It’s been a whirlwind the last few months filled with many memories and lots of family. In May we headed to Hawaii to see Randy (Drew’s eldest brother) and Kristy tie the knot in a beautiful wedding ceremony on Maui’s shore.
For two weeks we enjoyed time with the Loganbill family, and relaxed in the American comforts of home Hawaiian-island style. It was a special vacation especially for Drew’s dad when cousins, sons, and friends all shaved their heads on our last night in town to support Tom in his upcoming chemo treatment. Tom has such a great spirit and continues to be an inspiration to everyone.
Dana and Scott (Drew’s second oldest brother and sister-in-law) flew back with us to Fiji to begin the first leg of their 6-month around-the-world trip. We gave them the royal treatment on Vatulele and then to town for a complete “island experience.” Here we are all atop the lighthouse after an underground cave swim.
Between visitors we had our last Peace Corps conference with our group and said our good-byes to all of our friends and colleagues who will be leaving in the next few months. There is 24 left of our group out of 34 people. We were the 3rd group to re-enter Fiji after they closed the post in the 90’s. For those of you who don’t know we are extending our contract for another 12 months and will be home in December 2008.
To celebrate our last occasion together, a big group of us went on 2 dives in the Beqa Lagoon. It was our first Scuba Diving experience, and we are hooked! Fiji has amazing coral reefs and it was unreal standing on the bottom of the ocean watching all kinds of sea life pass you by without taking notice of us.
Brandon and his friend came a few days later and we were able to do a little Island hopping to Nanu-I-ra, Caqalai, Viti Levu, and then to Vatulele. They both gave art and language lessons at the school and our Saturday Kid’s Club Class, and they also helped paint the World Map Mural with Drew.
It’s been so fun entertaining, it makes us a bit homesick, but we love it all the same. Our doors are always open for anyone willing to take a little pacific island adventure!
