The Path to Palau

PALAU FEATURES NATURES MOST UNIQUE, ONE-OF-A-KIND ATTRACTIONS…SWIMMING WITH JELLYFISH

2012-01-31T13:38:00.000-08:00

“Swimming in warm, golden Jellyfish Lake, I’m surrounded by friendly intelligent jellyfish,” writes travel journalist and photographer Sharon Spence Lieb. “At first I’m afraid I’ll be stung. But these creatures are different: They caress my body and embrace my face. These gelatinous orbs seem downright curious. If I could laugh underwater I would. Who would ever think jellyfish could be so harmless? I’ll remember this sensational wildlife encounter as one of the most wonderful experiences of my life. You’ve got to experience this for yourself.”

Lieb lives near the Atlantic Ocean and the beaches of Charleston, South Carolina. She knows that encounters with jellyfish can often end in pain. “I once got tangled in a jellyfish’s tentacles,” she recalls. “I was covered in painful welts. But Palau’s jellyfish don’t sting. They’ve evolved without predators, and they’re living peacefully in Palau. Maybe they’re official greeters. Jellyfish Lake is one of the reasons Palau is called the 8^th Natural Wonder of the World as well as one of The Seven Underwater Wonders of the World.”

WHERE IS PALAU?

Most have heard of Palau as one of Planet Earth’s legendary dive and snorkel destinations. But for those who wonder where it is, you’re not alone. Located in the westernmost corner of Micronesia, Palau is an archipelago of over 586 islands. Only 20,000 people call this area home. But those willing to travel a to this remote paradise will swim in the translucent Pacific Ocean with over 1400 species of fish, 500 species of coral living underneath the stunning Rock Islands….and incredible jellyfish in Palau’s Jellyfish Lake.

“Jellyfish Lake is a well-known tourist destination,” says Yositaka Adachi, Governor of Koror State. “To swim among millions of harmless jellyfish is an unforgettable experience. Our Government is vigilant about conserving and managing our ecological integrity. We are devoted to preserving our natural environment as part of our heritage and culture.”

THE SCIENCE BEHIND THE NON-STINGING JELLYFISH

The golden jellyfish found only in Jellyfish Lake are called “Mastigias Papua Etpisoni.” Living in their tissues are zooxanthellae, which are symbiotic dinoflagellates. Theirs is a special relationship: the jellyfish rotates in a circle and swims around Jellyfish Lake, making sure the zooxanthellae get enough sunlight for photosynthesis. In exchange, the zooxanthellae provide their jellyfish with energy and nutrients.

The jellyfish capture tiny organisms for food, with stinging cells inherited from their ancestor, Mastigias Papua. But they did not evolve to eat large vertebrates like humans. They bob peacefully in the sun and are completely harmless to snorkelers exploring beautiful Jellyfish Lake.

JELLYFISH FOLLOW THE SUN

These unusual jellyfish swim in a migratory pattern seen only in Jellyfish Lake. At sunrise, they swim towards the east shoreline, stopping at the shadow line formed by overhanging trees and rocks. They hover there in the sunlit seawater. As the sun arcs overhead throughout the day, the jellies turn and swim towards the west shoreline, again stopping to bob at the shadow line. Like sunflowers, and tourists snoozing on the beach, Palau’s jellyfish are ardent sun worshippers.

A LIFE CHANGING EXPERIENCE

“For twenty years, I’ve traveled the world, publishing articles about my intense encounters with wildlife,” says travel journalist Sharon Lieb. “I’ve kayaked with orca killer whales, snorkeled with beluga whales, swum with forty foot long whale sharks and photographed wild Canadian polar bears. But, never in my life have I been lovingly touched by a creature that is supposedly dangerous. Their curiosity and intelligence is humbling. Holding a jellyfish in your hand is a real The Twilight Zone moment. I suspended my fear, and floated into the Fourth Dimension, where all creatures share the joy of being alive. Open your heart for this life changing experience.”

(Note: for those interested in a little sneak preview, check out this video:

Dive into 2012 with Palau’s Ocean-Based Events

2012-01-31T12:36:00.000-08:00

In Palau, the ocean sets the stage for 2012. Known as one of the “Seven Underwater Wonders of the World,” Palau hosts some of the most unique and truly exceptional ocean-based events, including Shark Week; Wrexpedition (featuring World War II dive wrecks); Kids Sea Camp; and Diversity Fiesta.

