P-MAN XIV Update #04 - Flip arrives in Palau and gets some much-needed sleep

20 March 2012

I arrived on the 19th, not having slept much on the trip over. Woke on the 20th feeling not too bad. Dan had kitchen duties, made pesto eggs and my Starbucks rations were a welcome treat.

The team reviewed Dan and Pat's work to date, figured out a couple of days of work and then set about some errands and meetings.

And wouldn't you know it, our calendar has filled up. Until the ROV team leaves on April 6th, every day but two are filled with interviews, treks and needed activities.

We normally get our new leads at the end of a mission when we do not have time to prosecute them. We have more new leads now than we've ever had before. We are going to have a very busy mission.

We've applied for and received permits for our work from the states and from the national government. Koror State has waived all fees. Seems having the Stockbridge Team is opening some doors for us. Speaking of Stockbridge (which lies in the middle of landlocked Michigan), all of Palau is excited to have this team of high-school students visit their country. There have been stories in the local newspapers and on TV. The high schools are looking forward to their day visit on campus. Some officials are 'battling' amongst themselves as to what the best tours will be for them. The ROV team is going to have a great trip.

Reviewing maps with GPS tracks

Doing our review: Dan, Joe and Pat.

Melvin, who took us into the jungle last year, did some research with friends
and says he knows where to take us this year.

Meeting with Governor Leilani Reklai

A chance visit with The President
L-R: Joe Maldangesang, Flip Colmer, Pat Scannon, Palauan President Johnson Toribiong, Dan O'Brien.

I don't remember many more of the details of what happened on the 20th - I "hit the wall" at dinner. In mid-sentence...my body said it was time to sleep. Dan and Pat finished chatting with Margie and Dave (of t-shirt and Mexican restaurant fame) while I made good use of the back seat of the van.

21 March

Dan and Pat were in the mangroves on the 19th and gave me a day to get acclimated to Palau. Today, we head back to the mangroves. We are trying to find more of a Corsair that went down there. We know what kind of airplane it is, and we even know who was flying it when it was shot down. However, we just haven't found enough parts, or any big chunks that make up the bulk of an airplane. This is the one where we even saw parts up in the tops of the mangrove trees from a helicopter ride last year.

On a sad note, the Helicopter Company is no longer operating in Palau so we won't see Matt or Madrei this year.

- Flip Colmer

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