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Marshall Islands

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worldwidewandering is a group administrator worldwidewandering  Pro User  says:


-- from cam17 - (?)

Capital: Majuro
Languages: Marshallese, English, Japanese
Ethnic Groups: Micronesian
Religions: Protestant, Roman Catholic
Monetary Unit: U.S. Dollar (USD 840)


- click map for large size

The Marshall Islands, officially the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI), is a Micronesian island nation in the western Pacific Ocean, located north of Nauru and Kiribati, east of the Federated States of Micronesia and south of the U.S. territory of Wake Island...more
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On flickr:
Yokwe! Marshall Islands
Oceanea
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Other Forums:
Lonely Planet Thorntree: Marshall Islands

Originally posted at 12:31AM, 2 October 2006 PST ( permalink )
worldwidewandering edited this topic 10 months ago.

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David A's Photos  Pro User  says:

During the mid-1907's I was a Peace Corps volunteer on Ujelang Atoll (now uninhabited). Not only was I fortunate to sail on outrigger canoes, I was really fortunate to watch two being built. It is an extremely complex process - one which is even more amazing since canoes were made without the aid of metal tools prior to European contact.

outrigger canoe repair, Ujelang, Marshall Islands
Posted 28 months ago. ( permalink )

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David A's Photos  Pro User  says:

outrigger canoe construction, Ujelang, Marshall Islands
Posted 28 months ago. ( permalink )

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David A's Photos  Pro User  says:

outrigger canoe construction, Ujelang, Marshall Islands
Posted 28 months ago. ( permalink )

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David A's Photos  Pro User  says:

Ujelang Atoll, Marshall Islands
Posted 28 months ago. ( permalink )

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David A's Photos  Pro User  says:

outrigger canoe detail, Ujelang, Marshall Islands.
Posted 28 months ago. ( permalink )

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David A's Photos  Pro User  says:

Part of the process in making the twine from coconut husks that will sew the planks together that make up a Marshallese canoe.

Ujelang, Marshall Islands
Posted 28 months ago. ( permalink )

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David A's Photos  Pro User  says:

outrigger canoe sailing in Ujelang Lagoon, Marshall Islands

Sailing across Ujelang Lagoon.
Posted 28 months ago. ( permalink )

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frolickauai  Pro User  says:

Kwajalein Guidepost

The guidepost near the Kwajalein Airport. A long way from everywhere!
Posted 28 months ago. ( permalink )

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David A's Photos  Pro User  says:

outrigger canoe, Wotho Atoll, Marshall Islands

The outrigger canoes in the Marshall Islands are some of the fastest in the world. Those on Ujelang in the 1970's made by the dri-Enewetak are very slim bodied canoes when compared with the one I saw on Wotho.
Posted 28 months ago. ( permalink )

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David A's Photos  Pro User  says:

Enewetak atomic bomb shelter

This was a reminder of what happened on Enewetak Atoll in the 1950's and 1960's. Slide was taken in 1977. This is an atomic bomb shelter.
Originally posted 28 months ago. ( permalink )
David A's Photos edited this topic 28 months ago.

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worldwidewandering is a group administrator worldwidewandering  Pro User  says:


from David A's Photos

This is one of the 27 or so small islands that lie on the reef surrounding Ujelang Lagoon. This island was heavily used by Black Noddy's for nesting.
Posted 28 months ago. ( permalink )

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黒忍者  Pro User  says:

wa buroro ilo Majuro
Posted 28 months ago. ( permalink )

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worldwidewandering is a group administrator worldwidewandering  Pro User  says:


from Island-Life


Posted 28 months ago. ( permalink )

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worldwidewandering is a group administrator worldwidewandering  Pro User  says:


from Island-Life

Believe it or not, this thing is sitting in the lagoon - about two inches above the thing. I was walking the reef and noticed this. It was day time which surprised me, for every other time I have seen these this close to shore they have been closed during daylight hours. The second I touched the side of the shell the thing slammed shut.

The Marshallese people eat these. I've tried it and can say I don't much care for them.

