I'm really trying to portray a lot of things in this photo. The large structure is The main meeting house for the village. The paving with stones is part of a centuries old path system that connected the villages on the island of Yap. Each household would be responsible to maintain the pathway in front of their house. The large stone circles with the holes in the middle are the Yap stone money. This was brought over from Palau and has value depending on it's history.

We visited this traditional village and were greeted by the children with floral headpieces. The villagers were demonstrating native crafts.

Many of these crafts are being lost throughout the islands, especially where modern life has crept in.

As usual, I can't resist the shots of the children. These faces are so beautiful and innocent.

Some of the crafts were being sold at a little counter nearby.

Everyone was busy demonstrating various methods.

The use of turmeric as a beautifying powder was demonstrated. When I first saw it on the little girl I thought she was ill.

Everyone was learning something.

Even our captain had a chance to talk to the local leaders and learn why people prefer to live in traditional villages away from the pressures of modern life.

The boys finally got a chance to entertain us with some of their traditional dancing. The style was a lot like some of the Maori (from New Zealand) chants and dances. Very rhythmic and with percussive sounds.