Blogs from Micronesia, Oceania

The Lost Stone City – NANMADOL Last May 2010, I travelled to Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia to conduct a risk assessment training course (Image 1). That was one of the most enjoyable training courses I ever had. The Micronesians were so quick to learn and apply the knowledge gained. After all, risk analysis is one of those subjects that you learn by doing. No matter how many reference materials you read, if you don’t do it – it will be guess work!! And as an outcome, we are now in the process of releasing an introductory training course manual on risk analysis, maybe in a couple more weeks. It takes about an hour or so by boat (Image 2) and another half an hour beach walk. Before reaching this archaeological site, you can have a ... read more

Saturday 26.2 – Kosrae Japanese tunnels from WWII and island views and jungle hike. Today I was picked up by Hamilton, the owner of Ohma peak. His windshield was broken – he was cursing the government for not making landowner trim their coconut trees – one had fallen lately direct on his car. We went to Malem, a village on the east coast and started out from his house. The trek was regular jungle rain forest with green in green. It didn’t rain but I was sweating buckets. Hamilton first with his machete cutting new growth on the path. After one hour we reached a clearing where I saw the first Japanese tunnel. There were a couple of artifacts like a broken sake bottle with ‘nippon’ written on it. Not much animal life – surprised that ... read more

Tuesday 22.2 – Majuro – Kosrae, Micronesia Leaving Majuro, Marshall Islands. 45 minutes flight to Kwajalain atoll – also in the Marshall Islands. It is an American military base, and most people got off here. Nobody else were allowed off the plane. After 45 minutes the Island hopper continued and an hour later we were in the easternmost island in Micronesia – Kosrae. A lush and green island with high ‘mountains’ in the middle of the island. Similar to places like Bora Bora. We were the only tourists getting off the plane today together with 12 local. Mark from our hotel, Pacific Treelodge was waiting for us. He was hot happy with the tourist business – you were the only tourists on the plane? And Continental just cut back from 6 flights a week to 4 ... read more

Feb 01: Well just like Alaska, the weather can affect all things here on Pohnpei Island. Today I saw the effects of Typhoon Yasi which is hitting Northeast Australia. I’ve never seen such intense rain. It rained for about an hour that flooded the streets, overflowed the rivers, and just created havoc everywhere. This afternoon is much nicer and the sun is starting to shine again. ... read more

Jan 27: We were invited and had dinner at the US Ambassador’s house last night. Most of the food came from his wife’s garden, except for meat which was either caught or raised locally too. Today’s kind of a slow day with only a few meetings. Went for a nice hike to a high spot on the island, beautiful view. ... read more