Video-clips from Y'pao: Robot meets Man

A well-matched pair!

Video-clips from Y'pao: Flyover

View from the beach

Video-clips from Y'pao: rappelling

Blown away by the Navy helicopter—well, blown about a bit.

Fish and fliers

Jane writing—Last month wasn’t all work as we went snorkeling several times. I’ve never worn mask and fins before, but a session or two in the pool got me ready to go in the ocean. At Y’pao Beach (ee-powo) the lifeguards use eyes and voices to keep swimmers in line. Fast currents can pull swimmers out of ‘safe’ area. The lifeguards’ speedboat is there on dangerous days; no other boats are allowed, and no fishing either.
The inner reef is great, and has lots of colorful fish; the schooling ones gather around and some iridescent blue ones like my blue swimsuit. Our next venture will be underwater photography.



The U.S. Air Force 60th Anniversary show was at the same beach on September 8, one event in a week of celebration. I'll post you some of our pictures and try to add video-clips soon.
A B-52, then two F-16s flew over and away. The Navy helicopter arrived as planned, with rappelling Sea Combat Two-five operatives. Everyone liked the robot. And the Air Force Band of the Pacific’s Alaskan Express played at several malls and for the 60th Birthday Ball.

A Boonie Stomp

It's been over five weeks since we last posted. In that time we've been absorbing Island life, or being absorbed by it. After St. John's school started August 12 things got really busy. The school has a record enrollment this year, over 550 students from pre-K through 12, so it's a busy place. We had a Eucharist for the faculty and staff, the first in a long time. We've also had an acolyte training for the 3 Guam churches, followed by a pool party, planning meetings for the Presiding Bishop's visit at Thanksgiving, AND finally getting our 3,000 lbs from the mainland including our bed - bliss!

But it hasn't all been work. Saturday I joined Andy from one of our churches, his brother, Mark, and Andy's daughters Catherine and Elizabeth on a "boonie stomp" (Guahan for a hike). Well, Andy says it wasn't really a boonie stomp, but for my first venture, it was challenging: walking in water, over sharp limestone rocks, then through the jungle to Lost Pond. The pics are (1) A deserted beach with Mark and the children, (2) Into the jungle, (3) ) A tentative jungle traveler (4) Lost Pond (5) Enjoying a refreshing swim.

I'll promise to add more frequent updates now. Hope you all had a great Labor Day holiday.

Ben (and Jane)