Island Visit

This is the island from afar. Just as we were about to go to the island, I misplaced my camera, so I had to take pictures with my mind's eye.

Today, I visited a tiny uninhabited island.  I had been eyeing it from afar all day. All the other atolls along our cruise track are inhabited, so we are obliged to request permission before setting foot on land.  However, this atoll, Olimareo, is uninhabited, so I saw this as my only opportunity to explore an island freely.  After our work was done, I managed to convince the boat driver to take us to the island.  

The first thing I did was run away from the others.  I tried to imagine what it might feel like to travel by canoe and land here on this island, finding it untouched. I tried to imagine that I was truly alone, surrounded by water and more water for hundreds of miles. 

Circling the small island, I noticed that the sand changes around the perimeter. First, the white sand was soft like powdered sugar, but solidly packed.  It gradually became coarser, until it was very much unlike sand and more like a loose collection of very small pieces of coral rubble into which my feet sank deeply.  I imagine the sand composition depends on the orientation of the circular band of beach relative to the reef, waves, and open ocean.  

Finally, I entered into the thick greenery of the interior. I found many small coconuts sprouting new shoots at the base of the tall palm trees.  Perched in the branches overhead were nests for the large frigate birds that dominate the island – there were hundreds of frigate birds circling the island in a swarm high up in the air. In one nest was a downy young bird, warbling. Back on the beach again, I found small bits of red coral debris washed up and intermingled with the white coral debris. I collected these small bits as my souvenir from this sandy speck in the middle of the ocean, towering above the sea floor. 

Footnote: I am sorry to report that there was also a lot of trash on this island. I presume the trash is left behind by fisherman from neighboring atolls who camp on this island, as I found a small shelter made from palm branches.  Plastic bottles leave no place untouched.