Things on Yap

Just a collection of random sights on Yap. First we have a sign painted on the wall across the street from the hospital:

That building on the left is where the Yap Campus of the College of Micronesia held summer classes. I spent many warm hours in room 2 and 4:

This is Blue Lagoon, one of the major supermarkets on the island. They used to have swiss cheese, but now the island has none:

Looking down the hill in Colonia toward the ocean and Chamorro Bay:

A Whole Lotta Flowers

On Tuesday Rohaizad and I took a walk through Ruul. You can't imagine a more beautiful lane: every house had a bushes of flowers out front clamoring for attention. We took dozens of pictures, but here are just a few:

Tamilyog Trail

Yesterday morning we hiked the Tamilyog Trail.

The weather was perfect: cloudy, cool and breezy. Couldn't have asked for better.

Such a variety of terrain! We went from dark, cave-like rainforest to rolling hills that look like they should have flocks of sheep grazing on them (except for the pandanus trees).

The Tamilyog is partly a traditional hiking trail and partly an ancient stone pathway. Here I am walking on an old stone pathway into the jungle. Quite eerie!

After hiking almost the entire width of the island, we emerged onto the road.

Strange Signs

Up past the hospital, there is a spot along the road that is filled with these mysterious signs.

I remember that these signs were here when I was here four years ago, too.

A visionary?

Lava Lava Lover

The lava lavas at the hotel gift shops are priced out of this world, so yesterday after work we went up to our co-worker's house to buy some. It was a long drive up north, then down a dirt road and finally walking along a narrow path before we arrived.

Here is a partly completed lava lava:

Lava lavas are worn as skirts by the outer island women and are beautifully colored and designed. They used to be made out of coconut fibers, but now thread is used. It takes about two weeks to make one.

Here is a girl weaving a lava lava:

The Skyline of Colonia

This is the Mnuw, an old boat turned into a floating restaurant. We sometimes go there for their pizza special on Friday evenings.

From the Car

A few pictures taken from the car window here in Yap:

Sunday by the Ocean

On Sunday we went swimming on Ma'ap and then lounged about on the beach.

A nice view from the breezy shade below the palm trees.

Memories for Sale

Back in the early 1980s when I first came to Micronesia, this is the house I lived in.

The house is located in Toto in Guam. It's for sale now. If you don't know what to get me for Christmas and have 350k to spare, click here!

Even Rainy Days Have Sunsets

Feel free to add an inspirational saying and hang it on your bedroom wall.

The Morning After

A burnt-out mosquito coil.

Mountaintop View

Looking south toward the hospital and Colonia.

In the harbor down there are three islands. One of them has the remains of O'Keefe's home.

Sunday in Gagil

The beach.

A men's house.

Some enormous stone money beside the road. This guy insisted on being in the photo with me. I don't know who he is.

The Catholic Church in Gagil. I love the painting of Jesus in a thu, along with folks bringing him gifts of tuba, a lava lava, stone money and a navigational star chart.

Street Signs of Yap

Flying Things

The Noddy Tern: Friend of the Fisherman.

The Giant Grasshopper: Friend to No One.

This monster insect dive bombed me while I was sitting on the front porch. I've seen BIRDS smaller than he is!

Speaking of flying things, apparently the H1N1 Flu germs are flying around Yap. There are a handful of suspected cases and (I think) one confirmed case. So everyone is taking precautions: all the classrooms have hand sanitizer and all the students were given a brocure and a lecture on how to stay healthy. My favorite H1N1 moment was when I arrived at the airport back in June and was given a flowered mwar mwar by a topless girl who was wearing a face mask!

Lost Airstrip

There's an old runway out in the jungle down south. It has cracks and potholes and trees have sprouted in the middle of it, but at one time airplanes landed on it.

Hibiscuses

The hibiscus flower comes in many shapes and colors on Yap.