Day 170 Hiking

Yesterday's Internet link was slow as usual so I spent a bit more time today to complete the uploading of the remaining pictures. Just when I think I am done, I take more pictures that I want to share so I am back on line uploading more. This is made worse by the fact that we have long periods when we cannot connect so by the time I get an Internet connection, I have a lot of pictures.
I had arranged to go on a hike to the antenna with Dario and Sabina from the boat Pachemama (owned by Top-to-Top.org). Andy and I hiked with the Top-to-Top crew in Huahine and they attended one of our beach parties in Ra'iatea. They are traveling with their 2½ year old girl and their 10 month old boy plus volunteers from the Top-to-Top organization. On this occasion, the volunteer on board is a retired biologist from the Bern, Switzerland Zoo. (Dario and Sabina are Swiss).
We headed up the hill and at the end of a narrow path that pointed toward the antenna, we came into the yard of a house. A man and his 15 year old son came out and asked if they could help us. When we explained our destination, he pointed toward some steps and the son said he would accompany us and show us the way. At the top of the steps, the path got more obvious and as we headed up the boy asked if we would like to drink some coconut milk. A few minutes after we got to the top, he appeared with two green coconuts and a large machete. I watched with some trepidation as he hacked the end off the coconuts hoping that he was not going to lose a finger in the process. Sabina said that they had been served coconut milk several times and each time a small boy used a large knife but always with safe results.
The milk was cool and delicious and the meat of the young coconut was soft and sweet. The boy was proud to welcome us and help us. We have seen this kind of hospitality over and over again and I am always amazed. I would feel almost ashamed to think that this would never exist at home except I have heard some equally amazing stories from yachties about their experiences in the U.S. I remember Reinhard and Marlene from the boat Adio who said when they were in Alaska, some Americans even let them use their car for a week. I guess the welcoming attitude can be found everywhere