Photo Gallery - September 2004
Pictures can be clicked to see a large
version of the image.
Our
first look at Wotje lagoon from the inside. It was a beautiful day and we had a
lovely sail here. We entered the lagoon at about 8am and this photo was taken
shortly after that.
A
small rain shower can be seen ahead to port. These are common in the tropics and
often we pray for them to cove over as and cool things off.
Kate
and Jonah on the foredeck looking for coral heads in the water as we motor
across the lagoon to the main island (called Wotje Island). The lagoons are
scattered with isolated coral heads and reefs which are poorly charted at best.
Moving cautiously with a lookout on the case is the only way to cross a lagoon.
A
church in the middle of the village. The church and all of the buildings
surrounding it are built on an old concrete apron which the Japanese built for
the airbase that was once here.
This
big gun, mounted near the church shown above, was not originally places here.
You can see more of the concrete apron which is the center of the village.
Several people have homes built on the concrete, we imagine it is the desirable
part of town as the concrete means a dry, cleaner home.
A
batch of copra (coconut meat) drying in the sun.
Jonah
walking toward a group of kids. We are on the edge of the airstrip which is also
the edge of the village. Some homes are built right on the side of the runway
just behind the first row of trees.
Jordan
and Jonah with the mayor of Wotje Atoll. He is holding in his hand our permit
which was signed by Internal Affairs in Majuro. The permit was issued in January
when we first arrived in the Marshalls but we had never used it. The Mayor
claimed it was "expired" (though no expiration date was printed)
because it said 2003 on the issue date and it was now 2004. Of course,
regardless of this he welcomed us and took our $50 (which is the fee for Wotje
and neighboring Erikub which we hoped to visit but never did).
Kate
standing beside one of the aircraft engines which are scattered about. Leftover
from the Japanese, artifacts like these litter the Pacific Islands once occupied
by the Japanese.
A
group of boys in Wotje. The people are very friendly and love to have their
photos taken.
A
dirt track leading from the airstrip to the High School.
The
airstrip at Wotje.
Jonah
and Jordan walking down the track at the side of the runway.
Walking
through the bush to get to the High School.
Wotje
High School at Wotje Atoll. Wotje is about 160 miles NW of Majuro and is home to
one of the countries 4 regional High Schools. Students from several neighboring
islands in the Ratik (Sunrise) chain of islands attend High School here.
Wotje
High School again showing classroom builds on the left and the cafeteria/study
hall at center. The school is staffed mostly by teachers from America.
An
old Japanese command bunker, now converted to a school building. The interior
has only two rooms built with wood framing and plywood. They are both
air-conditioned.
Looking
into the computer lab from the middle of the bunker shown above.
The
inside of the computer lab. They have about 20 or so computers. No internet
connection of course. Just having electricity is amazing enough for the people
of Wotje. The power plant was only built last year and switched on about 9
months ago.
An
airplane unloading/loading at the "terminal area".
Jonah
with another aircraft engine.
A
storekeeper posing in front of the rental videos. Some canned goods can be seen
on the shelves to the left. The store did not have much to offer.
Two
little boys sitting outside the store.
The
path leading out to the wharf at Wotje. When we came ashore this is where we
parked the dinghy.
One
of the many teachers we made friends with on Wotje, Peter is a 22 year old
graduate of Dartmouth University working on a 2 year contract at Wotje. The
program is run by a professor at Dartmouth.
Jordan
chats with Foster, the principal of the High School.
Tony,
another Dartmouth program teacher with Larule, the principal's brother (who
works at the school maintaining the computers).
Miki
and Jonah playing kids scrabble. Miki is a math teacher from Japan working at
the High School. She visited the Queen Jane one evening along with Sarah and
Lewanda.
Lewanda
and Kate in the cockpit. Lewanda is another teacher working at the high school.
She is a former sailor and delivery skipper who spent many years in the
Caribbean delivering boats for CYC.
Sarah
aboard the Queen Jane.
Kate
and Jonah having a little snuggle.
Sunset
at Wotje.
Moonrise
over Wotje Island.
A
group of dead sea turtles. Marshall Islanders, like all Pacific Island peoples,
eat sea turtles. These were quite large and were butchered that evening.
Marshallese especially eat turtle at the celebration of their children's first
birthday.
