Nauru is already an island very many people have not even heard of nor can pin point correctly, what region of the Pacific itʻs on. Most adventurers have in fact, heard of Nauru mostly because they are doing some sort of 190 countries achievement which seems to be the things nowadays. With that being said, those who venture to Nauru for a number often visit for a short two nights and take off, giving no opportunity into the life and culture of the island which is to be had. For me, I decided to stay 5 whole nights despite the hefty cost to my poor travel budget. However I will have to say that it was worth it. In 5 days, I was able to get a lick of the island language, Nauruan, met some locals to take me into some horrifying caves, and best of all, take a ride Topside to enjoy what I would later find out to me, the Nauruan tradition of catching Noddy bird.
Meeting islanders in the Pacific is one of the best things about traveling the Pacific & Nauru is no different. Especially considering the island nationʻs visa process filters our so much tourism, itʻs no wonder why locals are that much more enthusiastic about talking to foreigners. On my first night eating out at one of the many Chinese restaurants, I met a woman who helped me order food who would later become a friend, inviting me over to their home later along my Nauru trip, and inviting me to join her children on their moped Topside for a daily routine of catching some birds. To be honest, I was more intrigued with taking a journey with locals Topside.
When I arrived at the house at 6pm like they asked me to, I hopped on the back of one scooter & my driver handed me some long wooden pool with netting at the end. We rode 15 minutes before venturing back into the pinnacles rocks I had explored in direct sun days before. After tucking the mopeds away (since people actually do steal mopeds here), we all set up shop, the guys set up their pools and the netting to form a massive and long lookin lacrosse pool. They also set up a cd player connected to a megaphone with some sketchy wiring to play something. I mean how are they going to attract the Noddy bird? The CD had tracks of Noddy birds in distress. This would be the means to attract the Noddy bird to the location. The problem was, there was our group as well as about 7 other groups in the area doing this. Talk about “competition”.
It was a long and slow night according to them as they caught only 4 bird opposed to 30 or more on other nights. Catching them would make an animal rights person vomit and faint. The bird is grabbed by the tail, turned upside down and shaken to remove any unwanted food later on. After that, the catcher then bites the neck to kill the bird instantly. I asked one of them how was your first experience doing this. He said the blood made him feel terrible but got over it quickly. Me, yea…no! Once it became pitch black, we took the birds home and unloaded them for the true stomach experience.
The birds were all set on the floor & defeathered for obvious unwanted feathery ingredients at dinner. Then a torch is set on each bird for a minute or so, up, down and all around. I had learned that Noddy birds go for about $1 Australian on the street but for the tourist experience and personal curiosity to truly feel at home in Nauru, I had to eat and try Noddy bird. Two birds were set in a frying pan with oil like chicken wings & once done, a plate was set for me to eat with an audience (the whole family) to watch me. All i have to say, it was horribly….delicious. Tasted a little like chicken, yet somehow better.
This is what travel is all about! The taking of time to truly engage, embrace, and be a part of the life in where you travel to. You arrive as a traveler, and continue on as a local with the mindset that you truly never left in spirit. Catching & eating Noddy bird is only one of several experiences on this tiny island nation that serves as that example. As small as this island is, itʻs certainly huge in heart, spirit, and hospitality. Nauruʻs visa process may not make sense & be tedious as hell, but man…if and when you do get granted, you wonʻt regret the charm here.
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