{"id":51,"date":"0203-02-09T11:51:00","date_gmt":"0203-02-09T11:51:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.new.zoa.com\/2019b\/?p=51"},"modified":"2023-02-09T07:46:12","modified_gmt":"2023-02-09T07:46:12","slug":"paradise","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.zoa.com\/2023\/travel\/paradise\/","title":{"rendered":"Return to Paradise"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Although I’ve seen a lot of our planet, I haven’t found anyplace I like as much as an isolated little island way out in the Pacific called Kosrae. It’s part of the Federated States of Micronesia. Very few people have heard of this place — much less been here. In a good year, it only sees about 1200 tourists. Why so few? Kosrae is a long way from anywhere, and there aren’t many flights to this place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why do I like Kosrae so much? Read on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a>
Because of its silhouette, Kosrae is known as “The Island of the Sleeping Lady”.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n
\n
\"\"<\/a>
Perhaps Disney had Kosrae in mind when they created the mythical Ti Fiti island in Moana<\/em>?<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

I got to know Kosrae when I was marooned here during Covid from March 2020 until July 2021. When I left Kosrae, the folks at the high school and the college said “When — not if!<\/em> — you come back, bring some teachers with you.” So I did. While in the US, I talked two adventurous friends into coming to Kosrae with me: Liz Van Volkenburgh and her daughter Alice Lippitt. Alice teaches full-time at the high school.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/a>
Yours truly with Liz and Alice on arrival at Kosrae International Airport<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

The drive from the airport into town takes about 15 minutes. This music video is the best way that i can show you what Kosrae looks — and sounds — like. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n