The Court's Going Away Party

Friday night the Court hosted a going away party for the court counsel. I don't leave until early October, but LB leaves at the end of August and all the judges were on island on Friday so it was a good time to have the party. To celebrate our tenure here, the Court rented a large double-hulled catamaran style boat for a sunset cruise out into the harbor.

It had rained off and on during the day, but in the late afternoon the clouds cleared up and it was beautiful sky for our departure from Malakal. As we cruised through Malakal Harbor we got a good look at the three U.S. Navy boats visiting Palau for shore leave. The USS Fitzgerald, a destroyer, is the main ship with two support vessels. We got a good look at the ships as we motored by on our way west.

As we passed Pincher's Cove we stopped to watch as the sun slowly slipped behind the clouds lining the horizon and marveled as brights reds and yellows streaked across the blue sky. It was a beautiful sunset and the start to a lovely evening. We motored a little farther until we were near PPR before they stopped the boat to float in the calm waters.

There was plenty of food and drink and a well-known Palauan singer performed for us throughout the evening. There was plenty of good conversation and a good chance to chat with the judges outside of work. The Chief Justice got up and said a few words and then forced LB, Christy, and I to each give a short speech. We each gave of thanks to everyone for giving us so many memorable experiences.

A few times the boat's power went out on the boat and the lights flickered off which gave us an excellent view of the stars. Time slipped by quickly and with the evening growing late we returned back to the dock. Afterwards, most of the party moved upstairs to Kramer's until the wee hours.