Minimize the page on your Internet
browser and take a look at your computer’s desktop background. There is a 37%
chance that it depicts a tranquil scene of sparkling blue water and a white
sandy beach with a single swaying palm tree. You might have this picture as the
backdrop of your workspace to provide a glimmer of mental paradise that whisks
you away to a fantasyland of carefree relaxation. (Or maybe it just came
installed on the computer and you were too lazy to change it). Regardless of
the reason that its there, it probably has the effect of inducing a dreamlike
yearning for untouched island bliss.
Now take your daydream one step
further and imagine stepping into your computer screen and burying your feet in
the soft sand as the warm water laps at your ankles. A shallow turquoise sea
melts into the powdery blue sky all around you and a crisp salty breeze
caresses your cheeks as it flutters by. Tiny hermit crabs ramble along the
beach beneath your feet and a school of dolphins playfully frolic in the
distance. The only sounds are the gentle whoosh of waves sliding towards the
shore and slight rustle of palm fronds quivering above your head. Your worries
and concerns float away with the outgoing tide and you are left alone basking
in the summer sunlight of the tropics. Welcome to Pisar Island.
The
isolated island of Pisar sits on the outer edge of the Chuuk Lagoon in the
remote emptiness of the western pacific. Thousands of miles from the nearest
continent and invisible on almost every map, Pisar is an unsullied paradise
that seemingly only exists in fairytales. It has sprouted its head above the
coral garden that surrounds it and sits atop a mound of crushed seashells that
form its body. The rippling blue ocean spreads in all directions and stretches
its endless arms towards the feathery clouds on the distant horizon. A couple
dozen coconut palms and a few small bushes are the only plants that have taken
hold in this nascent geologic wonder. Sand and water fuse together and make
this a landscape of uniform beauty.
In
most scenic areas, the observer is drawn in one direction to look at some
spectacular site. The difference with Pisar is that there isn’t a particular
view that is any better than any other. In a 360-degree circle, each vantage
point is equally amazing. Vibrant blue water, lazy drooping palm trees and
silky white beaches can be seen anywhere that you look. It’s impossible to
escape the visual stimuli of paradise.
The
island is small and basically deserted, but it’s not hard to keep yourself
entertained. A short walk across a coral embankment will bring you to the edge
of the outer reef and you can enjoy the thunderous crash of whitewater waves.
Snorkeling amongst the colorful fish is always invigorating and spear fishing
is an option if you are so inclined. The island is just big enough to have a
sandy spot in the middle perfect for volleyball, and the space can also serve
as an area for Frisbee or bocce ball. Hammocks are strung up from many of the
trees and provide a shady respite from the powerful sun where you can catch up
on some reading or simply take a nap. However my favorite thing to do at Pisar
is just float. Maybe with a tube, maybe without, a leisurely buoyant bath with
a beer in hand cant be beat in my book. A couple feet of warm water with a
negligible current is the perfect place to dissolve away into absolute
relaxation.
You
have to bring your own food and cooking gear, but they provide housing and
bathrooms. So its kind of like high class camping…in the middle of the ocean.
There are plenty of rooms to sleep in, but I prefer to sway in a hammock at
night and fall asleep under the twinkling array of stars. My friends and I
usually spend the days eating, drinking and playing games while we soak up the
soothing atmosphere of the setting. The time ticks away slowly and the only
thoughts running through my head are of sublime tranquility.
In
my mind Pisar represents ultimate freedom, however I have established a few
rules that I have adamantly adhered to on each of my trips to the island. I’m
not allowed to wear shoes, put on a shirt, or let a single negative thought
enter my mind. Given the circumstances, these personal laws of Pisar are rather
easy to follow.
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