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You can lose everything, but nobody will take away what you saw and what you experienced...
............ 
Mar 10, 2009 07:00 PM Chuuk lagoon... Micronesia
They are selling taro, breadfruit and bananas (1 dollar per bunch) on the bumpy and dusty streets of the capital of Chuuk. Chuuk was German, then Japaneese and during the 2nd world war US forces took here the revenge for Pearl Harbour destroing 40 Japaneese ships sheltered in the lagoon. Today the lagoon full of wrecks is divers paradise.
But I do not dive - it was always to expensive for the backpacker like me. I snorkel - it is also great. I went by the speedboat to the island of Dublon where in the past was located German and Japaneese administration - there are still historic remains to see. The sail was bumpy (no benches in the boat so you sit just on the floor) but the place was interesting. On the way I saw other, little palm-covered islands. I have been to the primary school on Dublon - kids are great here - we took a lot of pictures. And I saw also how they make baskets - weaavings are very nice on Chuuk. Very hot and humid but great day on Micronesia. Do you know what is love stick - the Chuck is famous for the love sticks!
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Mar 09, 2009 07:00 PM Hopping via Micronesia
I know very well this flight. Years ago I started from Hawaii to Make a hop to Majuro then the next one to Kosrae, then another to Pahnpei and next to Guam. Then I changed flight to Yap, next hop to Paaplanu and onward to Manila - Philippines. It ia a great way to visit the islands of Micronesia.
But years ago I missed Chuuk Island, so today I fly Majuro to Chuuk. I did four hops - because the Continental 957 is landing also in American base on Kwajalein...
I landed on Chuuk. Can you imagine huge, blue lagoon surrounded by silwer barrier reef with a dozen or so high, green islands inside? That' s State of Chuuk - the member of Federated States of Micronesia. I landed on Weno island - it is colorful and lively. Speedboats zip back and forth from here to the other islands. Chuuk has also opinion to danderous after dark (Lonely Planet) so I stay in the evening in the hotel, but so far the people are nice to me...
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Mar 08, 2009 07:00 PM Island to island... Majuro Atoll
Pacific. Rebert Reimers Enterprise is very strong on Marshall Island - they have boatts, shops, boats, hotel. They also built a 3-rooms cottage on one of the island surrounding Majuro Lagoon. You can stay there far from the noise of the capital for just 20 USD per person (bargaining necessary). There are good snorkeling and kayaks for use.
To get there you have to take their motorboat. The boat goes along all these little, palm-covered motus - islets so it is by the way very picturesque excursion...
Well, it is the time to go onward from the Marshalls - tomorrow I plan to fly to Chuuk Island on Micronesia...
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Mar 07, 2009 07:00 PM Sunday mass on Marshall's
Sunday. International Women's Day - they do not celebrate it here - but best wishes to all ladies anyway...
It is worth to attend the church service in the remote location - they use their local language, the people dress nice coming to the church and - most important - they sing so nice their songs. I have been to the Catholic Assumption church - I liked the mass and the people, especially lovely barefoot kids...
No electric power on Arno. In Majuro people have all facilities but they are rather expensive. The last expensive internet (very slow) in the local telecom center cost me 8 cents per minute. So I have a choice: to have my Sunday beer in the evening (2.50 USD small bottle) or to send two messages to GS.
Here you are - but no beer this Sunday. That's backpackers life!
Thanks, my friends for your letters and best wishes - I am sorry I cannot response every one - thank you for your understanding...
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Mar 06, 2009 07:00 PM 5 hours on the truck...
Arno Atoll is one of 29 atolls of Marshall Islands. Beautiful lagoon is surrounded by small and some long and narrow green islands - motus covered by dense coconut palms and breadfruit forest. Di you try the baked breadfruit? - take your chance - it is important in local diet! I like it.
The longest motu on Arno is like 30 km long. I walked along the beach to the northern end. Then at the low tide you can cross the 200-m passage to the next motu, but take care - the high tide is coming fast - so you can be stranded there until the next low water!
To get to the other end of the long island I rented a little, open truck (there are only 3 of them on Arno). Yes, it must be a truck because there is no single kilometre of paved road - it is all 4WD, sand, rock and gravel...
We passed through many villages befere reaching Matolen on the eastern end of motu - round trip took me almost 5 hours. No shops on the way - if you are off the drinking water there are plenty of coconuts and friendly people offer them for free!
Enjoy!
