Mosquito Island!

We finally were able to visit Nukumaroriko Island, which is called Mosquito Island. No mosquitoes though; which is a good thing! It is a tiny island off the coast by the Novetel Hotel in Lami (about 20 minutes from us). We called the man responsible and he has the boat man that lives on the island come and get you. We had to be on the 'boat landing'...ready! Love this kind of thing!











There were picnic tables; we all brought our own picnic lunch! Always dogs!!





Swimming!







Game playing and Swinging!







Time to leave! A great leisure afternoon. weather perfect.

Spices! Nature!

School was out for the National Elections. So, eight of us Senior Missionaries went together to visit The Spices and Nature Garden, South West of us about an hour.
The Deckers, Terrys, Jacksons and us.

Heading into the greenhouse: They plant "starts" of vanilla bean, cinnamon, cocoa bean, ginger, and other herbs and plants in the green house and then transplant them to the garden





Our guide was really thorough and fun! The walk through the garden was gorgeous!



We tasted and tested everything!





The Cocoa Bean was not quite what Sister Decker thought it would be! (sweet and a touch tangy!)









Smell that cinnamon! The Cinnamon was marvelous! The tree takes about four years to grow and then they peel the bark from the tree--just took off the limb, bit into it, cinnamon!



The Vanilla Bean self pollinates itself when the workers take the small squiggly leaves and cross them.







We spent two good hours in the garden and then went to the small spice shop..I bought some vanilla!



I would do this again!