Home of the Rock Islands--Nature's Jewels of the Indo-Pacific
Two seasons of the television reality show "Survivor" have been filmed here in Palau--the Republic of Palau (including the most recent season 16!).
Check out the Survivor Micronesia Website -- you can see more sights of the beautiful Rock Islands of Palau as well as you can vote for your favorite "Survivor" and you can participate in a Fan Forum!.
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On the most recent episode, the two "tribes" merged and had a feast on the beach. One of the delicacies they had a chance to sample was Fruitbat! This delicacy had also been a common fiesta offering on Guam, until it was found out that the bats on Guam eat the fruit of Cycad palms, which renders their flesh such that it was a slow-acting toxin. We'd hope that the bats have way too much good fruits to eat on Palau so that they don't have to eat cycad fruits, right?
When I was studying marine biology at the University of Guam Marine Laboratory, the Rock Islands of Palau were considered a "mecca" for scuba divers, snorkelers, and marine biologists. I had heard a lot about the islands in the Palau archipelago from my Dad, who was in the Navy and who landed on the islands (including the southern Palauan island Peleliu) on an LST during World War II. Also, while attending the University of Guam, some of my roommates in the dormitories were from Palau. I learned a lot about Palau from my new friends from there (even learned some of the Palauan language).
So... when I got a chance to fly to Palau on a scuba diving trip, a buddy and I decided to go for it and sign up for the flight. This lens will try to show a bit of what you can expect when you visit the Western Pacific Republic of Palau.
Contents at a Glance
- Solitary Rock Island, Republic of Palau, Western Pacific Micronesian Islands
- What I knew before going to Palau...
- Where the Giant Stone "Coins" of Yap Were Quaried--and Home of Storyboards!
Solitary Rock Island, Republic of Palau, Western Pacific Micronesian Islands
What I knew before going to Palau...
After living on Guam for a bunch of years and before going to Palau, I knew that Palau was an island archipelago in the western Pacific as part of the islands loosely referred to as "Micronesia". The basic shape of the archipelago is that of a compressed atoll--with many of the smaller "rock islands" on the outlying ridges of the coral reef atoll. The central lagoon is calm during normal weather and is the home of a wide diversity of oceanic wildlife. The organisms and sealife around the Rock Islands of Palau are among the most diverse in the world--with a mix of Indo-Pacific creatures and ecosystems. The waters and jungles of Palau are home to saltwater crocodiles, monitor lizards, sharks, trigger fish, stonefish, lion fish, octopus, cone shells, sea cucumbers, starfish, sea turtles, sea snakes, and jellyfish... to name only a few... Where the Giant Stone "Coins" of Yap Were Quaried--and Home of Storyboards!
We visited the Palau Museum on Koror to learn a bit more about the people and culture of this interesting place in the world. Greeting us at the door of the museum was the huge preserved (taxidermed?) head of a giant-sized Palauan Saltwater Crocodile ("a ius"). The head alone stretched more than 6-feet long--in its open jaws were rows of dagger-like teeth. Quite an impressive display!The museum contained exhibits of the ocean-going canoes--the outriggers and the long "war-canoes"--some were full-size, others were scale models.
Stick-maps, used for navigation between the islands--the tied bamboo sticks represent wind and oceanic currents, and the shells mounted on the matrix-like platform represent islands. Some of the elders can still navigate using these "maps"--however, few youngsters have the patience or want to learn this ancient technique.
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Some of the history of Palau was presented--such as the fact that the huge stone "coins" used as money on the island of Yap (quite a bit north of Palau halfway to Guam) were quaried on the Palauan northern island of Babeldaub and then hauled to Yap on ocean-going canoes.
Palau (particularly Peleliu and Anguar) was the site of some of the bloodiest fighting during World War II. There is a lot of evidence for that fighting--you can occasionally stumble over rusted remains of tanks, jeeps, and aircraft in the dense jungles of the islands. And... you can snorkel and dive to many of the sunken tanks, amphibious craft, aircraft, and ships on the reefs and lagoon around the island.
