From the South Pacific
(5 photos)
1506
Several days were spent on the freighter, the M. V. Enna G, sailing from Hawaii to the Island of Majuro, in the Marshall Islands. You may have heard of the islands of Bikini and Eniwetok, where they tested Atomic Bombs, they are also in the Marshall Islands, but many miles away. Jim thinks there should be a plaque of some kind awarded to the Island of Bikini for excellence in swim suit design.
There were a few stores, including one that sold items made by the “natives.” We bought several hand-crafted items, such as hot-pads made of fiber or reed of some kind, with small shells around the outside edge (we use them all the time).
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1509
The tag identifies the maker of this hot pad as Bellita, and the cost was $1.35.
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1675
Also a rather flat basket made of the same stuff, about 21” by 16” by 2” deep, also with shells all around.
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1678
On the back of this carving of a fish, is written, “Kolonia, Ponape, Carolina Islands, 2-20-80.” They have since changed the spelling of the Island to “Pohnpei.”
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1535
On Ponape (and on other South Pacific islands) there are huge piles of anchor chain, old ships, war machines of many kinds, thousands of tons of it, just rusting away. I wanted some anchor chain, but could not find a short length of chain to take home with me. Near the harbor in Ponape I saw a man with an acetylene cutting torch, but he would not cut a link of the chain for me. He said that each tank of acetylene gas had to be imported from the US, and he wasn’t going to waste any of it on a tourist.
Saipan is where I finally found a huge pile of anchor chain, and found someone who would cut a 20 foot length of two different chains. It was not far from the ship, so I dragged it to the ship, and they used the crane to lift it aboard, and stow it away for us. After we got it home, we moved this chain from here to there for several years, then decided to find someone to cut a couple of links for display. Not knowing what to do with the rest of it, I noticed a rather expensive restaurant with a nautical theme, and stopped to see the manager. He liked the chain enough to give us two nights on “him” at this restaurant. Even at that price, the meal wasn’t worth it, and that restaurant is now out of business.
Tidbit by Jim and Emmy HumberdSimilar tidbits in: Collectables, Photo Tidbits
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