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| One of the islands of the Woleai Atoll. |
We Arrived at Woleai yesterday evening at sunset. I was amazed to think how the ancient migrants of Southeast Asia found such small islands in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. They traveled phenomenal distances in outrigger canoes for several months at a time, eating both fresh and fermented fish. Without the aid of compass, they navigated by the stars and the patterns in the waves.
What drove them to set out on these treacherous journeys? Growing populations on islands with limited resources likely created pressure to search for new islands. Curiosity was probably also a factor. And then, it was also simply the way of life for seafaring people. So they found this small atoll, and some stayed, and some moved on. In the 2000 census, there were 1081 people living on the 22 islands (1.7 sq miles total) within the atoll. They live off of the sea, the land, and the meager provisions delivered by the ship every few months. I want to read a book about these island people...and recommendations?
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| The chief's hut. |
Thor Heyerdahl (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thor_Heyerdahl) - Kon-Tiki, chronicles his first raft voyage from South America to the Polynesian islands; and the 1978-79 NatGeo film Voyage of the Hokulea, which chronicled a similar raft trip from Hawaii to Micronesia. See: (www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CCAQFjAA&url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hokulea&ei=GcyHUK6wEobRrQe60IHQDQ&usg=AFQjCNFYe9MkUlbnuSoAxq3Pzon2Qz3zsQ&sig2=5Ltgn2Kv7X6DoeGFpv67nA)
ReplyDeleteWe (WQED/NatGeo) also did Voyage of the Tigris, an entirely different and disastrous outcome.
Some things never change.
Hi Whitney,
ReplyDeleteI signed on as anonymous....so we will see if my comment posts. If it does, I will continue.So this is a test!!! It is really hard to read the secret letters in order to poat what you want to say. I will try again...but this is not very user friendly
I cannot tell you how many times it took to publish my comment...the secret letters are impossible to figure out. But, now I am going to try again!!! I LOVE all of your photos and your wonderful notes. I have already learned so much. What an amazing experience. I also cannot believe any of the original islanders ever found these little islands and found their way back! Amazing. Love you. MOM
ReplyDeleteThis is truly amazing!! Very good blog!
ReplyDelete