I so enjoyed my time with Christina. Being together was special ~ something I think that both of us missed, and it just felt good being part of her every day life - seeing how she spent her time, experiencing the island the way she did, and meeting the people who were important to her. Of course our mornings continued to be filled with fresh banana pancakes and bacon, which is no small thing!!
Because of her little bike accident, Christina began the next few days with a quick trip the the local hospital where she could get her wound cleaned and re-bandaged. It was so hot on the island ~ I know, it sounds weird coming from someone who lives in Dubai...., but the heat here came without air conditioning so it was still quite and adjustment for me! While waiting for Christina at the hospital, I roamed between the fan at the end of the hallway, and the breezeway just outside the door to the clinic. I had to laugh when I saw this sign hanging up outside:
Apparently the spitting of betelnut juice is a big problem! Christina told me that she and her students even had a "clean up the betel juice" day at her school!!
Even though Christina and I both stayed at the hotel together, she and I spent time at the house with her family in between our adventures. I really enjoyed the puppies ~ who loved to carry away my shoes! And it was nice to just be part of the family. I really liked walking around outside, admiring Cia's garden. In particular, I loved these little peppers ~ so beautiful and tiny, and boy, do they pack a punch! I LOVED them in Cia's sashimi sauce!! Mmmmm- mmmm!!
One thing that Christina really wanted to do with me was to bike out the Utwa Marine Park, Walung direction. At first I was excited about the trip, but my enthusiasm took a serious hit as each person I told about this adventure responded with a raised eye-brow and comment along the lines of: "Oh, wow. That is a long ride." or "You're biking there????? Why?".... Yeah, I wasn't really sure what to expect. But, being the intrepid traveler that I am, I happily took to the bike seat and headed out with my fearless daughter. And it was a glorious day ~ I soaked up the sunshine, enjoyed the gentle breeze, and relished the power I felt in my legs as we began our journey. Our trek took us along the shoreline, and the view was magnificent! We could even see the church of Lelu across the bay ~
Before long, Christina and I came upon the WWII Japanese steps. These are remnants of the Japanese occupation of Kosrae.
We climbed to the top and took in the view. It was obvious why this spot had been chosen by the Japanese as a look out. I especially loved the view of the Sleeping Lady from here!
But our little historical excursion was soon over, and the two of us headed out on our bikes once again.
We rode. And we rode. And we rode some more. See, here's the thing. Our 'little' day trip was a REALLY long bike ride!!!!! (I should have seen this coming, what with the reactions of everyone earlier....) Just to give you some perspective, check out this map of Kosrae to see our course - from the eastern edge of the island to almost the western edge. Yeah.
Yeah. So we rode. And finally we came the place where we turned off of the main road!!!! Woo hoo!!!!! (I have not ridden a bike for quite a while ~ it's waaaaay too hot here in Dubai for bike riding ~ so my tooshy, despite it's natural cushioning, was getting a wee bit sore!) And so we turned off onto the dirt road and we rode. And we rode. It turned out that Christina had taken a truck out to the Utwa Marine Park and so she was not exactly sure how far we had to bike.
Like many valiant explorers of days gone by, we kept forging ahead. We had a spark of hope when we finally spotted a crab! The ocean could not be far!! And yet....
But at last, we made it! Utwa Marine Park. One of Christina's favorite swimming spots. And she was right ~ it was a gorgeous place. Even the little crabs were pretty!
Poor Christina was not able to go swimming because she still had to be sure and keep her wound clean. And because I am a super big chicken, I was a little afraid to swim too far from shore (I know: WIMP!!), but nonetheless we both had a great time!!
The ride home was a bit ... sensitive... or at least my back side was sensitive. Who designed bike seats anyway????? But we did enjoy the island ~ so much to see, both nature and crafts. Christina showed me some of the pretty island skirts, one of which we bought for her later! Boy were we exhausted at the end of this day! It was pretty cool, though, to tell everyone about our ride. The awe in their eyes were soooo worth the sore derriere!
One part of island life that I never got tired of, was the feasting! I know that I was there over a holiday, but wow, do Kosraeans know how to celebrate!
