Sunday, July 3

Today we're returning to the party island, Enamonet (probably misspelt...we can't find a consistent spelling, on maps, or signs on the island...).

We set out for breakfast at Tide Table. We planned to meet with the other visiting couple, who are staying at the RRE, and then trek out, perhaps with their birthmother and kids, to the island. As we were preparing to leave, they called and said they were going to go to Laura beach instead. We decided to meet them for breakfast anyway, possibly suggest Enamonet for everyone, and just to have some company for breakfast anyway.

We suggested everyone go to Enamonet, and they passed on the suggestion, which was met with an enthusiastic “yeah, thanks!” We met with everyone about fifteen minutes before we wanted to set out from the RRE. It seems they misunderstood and thought we were boating from the RRE (and we probably could have, had we thought in advance and found a boat with room), so they didn't have a car. They also came with a couple adults and a couple of kids, so it was more than our little car could accommodate. We waited a bit while one of their birth-family ran to fetch a car. He returned and said there were no cars available, so we decided to split into as many as we could fit in our car and the other two guys would cab behind us.

We passed our hotel with a little more time to spare than it has taken to get there in the past, but it would be a close call. We arrived at the boat, thinking we might have just missed it, but still ahead of anyone else. We unloaded our beer and sodas and all of the kid stuff, and I trotted to the road to be a landmark for the guys in the taxi. Kenneth drove past, greeting me at the roadside, and he told me to come on in. I said I was waiting for a taxi with a couple other guys, and he agreeably told me to not dawdle. Another truck full of people also drove by, and I knew the boat wouldn't be waiting too much longer. Pretty shortly after, the other family dad and other guy pulled up in a not-taxi car. They'd seen a family member dashing by, and caught their attention and took the rest or the ride from them. We hastened to the boat, where we were cheerily greeted, and then waited for a while more for one more expected group to arrive.

We reached the island, and, as was promised, found it to be packed with people. At least twice as many boats, of all of the various sizes, were anchored, most in the swimming area. There were piles of boxes of beer and soda, and all of the grills were grilling. Giant bins were filled with rice and BBQ'd meats. We settled into a day of holiday weekend cook-out.

One of the guys had brought a spud gun. He invited me along to shoot potatoes. I didn't quite grok what he meant at first, but then I saw the six-foot long PVC cannon. We shot the first potato a good quarter mile, clearing the coconut trees at the far side of the island like an NFL field goal. The poof caught the attention of many other people, but the second try was less successful, the gun failing to fire. I returned to help Claire and let the crowd help with the potato artillery.

The visiting mother came to our little set-up picnic area, and was half-wet from wading. She remarked that she looked a little off, as others were either just wet or not wet, and she was half of each. I suggested I could help by also getting half-wet, so she wouldn't seem so out of place. I changed into swim shorts, and waded out into the water. There I was beset upon by some of the guys, who were avoiding the crowds and already had a cooler of stashed beer floating in the surf.

Walking in and out of the lagoon, we chatted with a few of the people we'd met before and even met some new ones. They served lunch, and everyone had some plates of food. It was pretty good. I had a rib and a chicken leg, and some of the rice, sharing the same with Claire. Grace was happily napping, so I returned to the lagoon with the guys, this time bringing my rum and a couple cans of Coke. I was met with much cheering.

It rained a little bit, so we hid under the canopy. Another time it rained, but we were in the water, so we just covered our drinks, to avoid dilution. I probably spent half or more of our time there in the water. Claire seemed to be chatting with others and having a good time, too. At one point when I started to go check, the other visiting dad said he'd just come from there, and all was well. I probably should have checked, as Claire lamented later that she'd had a bit too much time on the sand, and not enough in the water.

During the outing, they'd had a few tug-of-war games go on. At one point they loaded up each of the sides of the rope with big guys, many drunk. I'd had a few, but wasn't drunk, but am big, so I was encouraged to give some help to the side of the rope closest to us. We tugged and pulled, and finally won the match.

After much jubilation, the sun started to set, so the beach was cleaned, the boats loaded, and we made our way home. The other family's birth-family had another car meet them, but there were still too many to fit in one, so we drove some and others got in that car. We dropped off our charges at the RRE and returned to our hotel.

I took a shower, washing off the sandy and salty water. Claire was concerned about our lack of anti-bacterial soap, and fearing another minor infection, made me shower with the only anti-bacterial stuff we do have—our dish detergent. I rinsed and washed again with body soap, to make sure I didn't smell dish fresh. We were so tired, and Grace was already asleep, so we turned in right after shower time.