Shark enthusiasts will enjoy a shark themed week full of adrenalin-packed activities as Fish ‘n Fins together with the Micronesian Shark Foundation (MSF) holds its 10^th annual Shark Week at Palau’s Fish ‘n Fins dive shop, from March 14-21, 2012. Between February and April, hundreds of grey reef sharks migrate to the waters of Palau to mate, which generates a great opportunity for shark lovers to dive amongst them and to participate in data collection. Participants will get the opportunity to dive world famous sites like Blue Corner, Peleliu Corner and Shark City without other divers being around. Shark Week features nightly lectures, presentations and documentaries presented by some of the world’s most admired leaders in underwater exploration, conservation and discovery. Hotel/dive packages for Shark Week start at $1,250 per person and include accommodations, multiple days of diving, seminars, participation in studies and research, lunches, transportation, an exclusive T-Shirt and a Gala Dinner.

More than sixty-five years ago, during WWII, Palau was a major Japanese military base. On March 30th and 31st, 1944, US Navy bombers and fighter planes raided the Japanese fleet and sank more than 60 ships and seaplanes in and around the lagoon. Today, Palau is renowned for its beautiful lagoons and thrilling marine action but is also the resting place for the “Japanese Lost Fleet of the Rock Islands.”

The 10^th annual Wrexpedition is one of Fish ‘n Fins annual special events, which lasts one week and includes five days of diving; three tanks a day, seminars and tech-diving. Between the dives and during the seminars, participants have the unique opportunity to watch extraordinary documentaries about WWII. Wrexpedition 2012 will be held from June 04-11, 2012. Dive packages are available and include accommodations, multiple days of diving, lunches, transportation, seminars, movie nights, a T-Shirt and much more.

Sam’s Tours’ Kids Sea Camp makes a third appearance in Palau this year in collaboration with Sport Diver Magazine and PADI Diving Society. Scheduled for the week of June 23-30, 2012, this trip “sets the table” for an unforgettable family vacation. With great value in mind, Sam’s Tours offer a variety of packages to accommodate a full family of divers or combination of divers and non-divers.

The basic “Vacation Package” features seven days and seven nights of luxury accommodations; daily meals that consist of seven breakfasts, six lunches and six dinners, including Welcome Dinner, Taj, Beach BBQ, Kramer’s and Graduation “Survivor Day”; round trip airport transfers; transportation for all excursions; Rock Island Tour/Jellyfish Lake; full-day guided Kayak Tour; Babeldaob Island Tour; Ngardmau Waterfall Hike; City Tour; and visit to Palau International Coral Reef Center. Diver packages include all of the above as well as five days of diving at the famed Palau dive sites.

Palau’s “Diversity Fiesta” celebrates the destination’s unique combination of great diving during the day and gourmet cuisine and wine at night. Located in the western pacific and under Japanese rule for decades, combined with culinary influence from Philippines, USA, Malaysia and Indonesia, Palau’s cuisine is a truly Pacific fusion of sea food, fresh fruits and vegetables and spices.

Tova Harel, Fish ‘n Fins and Ocean Hunter owner is an accomplished and innovative chef, cookbook publisher and food and wine lover, and will be the ever gracious host at night with exotic meals. During the day, guests will dive Palau’s best sites and at night there will be a celebration of food and wines from the Pacific Rim. Diners will be served at Barracuda restaurant and on deserted islands under the stars.

The special weeklong fiesta is scheduled from September 3-10, 2012 and the diving program includes a rotation of the following: Day 1- Dancing Sharks: Dive Palau’s blue corners and sheer walls; Day 2- Forlorn WWII Wrecks: explore our 30+ historic wrecks; Day 3- Mysterious Caves: Temple of Doom and Chandelier cave; Day 4- Colorful Coral gardens: Macro heaven and Jelly Fish Lake; Day 5- Majestic Blue Holes: our famous blue holes.

From Palau Island Home!

2012-01-24T12:34:00.000-08:00

"Modeled on an African safari lodge, this 1,200 square foot house uses local hardwoods, canvas, and an open plan in order to be as close to nature as possible - at times, a little too close. Salt spray blows through the bedroom. Five-foot long, monitor lizards ander through the living room. Monkeys, including our pet, Gomez, rummage through the kitchen cupboards.

But the little property does have some nice features, including it's own beach, fantastic snorkeling, a water catchment system, and an outdoor shower with views up and down the coast. The closest neighbor is over two miles away.

Building it involved, among other awkward things, mailing ourselves 12,500 screws and digging 44 holes two feet into compacted limestone - without power tools. The holes alone took us a month. Even with the seven friends we imported to help us build.

