Majuro, Marshall Islands

I think Mel is the only person on the ship who had ever been to this island before. It was a maiden port for HAL. One of the islanders told us it was the first large ship to come here in 6 years! They were very happy to see us. Mel had been here twice in the 90's for a week each time. He was doing work for the Nuclear Claims Tribunal. The USA did nuclear weapons testing on nearby islands (Bikini, Rongelap, etc) in 1954. One of the tests created a cloud which went over an island, contaminating all the people. Mel helped do surveys to determine the amount of radiation still there as well as help with the compensation to the folks affected. 

We were at the pier at 11 am. I was the first person off the ship. There were many buses lined up to shuttle passengers to town and back for $5. We asked how long of a walk it would be and were told 30 min. It ended up being over an hour, but worth the walk. We were each given leis when we arrived, most made with just leaves but very pretty. They only had a few so most people did not get one. At the port gates were cars lined up, some taxis, others that had signs that read "MS Amsterdam Cab". Seems like everyone on the island had turned into a taxi service for the day. 

The island is long and narrow so as we walked we could see the ocean on one side, the lagoon on the other. There was no sidewalk to walk on. Most of the buildings were old and run down. We stopped at a grocery store that carried everything, like a small Walmart. We also stopped at a handicraft store. They make beautiful woven item with shells and palm fronds. I bought several ornaments and baskets. After over an hour we arrived where the shuttle busses had taken everyone. They had put up shade structures and had a band playing for us. I kept seeing Marshallese women in brightly colored dresses, I told Mel I wanted one. We found another super market and they had the dresses! I couldn't decide which one to get. After being told that they were $7.95 each, I bought 2!  They are most likely polyester, very similar to some shirts I purchased in Malaysia 4 years ago. 

We made a short visit to the museum. We spoke to a women who was very familiar with what Mel had worked on. Her mother had been one of those exposed and she herself was a cancer survivor. She told us to send more ships! We then headed back, deciding to get a cab rather than walk again. It was extremely hot and humid so walking all the way back in the hot sun didn't appeal to us. And Mel wanted to try to snorkel so we had limited time. 

The taxi driver said $3 to take us to the port so off we went. We made one stop to buy a beautiful wood and woven outrigger canoe which is about 14" wide, 20" high. Our first large purchase at pretty much our first port. Now it begins! 

The driver said for $35 he would take us to the ship for our gear then on to the beach which was about 30 min away, wait for us then return to the ship. I ran up to the lido to get a bunch of cookies to give him for his 2 kids. I think he was happy about them. 

It actually took 45 minutes to get to the beach. It wasn't a very wide one and there were a lot of rocks in the water. I swam for about 10 minutes then spent the rest of the time looking for shells on the beach. Found a few tiny ones but that was about it. Mel snorkeled for a while but there was really nothing to see so didn't stay in very long either. We headed back to the ship. 

I had seen a store with the dresses I liked in the window on the way out so had the cab stop there on the way back. In that store the dresses were $6.50 so we bought one for each of the ladies at our table as well as a few more for me. We were back at the ship at about 3:45, the ship was scheduled to leave at 5. It was a very nice day and we were very happy about it......until Mel discovered that his cell phone was missing. He had given it to the driver to take pics at the beach and had forgotten to get it back. When we had arrived at the port the driver knew all the security guys so they took the taxi sign off the top of his car and allowed him to drive us right up to the gangway. I told Mel to go back to the gate to see if they could contact the guy. He did just that and they all said of course they knew who he was and the police took off after him! They also took Mel's address in case the ship left before they could get back to us. By the time Mel got back to the room they had called saying the phone was at the gangway, we could come get it. That was VERY lucky. I just hope the driver did not get into trouble. It wasn't done intentionally we are sure and he was such a nice young man. I know the people of Majuro wanted this visit to go perfectly so more ships might visit also. 

We gave the dresses to the ladies at our table. I think they were thrilled. Dorothy, who was with us in 2009, is always wearing funky dresses and jewelry from her travels, I knew she would love it. They had just gotten off the ship and walked a bit on the pier, didn't really see much and did no shopping. She loved the dress and we are all going to wear them tomorrow. Dorothy said sorry that I would have to wear the same dress 2 nights in a row. I told her no problem, I bought 6! All in all, it was a very nice stop in Majuro.