Posted 28 months ago. ( permalink )

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worldwidewandering is a group administrator worldwidewandering  Pro User  says:


from Island-Life


Posted 27 months ago. ( permalink )

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worldwidewandering is a group administrator worldwidewandering  Pro User  says:


from David A's Photos

Lombwe is the tillerman on this trip across Ujelang Lagoon. Paddles were not always used - it all depended on direction sailed.
Posted 27 months ago. ( permalink )

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worldwidewandering is a group administrator worldwidewandering  Pro User  says:


from Island-Life

Squid!
Posted 27 months ago. ( permalink )

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worldwidewandering is a group administrator worldwidewandering  Pro User  says:


from David A's Photos

Outrigger Canoes on the beach at Ujelang Island
Posted 27 months ago. ( permalink )

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worldwidewandering is a group administrator worldwidewandering  Pro User  says:


from Island-Life


Posted 27 months ago. ( permalink )

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worldwidewandering is a group administrator worldwidewandering  Pro User  says:


from Island-Life

Ok, I'm really excited about this find! Anyone know what this says? I tried to put the words upright. I rotated the entire stone 360 degrees and this was the most logical looking way the letters should go. Hope this doesn't say anything about my logic! LOL!

Anyway, this is the first time I have come across something like this out here. The Japanese lost this island in Feb of 1944 so, it is at least that old. The thing is 4x4 inches and about eight inches long. I'm not sure what kind of stone this is but, it seems a bit too heavy and hard for sand-stone. Any history buffs out there? Please tell what this is!!!!!

I found it sticking out of some sand right were the reef meets the beach. I initially walked passed this thing thinking it was just another brick, as there are many out here just lying around from the war. Something in my head told me to investigate this thing a little further and when I turned it over with my foot I was very happy to see this engraving.

Posted 27 months ago. ( permalink )

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worldwidewandering is a group administrator worldwidewandering  Pro User  says:


from Island-Life

This was once a part of the Japanese defense of their island during 1944 against U.S. Marines. This gun fired nonstop for nearly three days being knocked out of service three different times by U.S. Naval forces. It was finally hit so hard it fell off it's turret.

After the war the gun was thrown into the ocean by American forces. It was later relocated to its original position at a later date. Last year during some construction in this area large number of spent Japanese shells were found not far from this spot. They had been the shells fired from this gun during WWII.

Posted 27 months ago. ( permalink )

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worldwidewandering is a group administrator worldwidewandering  Pro User  says:


from Island-Life

WWII Japanese Bunker!

Well, what is left of it anyway! This is not far at all away from that big Japanese gun - probably only about fifty yards, if that.

It was bombed and has some severe damage. I know I wouldn't have wanted this to be my battle position against invading U.S. Marines in 19544. All along this beach line there is major erosion exposing many artifacts from WWII.

Posted 27 months ago. ( permalink )

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worldwidewandering is a group administrator worldwidewandering  Pro User  says:


from Island-Life

we were drifting in the current and wind while bottom fishing when I took this shot. I was trying to get the shot right so that you could see how beautiful and clear the water is out here.

The dark color under the water is coral, rocks and other things that live under the sea.

Posted 27 months ago. ( permalink )

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worldwidewandering is a group administrator worldwidewandering  Pro User  says:


from Island-Life


Posted 27 months ago. ( permalink )

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worldwidewandering is a group administrator worldwidewandering  Pro User  says:


from Island-Life

I got a report of some UXO on the island you see here. A couple of friends took me over to conduct a quick recon of the area. It was a false alarm, for the UXO turned out to be nothing more than a "ballistic" shaped, rusted piece of pipe.

The boat you see here is a hand made boat. It is actually quite a neat little boat. Nothing but plywood, nails, glue and paint.

Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

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worldwidewandering is a group administrator worldwidewandering  Pro User  says:


from Island-Life


Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

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worldwidewandering is a group administrator worldwidewandering  Pro User  says:


from Island-Life

I got lucky with this one! If you look close you will notice the faint outline of a crab within the mouth of this thing. I'm not sure what the other stuff is. This is an eel sticking his head out of some sand, well, rocky sand, on the reef during low tide. He was quite small actually.
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

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worldwidewandering is a group administrator worldwidewandering  Pro User  says:


from Island-Life

Due to a "special activitiy", they were allowed to have access to a certain island they usually can not access. A co-worker and I sponsored them - they did their volunteer work and then were allowed to have fun.
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

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worldwidewandering is a group administrator worldwidewandering  Pro User  says:


from Island-Life

I got a phone call today about potential UXO left over from WWII that was found by this family. A few of them were out "long-netting" on the reef when they found what they believed to be bombs.

I packed up my gear and met this small boat at the pier. We then headed out on a 10 minute ride to the island I'm standing on while taking this shot. I was then lead to the UXO. I personally believe they are bombs dropped by planes during WWII that were duds. There were five of them scattered about near an area that was once bombed by American forced during WWII.

Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

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worldwidewandering is a group administrator worldwidewandering  Pro User  says:


from David A's Photos

This photo is a scan of a slide taken in the mid-1970's while I was a Peace Corps Volunteer on Ujelang Atoll. Ben (left) and Anej (right) are helping to piece together an Enewetak sailing outrigger canoe. Pieces of the sides are sewn together with coconut fiber twine. These canoes are fast. The planks were formed from the trunk of a breadfruit tree split in half and then adzed and plained to the thickness seen. A very labor intensive project that is done without blue prints or aid of a computer...
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

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worldwidewandering is a group administrator worldwidewandering  Pro User  says:


from Island-Life

This is actually an engine from a plane used during WWII. I have no idea if it is American or Japanese. The Japanese used this island as an airfield during WWII. The Americans did the same when they took control of the island in the early months of 1944.

I'm actually standing at the end of the runway looking down onto the reef. During high-tide this engine is submerged. The runway is still being used today!

Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

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worldwidewandering is a group administrator worldwidewandering  Pro User  says:


from David A's Photos

Making waine (copra) is hard work for little money. But it is the main way some Marshallese can get some money. On a typical plot of land on Ujelang a family could make only about 4 or 5 100 lbs bags of copra in about 2 or 3 months. At about .05/lbs this didn't mean you would get rich any time soon.
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

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worldwidewandering is a group administrator worldwidewandering  Pro User  says:


from Island-Life

EOD and I were out today looking at the UXO I told you about below. It turns out there are eight total bombs from WWII on this reef; seven Japanese airplane bombs and one U.S. Naval, five inch projectile.

I've got more pictures I'll upload later. Here is a view of the back-side of this island. A few yards behind me is open ocean while the lagoon is beyond the island. It was low tide. During high-tide where I am standing would be full of raging, ocean current.

Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

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worldwidewandering is a group administrator worldwidewandering  Pro User  says:


from Island-Life

Two brothers pose next to one of six bombs found. There may be even more but, we didn't locate any others. In fact, given the number we found in the manner we did, I have a theory as to how these Japanese bombs came to be where they are.

All six bombs are scattered in a radius of about 100 feet; within this radius can be found old, rusted pieces of the rail tracks. It is in my opinion that a supply train was bombed by Americans sending these bombs scattering all over - some may have went off during this raid, as there are large pieces of other bombs of this same type littering this area but pose no danger in the form of UXO.

You are looking west in this picture. The main island, a Japanese Submarine base and airfield, is located to the right or north. To the south, three miles down the reef, is another island where the power plant was located. I believe a shipment of Japanese Type 97 No. 6 Land Bombs were being sent north along this rail system to the island where the Japanese planes were when it was bombed by American planes or American Naval artillery scattering the Japanese supply all over the reef.

