Photo Gallery - February 2005
Pictures can be clicked to see a large
version of the image.
The
anchorage at Kolonia (the main town of Ponpei which is the capital of the
Federated States of Micronesia) as seen from the deck at Rumors Bar.
Brian
from "Sooke" and Gordon of "Islay Mist" at Rumors Bar.
Graham
and Jenna off "Dragonfly".
Jonah
was playing with a hammer and nail and managed to drive one right through his
thumb. We had to take him to the hospital, which was an ordeal in itself, to
have the nail removed and the holes filled in.
Approaching
the atoll of Nukuoro after finally leaving Pohnpei. Of course, as usual, we have
no wind. Sometimes we don't have no wind, then we have too much wind. Nothing in
between.
Landfall
off Nukuoro Atoll. If you look carefull (on the full size photo) you can see
between these two motus (islets surrounding a lagoon) other little motus which
are on the opposite side of the lagoon.
Looking
for the opening into the lagoon (pass) is always fun. The pass at Nukuoro is by
far the narrowest lagoon pass we have ever entered. It is - at its narrowest -
only about 100ft wide, though it looks less then that!
Not
long after we arrived and anchored, Johanna, in the yellow canoe below, came by
and gave us bananas and drinking nuts and took Jonah for a liitle ride.
Jonah
loved it. Johanna was the first of many Nukuorans who visited us during the
first week bringing gifts of fruit, fish, crabs and even a lobster.
The
village of Nukuoro is situated on the motu (islet) of the same name, the largest
in the lagoon. The village fronts the lagoon and homes are spaced along the
beach. One of the most unique features of Nukuoro (other then that all the homes
are built in traditional fashion with traditional materials) are the over the
water out-houses.
This
shot of the main island shows village homes along the beach as well as the over
water toilets mentioned above.
Just
a small portion of the many gifts of food we received at Nukuoro. On the left is
a basket filled with lemons (greenish before they are fully ripe then they turn
yellow).
Jonah
reading in the saloon. Since his room was rearranged to allow us to carry
supplies from Pohnpei, Jonah slept for a few nights in the saloon (as he always
does when we are on passage).
At
left is Mona-lisa and in front are her two kids. Mona-lisa also visited us at
anchor to bring gifts and when we went ashore we spent some time visiting with
her and her family. Her husband, Curtis, is a wood carver and Kate and Jonah
bought a carved tuna from him for the Skipper's birthday.
The
main drag on Nukuoro. Like most Polynesian villages, this one is well laid out,
clean and tidy and has a nice central thorofare running through the
village.
One
of the lovely traditional homes favored by one and all on Nukuoro.
Each
home site consists of several buildings. Normally a beachfront "living
room" hut with dirt floor and a wooden platform perhaps, a cooking area,
etc. Away from the shore, a raised cabin with wooden floor and rafters is used
for sleeping and dressing.
Some
are more elaborate then others. Some we have seen are completely screened off
and have futons and built in cupboards and dressers.
A
taro pit in the central part of the island.
This
particular structure caught our eyes. It has a padlock on it and benches along
the sides. It could be a meeting house or a small church.
Another
shot of the structure shown above. You can also see in these two shots what a
beautiful day it was. We had wonderful weather for the first 6 days we spent at
Nukuoro. After that it rained for two weeks.
One
of the over water outhouses as seen from ashore. A raised walkway allows one to
walk out to the outhouse over the water.
The
village church.
The
ocean-side of the atoll. Few people live on the ocean side, but there are a few.
Down the beach an out-house can be seen perched over the ocean.
The
ocean side of Nukuoro Island.
Looking
North along the beach.
Walking
through the brush heading to the lagoon side from the ocean side of the island.
Baking
day on the Queen Jane is always exciting. On this day the skipper baked a cherry
pie and a pair of sourdough breads.
Some
kids we passed while walking through the village.
Our
friend Joap and his boy Bosco. Jonah and Bosco became fast friends almost as
soon as we arrived. Jonah even accompanied Bosco to school for a few days.
Joap's
canoe. This boat has a sail and is also sometimes paddled.
The
skipper at the helm of the dinghy while exploring the lagoon.
An
especially picturesque village home on the lagoon side.
