In just under 8 weeks, Shelley and I have traveled some 800 nautical miles, and visited more than 20 islands in 3 beautiful Marshall Island atolls.
We departed from Majuro just after New Years and have not had internet since then! Yes, there are places in the world where being connected is still a long way off!
Our first overnight passage took us to the Maleolap Atoll. When we arrived the weather was such that checking in in the main village of Tarawa (not the Tarawa from a few posts ago). We did anchor off the shore of Kumar Island. Safe from the high winds and big surfs, we encountered our first "alone" time. While there may be dozens of islands in an Atoll, usually around here only a very few of them are inhabited.
We spent almost a week here exploring the islands within dinghy distance. It was here also we found our first GLASS FISHING BALL. These hand blown glass balls have not been used by the fishing industry for at least 50 years, yet, from time to time they safely wash up on a beach after drifting in the open ocean of many years. As almost every island has a rocky reef (exposed at low tide) on the windward side, the chances of one of these balls surviving are slim at best.
This makes finding one a rare and lucky experience. We searched deserted islands almost every day for the last 2 months and found eleven of these rare treats! The largest one we found was 15" in diameter and the smallest was 2". Our research says they are not worth very much monetarily, but they are really beautiful to look at...
We will find a way to replace the netting that normally surrounds them....
We also found lots of other interesting stuff on the beaches...
When we weren't beach combing, we spent time snorkeling, diving and socializing with a few other cruisers we met along the way.
While on Maleolap we had a chance for the first time in a long time, to share school supplies with the children here in this isolated world... the children and teachers appreciated what we were able to share.
Maleolap is also one of the places we visited that saw Japanese occupation during WW2. There were many remains and artifacts al out everywhere we explored.
Along the way, we had great luck in the fishing department.... We caught Tuna (Yellowfin), Wahoo, and Mahi Mahi....
As those of you know who follow us, Shelley is fascinated with birds. As Rongarik is completely uninhabited by humans, birds here react very differently than in most other places.... While still wary, we were able to approach most birds on the islands.... AMAZING!
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Fairy Turn |
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Baby Boobie Birds |
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Magnificent Frigate Bird |
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Red Footed Boobie |
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Juvenile Boobie Bird. |
This was like no other place we have ever been!
A few days before we left, Motor Vessel, Reel Dreams arrived and we met Bud and his crew, Janice and Andrew. Life on a long distance motor boat is very different from our life on a sailboat, but they were great people and we were glad to share a meal with them.
Everywhere we found people, we found generosity! People here were never looking for "handouts", but were always willing to barter for things the needed....
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The main road! |
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The road home.... |
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This was made for Shelley by the Queen of Maleolap! We were honored to receive this gift... |
Copra (Coconuts) is he main source of revenue for most of the people of the Marshall Islands. You can always tell when a supply ship may be coming soon, there is a flurry of activity in the village getting the copra ready for market.
After all this time, our food supplies were getting low, so we set sail back to Majuro where we have a few days to re-supply before we set out on our next adventure!
More soon!
Bloody marvellous you two. I am at work!
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