We did this really awesome one night, two day trip to an island "in the lagoon" (sort of, it's actually on the reef that surrounds Pohnpei) for our "WorldTeach Mid-service Retreat". I think I can say that most of us can't wait to go back and not have to do the whole sit around and talk about our experience in an official capacity, and just sit around, talk, drink, swim and snorkel, and generally just relax and enjoy ourselves. Black Coral Island (Kehpara in Pohnpeian) is a small island that is part of a "Marine Protected Area" where fishing is restricted. The island itself is nice, nothing major, just a small little thing with a few huts and a local house (nahs) for folks to come out and enjoy a day or overnight or two. The snorkeling was probably the second most awesome that i've done here. I wrote previously here about it (I think) and swimming with a number of sizable reef sharks, a large sting ray, and a plethora of fish and some amazing coral. I'll attempt to explain in words the set up. The island itself sits on the reef around Pohnpei, so it's just a short boat ride out. There is a channel right next to Black Coral that is maybe 40 feet wide and probably about as deep. It is sort of a Olympic sized pool of sorts that washes out into the ocean, instead of concrete walls, this pool has two walls of beautiful coral on each side. We had ourselves a grand time and stayed up late into the night reminiscing and just enjoying ourselves. I did manage to get a few pictures through the process. I think these are in chronological order. I tried to get a picture of Ant Atoll, which from Black Coral is maybe a short 9-12 miles away, so fairly visible in the distance. Ant is amazing!