Posted 25 months ago. ( permalink )

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worldwidewandering is a group administrator worldwidewandering  Pro User  says:


from Island-Life

I'm being lead to the site by three family members - two stayed behind with the boat. I like this shot because it gives the reader a view of the reef between all the islands on this atoll during low tide. Two islands from this viewpoint (looking south) was the site of a large power plant. A long rail system was built on the reef to supply the Northern Atoll islands with power and also act as a supply train. Americans bombed this site many times during Operation Flintlock in February 1944.
Posted 25 months ago. ( permalink )

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worldwidewandering is a group administrator worldwidewandering  Pro User  says:


from Island-Life

I met the family at the pier and off we went. We were traveling in a small boat and the tide was so low this day the boat had to be walked in. Coral sticks up everywhere and one hit by the boat onto this coral would cause major damage to the hull. To be honest with you I was a bit skeptical as to what I was being led to. I figured the so called "Bombs" were just rusted pieces of metal of some sort thought to be UXO.
Posted 25 months ago. ( permalink )

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worldwidewandering is a group administrator worldwidewandering  Pro User  says:


from Island-Life

By looking at this do you have any idea what it is? It is the rarest of rare finds out here and is very old - from 500 to 2000 years according to the "experts".

I was walking the beach near the same area those eight WWII UXO were found looking for pieces of Japanese pottery. I found a piece of bowel with an anchor in blue paint still in very good condition. I found a number of smaller pieces of the same kind of bowel. Anyway, I looked down to see this. I picked it up not knowing what it is but my mindset was on WWII. Something "ancient" never crossed my mind. I honestly suspected this to be a piece of carved ivory that some high-ranking Japanese or American officer lost on the island. It was heavy for its size, about five by two inches and had obviously been "worked", or carved into the shape it is in by human hand.

It turns out this is an ancient Marshallese tool carved from a very large, Giant Clam Shell. This "blade", so to speak, would have been attached to a wooden handle and used to cut into other pieces of wood. A Marshallese friend of mine said these were used to carve canoes with hundreds of years ago. I also found out that the part of the island I found this was once considered a very important, religious fishing area for ancient Marshallese.

What isn't fair you ask? The fact that I was forced to hand this ancient Marshallese artifact over to an American official. If I would have refused to hand this piece of ancient Marshallese history over to this American official I very well could have been fired and kicked off the island. I'm upset because I personally believe this artifact will not find its way to where it is supposed to be handed over to, the Marshallese Government once it has been surveyed, cataloged and photographed. I have visions of this wonderful artifact adorning the office or 'wall of honor" of some high ranking American official or military officer, or for that matter, someone equal in stature in the Marshallese Government.

In my opinion this should be on display with the facts behind it on the island it was found for all to see and learn from. I made a mistake in trusting a "friend" about my find. I should have never of opened my mouth in my quest to learn exactly what this was. If for a second I would have suspected this to be what it is I would not have been so naive to trust this person. Live and learn I guess! :(

I find it sad how things work at times. It just dosent seem fair! But then I guess life never is. The question that has been bugging me of late is, "Then what can I do to bring about change?" As of yet I do not have the answer....

Posted 25 months ago. ( permalink )

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worldwidewandering is a group administrator worldwidewandering  Pro User  says:


from Island-Life


Posted 25 months ago. ( permalink )

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worldwidewandering is a group administrator worldwidewandering  Pro User  says:


from Island-Life


Posted 25 months ago. ( permalink )

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worldwidewandering is a group administrator worldwidewandering  Pro User  says:


from Island-Life

These large, blue starfish are weird! They literally feel like a toy in your hand. The outer shell, or what ever it is, is very hard and feels like plastic. They are everywhere on the reef.

This is one of the kids in the family who took me to document those WWII Japanese Land Bomb UXOs. Just getting around to going through my photos now. Don't worry, this as all creatures I photgraph remain unharmed and free! :)

Posted 25 months ago. ( permalink )

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worldwidewandering is a group administrator worldwidewandering  Pro User  says:


from Island-Life

I found this on the reef last month and am just getting around to documenting it. You can read what it is. I really like this piece of history. It is from WWII and was found near an outer-island that is void of all people today.

I gave it to my EOD friend! It meant more to him than me.

