Hafa adai! (say: haf a day.)
I’ve arrived safely in Saipan and have had a thrilling introduction.
I’m staying with Pete, Mary Ann, and Alyx at their apartment in Tanapeg for now. A few of PJ’s family came over to visit the first morning. They brought me a breakfast ham sandwich to inaugurate my new non-vegan island life. That’s PJ’s uncle Joe in the red tank top, and his nephew Christopher with the long hair, his aunt and other nieces and nephews were there too but not pictured. (The lady in blue is Mary Ann and Pete’s temporary landlord who may be able to find me an apartment for as little as $150 a month.)
Around noon PJ’s girlfriend (Victoria, Russian) threw a party for her friend (Nika, aslo Russian) at Pau Pau beach (say: pow pow). Lot’s of beer, toasting, cake, Russian party food, BBQ chicken (still working up to that), Jay-z pumping through a car stereo system and sun. Lots and lots of sun. The party turned into lounging in the lagoon, beers in hand (not so different from the Roberts river trip) and me enjoying the fact that I have arrived in this beautiful place.
PJ and I cut loose to meet up with his dad to go night fishing with Mary Ann’s first cousin, Peter Tiatano, and a ten deep crew of serious spear fishermen. At dark we climbed aboard two little boats loaded with spears, flashlights and snorkeling equipment. We putt-putted out to the reef and slipped into the warm, clear sea water. I was without spear or flashlight, but didn’t miss out on a thing. It was totally otherworldly to cruse around underwater, the sea bed dimly lit by moonlight and cones of light sweeping over and around the coral seeking little fishies. We stayed out for over two hours, and collected an impressive variety of edible fish you may recognize from a dentist’s office aquarium. We didn’t stay for the cleaning of fish and drinking of beer that usually follows a trip out like that, I was too beat. I found myself falling asleep in the boat, cruising toward Garapan in the warm night air.
Comments
So glad you made it! Thanks for the pictures…
This does not look all bad.
So glad to see you safely there. Say “Hello” to the Ruzevichs. How long are you there?
Jackie! Hello nina! (the God-parent relationship is very important here, you are my nina.)
I’ll be here for at least three months, hanging out with PJ and possibly getting a little work. Pete sends his love!
Kevin, I feel like I’m right there with you! keep up with the awesome posts.
great descriptive writing of great things
Sounds quite amazing. I’m in a hotel room in Kennewick, WA!!! No fisherman here, but there is a WalMart just across the parking lot between the Burger King and the McDonald’s. I’m happy your got to Saipan safe and look forward to your continuing exotic adventure. (It’s not that big of an Island, you COULD start a Coup. And I know a guy who knows a lady who’s from there.)
Can’t wait to see you again,
AJ
Let the adventures begin! Keep the pictures coming. We want to hear about Pete’s big 50th and all of the animals you’ve eaten since you got there!
Love ya,
Sara, Chris and Bannack
Kevin,
What a wonderful adventure you are having in your life, you make us all feel like we are right there! Have you consider being a writer? You did a wonderful job in writing your adventure. I love reading about the adventures in your life and looking at the pictures you have posted.
Thanks for sharing! Have fun and more pictures, please!
Roxanne
Thanks Roxanne!