Ouvea and Isle of Pines

Hello again! Sorry about the lack of writing. I really don't have any good excuses. Although I've got some good news; the crew is getting wireless internet! Everyone is really excited. I will be able to use my laptop on the ship! Hooray!

We lost two of our boys at the end of last cruise. Thomas and T.J. went back to the states. Tom had been here for 4 months, and T.J. had been here for two. We had a farewell party for them the night before they left. We had a sing-along in "the church" as it has come to be called. Tom played the guitar, I played the ukelele, Brad played the upright bass, and everyone else played the spoons. We played "Hey Jude," "Piano Man (sans piano)," "Sittin' on the Dock of the Bay," and of course, "Leaving on a Jet Plane," among many others. It was a good night and a good way to send the boys off.
Unfortunately, only one of their positions was filled when they left. We were stuck this cruise without a trumpet player.

We went to Ouvea, a commune in the Loyalty Islands Province of New Caledonia, and Isle of Pines this cruise. Both places were really amazing. They both have incredible beaches. At Ouvea, a group of us went bridge jumping! Well, we jumped off of a bridge that connects two parts of the island. The bridge was about 20 ft off the water. Just high enough for you to think twice. We hung out there for a couple of hours, hanging out, jumping off, and wandering around the magnificent beach.
At Isle of Pines, often nicknamed l'ile la plus proche du paradis ("the closest island to Paradise"), Joel and I climbed the mountain! The mountain is called pic Nga, and it's the island's highest point (860 ft.). We made it to the top within and hour, and enjoyed the beautiful view for about an hour before we had to head back down. We ran part of the way back to the ship and were able to jump in the ocean for a brief moment before we had to get back on the ship.
Well, that's all for now. Thanks for reading and leaving comments!

Jon

P.S. To Jan and Dan: I will definitely be coming to the Christmas party. There's no way I would miss it! Also, have a great time in Europe with Justin and Aleza. I'm slightly jealous. Cheers!