  We are fortunate enough to have our own boat (shared between the families on the compound) while we are here.  True Blue is her name.  Biru drives the boat for us and he is an absolute legend, a brilliant boat driver (and a movie star!).  The ocean is very rough at the moment so the kids and I haven’t been out yet.  We will get our chance in April / May when the wind drops.

Kaselehlie!  

Louise