Posted 25 months ago. ( permalink )

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worldwidewandering is a group administrator worldwidewandering  Pro User  says:


from Island-Life

This thing was only in a few inches of water in a hole on the reef during low tide. I have wanted to look at one of these close up, out of water, for a while now. Not much to them actually. I guess I was expecting more... Still pretty cool though. Those spines moved in a circular motion ever so slightly. I wonder if this thing can breath out of water? I carefully placed him back when I was done.
Posted 25 months ago. ( permalink )

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worldwidewandering is a group administrator worldwidewandering  Pro User  says:


from Island-Life

This is a second starfish. The shape it is in is the shape I guess it wants to be in, for these things are very hard and like the first, feel like toys. These were really cool though and I'm glad I got to experience them.
Posted 25 months ago. ( permalink )

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worldwidewandering is a group administrator worldwidewandering  Pro User  says:


from Island-Life

Here is the result of the long day! One more deadly UXO from a past war gone!

____________________________________
Some said they would like to see a video of the WWII UXO demolition operations out here. Well, I guess this is second best - a screenshot of a video. This was an operation conducted in June - the picture of the UXO can be found here:

www.flickr.com/photos/island_life/536491005/in/set-721576...

Posted 25 months ago. ( permalink )

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worldwidewandering is a group administrator worldwidewandering  Pro User  says:


from Island-Life

After posting the screen-shot of the detonation of this UXO below, part eight of this series, and going back and reading the referenced picture, I realized I never uploaded the rest of the photos from this demolition operation telling the whole story. Well, here you go!

I was on the other end of the island when I got a call over the radio that a backhoe operator had just dug up and dropped a UXO. Ninety-nine percent of the time these UXOs turn out to be a single bullet or not even UXO at all; I responded thinking this was going to be just another false alarm - much to my delight, I was dead wrong!

It turns out this particular UXO identified in the next picture, part two of this series, was and is to date, probably the most dangerous UXO unearthed since I've been here. Not only was this particular UXO a "triple threat", it just happened to of fallen from the backhoe into the sand directly above a vital island salt water intake line as well as a vital diesel fuel line. That meant the UXO had to be moved to a secondary detonation spot.

I cleared the scene of all personnel and walked to this spot and took this picture: to my left is a large warehouse and to my right is a large warehouse, and behind me are other buildings. As you can see here the area this UXO poked its ugly head from is smack dab in the middle of a busy construction site with many structures and expensive equipment around. Finding a decent spot to blow this thing wasn't easy. I watched, listened and learned as EOD went about their business! It was really a good day! :)

Posted 25 months ago. ( permalink )

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worldwidewandering is a group administrator worldwidewandering  Pro User  says:


from Island-Life

Third part of a four part series!

Ok now, if you can believe this - the venom actually shot out of the needle the first time I tried to pull the skin back! Kind of like the venom from a Rattle Snake when forced to bite into a glass jar with it's top covered in some kind of thin rubber.

I was caught off guard and didn't have my camera ready, for I really wasn't expecting the venom to shoot out like it did. Lucky for me none landed on me! Though I'm not sure what it would have done to me if it did? The venom shot into the air a few good inches! It actually scared me a bit:)

I can now understand the damage this thing does as some poor unsuspecting human steps on these spines as the venom shoots deep into the musle tissue of the foot!

I've got a new appreciation for these things! I wonder if the safe (to the fish I mean) collection of this venom for medical research would be viable??

This shot was actually hard to get. It took me like twenty tries...and this was the best one! Wish it was better though!

Posted 25 months ago. ( permalink )

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worldwidewandering is a group administrator worldwidewandering  Pro User  says:


from Island-Life

Can you guess what this is? It is hundreds of thousands, if not millions of years old and is fossilized! When I found this thing I was a bit confused, as I thought the brown, scaly looking thing was some kind of skin. It turns out this is a fossilized type of sea urchin.

I find it amazing how the texture and small bumps of this ancient sea urchin is so well preserved. I was told by an expert out here that this is fossilized and is as old as mentioned above. It is weird because what you see here is wrapped around a rock. It turns out this whole thing is rock though. I was also told fossils out here in the Marshall Islands are rare because they are thought to be so deep in the earth.

