Lost at Pohnpei

If there is nowhere else to go to, then there could only be one place to be; it is in the company of friends.

The Liduhduniap Falls in the Nett Valley is just 2.5 miles away from the town of Kolonia. It is known as the twin falls as one falls is formed on top of the other. During the rainy season, the falls is a magnificent place to watch as the gush of water flow from the mouth of these two great wonders of nature.

It took us about twenty minutes to drive to these falls because of the intermittent rough roads that lead to it. There was even a narrow point where only one car could pass at a time. I was amazed by the number of houses that were near the road because, unlike the provinces I was used to see in the Philippines, the road that lead to the Liduhduniap Falls was fenced with greenery of lush leaves and thick trunks of brown muscular trunks.

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Pohnpei is like a nest surrounded by water. Inside the nest is a fresh delicacy that reflects the natural beauty within, while surrounding it is an endless ocean facing all the directions of the Pacific.

At the Coco Marina, the beauty of the water and the taste of a fulfilling dinner coalesce into a fusion of senses. Imagine yourself looking out into the sea with a beer in one hand while relaxing in your island paradise.

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Whenever there are things that could remind us the “what used to be,” there are no second thoughts. Just go for it.

Surprises became gifts when that afternoon, Jay, asked me to join them in playing badminton. The words, “covered court and free” caught my attention.

“Really?” I said to myself. “A covered court on the island?”

I rushed to my room and hastily changed to my badminton gear;

Shirt – checked

Shorts – checked

Rubber shoes – checked

Socks – checked

Racket – shouldn’t forget that

It was a thrill when I kept on asking where we were going to play.

“We are going to the COM,” Jay said.

“Taraflex floors?” I asked.

“Carpeted,” replied Jay.

“What the…” I was in a badminton nirvana. I have never played on a carpeted floor before.

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Just about twenty-two miles to the east of Kolonia is Madolenihmw, this is where the Kepirohi falls is located. It is said Kepirohi is the most photographed water falls on the island.

It was a good thing that some of the tourists left by the time we reached there, we had the waterfalls all to ourselves. For a $2.00 entrance fee, we set out to the garden trail for a short hike to the source of the running water. A narrow trail led to the falls, similar to the trail we trekked to reach Nan Madol. There was some noticeable landscaping on the path at our feet.

The sight was amazing, the seventy-feet waterfalls would invite anyone to take a dip in the cold pool at its base and climb the rocks quenched by the cool water, but one should be careful from the slippery rocks. A lot of accidents have been reported from climbing the Kepirohi’s face.

The profuse green background carpeted the rest of the jungle with a window of white and black of the water and rocks. There were spots of red and orange from the native flowers in some of the flowering trees and bushes. Then as the water ran down forming a vein that opened up to the lower lands, this was also a source of fresh water in that area.

It was difficult to climb the high stone face of the Kepirohi falls. The rough stony edge might let you get a good grip and a foothold, but the force of the powerful cold water would push you away. But it was sure worth the climb. The water felt like someone massaged my body with its soothing cool flow.

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Man and nature work best hand in hand and not against each other.

The catholic mass was usually celebrated at Our Lady of Mercy Church every Saturday at five in the afternoon, except on the first Sunday of the month. It was the first time that Jane, Jordan, and myself attended mass together.

After a quick lunch, we left for our trip to Nan Madol. It took us about forty-five minutes on the road from Nett to the eastern island of Temwen, where the Nan Madol ruins were found. Continue reading