"Welcome to paradise," was a sweaty refrain as we whacked crowbars into rock, "Welcome to paradise." "

Adventure Girl Visits Palau's Jellyfish Lake!

2012-01-17T12:27:00.000-08:00

Check out Adventure Girl Stefanie Michaels as she dives in Jellyfish lake to swim with and hold jellyfish! How awesome is that??

Paradise in Palau – Special Edition!

2011-10-26T08:24:00.000-07:00

"It was one of most surreal experiences of my life—swimming among millions of golden jellyfish, so many that you couldn’t avoid bumping into them with your bare skin. But what should normally be an excruciatingly painful experience (and if you’ve ever been stung by a jelly you know what I mean) wasn’t. On a tiny island in Palau is one of most famous snorkeling sites in the world: Jellyfish Lake. And if there is one place you need to see before you kick the bucket, this is it..." Read full article...

Palau Introduces NEW Eco Theme Park

2011-08-30T17:55:00.000-07:00

Recently opened, the Palau Eco Theme Park introduces a whole new brand of adventure to this Micronesian paradise. The theme park features Palau’s only zip-line course for those thrill-seekers who enjoy the adrenaline rush of flying above treetops.

Famous as a premier destination for underwater thrills, Palau now boasts its new sky adventure with a three-course zip-line soaring over the Taki Waterfall Park in the State of Ngardmau.

"Zipline is getting popular around the world, and it will become another major attraction of Palau," said Chris Kay, President of Palau Leisure Group Inc., a Korean company that built the $2.2 million adventure facility that also includes an eco-theme park and a monorail.

Eun Song Cho, chairman of Palau Leisure Group said, "I started our zipline project in Palau first because I was attracted by the beauty of the waterfalls in Ngardmau.”

Unlike scuba-diving which requires certification, zip lining only requires willingness to unleash one’s inner Tarzan and primal scream as he or she gets whisked along a cable, 250 feet from the ground, from one platform to another for a ride that goes from 30 seconds to one minute. The length of each course is between 300 meters and 340 meters and is said to be one of the longest in the world.

For more information about the Palau Eco Theme Park, please call (680) 747-1004.

Palau's most idyllic Live Aboard options

2011-07-25T16:10:00.000-07:00

For those looking to fill their “bucket list” with a scuba adventure in one of the world’s most beloved dive destinations, Palau is home to some of the world’s most idyllic Live Aboard options.

The Palau Aggressor II

To begin, the Palau Aggressor II is an 18-passenger, 106-foot aluminum catamaran. Sunday-to-Sunday charters explore world-class diving favorites like Blue Corner, Ulong Channel, Blue Holes, and many more. Charters include a visit to remote Peleliu Island as well. Diving, accommodations, meals, snacks, soft beverages, beer, wine and service from a professional crew are included. The boat may be hired for private charters, film production support and marine research.

Contact/Information: Palau Aggressor IIMalakal, Koror, Koror 96940Telephone: 800-348-2628 / 985-385-2628Email: palau@aggressor.comWebsite: http://www.aggressor.com/

Ocean Hunter I

A family run operation since 1993, Ocean Hunter I is a 60 foot (21 meters) motorsailer Liveaboard, exclusively designed to accommodate only six divers. This exclusive “dreamboat” has been in Palau for eighteen years and just underwent an upgrade, making it feel like a brand new boat. Each of the cabins are now fitted with private A/C units, toilets and showers. The renovation took place in Palau with attention to our previous and repeat guests requests and wishes with the magical touch of the famed Navot Bornovski, the accomplished mechanical engineer and a naval architect. A fixture on this exclusive yacht is the crew, led by Captain Troy Ngiraikelau who has gone on over 8,000 dives in Palau, and Chef Roy with over 9,000 gourmet meals under his belt. Ocean Hunter I has an average of 55% repeat guests, a sum that very few (if at all) liveaboard achieve. Those that charter this liveaboard will enjoy unlimited diving on board, diving from the main boat and being able to get close to the dive sites as well as professional underwater photography services; gourmet health food; rich scientific marine library. For more information contact: info@oceanhunter.com.

Contact/Information: Ocean Hunter I, P.O. Box 964, Koror, Palau 96940Telephone: (680) 488-2637Email: info@oceanhunter.comWebsite: http://www.oceanhunter.com/

Continental Airlines Introduces Discounted Airfares For North American Travelers Interested in Vacationing in Palau

2011-07-13T07:22:00.001-07:00

Continental Airlines has just introduced reduced airfares for North Americans interested in visiting Palau, Micronesia, anytime from September 1-December 15, 2011. Roundtrip airfares are as low as $1,305 from Los Angeles or $1,405 from Houston. Other select U.S. airports feature airfares of only $1,505. Additionally, the airline is offering a special add-on rate for stopovers in Yap, for a fee of only $75.

