Coral Reefs & Kangaroos

Around the World
Written by Kelci

An image of what appears to be reefs in a river to represent coral reefs for this post “Coral Reefs & Kangaroos”

Editor’s note: This post will continue to evolve as I do.

Welcome back wanderers and wonder-seekers, to the next leg of the Around the World series. A global journey to help you get familiar with every country, one post and region at a time. This series isn’t just about maps and flags, it’s about expanding perspective, sparking curiosity, and finding the human thread that connects us all.

Today’s chapter, “Coral Reefs & Kangaroos,” marks a meaningful shift. As we wrap up our time in North America and the Caribbean, we set our sights on the Oceanic region. A world of island nations and oceanic wonders. From vast reefs to open seas, these nations breathe the rhythm of the Pacific, reminding us that small places often carry the biggest heartbreaks.

Join me as we visit Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, and Micronesia. Each offering its own story of nature, culture, and resilience.

My hand-drawn flag of Australia

AUSTRALIA

Official name: The Commonwealth of Australia

Pronunciation: aa-stray-lee-uh

Capital: Canberra

Official language: No official federal language but English is the de facto language

Location: South of Southeast Asia and North of Antarctica in the Southern Hemisphere

Surrounding countries: Near Timor-Leste and Papua New Guinea

Most known for: Surfing, Australia Zoo, and dangerous wildlife

Fun fact: Has the world’s largest living structure, the Great Barrier Reef

Recent news article: Australia begins enforcing world-first teen social media ban (Byron Kaye and Renju Jose, 2025)

My knowledge: I am familiar

My hand-drawn flag of Cook Islands

COOK ISLANDS

Official name: Cook Islands

Pronunciation: kuk ai-luhndz

Capital: Avarua

Official language: English and Cook Island Mãori

Location: Island nation in the South Pacific Ocean between French Polynesia and Samoa in the Southern Hemisphere

Surrounding countries: Near French Polynesia, Samoa, and Tonga

Most known for: Its turquoise lagoons

Fun fact: No building is allowed to be bigger than a coconut tree, in order to preserve their natural beauty

Recent news article: Mitiaro upholds Ngaputoru customs in traditional fire-walk welcome (Talaia Mika, 2025)

My knowledge: Unfamiliar with this one

My hand-drawn flag of Fiji

FIJI

Official name: The Republic of Fiji

Pronunciation: FEE-jee

Capital: Suva

Official language: Fijian, English, Fiji Hindi

Location: In the South Pacific Ocean, Northeast of New Zealand in the Southern Hemisphere

Surrounding countries: Near Tonga and Vanuatu

Most known for: Diving/snorkeling

Fun fact: It’s considered disrespectful to wear hats in Fijian villages unless you’re a chief

Recent news article: Restoring Wetlands and Weaving Tradition: How Fijian coastal communities are building climate resilience (Akanisi Caginitoba, Eferemo Kubunavanua, Isoa Koroiwaqa, Jone Tamanitoakula, Mikita Tabua, 2025)

My knowledge: Familiar of the country, unfamiliar of the history

My hand-drawn flag of Kiribati

KIRIBATI

Official name: The Republic of Kiribati

Pronunciation: kee-ruh-bas

Capital: Tarawa

Official language: Gilbertese

Location: In Central Pacific Ocean, located roughly halfway between Hawaii and Australia

Surrounding countries: Hawaii and French Polynesia

Most known for: The first country to see the new year

Fun fact: The world’s only country in all four hemisphere’s

Recent news article: A Journey of Resilienc: Ketia’s Story (UNICEF, 2025)

My knowledge: Mainly the country name and region

My hand-drawn flag of Marshall Islands

MARSHALL ISLANDS

Official name: The Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI)

Pronunciation: maar-shuhl ai-luhndz

Capital: Majuro

Official language: Marshallese and English

Location: Island nations in Central Pacific Ocean in the Northern Hemisphere

Surrounding countries: Near Micronesia and Nauru

Most known for: Natural beauty and cultural heritage

Fun fact: Home to the world’s largest crab, the Coconut Crab

Recent news article: Take a look at one of the least visited countries in the world: The Marshall Islands (USA Today, 2023)

My knowledge: Not too much other than name and region

My hand-drawn flag of Micronesia

MICRONESIA

Official name: Federated States of Micronesia

Pronunciation: mai-krow-nee-zhuh

Capital: Palikir

Official language: English

Location: In the Western Pacific Ocean in the Northern Hemisphere

Surrounding countries: Near Nauru and Solomon Islands

Most known for: Its marine biodiversity and expert seafarers

Fun fact: Ancient stone money called Rai. They are huge, carved stone disks and can sometimes weigh tons

Recent news article: The Journey to Renewable Energy in Micronesia (The Borjen Project, 2025)

My knowledge: Not quite familiar

As we wrap up “Coral Reefs & Kangaroos,” this chapter reminds us that the vastness of the ocean doesn’t isolate, it connects. From the outback landscapes of Australia to Micronesia, these nations pulse with deep-rooted traditions, environmental beauty, and a rhythm shaped by the sea.

Ready to revisit where it all began or catch up on what you missed? Start here with the first post in this series, “Just the Beginning” aka your personal itinerary for a journey across every continent.

Have you explored any of these island nations or coastal cultures? I’d love to hear your stories, reflections, or even your dream destinations. The next flight boards soon!

As a signature of my blog, I’d like to end this post with a suggestion to “Pass on kindness.” There’s no time like the present to Inspire Those Who Inspire You. Acts of kindness, no matter how big or small, can have a direct, positive impact on someone else. Go out there today and change someone’s life for the better!

