Craig and Nancy Preston: Happy Easter

Friday, was an adventure. Since it was Good Friday, many government and local business were closed so we did not do our ordinary 3-4 hours health screening. Instead we went to the island of Calalen, which is approximately a one hour boat ride.

Our boat for the day

The Cargo boat--hope it floats.

Half of the group

Remember, we are in the Marshall Islands. The Marshallese people have a very established arrival time. (Anytime within four hours after assigned time seems to be appropriate. Usually 1-2 hours after set time is the most evident.)

Since there were 50 people planning to attend and ten of these were to complete two health screenings on the island by ten of these people (we were in this group), the members of CLP could bring family - no extended family to the island to play in the water and eat. We had a boat that would leave at 9:00A. Return to Majuro and get the second group.

Only 32 actually came. You should have seen the motor boat that took all our gear and food. We are shocked that it made it.

We finally left at 11:00AM. Neilani, member of CLP, took two trips to bring twelve of her children (seems that she adopted four during the night), plus her and her husband. They do have 13 children, but three are off island and two didn't come. One was working and the youngest is only 3 months old. So subtract five children from 13, which leave eight, but 12 children attended, so you figure the math.

Ackley half of the group....Note the Twinkies!

The sky was darkening and as we left the shore it started to pour, which it did until we arrived at the island.

starting the fire of coconut shells

Look at that food!!!

Nancy trying the fish

It RAINED

AND RAINED

Dr. Black wanted to see so put on snorkel gear

We had a wonderful day surrounded by delightful people. Some were cooking enormous mounds of chicken, very hefty yellow-tail fish, stacks of hot dogs, and a pot of rice that could fill many plates. While the cooking of these foods was happening, it seemed to be desirous that people had plentiful appetizers, so hunger would not be an issue. What were the choices? Big sized sandwiches, cookies, (we brought sliced oranges, apples, and homemade banana bread that went in a moment), many different types of chips and dips, Twinkies, guava juice, water, coconuts filled with fresh cold coconut milk, mid-aged coconut that were cracked and just the inter coconut ball was eaten and the list is longer I'm sure, but my memory stops here.

The water was a beautiful turquoise blue and then we would see areas of purple feathered with streaks of dark and light blue. The fish were picturesque and the water was an ideal temperature for swimming and/or snorkeling.

Elder Preston was in his element. Water everywhere, good natured people, and a great variety of food!