Volcanoes & Voyaging Canoes

Around the World
Written by Kelci

Albert Wendt said, “Even the smallest island has a story that can move mountains” on a letter board in front of a dandelion knit blanket

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

Welcome back, fellow explorers and curious hearts. Can you believe we’re down to the final four flights in our Around the World series? What began as a single step across a continent has now led us deep into the Pacific, to lands carved by lava and shaped by salt water.

Today’s chapter, “Volcanoes & Voyaging Canoes,” brings us to a place where fire meets ocean, and ancient navigators once read the stars to chart their way across the sea. These nations: Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, and Samoa, carry legacies of resilience, rich traditions, and deep-rooted connection to both land and water.

If you’re just joining the journey, start here with “Just the Beginning,” the full itinerary of every stop we’ve made so far. For those who’ve been with us, buckle in. This flight is wild, wondrous, and well worth the trip.

My hand-drawn flag of Nauru

NAURU

Official name: The Republic of Nauru

Pronunciation: nau-roo

Capital: No capital city

Official language: Nauruan and English

Location: Island country in South Pacific Ocean just south of the equator in the Southern Hemisphere

Surrounding countries: Near Solomon Islands

Most known for: Immense wealth from phosphate mining, once upon a time

Fun fact: World’s only republic without a capital city

Recent news article: Phosphate mining ruined Nauru. Can it find its way again? (Eileen Villegas, 2025)

My knowledge: Not too familiar

My hand-drawn flag of New Zealand

NEW ZEALAND

Official name: New Zealand

Pronunciation: nyoo ZEE-luhnd

Capital: Wellington

Official language: English, Mãori, New Zealand Sign Language

Location: Island country in Southwestern Pacific Ocean in the Southern Hemisphere

Surrounding countries: Near Australia

Most known for: Its scenery

Fun fact: Having the world’s longest place name, which is called Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateaturipukakapikimaungahoronukupokaiwhenuakitanatahu. If you’re wondering, it’s 85 letters long.

Recent news article: Meet the Mãori: The First People of New Zealand (Stacey Leasca, 2025)

My knowledge: I know bits and pieces of information

My hand-drawn flag of Niue

NIUE

Official name: Niue

Pronunciation: nee-oo-ay

Capital: Alofi

Official language: English and Niuean

Location: Island nation in South Pacific Ocean

Surrounding countries: Near Samoa, Tonga, and Cook Islands

Most known for: Being “The Rock of the Pacific” due to its rugged, raised coastline

Fun fact: World’s largest Coral Atoll. In other words, a ring shaped coral reef, according to National Geographic Society

Recent news article: Tau Malolo Ha Niue: Empowering the next generation of Niueans (Atutahi Potaka-Dewes, 2025)

My knowledge: More recently, learned this is a recognized country, so not too much

My hand-drawn flag of Palau

PALAU

Official name: Republic of Palau

Pronunciation: puh-lau

Capital: Ngerulmud

Official language: Palauan and English

Location: Island country in Western Pacific Ocean in the Northern Hemisphere

Surrounding countries: Near Philippines

Most known for: Its marine biodiversity

Fun fact: Free of major fast food chains, focusing on local culture

Recent news article: The Pacific Diving Paradise of Palau Wants Travelers to Explore Its Cultural Depths, Too (Associated Press, 2025) - https://www.thenationalherald.com/the-pacific-diving-paradise-of-palau-wants-travelers-to-explore-its-cultural-depths-too-photos/

My knowledge: Not very much

My hand-drawn flag of Papua New Guinea

PAPUA NEW GUINEA

Official name: Independent State of Papua New Guinea

Pronunciation: PAP-oo-ah Noo GIN-ee

Capital: Port Moresby

Official language: English, Tok Pisin, and Hiri Motu

Location: Island nation in South Pacific Ocean

Surrounding countries: Near Australia

Most known for: Cultural diversity with unique tribal traditions

Fun fact: Most linguistically diverse country globally with over 800 languages spoken

Recent news article: Papua New Guinea’s Genetic Past Through Ancient DNA Analysis (Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, 2025)

My knowledge: I’m not all that familiar

My hand-drawn flag of Samoa

SAMOA

Official name: Independent State of Samoa

Pronunciation: Saah-MOH-ah

Capital: Apia

Official language: Samoan and English

Location: Island country in South Pacific Ocean in the Southern Hemisphere

Surrounding countries: Near Fiji and Tonga

Most known for: Being known as “Cradle of Polynesia” as it’s believed to be ancestral homeland

Fun fact: Being the first country to see the new day

Recent news article: People of Samoa (Sophie Foster, 2025)

My knowledge: I’m unfamiliar

As we close this chapter of “Volcanoes & Voyaging Canoes,” it’s clear that these island nations hold far more than stunning coastlines. Rather, they’re living stories of endurance, cultural pride, and ocean-born wisdom. From deep traditions to breathtaking beauty, each place is a reminder that history doesn’t always sit in monuments, it’s rooted in hospitality, wisdom, and tradition.

Ready to keep flying? A new post lands soon. Until then, catch up on the full series from the beginning, and let your curiosity lean the way.

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.***

More of this. Less of that. A little extra here. Maybe not quite so much there 🤔 Funny how our preferences can change over time, isn’t it? Something we once couldn’t get enough of suddenly becomes less appealing, while others unexpect
More of this. Less of that. A little extra here. Maybe not quite so much there 🤔 Funny how our preferences can change over time, isn’t it? Something we once couldn’t get enough of suddenly becomes less appealing, while others unexpectedly earn a spot on our favorites list And sometimes, we surprise ourselves 🩷 More or Less, the first chapter of my November series, As We Go, is now available! Come see what I’ve been thinking about lately What’s something you’ve grown to appreciate more as you’ve gotten older? • •• ••• •••• ••••• •••• ••• •• • #PersonalGrowth #SelfDiscovery #MindfulLiving #LifeLessons #FindingJoy
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
More of this. Less of that. A little extra here. Maybe not quite so much there 🤔 Funny how our preferences can change over time, isn’t it? Something we once couldn’t get enough of suddenly becomes less appealing, while others unexpect 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
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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