Kolonia, the main
village on Pohnpei, will
surprise you. As you
drive through, you'll pass
Spanish Wall ball field.
This is the only lighted
ball field on the island.
The old stone wall that
defines the outfield is
indeed an old Spanish
wall; a remnant of a
Spanish fort dating from
1899 (left).
The price of gas
might also catch you off
guard (right). Nothing is
cheap to ship in.
village on Pohnpei, will
surprise you. As you
drive through, you'll pass
Spanish Wall ball field.
This is the only lighted
ball field on the island.
The old stone wall that
defines the outfield is
indeed an old Spanish
wall; a remnant of a
Spanish fort dating from
1899 (left).
The price of gas
might also catch you off
guard (right). Nothing is
cheap to ship in.
Kepirohi is perhaps the
most famous waterfall on
Pohnpei. According to the
FSM's official website, the
island is one of the wettest
places on Earth. It receives
over 400 inches of rain a
year. This deluge not only
keeps the major rivers
flowing, but also supplies
the many smaller streams
year-round (above).
most famous waterfall on
Pohnpei. According to the
FSM's official website, the
island is one of the wettest
places on Earth. It receives
over 400 inches of rain a
year. This deluge not only
keeps the major rivers
flowing, but also supplies
the many smaller streams
year-round (above).
Click the above image to visit this
magnificent watefall!
magnificent watefall!
Nan Madol. An ancient Venice built on
nearly 100 man-made islets. Dating from
somewhere between 500 and 1500 AD,
Nan Madol is a royal city or a huge temple
complex. It is built if giant basaltic lava
"logs". When basaltic lava cools at the
correct rate, it crystallizes into these titanic
formations. Each "log" is a separate lava
crystal that was rafted to Pohnpei and
placed, by hand, into this magnificent lost
city. The big mystery is how these stones
were quarried and transported to this site.
Left: Me at the Nan Madol ruins.
nearly 100 man-made islets. Dating from
somewhere between 500 and 1500 AD,
Nan Madol is a royal city or a huge temple
complex. It is built if giant basaltic lava
"logs". When basaltic lava cools at the
correct rate, it crystallizes into these titanic
formations. Each "log" is a separate lava
crystal that was rafted to Pohnpei and
placed, by hand, into this magnificent lost
city. The big mystery is how these stones
were quarried and transported to this site.
Left: Me at the Nan Madol ruins.
Another mystery of Nan Madol (and
similar ruins elsewhere in the Pacific) is
how a people that built these great stone
cities ended up becoming a culture that
lived only in simple thatch huts?
similar ruins elsewhere in the Pacific) is
how a people that built these great stone
cities ended up becoming a culture that
lived only in simple thatch huts?
Pohnpei is often called the "garden isle" of the FSM. You can see why; tropical flowers abound at
every turn. You have to watch it--after all, it's a jungle out there!
every turn. You have to watch it--after all, it's a jungle out there!
Tropical plants abound in stunning colors. The
year-round warmth and rainfall support a diversity of
beautiful plants....even imported American Beauty roses!
year-round warmth and rainfall support a diversity of
beautiful plants....even imported American Beauty roses!
Click the above image for a closer look at
this rose just after a monsoon shower washed
it down.
this rose just after a monsoon shower washed
it down.
| The Faces of Micronesia |
The Micronesian people have
wonderfully expressive faces. Both
from the cragginess that results from
their lives spent under the influence
of the elements, and from a generally
gregarious culture, they display their
humanity beautifully.
wonderfully expressive faces. Both
from the cragginess that results from
their lives spent under the influence
of the elements, and from a generally
gregarious culture, they display their
humanity beautifully.
| Official U.S. Navy Representation |
I was on Pohnpei for the 60th anniversary of the
island's liberation from Japanese control. Rear Admiral
Joe Leidig, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Marianas, was
the senior U.S. military representative. U.S. forces
bypassed Pohnpei, and only came ashore after the formal
Japanese surrender of Sept. 2, 1945.
island's liberation from Japanese control. Rear Admiral
Joe Leidig, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Marianas, was
the senior U.S. military representative. U.S. forces
bypassed Pohnpei, and only came ashore after the formal
Japanese surrender of Sept. 2, 1945.
Above: Rear Adm. Leidig presents a model of the
frigate USS Constitution to the Honorable Joseph
Urusemal, President of the FSM.
Left: Deep in the jungle the admiral greets Ensper
Soram and family. Mr. Soram's 23-yr-old son, Skipper,
a Sgt. in the U.S. Army, died in Iraq in Sept. of 2004.
frigate USS Constitution to the Honorable Joseph
Urusemal, President of the FSM.
Left: Deep in the jungle the admiral greets Ensper
Soram and family. Mr. Soram's 23-yr-old son, Skipper,
a Sgt. in the U.S. Army, died in Iraq in Sept. of 2004.
Above: Me & the Honorable
Suzanne Hale, U.S. Ambassador to
the FSM.
Right: Myself with Rear Adm.
Leidig at the ruins of Nan Madol.
Suzanne Hale, U.S. Ambassador to
the FSM.
Right: Myself with Rear Adm.
Leidig at the ruins of Nan Madol.
Alas, most good things must come to an end in
this world. It's about 1:00 a.m. on Sept. 12, 2005,
at the time of this photo (right). Gary and
daughter Lisa have come to see me off at the
Pohnpei Airport.
I hope to visit them again early next year (that
would be 2006). Not only is it great to have "built
in" tour guides, but when they are part of my
Christian family, it's all the sweeter.
this world. It's about 1:00 a.m. on Sept. 12, 2005,
at the time of this photo (right). Gary and
daughter Lisa have come to see me off at the
Pohnpei Airport.
I hope to visit them again early next year (that
would be 2006). Not only is it great to have "built
in" tour guides, but when they are part of my
Christian family, it's all the sweeter.