In the late afternoon the boat arrived to take me back to Majuro -the sea was not so rough so I landed dry on the capital atoll...
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Mar 05, 2009 07:00 PM In the middle of the Pacific...
The bed was comfortable. But where is my paid breakfast? - It will come when public boat will come to the atoll. Maybe at 11 am Pacific Time... It means you have to survive on your food - if you have some...
Only 2400 people live on Arno Atoll. They have one little shop, there cars and one sandy road going end to end of the main island. There is more then hundered little island (motus) surrounding the beautiful lagoon. The color of the water is hard to describe: changing fron turquoise to the deep blue.
People live from fishing and harvesting copra - the white meat of coconuts. It is not huge income... But they are very nice and hospitable. They are returning smiles and ready to chat - but the knowledge of English is much worse than in Majuro - the capital island.
I was walking along the main island - from house to house, greeeting them in their language: Yokwe! Taking pictures on their tiny houses, their work and their faces. Especially kids are lovely and pretty here. Great place in the middle of Pacific!
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Mar 04, 2009 07:00 PM Through the rough sea to Arno Atoll
If you want to see the real life of the Marshalleese you must go to the one of outer atolls... I want to...
They say there are two public boats. One of them should sail on Mon, Wed and Fri to the nearest Arno Atoll. Departure 10 am Pacific Time (it means: at 10, at 11, at 2 pm or not at all...). Cost: 12 USD per person each way.
They say the big public boat is broken, and the small one - XXXX (the name of Australian beer) is chartered by US Navy. So there is no public boat! They find that there is another private boat "Budweiser" (another beer trade mark) ready to go - for 25 USD. No other choice!
It was nice as long as we sailed in the lagoon. Once out - the open Pacific showed his power - our little speedboat was sailing against the wind and the waves. I know higher waves from Antarctica, but this boat was really small and it has no winshield!. We were jumping the waves like a toy. After 10 minutes I was completle wet - sprayed many times by salt water (wear your bathing suit!).
After 5 quarters I landed on a little jetty on Arno... Wet but happy - even from the jetty Arno with palms, white sands and turquoise water looks like a paradise.
I was booked for the only tourist accommodation: RRE bed and breakfast. -They will wait for you! Nobody was waiting... I took a long, 25-min walk to the settlement all wet, carrying my backpack, food etc...
Welcome to the paradise! They charge for this B&B only 25 USD pp. No towels, no soap, but huge, breezy werandah and great view of the lagoon!
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Mar 03, 2009 07:00 PM Lovely tropical beach - just for you!
Last expensivie backpackers accommodation here is "Flame Tree GH". They charge 20 USD per dorm bed and 30 USD per room with a fan.
23000 people lives on tiny Majuro Atoll. The "capital" area of connected by bridges 3 islands Rita-Uliga and Delap is very crowded. What you have to do is to take a public minibus (2 USD) to the end of the Long Island - it is really long - like 55 km - and narrow. At the end of the island - in Laura.
There is pristine, sandy beach fringed by palms. I did not see there any other tourist - you have this beach just for you... Oops! The local family who takes care about the places collect 1 USD fee... They keep the place clean - it is worth to pay!
Back in Majuro. I am still looking for the opportunity to go to the outer atoll - out from the capital. The closest one is Arno Atoll and they say this is the only one with the regular boat connection from Majuro - I'll try!
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Mar 02, 2009 07:00 PM Majuro after years...
The flight from Honolulu to Majuro took me 5 hours... It was tropical rain when we landed on Majuro Atoll where the tiny capital city of the insular Republic of Marshall Islands is located. Friendly islanders were waiting for us with umbrellas in the remote airport. Strong sun appeared 20 minutes later.
I have been here 2 days in the 90-ties. No much changes...
Visa is not required... Hot, humid air. Nice, smiling people - what a change after money-oriented Honolulu!
Just gold worth info on the begining: Air Marshalls flies every 14 days from Majuro to Tarawa - Kiribati - this is probably the only route from Micronesia to Polynesia (you can easy continue from Tarawa to Nadi - Fiji). But oneway ticket is expensive: 331 USD.
I plan to go to the little, remote atolls for a few days...
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Mar 01, 2009 07:00 PM I lost the day!
Monday. We started from Honolulu at 7 am. Then they served a weak breakfast. And then it was already Tuesday! - I crossed dateline on my way from Honolulu to the Marshall Islands. Today is aready tomorrow!
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