Goodbye, Palau

Wednesday morning I awoke in a different place, but still surrounded by boxes of my stuff. I spent the morning packing the boxes tightly for shipping home. When you move from city to city back home you can just through stuff in boxes and it will survive the trip. Packing all your belongings into boxes to travel to the other side of the world is far more time consuming because it requires filling every little area of the box, balancing the weight, and taping it with a football field length of packing tape. I finished three more boxes and then took them over to the post office for shipment. In the afternoon, I went to PPR to enjoy the beach.

In the late afternoon I met up with Phil, Sarah, and Carolyn to go for a final kayaking trip. I shared a double with Carolyn and we headed out to Pincher's Cove. It is a path I have tread and retread, but on this last time it was still remarkable to leave Koror behind and enter the solitude of the Rock Islands. We took a straight path and got to Pincher's before sunset so we could take a swim. Kayaking to Pincher's was my first experience in the Rock Islands a year ago and it was fitting it was my last. I free dove down to the spot where I did my diving certification and then did a quick tour of the nearby coral. It all brought back plenty of memories, but I was also enjoying the moment and soaking it all in. We returned to the kayaks and paddled out to see the sun set behind the clouds on the horizon. As we sat and watched, the clouds turned a beautiful red and it was a treat to see one more pretty sunset. We paddled back as the red and yellow slowly faded into dusk.

I spent Thursday morning souvenir shopping which I should have accomplished earlier in the year, but naturally it didn't get done until my penultimate day. I picked up a few shirts and another storyboard. For lunch, I met CJ, Justice Miller, and Erin and Carmen for lunch at the Taj. It was very nice of CJ to take us to lunch to wish me farewell. We spent a little time reminiscing and talking about what lay ahead for me and the Court. Lunch was good and I'm glad CJ took the time to have us out for lunch.

Thursday night was my last night at Kramer's and I had a small farewell dinner. I ordered my favorite dish, the tuna melt, once last time. I'll never be able to have a tuna melt again because there is no way to beat Kramer's. We had about a dozen people and I was happy that so many could join me to share my final night. We stayed a few hours, but didn't have a late night because we had an early morning.

Friday morning, my day of departure, I woke up at 4:30 am to participate in the Civil Action Team's 5K run/walk. The current team leaves a week after I do so they were sponsoring the race as a farewell and thank you to Palau. For me, it served as an excellent way to see friends again one last time because there was a great expat turnout. With the extra motivation of my last run in Palau and with a shorter distance than recent races, I went out at a fast past with Phil. We ran strong and fast to the turn around near the hospital where Ben caught up to us. I matched Ben's pace until he pulled away and then I was going back and forth with another guy. He was great motivation to keep up my pace and I pushed through the pain to finish 6th. Time-wise it was my fastest race in Palau and considering the turnout my placing was excellent. It was a good race to go out on. Afterwards, I had a chance to cool down with friends and then say goodbye.

After the race it was time to finish packing. I packed the final two boxes and gave Erin and Ben all the random stuff I had left over. After mailing the boxes, I went to the Court to finish a few random administrative tasks such as submitting my final shipping receipts and leaving my contact information. I also had to say farewell to my coworkers. Friday night was Justice Miller's official going away party that I was going miss due to my 7:35 pm flight. I felt bad about that, but I did attend at least a dozen farewell to Justice Miller events so I think I accomplished the task of saying goodbye. The other judges were at the cultural center setting up for the party so I went back and forth between the court and the cultural center tracking down each of the judges to say farewell. I got to all of them just in time before I had to leave for my flight.

At Ben and Erin's I grabbed my stuff and said goodbye and good luck for their year. I drove my car down to Malakal to pick up Carmen and James who would be caring for my car for ten days until its new owner arrived. I sold my car to the new Senate Legislative Counsel, a woman we had interviewed for a court counsel position who I stayed in touch with once she got the Senate job. It was a great little car and despite a few snide remarks about its size from people that will remain nameless, it served me admirably. I drove us out to the airport going through all of Koror one last time. At the airport, I wished Carmen and James good luck and then headed inside. Waiting for me was Phil who had graciously had come out to the airport to say goodbye. After I checked in we chatted a bit about he would be in my position in a very short time when he leaves Palau to return to Canada in November. Then it was time and I said my final goodbye and turned and walked up the stairs to the departure gate. I had watched all my guests do the same walk and saw the sadness in their eyes when it was their time to leave and now it was my turn. I boarded the plane and we soon took off, leaving Palau behind. Goodbye, Palau.

A programming note: Although I have left Palau, the my travels continue and this travel journal will follow me through my New Zealand trip until I return home. There is plenty more travel experiences and adjustment back to civilization still to come. Plus, with high speed internet, I should be able to finally post pictures from the second six months of my time in Palau.