Highlights

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Aloha

As the sun rises over Kapa Beach, we say Aloha to Kauai

Welcome to the Signature Systems dealer conference, Kauai 2009

An introductory tour of the SSI facilities"

Head Office

Despatch Centre

View from Porch

View from Back Deck

Vegetable Patch

Gina

Saturday a Celebration was held for Gina

Gina's artwork ]

Over one hundred people attended the celebration, held at beautiful Poipu Beach, just a short walk from their house.

Genia's sister Lillian & her son Carl

Jim

Carl

Jenny & friend J.

Jim & Frank

Brian & Carl

Frank, Louisa, Barb, Jim

Mr.Universe (Badge), Barb, Louisa, Jim, Frank.

Carl, Lilly, Jim, BArb, Gerry, Kathy, Louisa

Brian. Steve, Jerry, Kathy, Lilly

Carl ices up the temprite under the watchful supervision of Jim & Lillian

Carl & Barb test the first dark ale

Jim & Carl pull the first light ale thru the homemade temprite

Lilly ties the down the tablecloth whilst Carl counter-acts the strong Nor easter

Our friends from Kalahoe Cafe setting up.

Caterers setting up.

Kathy Bennet & Lillian

Carl & Gerry

Kalahoe Staff taste testing the food

Lily & Barb

Valerie, Badge & Brian

Barb & Jon

Karl & Louisa

Brian & Valerie

Jim talking to Louisa & Cathy her husband Bill is on RHS of picture - owners of the Hale - Kua guesthouse where Badge, Carl & Steve stayed. Barb is talking to Steve & Jon Sacks

Lay Day - Sunday

Sunday was a rest day and we set off to explore the island

One Ute - 9 people - no problem

Steve "Are we having fun yet ?"

Badge, Jim, Barb, Louisa admire the landscaping.

Jim points out SSI new HO

Jim posing in front of new downsized S.S.I.H.Q.

Jim proudly points out the energy saving air con system, whilst Brian acknowledges that it has everything including the kitchen sink.

Flash of orange to the right reveals the new Distribution Model.

Horticulture 101 - the large leafy plants are Cacao, no really.

Uhh, did anyone notice how we got in here ?

That is why we intend to intersperse them with these gum tress in this six foot high grass

While the other head back to Jim's to make chocolate, we head for the Canyon.

Bottom end of the Canyon.

Carl & Steve.

Waimea Canyon - The Grand Canyon of Hawaii"

One side of the ridge is the Waimea Canyon, the other side the Na Pali Cliffs

My guide for the afternoon "Sherpa" Carl Haaser

The top of the Waimea Canyon and magnificent views to the North of the Nap Pali coastline

Beautiful sunshine one minute and then in rolled the clouds and it was time to go

While we were exploring the Grand Canyon, Jim was explaining the finer points of chocolate making.

Jim explains the tumble drier that is central to chocolate production

Has she gone ? .

Whilst others played hide and seek. "has anyone seen Gerry ?"

Lilly's Birthday Party - Sunday night

Chef du Jour.- James G. Uerber

Down to Work

Come Monday morning it was time to settle down and remember what we were here for. Comet

Carl, Steve, Jon, Gerry, Brian, Louisa, Barb, Justin

Justin, Frank, Jon, Carl, Jim, Gerry, Brian,

Badge's tried and true Single user plug - traded in.

Jim & Louisa

Justin, Brian, Barb

Justin & Barb

Minutes from the meeting can be found elsewhere in this Wiki

After the pressure of the meetings it was good to relax and enjoy the nightlife of Kauai

Carl doggedly battles on with his labour of love

With Joe unable to attend Louisa chats up the pool boy

Carl, Louisa, Steve, BArb, Justin, Jim

Nightlife

Food played an important role during the week Jim and Louisa ably assisted by apprentice chef Justin and short order chef Brian prepared meals to delight and tantalise the finest programmers in the world of Comet.

Along with a few red wines

Justin - chip off the old block

Brian - Short Order Chef

Chook

Salt Crusted Roast Beef

Ribs

There was the occasional bottle of red wine to complement the fare

Carl, obligingly available to taste test.

Gerry pointing out the intricacies of breadfruit cooking to the Head Chef.

Rebecca, Frank, Justin, Jim, Carl,Gerry, Steve, Barb, Valerie. Brian.

Steve & Barb

Rebecca, Steve, Jon

Gerry & Kathy

Whilst some of us were enjoying the sights of the island on Sunday, Jim and a hardy bunch of chocaholics had returned to SSI to begin the chocolate making process
The complicated process required fermenting the cocao beans and then grinding them for days in the red machine in the background.
Eventually three days later the final process, the chocolate is extruded into the plastic cases below.

Barb prided herself on being the first there every morning - about 6.30AM. On the last morning I found out why

I have just noticed that all the photos of Barb include food or wine, she did actually do some work as well

Ooops - glass of wine in hand, sorry Barb

After Dinner Entertainment

In the Republican Corner weighing in to anything remotely Democratic Carl KOC Hasser

To make chocolate one needs to appreciate the finer points of chocolate consumption Master classes were held under the auspices of the sommelier of chocolate - Jim Criollo Guerber