***These are my personal opinions and may not be those of my employer.***

I spent a lot of time asking myself questions when I write these posts. This time, I decided to ask some of you instead. You Tell Me is a little different from the other entires in For What It’s Worth. Rather than keeping all of my questions
I spent a lot of time asking myself questions when I write these posts. This time, I decided to ask some of you instead. You Tell Me is a little different from the other entires in For What It’s Worth. Rather than keeping all of my questions on the page, I handed a few of them over to others and got curious about where their minds would go. There were no right answers and nothing anyone was supposed to figure out (the norm and same with my polls). I just wanted to see what might happen when different people were given the same information. And well… you tell me 💛 You Tell Me is now live • •• ••• •••• ••••• •••• ••• •• • #YouTellMe #ForWhatItsWorth #Perspective #Curiosity #LetsTalk
How much is enough to consider? Throughout, For What It’s Worth, I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about perspective, from what we know, what we don’t, what other people see, and what might change when we make room for another pos
How much is enough to consider? Throughout, For What It’s Worth, I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about perspective, from what we know, what we don’t, what other people see, and what might change when we make room for another possibility All Things Considered brings me to one more question What happens when considered what we reasonably can and there are still things we may never know? It’s the final chapter (aside from the bonus post coming out this coming Thursday) of For What It’s Worth, and maybe the most personal question I’ve asked myself along the way 💛 Read All Things Considered, now live | Part IIII | Week 43 | For What It’s Worth series • •• ••• •••• ••••• •••• ••• •• • #AllThingsConsidered #ForWhatItsWorth #Perspective #SelfReflection #Curiosity
How can two people know the same person and describe them differently? Or experience the same moment and walk away understanding it in completely different ways? Same Difference, the next chapter For What It’s Worth, had me thinking about p
How can two people know the same person and describe them differently? Or experience the same moment and walk away understanding it in completely different ways? Same Difference, the next chapter For What It’s Worth, had me thinking about perception, perspective, and how much of another person any one of us really gets to see Different doesn’t necessarily mean someone has it wrong Sometimes it’s just means there’s more than one experience in the room 💛 Read “Same Difference” is now live | Part III | Week 42 | For What It’s Worth series | • •• ••• •••• ••••• •••• ••• •• • #SameDifference #ForWhatItsWorth #Perspective #Perception PersonalReflectio
Every story has a storyteller And no matter how honest we try to be, there’s only so much of an experience we can fit into the version we tell someone else Long Story Short, the second chapter of For What It’s Worth, had me thinking abo
Every story has a storyteller And no matter how honest we try to be, there’s only so much of an experience we can fit into the version we tell someone else Long Story Short, the second chapter of For What It’s Worth, had me thinking about perspective, context, and what happens when complicated experiences have to become much shorter stories Maybe the shorter version can still be true The question is what might fit inside it. 💛 Read “Long Story Short” (now live) | Part II | Week 41 | For What It’s Worth series | • •• ••• •••• ••••• •••• ••• •• • #LongStoryShort #ForWhatItsWorth #Perspective #ContextMatters #PersonalReflection
I spent a lot of time asking myself questions when I write these posts. This time, I decided to ask some of you instead. You Tell Me is a little different from the other entires in For What It’s Worth. Rather than keeping all of my questions How much is enough to consider? Throughout, For What It’s Worth, I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about perspective, from what we know, what we don’t, what other people see, and what might change when we make room for another pos How can two people know the same person and describe them differently? Or experience the same moment and walk away understanding it in completely different ways? Same Difference, the next chapter For What It’s Worth, had me thinking about p Every story has a storyteller And no matter how honest we try to be, there’s only so much of an experience we can fit into the version we tell someone else Long Story Short, the second chapter of For What It’s Worth, had me thinking abo
Kelci

Hi, I’m the creative mind behind Inspire Those Who Inspire You!

I’m a curious soul with a love for creativity, meaningful moments, and life’s little adventures.

I’ve always enjoyed taking in the world around me, noticing the little (often forgotten) details, and learning something new along the way. I’m fascinated by different cultures, countries, and the people who make each place unique. There’s so much to discover beyond our own little corners of the world, and I hope to experience as much of it as I can.

I’m happiest when I’m doing a little bit of everything. Give me an early morning sunrise, a good swim, a peaceful walk-through nature, or an interesting mystery novel, and I’m pretty content. I love a productive day, appreciate a good cup of coffee, and have a soft spot for animals, especially penguins, frogs, turtles, and a growing list of other fascinating creatures.

I also enjoy finding humor in life’s unexpected moments, especially the ones that don’t go quite as planned. Some of my blond moments have turned into hilarious moments because sometimes all you can do is laugh, and I certainly have plenty of opportunities to do that!

When it comes to creativity, I love experimenting and seeing where an idea takes me. Whether I’m writing, taking photographs, or creating colorful abstract artwork, I enjoy the freedom to explore without worrying about how something is supposed to turn out. Sometimes there’s a story or deeper meaning behind what I create, and other times I simply enjoy the process.

Over the years, I’ve learned to take life a little less seriously, appreciate my individuality, and understand that kindness and personal boundaries can coexist. Being considerate of others matters to me, but so does treating myself with that same respect.

I value genuine connections, curiosity, kindness, and the little things that make each of us unique. One of the things I appreciate most about people is how differently we experience the world. Our interests, experiences, and perspectives all contribute to who we are, and I find that fascinating.

I tend to keep certain parts of my life personal, but this little corner of the internet gives me a place to share some of my interests, experiences, and creativity with others.

All in all, I’m glad you found your way here!

http://www.inspirethose.com
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