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Also on display was an amazing array of Palauan "Storyboards". A Japanese professor of art started the islanders on recording some of their legends and stories through carved and painted pictures on lumber pieces long before World War II. They had already the custom of decorating their "Abai" (mens'-house) rafters and front and back eaves with artwork depicting legends and stories.
Now, many Palauans carve storyboards as a sort of profitable hobby. Also, the inmates of the local island jail help their time go by faster by carving story boards. These story boards are often for sale at the various establishments (restaurants, bars, and other stores--and even the local jail!) around the island. You can see the storyboard design on many of the modern buildings around the islands as well--it creates a unique Palauan touch to your island adventure.
Rock Islands, Republic of Palau, Western Pacific Micronesian Islands
Good Reading on Palau--Micronesian Islands, Western Pacific
Aerial of Islands, Palau Art Photographic Poster Print by Michael Aw, 16x12
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Lonely Planet Palau: Diving & Snorkeling by Tim Rock
The Palau archipelago in Micronesia boasts a huge more...0 points
Raincloud Forming over Main Palauan Islands, View from Boat
Experienced Palau Divers Say ... "You Don't Have to Worry About the Sharks in Palau... "
"Ahem... it's the crocodiles you really have to watch out for!" (ius' kidding)
One thing that caught our eye at most of the hotels and beaches around the Palauan islands were the signs that said "No swimming before 10:00am or after 5:00pm" ... We wondered about this... and asked one of the hotel employees about why this "regulation" existed--was it some sort of government law? Nope. You can if you want... but they advise folks not to. Why? Because the local crocodiles are most active during the cool dawn and early mornings and near sunset and during twilight in the evenings. They also actively hunt all night long and they are such big and nasty critters that you really don't want to tangle with one. If you are still not convinced--think about the crocodiles you see on the movies featuring "Crocodile Dundee"--those also are the salt-water, ocean-going crocs (Crocodylus_porosis). In Palau, These T-Shirts and Other Goodies are Almost Required Wear!
Palau (PW) Bumper Sticker (Oval)
Palau (PW) Travel & Vacation OVAL STICKER/decal. STICK WITH THE ORIGINAL: *-TRAVEL STICKERS!-* BUY NOW!
Snorkeling in the Shallows Next to the Rock Islands
While in Palau, each day we walked from our hotel in Koror to the boat dock from which we'd take off on a boat for diving and snorkeling. Our boat traversed through the maze of rock islands across from Malakal Harbor. As the boat finally got into the central lagoon, we found ourselves surrounded by pulsating jellyfish, flying fish whizzing out across the bow of the boat, and porpoises accompanying the boat and leaping in our bow-wave. Fascinating and memorable visions. The salt-spray was fresh and invigorating.Soon, the boat slowed in shallower water, through which we could see the bottom and the giant, Tridacna clams and colorful corals nestled in the sea grass and coral rubble.
The boat grounded itself on the beach on Ngermeaus Island--also known to the Palauans as "Picnic Island". The white beach was a mix of sand, rocks, and small tridacna clam shells. Interesting to poke around in.
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We jumped over the side of the boat and carried our gear to shore. The crew on the boat brought ashore some ice chests full of beverages and other goodies.
While the crew started a fire and prepared to cook up a picnic lunch, we got our gear on and went out into the wonderful, bathtub warm water of the surrounding reef.
After we had come back from a snorkeling adventure, we enjoyed a delightful meal of grilled fish, papayas, bananas, pineapples, and mangos. We did a little exploring of the island and some more snorkeling before we got back on the boat for the ride back to Koror.
Palau Goodies by the Bay--eBay, that is!
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Scuba Diving in Palau is Among the Best Exeriences in the World!