Restrictions apply and airfare is subject to applicable taxes, passenger facility charges and security fees. These special rates require a minimum stay of six days and maximum stay of 30 days. Tickets must be purchased at least seven days prior to departure and no later than August 31, 2011.

For more information and to book these special rates, visit www.continental.com.

Palau…A Destination Of History For World War II Buffs

2011-05-12T07:26:00.000-07:00

Known to many as the location for the bloodiest battles of World War II, war buffs will appreciate Peleliu’s plethora of historical and commemorative elements. Read on...

Putting a Price on Sharks - NY Times Article

2011-05-04T12:36:00.001-07:00

In Palau, the Maldives, the Bahamas and some other scuba-diving destinations, tourism operators have gotten across the message to governments that there are economically rational reasons to protect the fish. Read full NY Times article...

Palau, Micronesia Welcomes New Ngellil Nature Island Resort

2011-05-03T15:08:00.000-07:00

The Ngellil Nature Island Resort is a one-of-a-kind, eight room property that is only accessible by boat transfer and is ideal for couples or those that want to truly get away from it all. The full-service property features accommodations made of natural products from the islands; barbecued meals made on site; private beach for hotel guests only; private hiking trails, which wend through a lush jungle; sea kayaking; snorkeling; and fishing. Read on...

Continental Airlines to Launch Guam-Okinawa Service in September 2011‏

2011-05-02T13:01:00.000-07:00

GUAM, April 27, 2011 – United Continental Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: UAL) announced today the introduction of Continental Airlines non-stop flights between Guam and Okinawa, Japan, with the goal of attracting more tourists to Guam and provide customers in Okinawa with enhanced access to Hawaii, the U.S. Mainland and other destinations throughout the Continental Pacific network. (This service is subject to government approval). This year-round, four-times-weekly service will be launched on September 28, 2011, with Okinawa becoming the 10th Japanese city with non-stop service to Guam on Continental. The new flight is available for sale beginning today. For more info, visit: http://unitedcontinentalholdings.com

About Palau

2011-04-08T13:11:00.000-07:00

Located in the westernmost corner of Micronesia, Palau is an archipelago of more than 586 islands with about 20,000 inhabitants. Consistently ranked as one of the world's best dive destinations, Palau is the ultimate paradise for the adventurous traveler, boasting some of the most spectacular water features and beaches as well as the world famous Rock Islands and Jellyfish Lake. With more than 1,400 species of fish and 500 species of coral, some have called Palau the "8th Natural Wonder of the World", while others have identified Palau as "One of the Seven Underwater Wonders of the World." For more information about Palau, please visit http://www.visit-palau.com/.

The Dolphins of Palau

2011-04-06T13:08:00.000-07:00

Dolphins Pacific is the world’s largest marine mammal interaction, educational and research facility. “Dolphin Bay,” located on the northern side of Ngeruktabel Island in Palau, is situated in a 200-million-gallon saltwater lagoon. The modern impoundment provides an expansive, healthful marine environment for the resident population of dolphins, as well as a relaxing eco-friendly venue for visitors. The objective of this local outfit is to preserve the integrity of these popular mammals, educate visitors about their unique place in the environment and to study their behaviors and abilities. The facility offers several public encounters, including everything from a basic one-hour interactive program to fantastical wedding ceremonies. For more information, visit http://www.dolphinspacific.com.

River Boat Jungle Cruise

2011-04-04T13:06:00.000-07:00

One of Palau’s newest attractions is the River Boat Jungle Cruise. Located in Ngchesar State, the Jungle River Boat Cruise is one of Palau’s eco-friendly tours, providing visitors with the ideal opportunity to relax and enjoy the island’s natural attributes firsthand. The cruise takes one hour on an all-aluminum boat that can carry up to 40 passengers. The five-mile tour starts at the main dock and goes upstream coming out to a beautiful ocean vista. During the tour, visitors get a chance to see crocodiles; Palauan Fruit Dove Bird, or Biib; Palauan Fruit Bats; Kingfishers; Archer Fish; and varieties of flora and fauna. Additionally, passengers might get a glimpse of locals collecting their catch of the day, big mangrove crabs, along the river banks. Contact rivercruise@palaunet.com.

