Palau Pacific Resort Arts and Crafts Exhibition

Starting July 13 through September 15, 2009, check out Palau Pacific Resort's local Arts & Crafts Exhibition.  This special lobby exhibit is in celebration of the resort's 25th Anniversary and will feature aspiring and professional Palauan artists, photographers and weavers.  

Snapshot

EXPLORING PALAU, MICRONESIA: RAINBOW'S END

BY JON H. DAVIS & IRIS BROOKS
A NORTHERN LIGHTS STUDIO PRODUCTION
© 2009

Traveling with the Stars: Jeff Probst

By Kelly Carter, special for USA TODAY

Jeff Probst, the host of Survivor since the show's inception in 2000, has traveled to every continent except Antarctica— "Not that I have anything against penguins," he quips — and dozens of countries. This season's finale from Tocantins, Brazil, airs May 17 onCBS. He shares his travel highlights and tips with USA TODAY.

Q: Where have you been recently that you liked or were surprised by?

A: Obviously I travel a lot internationally, but I recently took a road trip to Arizona to visit the Grand Canyon. I hadn't been there in years and I was reminded of how beautiful and massive it is in scope. Truly breathtaking. I sometimes forget that some of the greatest destinations are right here in my own backyard. They're also inexpensive enough to make them affordable even in these tougher economic times.

Q: What's your favorite vacation spot?

A: Survivor has taken me to some breathtaking spots around the world. I think the most beautiful is Palau in Micronesia. The water is so clear you can see 30-40 feet. It is home to some of the best scuba diving and snorkeling in the world. The most famous dive spot in Palau is called "Blue Corner" where the current is so strong that you must clip onto a rock and just hang out watching the entire sea world swim past. For something very different, try scuba diving ship wrecks and Japanese zero planes left over from WWII. Jellyfish Lake is one of the most amazing one-of-a-kind experiences ever. There is a section of fresh water where thousands of non-stinging jellyfish live. It's like swimming in a kaleidoscope. It's absolutely stunning and because they have lost their necessity to sting, there is no worry. Food tip: The Bem Ermii Hamburger stand is a fixture in Palau. Order a burger with the works.

Q: What's the best place you've ever visited?

A: Kenya, Africa, is probably the one place that spiritually moved me. We lived in tents in the middle of a game reserve while shooting Survivor, so I would wake up every morning to a different collection of wildlife. One morning it would be zebra, the next morning a pack of wildebeest. The sunsets in Africa are incredible and at night the stars seem so close you truly believe you can almost touch them. We were also able to spend time with some Maasai warriors from the Samburu tribe and learn about their culture and daily life. An African safari is an absolute "must do" for any semi-serious traveler. It's that good.

Q: What's the most surprising/unexpected place you're ever visited?

A: I was most surprised to discover that the Amazon rainforest is so fun! We all know that the Amazon provides more than 20% of the world's oxygen and is home to the anaconda. But you spend a few days there and you'll discover more mammals, lizards and bugs than you ever dreamed existed. We stayed at the Ariaú Amazon Towers (in Brazil), which sits atop 70-foot catwalks to allow for the incredible rising water levels that happen seasonally.

Q: Can you offer an insider tip for your favorite vacation spot?

A: If you find yourself in Guatemala, visit the city of Chichicastenango, where you will find one of the greatest flea markets in the world. The market is a maze of covered stalls with every kind of handicraft made in Guatemala. I spent an entire day working my way from one vendor to another. My favorite purchase: a pair of quilted pants that looked amazing in Guatemala and ridiculous when I got back home to Los Angeles.

Palau on Lonely Planet TV!

Check out Lonely Planet's Feature on Palau! CLICK HERE!

The ABC's of Palau

Alligators, aboard the River Jungle Boat Cruise

Betel nut, the nut of the betel palm that in small doses generally leads to euphoria and increased flow of energy

Coral Reef Center, an educational environment designed to inform guests of

 Palau about the destination’s rich marine biodiversity

Diving, of course, it’s the number one scuba diving destination in the world

Elilai, perhaps Palau’s freshest restaurant, featuring a bounty of locally caught fish and seafood along with organic vegetables

Fruit Bat Soup, other than the fish and seafood, this is Palau’s most bizarre dish

Giant clams, Palau is home of 7 out of 9 species of clams in the world

History, a matriarchal society, Palau is full of rich cultural heritage, architecture and folklore

Intriguing, everything about this destination has an intriguing tale, from the history and people to the adventures and eco-culture

Jellyfish Lake, the only place in the world where one can safely swim with jellyfish

Kiss of a dolphin at Dolphin’s Pacific

Live-a-boards, one of the most popular forms of accommodations for divers

Milky Way, this locale is nature’s spa and the source of a white “beauty cream” for which millionaires around the globe pay hundreds of dollars

Ngardmau Waterfall, the hike in may be a bit treacherous, but well worth the effort

Olechotel Belau Fair, annual cultural and arts & crafts fair in July

Palau, simply the best place on Earth!

