Pohnpei. Formerly known as "Ponape" (the Western corruption of the island's native name) is the largest
single island in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). This island is second only to Guam, USA, in
landmass as far as the Marianas/Micronesian island region go. However, unlike Guam, which is largely coral
plateau, Pohnpei is dominated by volcanic terrain, meaning most of the land is uninhabitable, steep-sided
ancient volcanic mountains.
The average mean income of a Pohnpeian is said to be around $3,000 a year, but this seems generous.
This island, which dominates a small system of atolls, is extremely poor; there are few roads, no traffic lights,
and many people live without power or running water. However, the Micronesians here and in the rest of the
FSM jealously guard their islands' pristine environment, resulting in an island nation that is filled with
world-class dive sites and jungle rain forests.
single island in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). This island is second only to Guam, USA, in
landmass as far as the Marianas/Micronesian island region go. However, unlike Guam, which is largely coral
plateau, Pohnpei is dominated by volcanic terrain, meaning most of the land is uninhabitable, steep-sided
ancient volcanic mountains.
The average mean income of a Pohnpeian is said to be around $3,000 a year, but this seems generous.
This island, which dominates a small system of atolls, is extremely poor; there are few roads, no traffic lights,
and many people live without power or running water. However, the Micronesians here and in the rest of the
FSM jealously guard their islands' pristine environment, resulting in an island nation that is filled with
world-class dive sites and jungle rain forests.
Click the link
above and to the
right to see closer
views of mighty
Sokehs Rock and a
quiet morning on
Sokehs Bay.
above and to the
right to see closer
views of mighty
Sokehs Rock and a
quiet morning on
Sokehs Bay.
Sokehs Bay lies on Pohnpei's northern side, and is formed by Sokehs Island on the west and a
series of smaller islets on the east. Causeways have long since connected Sokehs Island to the
mainland, as well turned the eastern islets into a solid chain that creates one of the most
picturesque bays in the Pacific.
Sokehs Rock dominates this scene. Known as the "Diamond Head of the southern Pacific"
because of its distinctive shape, Sokehs Rock is an ancient volcanic "plug". It is magma that
cooled inside its volcano. The softer rock of the volcano long ago eroded way, leaving the
dramatic rock to stand guard over the bay.
series of smaller islets on the east. Causeways have long since connected Sokehs Island to the
mainland, as well turned the eastern islets into a solid chain that creates one of the most
picturesque bays in the Pacific.
Sokehs Rock dominates this scene. Known as the "Diamond Head of the southern Pacific"
because of its distinctive shape, Sokehs Rock is an ancient volcanic "plug". It is magma that
cooled inside its volcano. The softer rock of the volcano long ago eroded way, leaving the
dramatic rock to stand guard over the bay.
Click the button above to see a larger view of this panorama of Sokehs Bay.
Created by combining four separate images, this was taken from the
balcony of the Ocean View Hotel where I stayed in September of 2005.
Created by combining four separate images, this was taken from the
balcony of the Ocean View Hotel where I stayed in September of 2005.
Sokehs Ridge itself rises to over 400 feet above
sea level, and is actually a couple of hundred feet
higher at its midpoint than Sokehs Rock, which
anchors its end. From the ridge you can see the
Pohnpei airport (above), built on one of the islets
forming the eastern side of the bay's mouth. The
village of Kolonia (right) is snugly nestled in the
deep jungle.
sea level, and is actually a couple of hundred feet
higher at its midpoint than Sokehs Rock, which
anchors its end. From the ridge you can see the
Pohnpei airport (above), built on one of the islets
forming the eastern side of the bay's mouth. The
village of Kolonia (right) is snugly nestled in the
deep jungle.
hiking with her, her dad Gary, and some family friends during my brief time on island. The Sokehs Ridge hike
is definitely not for the beginner hiker unless you plan plenty of time for rest stops. You can safely drive
halfway up the ridge, but the rest is a climb on a rocky trail with loose ground and a steep incline. The photo of
me was taken by Lisa; at only 16 she's already a superb pianist and is showing a strong eye for photography as
well.
is definitely not for the beginner hiker unless you plan plenty of time for rest stops. You can safely drive
halfway up the ridge, but the rest is a climb on a rocky trail with loose ground and a steep incline. The photo of
me was taken by Lisa; at only 16 she's already a superb pianist and is showing a strong eye for photography as
well.
Click the button to see a panoramic image of northern Pohnpei. Looking east from Sokehs Ridge
over Sokehs Rock and Kolonia, this composite was layered together from five separate photos.
over Sokehs Rock and Kolonia, this composite was layered together from five separate photos.
While you are exploring the natural
wonders of Sokehs Ridges, you will find the
mark of man. Rusting Japanese guns are the
remains of a long-ago war. Today these
weapons are surrounded by the beauty of the
untouched jungle. Click the image above for
a closer look at these wild orchids and this
Japanese 127 mm anti-aircraft gun.
wonders of Sokehs Ridges, you will find the
mark of man. Rusting Japanese guns are the
remains of a long-ago war. Today these
weapons are surrounded by the beauty of the
untouched jungle. Click the image above for
a closer look at these wild orchids and this
Japanese 127 mm anti-aircraft gun.
Above: East is not the only direction to look from the
crest of Sokehs Ridge. Look west and see the trees create
a natural frame for the volcanic topography of Pohnpei as
tropical monsoon showers cross the island and blow out to
sea.
Right: These shipwrecks in Sokehs Bay lend a romantic
edge to the mysteries of a jungle island. What is the story
behind these rusting hulks? What is the story of the men
who crewed them? Odds are no one will ever know.
crest of Sokehs Ridge. Look west and see the trees create
a natural frame for the volcanic topography of Pohnpei as
tropical monsoon showers cross the island and blow out to
sea.
Right: These shipwrecks in Sokehs Bay lend a romantic
edge to the mysteries of a jungle island. What is the story
behind these rusting hulks? What is the story of the men
who crewed them? Odds are no one will ever know.
Sokehs Rock rises majestically into sky. It's eastern face creates the famous
silhouette known as the "Diamond Head of the South Pacific".
silhouette known as the "Diamond Head of the South Pacific".
Lisa (above) who's parents are
missionaries on Pohnpei, and me (right),
on the ridge with Sokehs Rock behind
us. I was able to spend some awesome
missionaries on Pohnpei, and me (right),
on the ridge with Sokehs Rock behind
us. I was able to spend some awesome