In addition to the various shipwrecks and plane wrecks leftover from World War II that make interesting diving experiences, there are features on the coral reefs around Palau that make it a unique diving experience. Some of these include Ngemelis Cliff... a vertical drop-off from about 3 to 4 feet of water at the coral reef's edge to 300 to 500 feet down. You can see all types of corals, sea turtles, sharks, and other tropical fish and organisms at this dive location. Diving In the Waters of Palau!
Great Links To Palau!
- Trip-n-Tour -- Tropical Diving Tours!
- I worked with Mike and Vikki Musto on some of their Trip-n-Tour trips.... A few to Saipan, Northern Marianas, and one to Hokkaido, Japan. The trips are well-coordinated and really provided a great and memorable experience!
- Sams Tours of Palau
- Sam's Tours of Palau--seems to have their act together. Great locations, great dives, great facilities.
- Palau Visitor's Authority
- Home of the Palau Visitor's Authority... good stuff on this website. Fun stuff for kids and adults alike!
- Fish and Fins, Palau
- Multilanguage site for the Fish and Fins dive tour packager.
- Destination Micronesia--Palau
- This website has a lot of detail about the Republic of Palau. Good information! Check it out!
- Scubish.Com ... Scuba Diving Palau!
- This website provides a nice map of the Republic of Palau and all sorts of information about the islands and the people and other activities you can do while in the islands (besides snorkeling and diving, that is!)
- Palau International Coral Reef Center
- For some great views and explanation of the coral reefs around Palau, this center provides a great start. Lots of displays and interactive discussions to help you get started in learning about the reefs!
- Micronesia Challenge--Protect This Unique Environment!
- This PDF brochure has some of the most beautiful photos and images of the islands of Palau--it has a lot of factual information and presents it way better than I'd be able to on a Squidoo. So, I'll just suggest that you check this page out. It's truly marvelous!
Images of the Rock Islands of Palau, Micronesia
Milky Blue
Whakariki Beach
Whakariki Beach
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The Many Rock Islands of the Republic of Palau--From Space
Dive on In and Leave a Message! Say Hi! Say "Kawangarang!" --It All Works!
JungleBaby wrote...
I have been diving in Palau and Yap. SOme of the best diving I have ever experienced with everything you could want; pelagic fish, beautiful reefs, rays, sharks, superb visibility, etc., etc. I hope to live there someday. Great lens!
Posted March 28, 2009
naturegirl7 wrote...
Welcome to the Naturally Native Squids group. Don't forget to add your lens link to the appropriate plexo and vote for it. It looks like the Google maps are malfunctioning. Some of mine are messed up, too.
Posted December 07, 2008
EditorDave wrote...
Alii, Mulan4! Akh mesisi! Mesulang! Ke uangerang?Palau is truly one of the most beautiful places in the world! I spent some time in Koror and did a lot of walking between Arakebesang and Koror and to Malakal. Also enjoyed riding the ferry back and forth to Babelthuap, and the boatride to Ngermeaus. Do you know Harry and Cindy (Adachi) Rengiil, Uchel Sechewas, Rose Oideruong? They were classmates of mine at the University of Guam. If you see them, say "Hi" to them for me! I noticed that the most recent season of "Survivor" had some great shots of "amaidehdui" and "ulub"(?)--but they didn't have any shots of the famous "ius". Do they still have "ius" there? I remember that they used to have a "ius-farm" there... and one on display at the Palau Museum! Again, thanks so much for visiting my lens!
Posted June 04, 2008
Hi Dave great lens here 5 stars from me and thank you for joining my group Travelmania.
Posted January 07, 2008
NAIZA wrote...
Fantastic! Palau is surely like a paradise on earth. It is one of the lovely place that I'm wishing to visit someday. Great resource and delightful pictures. I love it! Those who are wishing to travel in Palau should see your lens first. Always a pleasure dropping by at your lens. ~naiza
Posted January 04, 2008
by EditorDave
Living on Guam is what now "defines" me. It was such a dramatic difference in my life and outlook on things that there's no way I'd be the same...
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