July 24, 2014

Just a quick update.  We are hoping to get to Field Trip and send emails soon.  They didn't answer their radio, so maybe are resting??

I spent the morning cleaning while most of the kids played on shore.  Then I sewed tabs onto the couch cushions so that they can't slide onto the floor and get thrown down, but after that I had a nice afternoon.  I got a quick motorcycle tour around the island, then a nice swim, then volleyball.  The water is welcoming; everyone had a nice swim this afternoon with kids on boogie boards and kayaks all over the place.  The last 2 afternoons we've played volleyball on the beach.  Going quite well with the teams here.  We have Moana Roa, Field Trip, and us. Elena arrived this afternoon.  Cowabunga has 5 people in their 20's or early 30's on it, so they keep the game moving!

We usually eat at 5, but tonight got home at 6:30 and had to make a rush dinner for hungry, wet, tired kids.  They had a great afternoon.  We may do a campfire onshore tomorrow for dinner so they get food while we all play.  They get chilly as the sun goes down and ask for a fire each night.  May as well plan ahead for it and do it tomorrow, marshmallows and all.

Integrity had a cold type illness, then Vitality, now Valiant.  They all seemed to be doing better until this morning Vitality woke up with a huge swollen left cheek saying it hurt from a ball hitting her yesterday.  She appears to have a large swollen lymph node.  Other than discomfort, she's doing great.  No more fever, appetite and energy are good, so when you don't remind her, she's fine.

I think everyone's going to sleep well tonight.  In a few days we'll head up to the main town where the grocery store is right across from the dock and propane is right next door to that.  It’s easy to do errands up there.  There are some ruins there and an area where they have blue-eyed eels apparently.  Also a map shows an area with a natural aquarium, so likely some good snorkeling.  The beach here is so inviting, and our friend came over from Raitea and indicated that this was much nicer over here, so we're in no rush to leave.  Two other kid boats, Dafne and Caminante may also be coming over here in the next few days, so we're getting a pretty good crowd.  Everyone's missing Cassidy here!!  Haven't seen Hot Spur lately, since they left Tahiti.

Looking forward to getting our marine radio back.

Shannon