Palau -- Republic of Belau
Ranked #1,388 in Travel & Places, #54,386 overall
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.
What I knew before going to Palau...
Where the Giant Stone "Coins" of Yap Were Quaried--and Home of Storyboards!
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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Coyne, Michael
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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.
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
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)
In Palau, These T-Shirts and Other Goodies are Almost Required Wear!
Snorkeling in the Shallows Next to the Rock Islands
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!
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!
- Pen Palau - A Blog by a California Small-Town Gal Who Now Works in the Republic of Palau
- When Megan Knize graduated from high school in the small central California town of Tracy, she probably never imagined that she'd some day work for the Western Pacific Micronesian Republic of Palau as a Court Consul for the country's Supreme Court. This blog chronicles her experiences in this island paradise.
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!
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davespeed
Jan 11, 2012 @ 2:11 pm | delete
- Palau sounds beautiful. I'd love to visit!
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anusk1313
Nov 23, 2011 @ 3:55 pm | delete
- Beatiful pics ... and gorgeous places!
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SoftwareVouchers
Nov 21, 2011 @ 1:01 pm | delete
- Divers should try to include Chuuk Lagoon, a short flight from Palau. Dozens of World War II sunken Japanese ships, planes and subs make this probably the best wreck diving in the world.
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LotusPetalYoga
Aug 3, 2011 @ 8:54 pm | delete
- beautiful lens, makes me want to go back. I have lensrolled it ot my lens on jellyfish lake - dance of the sea jellies. it was one of the most amazing experiences I have ever had.
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Teanytiny
Jun 3, 2011 @ 4:51 pm | delete
- Beautiful place, thank you for sharing that beauty :)
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poddys
May 28, 2011 @ 3:11 pm | delete
- I would love to go to Palau, the thought of diving there is amazing. I came, I enjoyed, and I left a blessing behind.
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sorana
May 9, 2011 @ 4:26 am | delete
- Wow ... what a great experience. Excellent lens. Featured on My Visitors lens.
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blackspanielgallery
Apr 26, 2011 @ 4:14 pm | delete
- I had no idea where Palau was. I have been seeing images of their "coins" and read they are not really coins because they use U. S. currency.
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alfonz
Apr 4, 2011 @ 10:47 am | delete
- Great job with the LENS....Been there most of my life, but still found your site to be very informative. Good collection of links as well.
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ArtByLinda Apr 1, 2011 @ 12:35 pm | delete
- Your no fool, great lens Happy April Fools Day Blessing to you!
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jackiebolen Mar 2, 2011 @ 12:13 am | delete
- I've heard amazing things about this place, definitely need to go!
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Tobbie Mar 28, 2010 @ 7:23 am | delete
- I'm not so keen on crocs but Palau look like an amazing place to visit! Great job on your lens!
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LotusPetalYoga
Nov 14, 2009 @ 2:37 pm | delete
- beautiful lens. Im lensrolling it to my jellyfish lake lens called dance fo teh sea jellies. it was the reason we went to Palau, to swim with the jellyfish and it was truly amazing. What a beautiful place.
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JungleBaby
Mar 28, 2009 @ 5:07 pm | delete
- 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!
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naturegirl7
Dec 7, 2008 @ 6:17 pm | delete
- 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.
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Lady_Gotrocks
Jul 11, 2008 @ 11:35 am | delete
- Another great travel lens!
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EditorDave Jun 4, 2008 @ 11:02 pm | delete
- 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!
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Mulan4
Jun 4, 2008 @ 5:58 pm | delete
- alii Dave! ke uangerang? outstanding lens:-)
mesulang!
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Jan 7, 2008 @ 9:28 am | delete
- Hi Dave great lens here 5 stars from me and thank you for joining my group Travelmania.
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NAIZA Jan 4, 2008 @ 10:51 pm | delete
- 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
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by EditorDave
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