All I know is I almost stepped on it and knew it was something special the second I picked it up from the beach and saw the texture of the rock. This is a keeper! :)

Anyone out there have any other info on something like this?

Thanks!

Posted 25 months ago. ( permalink )

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worldwidewandering is a group administrator worldwidewandering  Pro User  says:


from Island-Life

I found this on the beach too. Due to some very high seas and major erosion that has been occurring at an extreme rate over here the past few months, things that usually do not show up are starting to free them selves from the confines of the earth.

I have showed this to a few people but not the expert out here. Two said they thought this was part of an old musket gun. I don't think so. I personally believe this is part of a boat (view the notes).

This was found on a remote area of the beach where all kinds of things are starting to erode out. Including that fossilized sea urchin to the right or below. Any one have any ideas as to what this is????

Thanks!

Posted 25 months ago. ( permalink )

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worldwidewandering is a group administrator worldwidewandering  Pro User  says:


from Island-Life


Posted 25 months ago. ( permalink )

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worldwidewandering is a group administrator worldwidewandering  Pro User  says:


from Island-Life

The boat costs more than three times the home. But when there is no electricity all one really needs is a roof to protect from rain and walls to protect from wind. You would be surprised how easy one gets accustomed to these kinds of living conditions.

I grew up in the same conditions - just not in as a beautiful part of the world. I don't know if anyone can understand this but I really feel comfortable in very modest homes. It reminds me of my childhood. Sleeping on the floor with holes in the walls and floor listening to the sounds of night are comforting to me.

Something else most will not understand - I would like my children, when I have them, to grow up in these conditions. It would make them so much stronger in the long run. Besides: with love, nurturing and enough to eat, they would flourish just as any kid would in this kind of environment would - sadly a lot of kids don't get the chance to experience the latter.

Oh, one of the kids took this shot :)

Posted 25 months ago. ( permalink )

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worldwidewandering is a group administrator worldwidewandering  Pro User  says:


from Island-Life

I like this shot! It just brings a smile to my face. What a backyard to have! The fun and education I would have gotten from this kind of backyard. But then I guess my childhood backyard is similar, as the wooded wilderness could be compared to a small island in the middle of the South Pacific - the only difference is the kinds of wildlife and safeguards one takes to be safe. Still though - I would have preferred the South Pacific ;)
Posted 25 months ago. ( permalink )

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worldwidewandering is a group administrator worldwidewandering  Pro User  says:



from Island-Life

The question is, what does it matter? Here NOTHING!

Ninety nine percent of voters in this election do not have access to the internet or TV. These three corrupt officials need to go. They are not for the people. They are out for the benefits of their position. There are no public debates, no accountability - all there is to base a vote on is bloodlines that go back generations. The people vote based on bloodlines and the same people keep getting elected while the people these so called leaders are supposed to be serving, well, are left in the dirt. How democratic is that?

I fully expect to experience some retaliation because of this picture and the words under it. I am a free man and a citizen of this world and am tired of bowing down to those who use the threat of loosing a job or what ever, if I speak the wrong words against those in power. My demise will be my mouth - or in this case my fingers as I vocally type what I wish I could broadcast to the entire voting population.

I know some may find this hard to believe but, I have been approached by many citizens of this country telling me that I should run for office. Much to their disappointment, and mine, I am not qualified as I am not Marshallese. Besides - the Marshall Islands does not need a white leader. They need a native Marshallese leader to emerge and lead her people to a better quality of life than what the current leaders are providing.

Again, these are only my opinions. I am a civilian, a free man and am entitled to free speech. I will not be intimidated! I only wish the people had a leader strong enough to stand up and fight against political corruption, greed and selfishness.

This is just a start!

Originally posted 25 months ago. ( permalink )
worldwidewandering edited this topic 17 months ago.

