Island Hopping – Again

| August 13, 2018

In the news from Guam, an alleged Bank of Guam credit card skimmer from Italy, a rather suave-looking, if confused, fellow going by the name of Nicola Marinelli was told that he’s considered a flight risk and would not be released on a $10,000 bond.

https://pacificnewscenter.com/alleged-atm-skimmer-seeks-release-to-go-back-home-to-italy/

Marinelli’s legal counsel, Earl Espiritu, in opposition, requested for his release on personal recognizance as he is innocent until proven guilty. Espiritu further noted that the offense is non-violent and that he is no danger to the community at this time.

“According to the declaration, Mr. Marinelli made admissions to the police; that his sole purpose to be on Guam was to commit crimes,” the AG’s Office, however, argued.

Well, at least he was honest about his intentions, wasn’t he? In my view, he’d be much better off consoling lonely, middle-aged divorcées or widows, letting them have the benefit of his wunnafulla company at the finest restaurants everywhere, as well as buying him just the right kind of clothing to bolster his image.

He has definitely missed his calling.

Meanwhile, in the Marshall Islands, this June article from Wall Street Journal describes the problem with running an economy on a strictly cash basis (on the island of Ebeye), and the laborious process of getting money transferred to a relative still living on Ebeye.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/unbanked-marshall-islands-gets-further-cut-off-from-the-worlds-money-1529665201

Since Islanders don’t have access to the military-only Bank of America branch on Kwajalein, the people who live on these tiny atolls are somewhat impaired, at the very least. And yes, you have to have a US Passport to go visit there, because the Marshalls are an independent Republic.

It seems to me that if they’d view their tiny atoll as a tourist attraction, their economy might perk up a bit. Not criticising at all, but they do need someone who can see that kind of potential in their tiny and rather remote island group. Where they are located, with little to no light pollution from cities, seems to be a perfect place for solar and lunar eclipse viewing, as well as a great place to see meteor showers and do some dark skies photography. There are also the lagoons, which probably harbor a lot of stuff left from WWII, in addition to the fish and other sea critters.

While you can’t visit the Wake Island atoll if you’re a civilian tourist, it’s still ours, sitting out there 2143 miles west of Hawaii and acting as a refueling stopover for big military planes. Wilkes Island is a national bird sanctuary. The lagoons would probably be great for snorkelers and SCUBA people, but as the 15th AF Wing says, ‘Sorry, no tourists’.  http://www.15wing.af.mil/UNITS/Det-1-Wake-Island/

It would probably be a great place view eclipses, both solar and lunar. Maybe some day, they’ll loosen up a little.

However, if you’re really interested in doing tourist stuff in Micronesia and the Pacific, there is plenty of stuff to do on Guam and Saipan, including a ‘boonie stomp’, to some of their really beautiful natural waterworks.  http://www.micronesiatour.com/events?page=2

In addition, between now and Christmas, there are plenty of scheduled things to do to keep any tourist busy with hiking, running, biking and –athlon events, never mind the food and drink facilities.  http://www.micronesiatour.com/events?page=1

If you do go there, send us pictures and wear something besides a pink bathrobe.

All is still quiet on the Western Front. Let’s hope it stays that way.  That’s all for now.

Category: Holidays

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Roh-Dog

“wear something besides a pink bathrobe”
Sick burn, Ex!
Maybe I’m slightly biased from my forced servitude on the island of Oahu, I’m of the opinion that no sane person lives on an tropical island.
Imagine living on a carousel, seeing the same perfect views, day in, day out, going round and round, paying $5 for a gallon of milk.

Roh-Dog

Islanders tend to be very reverent of their past, family, and traditions. To them the land and the story of how they got there are sacrosanct, part of their DNA. I can sympathize why they wouldn’t want the culture diluted or treated like a living museum by forsaking money for posterity’s sake.
It’s odd to see islanders straddling the worlds of ancient and modernity divide, as I’m sure they know sooner or later it’s going to come.

Roh-Dog

I hope the Marshall Island’s Sovereign currency works though, if not, they may need to import some tourists so they can switch to a white man scalp based economy.

Jeff LPH 3, 63-66

Is this the EBeye I buy some stuff online?

Roh-Dog

Do you have a staff to write these dad jokes?
(Secretly jealous)

AW1Ed

Awfully Left Coastish, Ex. Sicily is really just a big island. Been to Palma de Mallorca and Crete, also in the Med. Canaries, Azores, and Bermuda in the Atlantic, with Iceland as just another rock in the sea, if a big one. Scotland, too. Of the lot, Bermuda was probably the worst; Ivan had just taken all his toys home at the end of the Cold War, so all our small P-3 Detachment did was SAR alert.

Sea Story Alert! NAS Bermuda- we were on the hook as a Space Shuttle SAR asset. After preflight and brief we retired to our rooms to stand by. I was watching the launch in my room, and what happened? Nothing. The astronauts un-assed the shuttle, got into their special van and drove off. The launch was scrubbed. I called the Duty Office and asked if we could stand down, as the launch wasn’t happening today. They said no, of course, and wait for “Official” notification. I was on Black Seal and Coke #2 before I got the “Official” call.

AW1Ed

Ex, you make my day. Nicco would have a target rich environment if he changed the oil in his hair more often, and frequented the cruise ships berthed at Port Hamilton on Bermuda.

SFC D

But if you hop on the island too much, isn’t there a risk of capsizing?

5th/77thFA

Had an Uncle that did some island touring back in the forties. He was with a US Army Tour group. Had a brother that dispatched BUFFs from Guam early 70s.

NHSparky

Yeah, considering the Guam PD even caught this guy would bode ill for him.

Calling them Keystone Kops would be kind.

Letting the perp out would be even worse, since he can’t leave, and some relatives of his victims might well give him a head first trip off Two Lovers Leap.

chooee lee

5,000.00 bond? Kiss his ass goodbye.

rgr769

Maybe he could set up a go-fund me acct. Those corrupt FBI agents who have been fired can raise over $200K that way in less than 24 hours.

Roh-Dog

For the love of every holy. I had to look it up, he’s at $264,00.
Anyone here know the nuances of RICO?
Ill gotten gains much?

Roh-Dog

$264,500 rather.
Need a reason to excessively; drink, exercise, perform weapons maintenance (whatever works for you).
Here you go
https://www.gofundme.com/peterstrzok