Janusz, SP9FIH will be active as V73WE from Majuro Atoll, IOTA OC - 029, Marshall Islands, 29 November - 13 December 2024.
He will operate on 40 - 10m.
QSL via home call, ClubLog OQRS.
QTH Locator - RJ57pd.
Luxury reborn from the ashes - the Marshall Islands
For many, the Marshall Islands remain just an exotic name, an unattainable resort that is forever lost to tourists in the vast ocean. And in vain! Because the Marshall Islands are not the “edge of the world”, but the top of perfection of nature. The beauty of these places has managed to survive many cataclysms - human impact and military invasion. But still this natural paradise has remained untouched and pristine in its perfection.
Clear blue sky with frozen on it curls of clouds, which are so pleasant to watch lying on the white sand through the overhanging leaves of palm trees, the sound of the ocean and shipwrecks in it - all this is the Marshall Islands. Their wealth is not measured in American dollars, the only local currency. It is measured not in American dollars, the only local currency, but in their amazing history and paradisiacal beauty.
You can't argue with the facts
Despite the appeal of the Marshall Islands, since their first discovery by the navigator Saavedra, mankind had to forget about them for almost two centuries. The second time they were officially “found” was by the English Captain Marshall, after whom they were named.
Today it is a state in the Pacific Ocean north of the equator, consisting of a great number (more than a hundred) of islands of different origins. And they don't have a simple history at all.
The Marshall Islands were regularly subjected to armed attacks: bombings, air raids, nuclear explosions. The archipelago has suffered considerably in the past. But despite this, the beauty of this equatorial place is astounding. Multicolored fish have returned here, and on the white sandy beaches there are no traces of the “landing” of troops, only traces of tourists. The latter often come here as couples in love to join their destinies.
Don't forget your bikini
The archipelago is formed by both volcanic islands and coral atolls. It was infamous in the 1950s and 1960s for serving as a test site for American nuclear testing. The most famous atoll in the Marshall Islands is Bikini, which gave its name to the famous swimsuit.
When going to this paradisiacal place, rest assured that the bombs are long gone and many islands remain free of any radioactive contamination. The Marshall Islands have managed to become a tourist destination thanks to its paradise atolls and turquoise lagoons.
The first Marshallese became famous in the history of navigation due to the invention of the stick chart made of wood and shells. These maps, created long before European colonization, are so accurate that if you overlay them on modern maps, they will match perfectly.
The Marshall Islands have known many “masters” but have remained unconquered. The Spanish, Japanese, Germans and now Americans have taken turns passing the “flag of supremacy” to each other.
Remote appeal
There are about 30 atolls and over a thousand islands, divided into two groups: Ratak (Levant Islands) and Ralik (Sunset Islands). Most of the population lives today on Majuro Atoll and Ebeye Island. The capital, Dalap-Uliga-Darrit (also known as Majuro), is the largest port in the Marshall Islands. Although the place has very beautiful beaches, travelers do not linger here because Majuro Atoll is the main crossing point to other islands.
The local economy is mainly supported by government aid from the United States. Tourism accounts for only 10% of local jobs. This is why the Marshall Islands remain unpopular compared to other resort destinations that are literally “crumbling” under the flood of tourists. This is a great place for those who want to avoid dense “neighborhood” with other travelers.
The ocean of the Marshall Islands is rich in extraordinary biodiversity. There are hundreds of types of coral and more than 800 species of fish. This is a real paradise for divers. Transparency of warm water provides perfect visibility - up to 50 meters deep.
In Maloelap, Mili and Wotje you can also see silhouettes of shipwrecks that were sunk during the Second World War by the Americans and Japanese. Aur Atoll is attractive with ideal diving and fishing spots. Mejit Island is strangely famous for its poisonous fish.
A few tips
Who said that vacation on exotic islands is boring and monotonous? On the Marshalls, you definitely don't have to spend all day “frying” on the beaches.
Visit the very popular fishing tournament that takes place once a month on Majuro. This is a great opportunity to discover the diversity of marine life. The biggest tournament takes place on the first weekend of July. And in early September, participants from all over Micronesia come to compete in fishing tournaments.
Picnic on Sunday with local families on Anemanet Island in Majuro. Boat departures are at noon.
Or come in May to cheer on the paddlers competing in canoes. The Marshall Islands Cup is fiercely contested. The competition takes place just after Constitution Day, which is celebrated in the islands on May 1.
Although the environment is as inviting as ever, don't wear swimsuits anywhere other than the beaches. Do not take pictures of the presidential palace and its surroundings. It's a threat of arrest! Although most tourists wouldn't mind staying longer in the Marshall Islands.
Polio, tetanus, hepatitis A and B vaccinations are recommended before traveling.
Sightseeing
In the Marshall Islands, lovers of cultural recreation will also find something to “treat” themselves. Of course, exhibition galleries and monuments can not be found here, but there is still something. In Majuro you can visit:
- Alele is a small museum that houses cultural and everyday objects of the islanders,
- Majuro Pease Park Memorial near the village of Laura, which commemorates Japanese soldiers who died in the Pacific Ocean,
- a sorghum factory,
- a house in the shape of a canoe,
- a special shellfish farm.
The cultural program will take no more than two days, the rest of the time tourists will have a serene rest.
Undeniable pluses
- The beauty of the Pacific atolls.
- White sandy beaches.
- Fauna and underwater shipwrecks.
Cons
- Distance from destination and distance between islands (a plus!)
- Lack of premium benefits!
Sacred lore
- In addition to navigation, the native population also specialized in the art of tattooing. The first Spaniards who came into contact with the Marshallese were so impressed by their tattooed bodies that they took these natives with them to show them to the king.
- In ancient times, women wore the traditional long Ta'ovala skirt while men covered themselves with a fringe of plants.
The Marshall Islands are the perfect place for a carefree and fulfilling vacation with a paradise “patina”, to explore unfamiliar civilizations. Only here it is possible to feel truly free from conventions, to put on a necklace of shells and to give oneself to dance to the sound of drums.