Love, love, love that fresh coconut!!!
 |
| Sitting at Bully's for breakfast, I was fascinated by these gorgeous white birds that flew along the river ~ |
Because of her little bike accident, Christina began the next few days with a quick trip the the local hospital where she could get her wound cleaned and re-bandaged. It was so hot on the island ~ I know, it sounds weird coming from someone who lives in Dubai...., but the heat here came without air conditioning so it was still quite and adjustment for me! While waiting for Christina at the hospital, I roamed between the fan at the end of the hallway, and the breezeway just outside the door to the clinic. I had to laugh when I saw this sign hanging up outside:
Apparently the spitting of betelnut juice is a big problem! Christina told me that she and her students even had a "clean up the betel juice" day at her school!!
Even though Christina and I both stayed at the hotel together, she and I spent time at the house with her family in between our adventures. I really enjoyed the puppies ~ who loved to carry away my shoes! And it was nice to just be part of the family. I really liked walking around outside, admiring Cia's garden. In particular, I loved these little peppers ~ so beautiful and tiny, and boy, do they pack a punch! I LOVED them in Cia's sashimi sauce!! Mmmmm- mmmm!!
 |
| Just your typical island dinner ~ |
One thing that Christina really wanted to do with me was to bike out the Utwa Marine Park, Walung direction. At first I was excited about the trip, but my enthusiasm took a serious hit as each person I told about this adventure responded with a raised eye-brow and comment along the lines of: "Oh, wow. That is a long ride." or "You're biking there????? Why?".... Yeah, I wasn't really sure what to expect. But, being the intrepid traveler that I am, I happily took to the bike seat and headed out with my fearless daughter. And it was a glorious day ~ I soaked up the sunshine, enjoyed the gentle breeze, and relished the power I felt in my legs as we began our journey. Our trek took us along the shoreline, and the view was magnificent! We could even see the church of Lelu across the bay ~
Before long, Christina and I came upon the WWII Japanese steps. These are remnants of the Japanese occupation of Kosrae.
We climbed to the top and took in the view. It was obvious why this spot had been chosen by the Japanese as a look out. I especially loved the view of the Sleeping Lady from here!
 |
| I love the details of her face! |
But our little historical excursion was soon over, and the two of us headed out on our bikes once again.
We rode. And we rode. And we rode some more. See, here's the thing. Our 'little' day trip was a REALLY long bike ride!!!!! (I should have seen this coming, what with the reactions of everyone earlier....) Just to give you some perspective, check out this map of Kosrae to see our course - from the eastern edge of the island to almost the western edge. Yeah.
Yeah. So we rode. And finally we came the place where we turned off of the main road!!!! Woo hoo!!!!! (I have not ridden a bike for quite a while ~ it's waaaaay too hot here in Dubai for bike riding ~ so my tooshy, despite it's natural cushioning, was getting a wee bit sore!) And so we turned off onto the dirt road and we rode. And we rode. It turned out that Christina had taken a truck out to the Utwa Marine Park and so she was not exactly sure how far we had to bike.
 |
| This is the dirt road ... |
Like many valiant explorers of days gone by, we kept forging ahead. We had a spark of hope when we finally spotted a crab! The ocean could not be far!! And yet....
 |
| I'm good ~ I can do this! |
But at last, we made it! Utwa Marine Park. One of Christina's favorite swimming spots. And she was right ~ it was a gorgeous place. Even the little crabs were pretty!
Poor Christina was not able to go swimming because she still had to be sure and keep her wound clean. And because I am a super big chicken, I was a little afraid to swim too far from shore (I know: WIMP!!), but nonetheless we both had a great time!!
The ride home was a bit ... sensitive... or at least my back side was sensitive. Who designed bike seats anyway????? But we did enjoy the island ~ so much to see, both nature and crafts. Christina showed me some of the pretty island skirts, one of which we bought for her later! Boy were we exhausted at the end of this day! It was pretty cool, though, to tell everyone about our ride. The awe in their eyes were soooo worth the sore derriere!
One part of island life that I never got tired of, was the feasting! I know that I was there over a holiday, but wow, do Kosraeans know how to celebrate!
 |
| This is one of the many Christmas feasts we attended with family ~ |
 |
| It's not a feast if there's no roast pig! |
 |
| You can't really see it, but we are eating off of 'plates' made of woven palm fronds!! Very cool! |
Love, love, love that fresh coconut!!!
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