I now know why the wind forced me to Palmerston. All the Gods conspired to bring me here!
As many of you know I’ve been homesick for the San Blas Islands and the Kuna Indians. They live their life simple and without complications. I have not found a place, paradise if you will, until this very day.
The inhabitants of Palmerston have a unique history and are the descendants of a particular figure, William Masters, a Lancashireman who settled here with three Penrhyn Island wives in 1862. He fathered 26 children, divided the islands and reefs into sections for each of his 3 families, and established strict rules regarding intermarriage. The original home was built using massive beams salvaged from shipwrecks washed ashore. Some of his descendants control the island while the rest live in New Zealand and elsewhere in the Cook Islands. The Island has a population of about 50 people.
I woke up this morning to two whales mating just 50 yards from the stern of Namaste. I spent the next few hours snorkeling among dozens of black tip, white tip, and grey reef sharks. Gigantic sea turtles came to inspect me from an arms length away as huge rays flew beneath my fins. Many fish offered themselves to me but I could not shoot. They were unafraid and didn’t know what I was, I just couldn’t. It was the most amazing 2 hours I’ve ever spent in the water.
Alexander Masters and the local health inspector visited my boat this morning for clearing me in. Eddie drove the skiff. They invited me to shore to have lunch with them in their home, it was magnificent. I visited the local school, played soccer with the kids and sang along to the strum of a guitar. These are such beautiful people untouched by television, internet, telephones, and trapping of the world most of us call home. The children danced for me and told me stories of fishing on the reef. I feel at home here. If I ever had a family this is the way I would raise them. My heart feels heavy tonight as I have personally witnessed how warm and caring the human race is capable of being. This is what we need to be fighting for, love…, not oil, power, or money!!!
Unfortunately I am going to leave in the morning. Eddie asked if I could wait until he visits with me on the outgoing tide. He and is family are bringing me drinking and eating coconuts, bread, and fresh fish that will be caught before first light. The fish is to be dried on my deck with the morning sun and will last me until Nuie. Money was never asked for but I’m going threw the boat tonight and will give as much as I can, I wish to repay 10 fold. I’m going to give old sunglasses, t-shirts, canned goods, and whatever else I can muster. This is perhaps the most special place I’ve ever been, and luckily you can not come here by any means other then boat. The supply ship only visits every 4 to 6 months and sailing yachts don’t come because there is not a pass deep enough to enter the lagoon.
I shot so much video today, I think more then I ever have in one place. I can’t wait to share it with all of you. As most of you know I’m not a religious man, although highly spiritual. This place, and I don’t say this lightly, represents what life is supposed to be like. Love floats on the breeze, and I don’t know if I’ve ever seen smiles as true as I have seen today.
I don’t know why but when I got back to Namaste tonight I broke down and cried like a baby, uncontrollably. Why don’t we all have this, what has happened to the human race! How can we be so blind, selfish, and ignorant. I include myself in this group.
I will return here one day.
Peace, Love, and I don’t know what to say!
– Alex
Published in Alex Dorsey
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