Quiet lagoons, only accessible via kayak

Rock Islands, renowned iconic image of Palau

Storyboards, the native art form that illustrates cultural legends

Tons of underwater wildlife with over 1,300 species of fish and more than 700 species of coral

Underwater wonder of the world, according to CEDAM International, an American-based non-profit group for divers, dedicated to ocean preservation and research

Views…no matter where you are or where you go, above or below the water, the views are truly all over the place and the more stunning than any other place on earth

World War II history, visit Peleliu known as the home of one of the war’s bloodiest battle

X-clusive tours for families, divers, adventure seekers from the destination’s many tour operators

Yap Stone Money, neighboring island of Yap quarried their huge stone money from Palau’s limestone --- “Quarry in Palau and Bank in Yap”

Zero Fighter or “Zeke” was Japan’s most popular and lethal airplane during WWII and one is now anchored on a shallow reef in Palau, available for snorkel viewing at the Ngaremediu Reef

SHARK BYTE Competition

Throughout 2009, Sam’s Tours will conduct Shark Byte, a year long free competition for Sam’s Tours guests in search of the best digital image of a shark taken in Palau. Starting February 1, 2009, and every week until the end of the International Year of the Shark 2009, we will select a winning image for Shark Byte of the Week from entries received that week. Winners of Shark Byte of the Week will receive a Palau Shark Sanctuary T-shirt and have their image posted on-line. Weekly winners will automatically be entered in Shark Byte of the Year, with the results of the competition to be announced at the close of the International Year of the Shark.

The Grand Prize for the Winner of Sam’s Tours Shark Byte includes:
Round Trip Airfare from Manila to Palau
7 Nights Hotel Accommodation
5 Days of Diving (or other tour of the winners choice)

To reserve your place or for more information on Shark Weeks & Shark Byte please visit:

http://www.sharkweeks.com or contact: RESERVATIONS@SAMSTOURS.COM

Finding the Rainbow's End in Palau....By Rita Cook

Sure, divers have known about it for years, but visitors looking for a unique destination that also offers nature, culture and a bevy of additional activities will definitely enjoy the Micronesian Republic of Palau. Located just seven-degrees north of the Equator in the western Pacific Ocean, tropical weather is the norm as well as moderate temperatures and soft ocean breezes.

"Although we are a young nation, 12 years as an independent sovereign, we are an old culture, proudly retaining our traditions while continuing to grow as a modern democracy with a sustainable future," notes Republic of Palau President Tommy E. Remengesau, Jr.

Indeed, rich in history, even today the traditions are alive and well and the basis which the locals build on balances an ancient lifestyle integrated with the modern world.

For diving, there are more than 1400 species of fish to see, 500 species of corals and seven species of giant clams. Certified divers can dive with Manta rays, Hawks-bill turtles or discover the Chambered Nautilus, only found in the waters near Palau. Of course you might also come into contact with whales, sharks and marlins. More than one person has noted that "Palau is one of the seventh underwater wonders of the world."

For those who love the outdoors, but aren't big on diving, nature abounds in Palau. About 75% of the Republic of Palau is forest and mangroves. As many as 100 birds and plants found here are solely endemic to the island. Waterfalls are stunning and like none you will have seen before. The largest on the island is called Ngardmau and is majestic in its splendor. Rare orchids also grow here and the jungle interior will leave you as close to nature as you can get. Near the water, but for non-divers the coral reefs teem with sea life and indeed create a magic you can explore while snorkeling or just getting your feet wet.

Another nature must is the Rock Islands. Uninhabited, the islands are located in a lagoon and protected from the sea by reefs. You will see an assortment of schools of fish, and birds. Nature always seems to be smiling. Additionally, there is Jellyfish Lake, Ngermeskang River and Lake Ngerdok, the largest lake in Micronesia that boasts freshwater.

Activities in Palau center mostly around fishing - from trolling for game fish like the marlin, sailfish or wahoo - to spear fishing on a bamboo raft. There is snorkeling the reefs, kayaking, hiking or mountain biking. With 27 miles in length and 15 miles across at its largest, there is much to explore in way of natural beauty. For sightseeing the limestone cliffs give way to secrets from long ago inside caves and, more recent history from World War II. Discover for yourself the planes and war gear that was left behind from the 1940s.

Culturally, Palau is teeming with history. Known as Belau by the locals, the islands were officially "discovered" in 1783 by a British Captain, but life had been going on there for centuries before, in fact dating as far back as 1,000 BC. You will want to explore the ancient ruins of lmeungs in an area called Babeldoab and note that the detailed stone pathways and what is considered a natural amphitheater that will offer more questions than answers as you wander around the area.

The museum, Koror House has strong history and cultural findings and there are over 1000 objects located here. Ask a native about the sunken village of Ngiwal and definitely find the time to enjoy a ceremony of chants or dancing before your trip is complete.

With a population of about 19,0000 and over 300 islands making up the Republic of Palau, not many of the islands are inhabited, but all have a unique history and pull. No matter where you end up on the islands, mingling with the natives and making your own discoveries, you might indeed decide what many natives already know, that this is definitely the Rainbow's End.

www.visit-Palau.com