Happy New Year

For New Years we went to Ofu for three nights. There was a really good group of 11 that made it. It was a big hassle to get the "airline" to fly us over and back when we wanted. Luckily Ofu Jim was able to convince them to come to their senses. Jim's parents own the lodge at Ofu.
So we went to the airport and after talking with an employee with a plastic sword, learned that our tickets would work and we could go to Ofu. We got the tiny plane.


I was seated directly behind the pilot.


Surprisingly, the flight was pretty smooth and we made it there with no problems at all. The landing is still scary though.


We stayed at the Lodge again. That is just a very nice and super relaxing place with a huge yard with hammocks right by the ocean.



We spent most of the first day hanging out at the beach right by the lodge:


At sunset, just before dinner, we walked down the beach and took some pictures.


You can see the island of Ta'u in the distance.


They do nuclear testing nearby:

OK, its just the sun:




A few weeks ago Naomi did some fashion modeling at a show here on the island. Here is another attempt at runway model:


The next day we went to the bridge. Randall is a guy doing construction on the island. He took us down there in his truck:






Hanging out at the bridge is great. It is just a wonderful spot between Ofu and Olesega islands:





Then back to the lodge for some more chilling out:


The next day was New Years Eve. Some of the group went for a hike up the mountain without a real trail. Some of us didn't want to be exhausted for NYE, so we drove over to Olesega


we got some wood for a bonfire:


and drove around Ofu, hanging out/swimming at different places.




But some of the group went bushwhacking up the mountain instead:





Right after they finally got back from fighting the jungle, there was a waterspout. I've now seen a tornado or waterspout 2 times and both on Ofu:

After they got back, they declared 2008, "The Year of Not Alden" for Alden forgetting to tell them where to go on the trail at the top, since they didn't make it to the viewpoint.

Then we went snorkeling and hanging out at the National Park Beach, which is about a 5 minute drive from the lodge. It is the best snorkeling I've ever seen; just ridiculous.



That night we had another good dinner and then had some drinks:




Before midnight, everyone was at the bonfire.




After midnight, we went for a swim in the bathwater temperature ocean to start 2008.