The Jelly Fish of Palau

2011-04-01T13:03:00.000-07:00

Natural preserves most can only dream of also include the daring and the unusual – like Jellyfish Lake, where two types of jellyfish can be found, namely the golden jellyfish known as Mastigias and the moon jellyfish known as Aurelia. This intriguing lake departs radically from convention for it is an enclosed body of water wherein, over the course of millennia, resident jellyfish have a mild almost unnoticeable sting because they do not have to fight off predators, allowing adventures a rare opportunity to swim amongst these truly unique water creatures. In order to access this unique adventure, visitors will need to enlist the transport of a local tour guide at one of the tour shops operating in Palau. The Rock Island and Jellyfish Lake entry permit is $35 per person in addition to the tour package. It is recommended that visitors’ sign up for the full day excursion, which includes snorkeling, lunch in the Rock Islands and a trip to nature’s spa…the Milky Way. For more information on activities, visit: http://www.visit-palau.com/.

Palau International Coral Reef Center

2011-04-01T12:56:00.000-07:00

The Palau Aquarium is the interpretive division of Palau International Coral Reef Center, a non-profit organization which opened ten years ago and has become one of the best land based attractions for tourists and locals alike. It offers enlightening, first hand experiences to inspire understanding and respect of Palau’s natural marine ecosystems. Comprised of ten (10) sub-themed aquariums that convey details of 17 specific habitats, the exhibits recreate the breathtakingly beautiful marine environments and animal species found in those environments.

Visitors can experience the wonders of the sea without even getting their feet wet. The adventure begins with a look at the many geological wonders found in Palau, including the famous Rock Islands. Next, observe the tentacle-like roots of the mangroves where life in the sea begins. The, one can look closer to see a school of archerfish stunning their prey by spitting beads of water, or the pulsating rhythms of an upside-down jellyfish. Further along the winding path, past the Sea grass Bed to the Inner Reef, reside a green sea turtle, white-tip shark, groupers, giant trivially and the Aquarium’s resident napoleon wrasse. Lastly, a diversity of corals and polyp-feeding butterfly fish in the Reef Crest await at the end of this journey. For more information, visit http://www.picrc.org/.

Palau Is Naturally Eco-Friendly

2011-03-21T10:03:00.000-07:00

With so many tourism entities intent on implementing new environmentally-friendly programs, procedures and strategies, the destination of Palau needs not enhance what is already an ingrained custom in this North Pacific paradise. Read on...

"Be in Awe Just Below Palau's Surface" - Adelaide Now Blogs About Their Experience

2011-02-21T11:11:00.000-08:00

"THE only sound is my relaxed breathing complemented by oars skimming the ocean water. I feel humbled surrounded by such unspoilt natural beauty.

The stillness of the water allows the kayak to glide effortlessly, leaving long, V-shaped ripples behind us. Towering above like giant green, fluffy mushrooms are some of the estimated 250 to 300 rock islands of Palau. Once thriving coral reefs under the water's surface, these limestone and coral islands now ascend up to 207m. The mostly uninhabited islands appear to float, their foundations having eroded over millennia.

After three days in Palau, it feels as if I've been here a week, probably because our schedule is running on what the locals call "Palau-time", basically meaning time is no factor.
Palau is listed as one of the top destinations for avid scuba divers but as I discovered, this Pacific island nation has a whole lot more to offer..." Click here to read full article.

Palau Is Diving Into 2011 With A Host Of Special Hotel Packages

2011-02-14T20:17:00.000-08:00

Palau is one of the seven underwater wonders of the world, where large schools of sharks, manta rays, colorful soft corals, dramatic wall dives and adrenaline pumping drift dives are some of the features. And now, to accommodate Micronesia destined travelers, several Palau properties are offering special packages for those that want to take the ultimate plunge.

Palau Pacific Resort

Available for booking from now through February 28, 2011, for travel periods between April 1 – July 15, the Palau Pacific Resort is offering a special February Internet booking offer that starts at only $285 per night with a package that includes the following value added benefits:
- Daily Breakfast for up to two people
- Roundtrip Airport Transfers for up to two people
- 15% Discount at Elilai Spa by Mandara for spa treatment
- 10% Discount at Elilai Spa by Mandara for retail products

Palau’s most luxurious beach resort, the Palau Pacific Resort sits on 64 acres of lush tropical gardens and is the ultimate tropical getaway in Micronesia. It is just a 30 minutes commute from the international airport, on the west Shore of Arkabesang Island, Koror, Republic of Palau, Western Caroline Islands. For reservations and additional information, please call 680-488-2600 or visit http://www.palauppr.com/.

