{"id":6151,"date":"2025-10-05T02:19:30","date_gmt":"2025-10-05T02:19:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/zoa.com\/2025\/?p=6151"},"modified":"2025-10-06T03:31:12","modified_gmt":"2025-10-06T03:31:12","slug":"back-to-kosrae","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/zoa.com\/2025\/travel\/back-to-kosrae\/","title":{"rendered":"Return to Paradise"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>I returned to Kosrae seven weeks ago.   While I was in the US, Stella stayed here and took the first two videos posted below.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Every village in Kosrae holds a night market once or twice a year. Here&#8217;re some clips of traditional dancing and singing at Malem&#8217;s night market in June.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Malem Night Market, June 27, 2025\" width=\"910\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/htJCviF5Nj0?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>In July, our landlord hosted a feast to honor one of Kosrae&#8217;s distinguished citizens.  As usual, the music, food and company were fabulous. Too bad I was in America!  The message on the cake reads &#8220;May the Lord&#8217;s face shine upon you! Thank you for your service.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Kosrae knows how to party!\" width=\"910\" height=\"512\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/zzYTPlc6hek?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>After my 14-hour flight across the Pacific, Stella met me at the airport &#8212; wearing her new wig &#8212; which got lots of attention from the locals.  A few changes occurred while I&#8217;ve been gone.  During September, our hospital received several doctors from China who&#8217;ve come to Kosrae to fill positions of doctors who&#8217;ve left.  Meanwhile, some things haven&#8217;t changed.  The termites are still devouring our furniture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;69e5373357dcf&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"69e5373357dcf\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-id=\"6172\" src=\"https:\/\/zoa.com\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG_0318-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6172\" srcset=\"https:\/\/zoa.com\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG_0318-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/zoa.com\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG_0318-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/zoa.com\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG_0318-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/zoa.com\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG_0318.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;69e537335839b&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"69e537335839b\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-id=\"6174\" src=\"https:\/\/zoa.com\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG_0360-1-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6174\" srcset=\"https:\/\/zoa.com\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG_0360-1-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/zoa.com\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG_0360-1-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/zoa.com\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG_0360-1-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/zoa.com\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG_0360-1-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/zoa.com\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG_0360-1-1536x1536.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/zoa.com\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG_0360-1.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;69e537335881c&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"69e537335881c\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-id=\"6171\" src=\"https:\/\/zoa.com\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG_0377-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6171\" srcset=\"https:\/\/zoa.com\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG_0377-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/zoa.com\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG_0377-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/zoa.com\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG_0377-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/zoa.com\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG_0377.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>During fall semester at College of Micronesia, I teach Environmental Studies.  I love teaching this class because our laboratory is right outside the classroom door.  Here&#8217;s our field trip to <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Yela_Ka_Forest\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Kosrae&#8217;s Ka Forest<\/a>.  This forest is the only remaining stand of <em><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Terminalia_carolinensis\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Terminalia carolinensis<\/a><\/em> in the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"College of Micronesia Kosrae, field trip to the Yela Ka forest, September 10, 2025\" width=\"910\" height=\"512\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/KMqK4Xr2zc4?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Stella has become one of Kosrae&#8217;s noted gardeners.  With unlimited supplies rain, sunshine and volcanic soil, she&#8217;ll soon be producing too many vegetables for one household.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-2 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;69e53733593bf&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"69e53733593bf\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-id=\"6167\" src=\"https:\/\/zoa.com\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG_0373-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6167\" srcset=\"https:\/\/zoa.com\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG_0373-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/zoa.com\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG_0373-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/zoa.com\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG_0373-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/zoa.com\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG_0373.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;69e537335980a&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"69e537335980a\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-id=\"6169\" src=\"https:\/\/zoa.com\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG_0367-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6169\" srcset=\"https:\/\/zoa.com\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG_0367-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/zoa.com\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG_0367-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/zoa.com\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG_0367-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/zoa.com\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG_0367.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;69e537335aaaa&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"69e537335aaaa\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-id=\"6170\" src=\"https:\/\/zoa.com\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG_0365-1-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6170\" srcset=\"https:\/\/zoa.com\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG_0365-1-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/zoa.com\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG_0365-1-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/zoa.com\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG_0365-1-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/zoa.com\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG_0365-1.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>On the morning of September 8, 1945,  two US Navy destroyers sailed into Lelu Harbor, raised the American flag, and officially ended Japanese occupation.  Kosrae celebrates Liberation Day every year with singing, dancing, barbecues and canoe races!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Liberation Day canoe races in Kosrae, September 2025\" width=\"910\" height=\"512\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/MvhoVU1M6eE?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Stella and I now have bicycles!  The beach road has few ups or downs, so it&#8217;s an easy ride.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-3 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;69e537335ba13&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"69e537335ba13\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-id=\"6177\" src=\"https:\/\/zoa.com\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG_0610-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6177\" srcset=\"https:\/\/zoa.com\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG_0610-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/zoa.com\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG_0610-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/zoa.com\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG_0610-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/zoa.com\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG_0610-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/zoa.com\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG_0610-600x450.jpg 600w, https:\/\/zoa.com\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG_0610.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;69e537335c2bf&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"69e537335c2bf\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-id=\"6176\" src=\"https:\/\/zoa.com\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Reef-flat-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6176\" srcset=\"https:\/\/zoa.com\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Reef-flat-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/zoa.com\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Reef-flat-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/zoa.com\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Reef-flat-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/zoa.com\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Reef-flat.jpg 1141w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>We go swimming on the reef flat almost every afternoon.  A path takes us through the mangroves to our mile-long private swimming pool.  The water is as clear as air and 84\u00b0F (29\u00b0C) &#8212; warm enough that you can soak for hours without getting chilled.  At high tide, the water is about 1.5 meters deep, which makes for a relaxed swim.  Rays and turtles swim by.  At sunset, birds circle overhead while the clouds turn pink and purple.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In America this summer, I was astonished by how few people have heard of Micronesia.  &#8220;Is Micronesia a country?  Where is it?&#8221; they asked.  Micronesia&#8217;s Tourist Bureau is making an effort to correct this lack of knowledge.  Here&#8217;s a 3-minute video that will make you want to visit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<center><div class=\"fb-video\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/reel\/1679510639397461\" data-width=\"500\" data-show-text=\"false\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\">Although time moves slowly here, my time is filled with swimming, snorkeling, hiking, bicycling, visiting friends, playing with children, participating in cultural events and sometimes teaching.  With all these activities, please forgive me for not posting more frequent updates about life in Kosrae.  Except for a brief trip off-island around Christmas, Stella and I expect to be here through the spring semester, at least.  To learn more about Kosrae, maybe you should just come visit us!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\">Meanwhile, here&#8217;s a link to another enticing videos made by a Kosraean friend of mine:  <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/reel\/DO5wBR7gF0h\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/reel\/DO5wBR7gF0h\/<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>I returned to Kosrae seven weeks ago. While I was in the US, Stella stayed here and took the first<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":6159,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6151","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-travel"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/zoa.com\/2025\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6151","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/zoa.com\/2025\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/zoa.com\/2025\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zoa.com\/2025\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zoa.com\/2025\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6151"}],"version-history":[{"count":29,"href":"https:\/\/zoa.com\/2025\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6151\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6218,"href":"https:\/\/zoa.com\/2025\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6151\/revisions\/6218"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zoa.com\/2025\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6159"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/zoa.com\/2025\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6151"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zoa.com\/2025\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6151"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zoa.com\/2025\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6151"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}