Until this past week, I had never surveyed a cave or a coral reef. No GPS here on Kosrae—I actually had to remember some of my trigonometry from years ago. Fortunately, I had lots of help and, in truth, others did the math for me!
Like Lelu Island, Bird Cave is another historical site on Kosrae. This cave is aptly named, since it is indeed a cave full of swiftlets, birds whose guano has been gathered at the cave for centuries.
The government team was eager to show me this site, since it is clearly one that future tourists would pay to experience. Because of its close proximity to the coast and its long archeological history, our challenge was to map the site before the tourists come to see it.
I’m relieved to say that the landowner and his family were happy to see us. You see, I’ve been chased off of private land before—even shot at. Some landowners get very nervous or upset when the government shows up with lots of strangers and equipment. Their hospitality was truly inspiring... although it did take me a few moments to see past the large machete he would not put down!
I’ll write about my experiences on the reef in my next post.
VIDEO - A few thoughts at the end of the day.
Hi, Pete, I'm looking for people who may have caved with my brother Charlie King in the '90s on Guam, Palau, Pelileu, Saipan, Palawan and Mulu. he lived in Agana, Guam and started the Micrnesian Grotto of the National Speleological Society there,altho "under duress" is noted in his letters! Did you know him? Do you have much experience in those places caving? I am trying to publish some of his letters, and I have a lot of questions about places, spelling, geology, etc. I'm looking for someone who can help, or who knew Charlie and could add more details. Charlie died of a massive heart attack just before last Thanksgiving. He never knew what hit him. Can you help? Many thanks, Wendy King, his older sister.
Posted by: Wendy King | March 26, 2008 at 10:18 AM