Blogs from Micronesia, Oceania

Deep down in the Western Caroline Islands there is a small Island called Yap. The Yap Islands form the centre of Yap state, one of the founder states of the Federated States of Micronesia. Yap (and the FSM) gained independence from the trusteeship of the United States in 1986. In that same year of Independence, a unknown business graduate and former peacecorps volunteer started Yap’s first dive shop, “Yap Divers”. That graduate was Bill Acker. He went on to find, promote and help protect Yap’s resident Manta Rays. He went on to create the Manta Ray Awareness speciality course and became a larger than life figure within the global dive industry. Recognised by awards from magazines, travel organisations and most of the dive industry, Bill Acker is a polite thoughtful man who’s hand is still on ... read more

A toast to where, what, who??? To Pohnpei, a small island located about 7 degrees north of the equator on the far east side of the Micronesian Islands in the southern Pacific ocean. Tropical, remote, serene. But why on earth would anyone, other than the native Pohnpeians, spend the bucks and the time required to get to this out of the way place that doesn’t even have a white sandy beach to boast of? In the short 8 days which we spent in this beautiful place, we encountered not a single other tourist. We did; however, discover at least 10 different reasons, other than tourism, that people will journey from their home comfort zone and endure the hardship of working in this tropical destination: 1. US Department of Health and Human Services grant assistance: “We are ... read more

Sunday 27.2 – Kosrae Why are you not allowed to swim on a Sunday when there is so much water around the island? Johanne asked. On Sundays, it is not considered polite to swim, wear short trousers, work, fish – just relax. Kosrae is Christian (like most of the Pacific). At one point in history there were only 300 Kosraean left – history tell that is was because of diseases introduced, but the former school teacher we talked to was convinced it was alcohol and syphilis. Anyway, the 300 left all introduced the strict rules for their society to protect them. We were up a bit late and didn’t mange to get to the Lelu church until 10:15. Birgitte and the children fist when to the building with service for the children, but came to the ... read more

Thursday 24.2 – Kosrae Treelodge has some sea kayaks and we took them out for a morning paddle. Much of the island consists of the interior, then a backwater swamp that floods by high tide. Next is another strip of land where the road goes around the island. A shallow sea is enclosed by a coral reef. So the Bully’s – the restaurant at our hotel, is next to the backwater and we started from there. Johanne with me and Anders with Birgitte. It was high tide going low tide, so we started north against the current and you could actually go quite far. There were birds but not so much else animal life. The scenery reminded me of Chang Mai with slow rivers and tree covered hills. We saw no one on the trip, though ... read more

Feb 04: Final day in Micronesia. I’m looking forward to being home and seeing the family. We tied up some loose ends today; met with the Governor, his staff, and the U.S. Embassy for a debrief meeting. Other than that, went for a quick hike and scouted out some old WWII relics (Japanese anti aircraft guns, bunkers, etc…). Anyhow, a hodge-podge of photos from the last week or so, including a couple action shots to prove that I am actually doing some work down here. ... read more