We went from being pretty great bloggers (a post everyday or every couple of days) to those sucky sort of bloggers who have nothing new to read. Sorry about the lull in the action. It's not that we've left Palau, and it's CERTAINLY not that there's nothing new to post.

We've actually had quite a bit happening. We've taught a few people to stand up paddle.

Fuanes said it was love at first sight. It was probably more like "love at first stroke," but you get the idea. He's a native Palauan who has been a tour guide here for 17 years. We met him during our visit here last May. We did some kayaking together back then. Fuanes and his dog, and faithful paddling buddy, Sally, took right to stand up paddling. They both loved it so much, we've decided to leave all the boards and equipment with Fuanes. He's going to be the stand up paddle guy here in Palau. He's starting his own company Stand Up Paddle Tours (www.standup-paddle-tour.coms should be up in a couple of weeks)!!! Yippeee!!!!

 I keep getting asked, "So what's the difference between kayaking in Palau and stand up paddling?" During our last paddle out toward Pinchers, it was one example after the next showing what the differences are between the two water sports.

I love kayaking in general, and had the best kayaking experience of my life here in Palau. I still kayak and love as it much as ever. So don't take what I'm about to say as though I were putting down kayaking. Stand up paddling isn't a replacement for kayaking. It's just a whole other way to enjoy the water. There are some real differences between the two activities. Stand up paddling definitely has some advantages that you don't get in a kayak. Here are the ones I really took note of during our last paddle.

The variety of positions available on a stand up paddle board are so much greater. You can stand, kneel, sit, or lie, belly-down, while you paddle. You can sit straddling the board, feet in the water. Unlike being in a kayak and doing this, it doesn't cut off your circulation or dig behind your knees.  You can lie back and totally stretch out, flat on your back on a paddle board.

This was it. Our big day! This was our first day to get out and do some stand up paddling in Palau. Let me cut right to the chase and tell you ---- it was everything we had hoped. It was utterly fabulous, wonderful and I feel like I'm living a dream.

We Mickey-Moused a way to secure our boards to our roof. We stuck a couple of boat fenders underneath and made our own tie downs (bought straps and cams and put them together).

Well our boards have arrived!! It's such a great feeling knowing that our boards have completed their long ocean journey and are here, just miles from our house. I can just picture them now, sitting in their boxes in a warehouse.

I know they are just aching to see us. They set sail from California way back on October 29^th. I'm sure they have been in shock for these last weeks, wondering what happened to us. They were accustomed to being taken out for a paddle just about every day, then one day it all changed. They were packed up and taken away. No explanation. They may even think that they did something wrong. Poor babies.

We are aching to reunite with them too. I see the beautiful waters each day and imagine us out there paddling. It was easier to handle the wait when we knew our boards were still en route. Now that I know they are here in Palau, I'm a bit antsy.

We are waiting for them to clear customs. We thought Customs might give us a call on Friday if they had any questions, but they didn't call. See we didn't just send two boards. We sent 12 total.