Ngellil Nature Island Resort

The brand new Ngellil Nature Island Resort is offering an introductory rate of only $150 per night for accommodations only. The add-on rate for meals (which include breakfast, lunch and dinner) is $50 per person.

This one-of-a-kind eight room property is only accessible by boat transfer and is ideal for couples or those that want to truly get away from it all. The full-service property features accommodations made of natural products from the islands; barbecued meals made on site; private beach for hotel guests only; private hiking trails which wend through a lush jungle; sea kayaking; snorkeling; and fishing.
For reservations and additional information, phone 680-587-1059; fax 680-587-3631; or email ngellilnaturalisland@yahoo.com.

Palau Plantation Resort

In order to provide the best value to guests, Palau Plantation Resort features room only rates so that guests can start with the basics and build their own itinerary. The best value for a family or group is the Suite Villa (with 5 rooms) for only $480 per night. Rates start at $180 per night for other room and suite types.

The Palau Plantation Resort is a unique tropical resort born from an idea that transpired from its exotic location. Built upon a nice milieu, typical of a jungle of modern times, the resort has bloomed into one of the most idyllic resorts in Palau. The property features a wide selection of traditional styled cabins, cottages and villas surrounded by the natural beauty of a tropical paradise. Palau Plantation is a chic resort brimming with a Palau inspired flavor set against the relaxing natural environment. For reservations and information, phone 680-488-3631; fax 680-4887425; or email plantation@palautelecoms.com.

The Palau Beach Bugalows

Featuring special rates that start as low as $40 per night, the Palau Beach Bunaglows is a small family-run resort next to one of the nicest beaches on the big island of Babeldaob, about 30 minutes by car from Palau International Airport, and about 45 minutes from Koror. It's a great way to experience the peace and quiet of traditional Palau away from the main town of Koror. The bungalows feature single or double bed & bathroom, plus a living room with kitchenette. The living room has an extra futon bed. The daily rate per unit is just $40 + 14% tax or $45.60 (per bungalow), payable in cash only.

Airai Water Paradise Hotel & Spa
The Airai Water Paradise Hotel & Spa is now featuring an Island Dream Package, which is available from now through December 31, 2011. Rates start at only $100 a night for a Standard Room or $130 a night for an Ocean View Room. The package includes the following: Daily breakfast for two; tax and service charge; airport shuttle; and for those that stay over four nights, free Tropical Snack Set and Starry Night Cocktail.

Airai Water Paradise Hotel & Spa (AWP) is a legendary Palaun castle symbolizing the story of immortal love at the end of the rainbow. In the local art featured at the hotel, guests will find Palau’s largest Story Board and the magnificent history exhibition that highlights the cultural wonder of this Micronesian paradise. Additionally, the property features the destination’s only waterpark with a 720 degree water slide, speedy water slide, Olympic pool, and multi-function spa pools. The hotel also offer limited spa services. For additional information and reservations, please contact Tel:(+680)587-3530; Fax:(680)587-3533; or via email at services@airaiwaterparadise.com.

Travel Destination Feature on Palau

2011-02-11T07:30:00.000-08:00

The Palau islands are formed by more than 200 islands, of which only eight are inhabited. All of the islands but three are located within a single barrier reef and represent two geological formations. The biggest islands are volcanic and rough with interior jungle and enormous areas of grassed terraces. The Rock Islands, known as the Floating Garden Islands, are of limestone formation, while Kayangel, at the northernmost region, is a typical coral atoll. Palauan people are mainly Roman Catholic and their official language is English.

The country has a hot, humid climate with a rainy season (May to November). Palau’s currency is the US Dollar.Some tips to take into account when visiting Palau: US driving permits are accepted, the electricity runs on 115/230 Volts and the country code is 680.

Read on...

National Geographic Feature on Palau

2011-02-08T20:33:00.000-08:00

Located in the western Pacific, the more than 250 islands that constitute Palau—a Japanese stronghold during World War II—were assigned to U.S. administration by the United Nations in 1947. Economically tied to the U.S., the territory became an independent nation in October 1994. About 70 percent of Palauans live in the capital city of Koror on the island of Koror. Tourism is the country's main industry, with the rich marine environment inviting snorkeling and scuba diving. Read on...

Photo credit: Tim Laman

Blogger Jane Cassie "Jane of the Jungle" shares her Palauan Adventure

2011-02-02T18:16:00.000-08:00

When I was seven years old, a harmless garter snake crossed my path and put me into panic mode. Now, half a century later, I still get the heebie-jeebies whenever I think of one. So after hearing that a one-eyed eel (close enough to a snake) may be lurking about in the nearby riverbed, I freeze in my tracks.

