Holidays in Paradise Jan 8 2006

Well, we left you just before Christmas. For the time being anyway, themonsoons have abated and we are having lovely tropical weather. This willbe our last report for awhile as we leave on our "hurricane hiatus"tomorrow.We had a delightful Christmas Eve dinner at a restaurant down on the southshore of Huahine. For Polynesia, it was a great deal. Huge appetizerbuffet with oysters, smoked salmon, mussels, foie gras, etc., etc., etc.For dinner we had a wonderful seafood gratin loaded with lobster and crab.Included was a carafe of wine--about 2 glasses each--and one free cocktail.Better yet, their cocktails were all $5 for the holidays. We even got a fewfreebies as one of the owners is the wife of the guy whose wedding we wentto. It was great!!!!Next day we were up early like the kids we are, and Monte--the marriedguy--jet skied over. His wife was working again, but he was having somepeople over to his house so off we went that afternoon after putting theturkey in. Really cool house. All teak which he had built in Bali,disassembled and shipped to Huahine for reassembly. We brought champagneand OJ(as it would be a long day after a long night), and then it was backto Rendezvous to finish Christmas dinner which was outstanding. Monteditched his guests and joined us for dinner. Complemented me on thegravy--thank you very much, but it was all great. Needless to say we turnedin early.After Christmas we hung out down there for a few days. Monte and Viateadropped by for cocktails and we continued to blow through our 1930'sserials.We moved back to Fare for New Year's, but our ride to the big hotel partycrapped out and everything was starting rather late so after a great Chinesedinner, Rose and I headed back to the boat. it was a struggle to stay upfor midnight but the old guys made it and had a bottle of Champagne tocelebrate. Chilled out there for another few days in hopes of another pokergame materializing but it didn't so we headed back to Raiatea on the 3rd toget ready for the trip and go over al the stuff that needs to be done by theboatyard while we're gone. With any luck with everything they're doing,we'll have a "new" boat when we return. Oh, also got some good news from StThomas. Joe has arrived alive and well and is gainfully employed with 2different jobs. I'm sure it will be a relief for him not to beg the old manfor money when we leave in April.So the last few days have been spent packing and hurricanizing the boat andWE ARE READY AND EXCITED!!!We'll try to keep in touch while we're gone, and will have the sat phonewith us if anyone needs to reach us. You all have our various e-mailaddresses.Also, remember, our 689 phone number will be off after tomorrow!!Tim and Rose