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worldwidewandering is a group administrator worldwidewandering  Pro User  says:


from Island-Life

I really like this piece because of the very well preserved stamps in Japanese. This is I believe a detonator for some kind of Japanese ordnance. What type of ordnance I really do not have a clue. I am wishing it to be apart of a torpedo.

This piece was found near an area that was the sight of an enormous explosion that cost many lives - American and Japanese. A squad of U.S. Marines were attacking a bunker and threw satchel-charges into them to clear them out. Well, unbeknownst to the Marines, they threw their explosives inside a torpedo storage bunker. The entire thing blew with such force that for hundreds of yards around there was nothing left - just one large crater in the island.

This single event caused more than fifty percent of all casualties from the invasion. A large black cloud of smoke hovered over the entire island making the invading U.S. Marines think the Japanese defenders had launched a poisonous gas attack. This halted the Marine advance and allowed the Japanese to regroup.

Any translation would be greatly appreciated!

I cleaned it by placing the item in a jar of vinegar. After an hour the 60 + years of grime, sand and dirt came right off. I then used some brasso to polish it. I was shocked to see these stamps actually. I knew there was going to be at least one - just not this many in such good shape.

Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

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worldwidewandering is a group administrator worldwidewandering  Pro User  says:


from Island-Life

Ok, this took me nearly 12 hours of polishing and cleaning to get the bottom half of this U.S. WWII 75MM M5A1 tank round to shine like it is here. Of course I have no proof but, this round may have been fired against the Japanese bunker in the background.

I wanted to clean only half to show the contrast of how the round originally looked verses lying for 60 plus years on a deserted island in the middle of the South Pacific Ocean. I actually found this on an island where there is no documented activity in any of the record books. I also found a few small arm rounds as well as the remains of a plane crash. Small dirt mounds bigger than a man also dot the island making me wonder what exactly is inside these mounds that are not native.

A Marshallese friend of mine told me this island was the sight of a massacre - in his words the island is called "Shark Island" (Marshallese Language). The reason behind this, as he says, is the result of the killing of many Japanese soldiers and sailors who were marched to this island after being taken prisoner, during low tide, over the reef, and lined up and shot by U.S. Marines during WWII. This Marshallese friend told me the sharks can remember the taste and smell of the Japanese blood and visit this island in the hopes of finding a meal.

Now I’m not really a believer of legendary tales and folklore because usually as the years pass the stories mutate into some extraordinary end result to scare young children into doing chores, taking a bath, not venturing too far from home ect..ect.. But I swear to you as we were walking around the island there were times we had to walk into the lagoon because of the overgrowth of trees and jungle well, every time we walked ankle to knee deep about ten to 20 baby sharks would approach us - they were all no more than 2 to 3 feet long. Without warning the first time we ventured into the lagoon I noticed my friend bend down and pick up some rocks. I later watched him throw the rocks at the approaching baby sharks. It did the job! The sharks would dart away only to return in a few minutes.

To be honest I really do not believe this story but, after talking to an American official who is an expert on this place and it’s war time history, something just doesn’t add up. According to this expert this particular island was not used at all by the invading Americans: there is no mention of it in the invasion plans or after the atoll was secured and taken over. There is no mention of it any where in any of the books as being used by any U.S. personnel during WWII. Yet I found this shell there and other small arms as well as many WWII era American coke bottles, a WWII plane wreck and large dirt mounds that are not native to the island. This expert stated that the only way to prove this story would be to conduct an excavation of these mounds to see what they reveal. Hmmmm… ;) I guess I’ll have to revisit this island with a shovel…….

The bunker in the background is not on the island in question. I brought this brass casing from the island to this island. The outer islands were used as artillery positions in support of U.S. Marine’s main invasion target. So, this round could have been fired at this island in support - just like the story above - it is all speculation at this point.

Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

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worldwidewandering is a group administrator worldwidewandering  Pro User  says:


from Island-Life


Posted 23 months ago. ( permalink )

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worldwidewandering is a group administrator worldwidewandering  Pro User  says:


from Island-Life

I found a rather interesting piece of history yesterday - a WWII cup from a Marine's mess-kit. The cup is crushed and bent all to heck but, in three different places you can still see where the Marine etched his name into this cup using a knife. There are also a few other things etched into the cup. I'll have a pic of it up later.