My husband and I are visiting Palau, an archipelago of 500-or-so lush islands that sprawl over the North Pacific. And as well as checking out the amazing treasures that thrive beneath the waves, we explore a few above the pristine surface -- the Ngardmau Waterfall being one of them.

As legend has it, the curtain of water that plummets 30 metres (100 feet) was created by this slimy creature. After falling into an endless sleep, he magically transformed into the river and his head became the waterfall. Whether fact or fiction, snake or eel, my skin begins to crawl after listening to this mythical tidbit. Read on...

2010-12-21T12:05:00.000-08:00

By Risa Watt - Contra Costa Times Corespondent

I have found a new cure for jet lag -- waterfalls. At the famous 100-foot tall fall in Ngardmau, I clamber onto a log behind the streaming waters to relish the sight of mist glinting gold in the late afternoon light.

I am in Palau, a Pacific nation composed of more than 500 jungled islands and atolls that lies 4,600 miles southwest of Honolulu. Palau first blipped on the tourism radar of scuba divers who raved about the islands' underwater drop-offs and monster pelagics -- sharks, schooling barracudas, and manta rays with 12-foot wingspans. Today, about 60 percent of Palau's visitors are scuba divers.

Because the diving is so phenomenal, it often overshadows the natural wonders on land. With exotic orchids, rare birds, and ancient stone monoliths, Palau could be the next great adventure frontier -- a Pacific Ocean successor to Costa Rica and Belize. "Welcome to Palau -- The Rainbow's End" says the immigration form visitors receive on arrival.

On my eight-day trip, I aim to explore this primeval paradise both above and below the waterline.

Palau has been inhabited for more than 3,000 years, settled by people of Polynesian, Malayan, and Melanesian lineage. In the past, every village had a bai (men's meetinghouse). Dating to the 1800s, Arai Bai is one of the oldest remaining in the country, located on the island of Babeldaob.

To reach it, I walk down a stone path worn smooth by centuries of passers-by. Treetops vibrate with the contralto call of biibs (fruit doves). The bai stands in a clearing. No nails hold it together, just carefully positioned joints.

Like the idols of Easter Island, Babeldaob also holds a rocky mystery -- the Ngarchelong Monoliths. The massive, four-foot markers are carved from basalt, a stone not found in this locale. No one knows how they got here or why, although legend says they once supported a bai for the gods.

That evening I head to the restaurant at North Beach Cottages for local specialties: taro soup with sand clam, kankum (like watercress) and coconut crab. Along with my meal, I sample taro wine, which at 38-proof resembles brandy because of its sharp burn. I drink it the local way, mixed with grape-flavored Tang. It's definitely an acquired taste. So is the next dinner course, featuring Palau's most notorious nosh -- fruit bat. Two cooked critters about eight inches tall repose in a steamer basket, wrapped in their wings as if dressed for Halloween. Little, pointy teeth grin at me.

Still, I'm game. I have always joked that the only contest I could win on "Survivor" would be the food challenge. Yes, bat does taste like chicken -- more precisely, overcooked stew hen. I choose a tiny morsel from near the ribs, declining a serving of black, gelatinous wing. The worst part is that the flesh sticks between your teeth. When I get back to my hotel, I floss extra diligently.

Navigating waterways

The following morning, I go kayaking through the emerald channels of a former copra plantation with Dildoseb ecoTour. After a paddle along a rocky seacoast, our group pulls into an inlet beside sacred ground. According to tradition, stones mark the resting place of the goddess who brought taro to the isles of Micronesia.

We return to a magnificent lunch prepared by Dildoseb ecoTour owner Ann Singeo. As we eat, she talks about Palau's matrilineal society: "A man becomes chief through his mother's clan. Women hold the traditional forms of wealth, such as taro patches and money beads."

Palau tradition means graciousness to guests. It seems to be a national priority to wave goodbye to departing visitors for as long as they remain in sight. Hands up, bodies swaying from the waist, Singeo and the kayak guides wave to our group. Babeldaob, the most mountainous of Palau's islands, also is laced by mighty rivers. I join Billy Takamine for a cruise down the Ngerdorch River, one of Micronesia's longest. We watch at a muddy spot for the resident crocodile, but only see her from a distance. "She's just had babies, she doesn't want to leave her nest," Takamine says.

