27 Sep - Our first decent walk

Monday after work Nic and I went for our first decent walk since coming to Pohnpei. Since arriving we had been given advice by a few people that walking the streets and roads shouldn't be considered due to the dogs, crappy drivers and the occasional suspect local. After nearly nine months of heeding the advice we decided to throw caution the wind and walk a 7.5km loop close to our compound.

Pohnpei is without a doubt a third world country, at least on the infrastructure side. This is one of at least thirty school buses that we have seen left to ruin on the side of a road somewhere.

Came across a little orchard farm about one km from our house. Beautiful flowers (if you are into that sort of stuff). Planted into a coconut husk that is tied to the post.

Further up the Nett River from our place. The water looks great but is probably anything but. People and Pig poo flows freely into the rivers and streams in Pohnpei making it not the healthiest place to take a dip.

A third world country I hear you say. Some people are indeed quite wealthy in Pohnpei.

Just one of the beautiful scenes we discovered on the walk. They look like white river gums and this in the only place on the island that we have found them. Introduced from Aust at some point no doubt.

The third world raises it's head. No power, no running water, no sanitation. Count your blessings for what you have......

Probably the most unexpected sight we saw. A wild chook with five chickens. Obviously a good mum, our chickens are lucky if one of a new brood survives in the compound....

We probably saw about 20 dogs. This is the only one that barked and didn't go further than it's front lawn. No different to going for a walk back home.

Did I mention the pigs. They are a highly valued commodity over here. Every time there is a funeral a pig (or two or three) is knocked off and fed at the burial service. And being a place not having the world's highest life expectancy there are a lot of funerals.

Nearly home. Stopped for a photo opportunity as we cross back over the Nett river. The local surf club is on the left and Sokez Mountain is at the end of the range to the right.

So all in all it was a great experience and one we will no doubt try to do regularly. The local people, especially the kids, were only to happy to yell out kaselehlie (hello) and try and engage us in conversation. Definately a more friendly walk than at home. Didn't come across any dodgy drivers but you wouldn't do it at sunset or at night.