Still more to see at Maloelap

We've been in this atoll for 2 weeks and there is still more to see. We
spent the last few days with Savannah at Ollot/Ollet Island, and now we're
back at Taroa Island. Savannah has left for the atoll of Aur, so we're on
our own again.

Today, we ventured out in the dingy to a tiny dot of an island about 1/2 a
mile north. There were a few whitecaps as we crossed to pass between the
islands, but it was an easy, albeit wet, trip. When we arrived, we realized
that the island was so tiny, that we wouldn't see much. We had read there
was a plane on the beach, but it was still buried under the high tide. We
did find the control panel, some aluminum scrap, and the landing gear.
Unfortunately, the beach was rocky, so there was little chance of finding an
intact glass ball, yet we searched the high tide line regardless. We did
find a beautiful conch shell.

In the afternoon, we returned to the village to stroll the beach one more
time, and say our goodbyes. We plan to head to one other uninhabited island
in this atoll, then head back to Majuro. We're in a rush now...John is out
of coffee!

Labels: Maleolap, Marshall Islands, culture, sightseeing, cruisers.

Savannah Joins Us

Our friends on s/v Savannah came to join us at Maloelap. Even though we were holding a piece of their mail hostage, I like to think they came because they wanted to hang out!

Savannah arrives!

We've had a great time hanging out with them again. It's been great catching
up on what we've all been up to since we were last together - we last saw
them in December in Majuro. I've destroyed numerous military bases, rocket
launchers, gun turrets, and even a aircraft carrier as a result of some
serious battles against Jake. He's six. And we're putting a good size dent
into our booze supply with our regular cocktail hours. We've all wandered
around the island, as John provided (once again) his tour guide services of
all the relics we've located here so far.

Touring the junk...

John and Andy dove on a sunken Japanese supply ship. Andy took some amazing
pics, so be sure to check out their blog soon (there is a link on the right
side bar). We've also moved 5 miles to a nearby island of Ollot Island, and
dove on two wrecked Japanese ships. Tomorrow we'll snorkel two Japanese
zeros (fighter planes) nearby.

Jake checks out a stash of old bullets on the beach

Our plans from here are not firm. We're down to our last few potatoes and onions, so I expect we'll head back to Majuro before venturing to any new atolls further north.

Our new position is 8 45N, 171 10E.

Deep Fried Goodness

We heard that our friends on Savannah were going to brave the winds and bash
upwind for two days to come hang out with us here in Maloelap. Yippee!!

So, in honour of their arrival, I thought I'd better try my hand at
deep-frying. They are from the South after all.

In the atoll of Aur, our friend James gave us some bananas and what we
thought were plantains. We don't really know what to do with plantains, but
I have heard that they are delicious when deep fried. So bring on the oil!
I sliced the plantains thinly, dipped them in a pot full of veg oil and
fried em up. Added salt. Yum. Like chips.

That was my test batch.

When Savannah arrived a couple days later, I made them again. But this time
they didn't get crispy. They were much softer. My plantains had ripened.
Monica and Andy listened to my woes, and quickly replied, in unison,
"Double-fry". DOH. OF COURSE!! I should have fried, drained, cooled, then
refried. Hmmmm. I have a lot to learn about deep frying.

They also informed me that they weren't plantains at all, just big bananas.
Oh well. Turns out I like deep fried bananas. Even soft and mushy ones. So
long as they have lots of salt.