Leaving home or going home?

Since 2020, I’ve spent 910 days in Micronesia and 378 days in America. So, where is home?

Today, I flew from Kosrae to America. Although I met several close friends and family last year, I haven’t spent much time in the USA since 2022. To see who and what I’ve missed in the past three years, I’ll spend the summer with friends and family across the USA. As I travel, I’ll update this blog to advertise occasional travel talks that I’ll be giving. The first one will be at the Mill Valley Library on June 3 at 6:00pm.

For now, here are four videos to share what’s been going on in Kosrae recently.

My Tropical Pacific Environments (SC-117) students took their fourth field trip to the Lelu Ruins. These massive walls were erected between 1400 to 1650 AD using columnar basalt quarried from the other side of the island. This was a special opportunity for the students to take a walk through this famous archaeological site with local historian Paliknoa Sigrah. We were joined by Dr. Liz Van Volkenburgh from the University of Washington.

Every year, usually in April, Lelu town holds a night market. People come from all over Kosrae for food, music, dancing and shopping. It’s a fun evening for families and children of all ages. Even if it rains — as it often does — the dancing keeps going and spirits are not dampened.

My students took their final field trip to one of Kosrae’s clam and coral nurseries. This was an underwater adventure where students learned first-hand about clam farming and coral gardening. Our experience was hosted by the Fisheries Department of DREA. Masks and snorkels were provided by Nautilus Resort.

One fine Saturday afternoon, Stella and I went kayaking in the estuary behind Nautilus Resort. We were joined by Justina, the flower girl from our wedding last June. We timed our adventure so that the incoming tide carried us deep into the mangrove forest, where we had a short rest. Then, we let the ebb tide carry us all the way back to Nautilus. It was a perfect cruise thru a beautiful forest.

For my US adventures, I’ll travel more than 17,000 miles, mostly by air. I’ll be traveling solo because the USCIS has denied Stella a visa. So, Stella will remain in Kosrae, build her vegetable garden, and manage our our AirBnB. If you happen to be visiting Kosrae this summer, please stay at our place.

In case our paths might cross, here’s my intended itinerary.

Kosrae	May 22
Seattle	May 22 – May 27
San Francisco	May 27 – June 16
Nashville	June 17 – June 26
Washington DC	June 26 – July 1
Stonington	July 1 – 16
Newark	July 16
Big Rapids	July 17 – August 11
San Francisco	August 12 – August 15
Los Angeles	August 15 – August 17
Kosrae	August 19

To all my friends and family in the USA, I hope to see y’all this summer!