Beyond Anatahan

Since leaving Saipan we have been treated to some truly amazing sights. The islands of the Northern Mariana are spectacular and magical. Something straight out of Jurassic Park. Towering conical volcanoes tipped with clouds and ringed with palms swaying gently in the breeze. You can almost imaging a square-rigged pirate ship coming around the point, the Jolly Roger whipping from the main-mast. Or maybe it is different. You row to shore in a wooden boat and are greeted on the beach by local peoples who have never seen a westerner before. Coconuts and palm fronds, shells and fruits more delicious than you can imagine. What will tomorrow bring?


Several day ago we were greeted by a small metal boat as we slowly made our way around Sarigen. Two men with fish, freshly caught. We exchanged oranges and juice for three nice fish, headed for the galley. Stuff like that just doesn't happen every day. Then there was Anatahan, the volcano still shrouded in ash, a column of steam and smoke rising above the summit caldera.


Tomorrow we arrive at Maug. Three mountains surrounding a central lagoon with walls dropping away into the abyss. This is the place everyone has been talking about. Seeing what we have seen so far, I can scarcely imagine ....