Photo Gallery - December 2003
Pictures can be clicked to see a large
version of the image.
Sunset
at Majuro. Taken from the cockpit at anchor in the Majuro lagoon.
Another
shot of the same sunset showing a small ship anchored near us. In the background
the industrial port area of Majuro can be faintly seen in outline.
The
kids examining marine life in one of the tanks at the clam farm we visited.
Rixeene on "Karmaladen" arranged for the outing and got us a bus and
everything.
About
25 cruisers went on the trip including (from left) Bob of "Cardinal
Sin", Jeannette of "Dancer" and Kate, myself and Jonah. All of
the "kid boats" went also.
While
the kids played around the adults gathered in a group to listen to the clam farm
guy talk about the life and times of the giant clam (Tridacna).
Some
tanks contained larval clams, others, like this one, contained baby clams and
others (see below) contained teenage clams in later stages of development.
In
this photo you can get a good look at the baby clams with all of their colors.
Rod (the clam farm guy) told us that the blue and green colored clams are more
valuable then the browns. The clams are shipped to the US mostly and sold at
aquarium stores for placement in home aquariums.
More
developed clams can be seen here.
These
clown fish live in one of the tanks of clams. Their purpose is to help keep the
water in a more natural state. Otherwise, all contaminants and sediments are
filtered from the water which is constantly being renewed from the ocean.
A
clam farm Q & A session. After his talk we peppered Rod with a series of
insightful and intelligent questions.
Rod,
the clam farm guy. Rod is from Australia and has been on Majuro working with the
giant clams for several years.
Kate
and Lynn (of "Roxanne") examining some clams.
The
start of the first Meico Yacht Club cruising yacht race in Majuro lagoon. The
Meico Yacht Club, recently formed, held its first yacht race in December. Four
cruising yachts vied for prizes and honors including a 55 gallon drum of diesel
fuel and a night's stay at the Outrigger Resort.
From
our vantage point we had a great view of the race start and the first leg. Here
we see "Roxanne" (a custom Wylie 60) passing behind "Rainbow
Chaser" (anchored) on its way to rounding the first mark.
Roxanne,
here shown just after passing "Rainbow Chaser" totally outclassed all
the other yachts with her massive speed. However, the race was handicapped and
the winner announced based on corrected time, so the other competitors did have
a chance.
The
yacht "Seal" owned and captained by Carey and Karen. Seal was home
built by Carey over a 5 year period in Seattle. Seal managed to finish second on
corrected time and surprised everyone with her speed.
The
yacht "Kaimana" owned and skippered by Ron. Kaimana won the
"Coconut Cup" last year, an annual yacht race held at Majuro
which allows all classes of competitors to participate including outrigger
canoes! The only race of its kind. Ron managed to come in third on corrected
time on this day though he was second across the line.
The
yachts "Seal" and "Kaimana" heading for the first mark.
Battling
it out for the first leg here "Seal" can be seen just about to round
the first mark (the big white fishing boat).
Jonah
and Kate watching the start and first leg of the race.
No
one was surprised that "Roxanne" too line honors in the race. However,
she managed to come in first on corrected time by only one minute and a few
seconds with "Seal" in second place.
The
ketch "Karmaladen" finishes last both on corrected and uncorrected
time. Like the "Queen Jane" this boat is large and heavy and needs a
good breeze to move her skirts. The wind this day was only in the 10-12k range.
Had it been blowing 20-25k I believe "Karmaladen" would have had a
much better chance.
Jonah,
Pharoh of Lower and Upper Egypt wearing the crown of the combined kingdoms.
Jonah and Kate made the crown in history class after reading about how one of
the kings of Lower Egypt vanquished the king of Upper Egypt and thus united the
two kingdoms into one. That same King also combined the two crowns of Upper and
Lower Egypt to create the new crown.
Jonah
doing history lessons. He loves history, just like his dad.
Jonah
and dad preparing to light the candles on the second night of Channukah.
Jonah
loves Channukah. Can you guess why?
Jonah
also loves to play Driedel, a game where you spin the top and win chocolate
coins.
One
of Jonah's presents, a battery operated "electric guitar" which he
loved. Hopefully he will get bored of it soon...
Happy
Kate.
On
Christmas Eve several of the crews in the anchorage took to their dinghies and
went boat to boat singing Christmas Carols. At each boat they attempted to
recruit more carollers till almost everyone was in their dinghies and no one was
left on the yachts!
Another
view of the revellers enjoying themselves.
The
front entrance to the Outrigger Resort Majuro.
The
anchorage in front of the Outrigger taken from the hotel's waterfront dinghy
landing.
The
dinghy landing at the Outrigger (the tender to the Queen Jane is tied up in this
photo).
Part
of the lobby of the hotel.
Jordan
using the internet computer in the hotel lobby.
Lynn
and her younger boy Tristan (of "Roxanne") at Japan Day held at the
Assumption School. They had Japanese food and rooms with Japanese toys, games of
skill and origami as well as the Kimona room where guests are dressed up in
traditional Japanese Kimonos and have their pictures taken.
Jonah
in a Kimona.
Jonah
in a Kimona bowing Japanese style (I think).
The
pool at the Outrigger Resort. Although it looks beautiful, the pool is
unfortunately filled with saltwater (from the lagoon) and thus is unappealing to
adults. Children don't seem to care and spend lots of time there.
Jonah
and the kids from "Roxanne" playing beside the pool.
The
"Roxanne" crew heading home after an afternoon at the pool.
