White beaches of Wotje Atoll,MI
War relic on Wotje Atoll
As you know by now I’m always looking for some place new and different,possibly the wanderlust in me has gone totally “wild”. I have made photos available on my facebook and hope to eventually get them up on the blog, please come and be a friend on Facebook as there is so much you can see. FB-JEFFREY R HARTJOY
Last time you heard about much about boat problems and more than likely too much. Problems or not the journey is worth it and please do your best at seeing those videos and photos on Face book.
You hear much about the Marshall Islands are soon to be under water, but I can tell you after talking to the local people and looking at all the local improvements that are happening on these atolls like apartment buildings and at Wotje a new concrete runway so larger planes can land here it becomes pretty obvious that they are comfortable being just 6- feet above the high tide mark, and one must consider the enormous reefs that protect these Islands from storm force winds when they do occur.
Upon arrival at Wotje an atoll 160 nm NW of Majuro I was amazed at the population as nearly 1,200 people inhabit this remote atoll. The Island is neat and clean and they have three different churches you may attend, Protestant,Catholic,and Assembly of God. They also have a police department where some of the police ride bicycles. Alcohol is frowned upon on these islands except by those that drink it. A yachty is not to give islander’s alcohol and it is probably wise to follow this recommendation.
Wotje, is a large Island for an atoll nearly one mile wide and two-miles long. Copra harvesting is their industry and fishing puts protein on the dinner plate. Not so many people speak English yet a few do. The Mayor is cordial and they have a very nice high school here, and Mr. Foster is the Principal. I had the pleasure of meeting him and donated a copy of my latest book “No Turning Back” to the school library.
The Hiking on the island is ideal and there are many old WW-2 war relic’s to be seen. There are many “pill boxes” where the Japanese had 50-caliber machine guns mounted and many sites around the Island where much larger cannons once stood. I have seen at least 4-old airplane engines with bent up props that appear to have met with a not so good ending.
The people seem a bit stand-offish at first until they realize you want nothing from them, then they seem to warm up pretty fast.
The Island of Wotje is very lush and beautiful and large enough to accommodate the population. The beaches are very broad and covered with sand that is as fine as baby powder, the kind that sticks to your buns. If one needs a break from the main islands population you only need to go less than a mile to be on an uninhabited Island which there are more than thirty of these.
I can say that paradise lurks about in this atoll as I know it does also in other atolls in the Marshall Islands. If 85* water and 200 ft visibility gets you excited then these atolls might be well suited for you.
Stay tuned as this is just my first outing and there is much more for us to see.
Your Amigo El Jefe’- S/V Sailors Run.