"Jim35's Kiribati Page" Kiribati by Jim35

Kiribati Travel Guide: 92 reviews and 212 photos

Media Mention: Kiribati is mentioned in the movie Shallow Hal as the Peace Corps assignment of Gwyneth Paltrow's character.

I lived in Kiribati as a boy for about 9 months. I think the year was 1977 and the islands were still called the Gilbert Islands. I lived on a very small atol named Beru where my dad was teaching shop at the new high school there.

At the time the Gilbertese (now i-kiribati) were trying to modernize so the the High School focused mostly on practical skills and English. I remember taking an electronics class from my father (I was a bit young to grasp it completely but I remember Ohm's law and using the acronym Roy G. Biv to identify resistance levels of resistors.)

I've got to admit that I didn't really like it much while I was there (being only around 10 years old) but looking back on it now, it was an experience I wouldn't give up for anything.

I wish I had pictures. Maybe my parents have a few... I'll try to round out the page as best I can with recollections, stories and pictures (if I can find them)

Pros and Cons

Pros:A unique experience in primitive living.
Cons:Not the best place to be 10 years old.
In a nutshell:No fun at the time but, looking back, a great experience I'd never trade.

Last visit to Kiribati: Dec 1969
Intro Updated Jan 23, 2012
Add to Trip Planner (?)
Report Abuse

Reviews (4)

What restaurants? Restaurants (1)

I don't remember there being any restaurants, but I do remember going to the 'maneaba' or central meeting hut for a... more travel advice

Snorkling Things to Do (1)

Kiribati is a chain of atols and, as such, they are mostly reef. The oceanside reef on Beru went out for what seemed... more travel advice

Falling Coconuts Warnings and Dangers (2)

Falling Coconuts: I'm not kidding! If you hear rustling in the palm fronds of the trees above you don't assume it's a... more travel advice

Wild Dogs Warnings and Dangers (2)

Here's the tip I was given. "If you ever find yourself in the jungle surrounded by wild dogs and they start circling... more travel advice

Comments (21)

Reply
- Report abuse
Rusket May 1, 2005 at 3:46 PM

You are so right about the coconuts! I had several close calls on Abaiang.
Reply
- Report abuse
LittleBro Jul 15, 2004 at 1:54 AM

Jim, thats brilliant! I just had 6+ months there, mostly Tarawa, but some outerislands. Your descriptions are perfect!
Reply
- Report abuse
whitecliff62 Jun 3, 2003 at 11:19 AM

Ithink some people actually get killed by falling coconuts.
Reply
- Report abuse
unravelau Apr 22, 2003 at 10:58 PM

Really interested in the different fruits that become available around the world that I never knew existed.........great page on Kiribati thank you.
Reply
- Report abuse
Sweetberry1 Jan 30, 2003 at 2:59 AM

You sure had some wonderful experiences :)) Screw-pine??? ha,ha.....
Reply
- Report abuse
Aussie666 Jan 21, 2003 at 1:25 PM

Jim...the lobsters were just a cover, think back man think!
Reply
- Report abuse
heplion Jan 14, 2003 at 2:12 AM

I had an incident with falling coconuts in the BVI, and love the food dexcriptions!
Reply
- Report abuse
skye820 Sep 4, 2002 at 7:38 PM

okay, now i know where this place is ;)
Reply
- Report abuse
giampiero6 Sep 2, 2002 at 11:48 PM

Hey jim....cool page. I dream of these kinds of places all the time!
Reply
- Report abuse
chrissyalex Aug 8, 2002 at 1:30 PM

Very interesting page! Glad to know u didn`t get hit by any c