Anyway, I found the cup on the reef during low tide and was in the process of cleaning it up when this litte fella jumped out and landed on my hand. I put it on my thumb and began to take a few shots. I then walked him to the ocean and let him go!

It was really hard to get a good shot of this guy - it was just so tiny!

Posted 23 months ago. ( permalink )

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worldwidewandering is a group administrator worldwidewandering  Pro User  says:


from Island-Life

I thought I'd try to get some early morning shots of the baby today. I am sitting on the roof of my car taking pictures when the mother flies right up and lands on a branch next to me with these squid in her mouth!

I was shocked! :) I had no idea she caught squid! How is it possible for this mother bird to dive down into the ocean and collect squid? On top of that three of them and bring them back all at one time!??

I knew the baby ate fish, but squid! What a pleasant surprise!!! My entire day will be better! :)

Posted 23 months ago. ( permalink )

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worldwidewandering is a group administrator worldwidewandering  Pro User  says:


from Island-Life

These things are everywhere! Day and night! This one was rather large. That is a large tractor tire rim. I have no idea how long it has been there. These eels are aggresive and will snap at you if you get to close to them while on the reef. They have razor sharp, needle teeth.
Posted 23 months ago. ( permalink )

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worldwidewandering is a group administrator worldwidewandering  Pro User  says:


from Island-Life

In this shot I was trying to focus on the eyes of the mom. I kind of like this shot because I love the eyes of this bird - pitch black! Yet they have to have some of the best working eyes in the world to be able to dive down from above to snatch the food it feeds to its young. So far this mother has brought three different kinds of food to its baby: A flying fish, some squid and now these small, "minnow" like fish.

I love to be there when the baby feeds. The mother will fly by and I know she can see me. She will land on a branch above the chick and watch me for a few seconds moving her head in all directions as if to size me up in her attempt to judge the threat I bring to her and her offspring. When she has made up her mind I mean no threat she will not fly to the baby, but jump from branch to branch until she reaches the chick.

I just really love watching her and seeing her eye to eye! I sometimes wonder if she really knows I mean her no harm and what she thinks of me being so close. If I could have one wish granted to me by God I'd wish for the ability to be able to read the minds of animals! :)

Posted 23 months ago. ( permalink )

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worldwidewandering is a group administrator worldwidewandering  Pro User  says:


from Island-Life

I was walking around when this little guy approached. I bent down, picked it up and he just stayed there - so I took the shot! :) I guess even the wildlife have it easy out here!
Posted 23 months ago. ( permalink )

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worldwidewandering is a group administrator worldwidewandering  Pro User  says:


from Island-Life

What are the odds! I was driving along the beach area bored as hell. I stopped to take in the cool winds from a storm brewing off in the distance. Out to my right I notice something and turn to see this plastic bottle bobbing up and down on the beach about 20 yards away.

I had to do a double take. For a second I thought it was the wind blowing the bottle - upon closer inspection I saw that it was being used as a home for this hermit crab!

Posted 23 months ago. ( permalink )

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worldwidewandering is a group administrator worldwidewandering  Pro User  says:



from Island-Life

I've started playing ball again! And DAMN does it feel good! It has been a while since I've played. Can you spot me! LOL! I'm the only white boy on the court! I have no idea who it was that had my camera taking shots. But I liked this one!

This court is the foundation of an old Japanese building that was destroyed during WWII. Believe it or not pieces of rebar still stick out from the sides. I can't tell you the number of feet I've seen bloodied because of this crude, concrete court. It is the only one around for hundreds of miles though! And on this island, is the most popular place to be Monday through Saturday! Marshallese custom says no playing on Sunday - God's day. I don't agree with this but, it is not my culture so I honor it.

I have started playing with borders too. What do you think? I'm not sure if I'm a fan of borders around my photos.

Posted 17 months ago. ( permalink )

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