Pacific Odyssey - Leg 5

We woke up to a hot day and an amazing breakfast of cold yogourt, fruit
salad, oranges, cereal, and granola.  We were also told that we could move
the Grace alongside 3 barges that were rafted together further up the dock.
Although we would be the fourth vessel from the dock, we would not have to
be alongside the 24hr generator of the fishing boat.  It is more pleasant
here and there are ramps and steps up to and over each barge to the dock.
We have lost our fresh water hose but Skipper will look into it again.
We´ve had a good day. We celebrated my birthday; I had a great day full of
beautiful surprises . . . people are generous and kind. Our dive class set
off early for their final full day with 2 dives and 4 hours of classroom
time and a final exam. It was a long day with some sun burns but they are
now all certified divers.  Jacob was beaming from ear to ear; he got 98% on
his final exam. Trainees continued filling their days with enjoying the
material luxuries of Guam.   Many of us are ready to leave and return to th=
e
simplicity of our life at sea and the smaller villages and islands.  Our
visit in Guam though has been a good one and we have enjoyed those material
extras.  Tonight Jose made supper with the help of Greg.  He made his
signature spinach salad with cashews, pine nuts, peppers, mushrooms and
dressing, along with roasted vegetables and chicken kabobs with peanut sauc=
e
and rice.  It was fantastic; many trainees and crew returned to the ship fo=
r
the meal. As for Starbucks, Jose did lose that bet; we checked and Starbuck=
s
coffee is =8Cproudly served,´ not good enough.  After dishes we held a Sunday
service with lots of instruments, singing and some favorite readings.
Afterwards, Elske moved off the ship to play her violin alone and the sound
wafted beautifully across the dock.  Yesterday Becca and Arwen got a ride
back to the ship with a local woman who was a traditional dancer for the
hotels.  She left the girls at the Police Check point and they started to
walk the remaining 15 minutes.  A policeman named Joze, who was working
there, offered to drive them in the police cruiser to the Grace.  He was
good natured, suave and funny, and told them =B3don´t worry about the
seatbelts, I´m the cop after all.=B2    People continue to be very friendly
but we do miss the closer contact with the local people when the villages
are small.  This is it, we´ve heard that Chase´s family made it safely to
Guam and we´re looking forward to seeing them.  Good night, Bonice.