Back on land, I meet Thor, Billy's pet fruit bat. The small creature charms us as it poses for photos dangling upside-down from our hands. "When he gets tired of visitors, he flies back to his cage and closes the door with his thumbs," Billy explains. Holding this personable little bat, I feel guilty for having capriciously snacked on one of his brethren. By the time I leave, it's raining. Even so, Billy stands in the downpour waving goodbye.

Predators in peril

Oh, the shark, babe, has such teeth, dear And it shows them pearly white "...

Five savagely white sets of jaws circle around me. As the old song "Mack the Knife" plays in my head, it helps calm me. I am 60 feet underwater at Blue Corner, one of the best-known scuba sites in Palau. I adjust my flotation so I overlap closer to my scuba buddies. "Try to look big" rates as my favorite advice when I'm being measured as potential sushi. Sharks swim so close that I see every undulation of their gills.

Will future generations of scuba divers thrill to such sights? Sharks -- the ocean's most feared predator -- are themselves in danger. Shark populations have dropped by more than 50 percent in just two decades because of the demand for shark-fin soup -- a delicacy prized in Asia, where it sells for upward of $300 per pound.To protect these predators, Palau in 2009 created the world's first shark sanctuary, banning all commercial shark fishing in its waters.

More adventures

Travelers do not need to be scuba-certified -- or to cozy-up to sharks -- to enjoy Palau's aquatic Edens. Hundreds of emerald islets float amid transparent turquoise lagoons in the Rock Islands. Several companies offer guided kayak tours through the sinuous canals and mirror-still inlets.

If you're lucky, you might spot a rare dugong, a shy marine mammal like a manatee. Dugongs are no-shows on my paddle, but I do see an eagle ray about eight feet across.

Palau's most unusual swimming hole is one shared with millions of jellyfish. A unique, stingless variety inhabits several of the country's saltwater lakes that connect to the sea via narrow passages. At aptly named Jellyfish Lake, I don mask, snorkel and fins to swim through the warm, clear waters. First I encounter pairs, then dozens, then literally thousands of jellyfish, from thumbnail-size creatures to two-foot-wide behemoths. It sounds like a sci-fi movie, but actually the experience is breathtakingly beautiful. After I overcome the initial, completely irrational fear of accidentally swallowing a jellyfish through my snorkel, I become enthralled by the gentle ballet of pulsating crowns.

After eight days, my trip to Palau is finished. I arrive at the airport early and stop in the restaurant for a snack. When I leave, the waiters wave -- as vigorously as if they had known me for years. As I pass a poster announcing "Palau -- The Rainbow's End," I think about how the arc of their waving arms resembles the curve of that very rainbow.

Check out this amazing TripAdvisor video of our travels to Palau...happy holidays ~

2010-12-21T08:17:00.000-08:00

Congratulations Palau!!!

2010-12-13T21:38:00.000-08:00

Palau has been named to The Developing World's 10 Best Ethical Destinations

by Ethical Traveler...check it out - http://www.ethicaltraveler.org/destinations/2011

Palau paradise: Finding the rainbow's end above and below the water

2010-11-23T20:03:00.000-08:00

Risa Wyatt-

Contra Costa Times Correspondent

I have found a new cure for jet lag -- waterfalls. At the famous 100-foot tall fall in Ngardmau, I clamber onto a log behind the streaming waters to relish the sight of mist glinting gold in the late afternoon light.

I am in Palau, a Pacific nation composed of more than 500 jungled islands and atolls that lies 4,600 miles southwest of Honolulu. Palau first blipped on the tourism radar of scuba divers who raved about the islands' underwater drop-offs and monster pelagics -- sharks, schooling barracudas, and manta rays with 12-foot wingspans. Today, about 60 percent of Palau's visitors are scuba divers.

Because the diving is so phenomenal, it often overshadows the natural wonders on land. With exotic orchids, rare birds, and ancient stone monoliths, Palau could be the next great adventure frontier -- a Pacific Ocean successor to Costa Rica and Belize. "Welcome to Palau -- The Rainbow's End" says the immigration form visitors receive on arrival.
On my eight-day trip, I aim to explore this primeval paradise both above and below the waterline.
Palau has been inhabited for more than 3,000 years, settled by people of Polynesian, Malayan, and Melanesian lineage. In the past, every village had a bai (men's meetinghouse). Dating to the 1800s, Arai Bai is one of the oldest remaining in the country, located on the island of Babeldaob.
To reach it, I walk down a stone path worn smooth by centuries of passers-by.

Treetops vibrate with the contralto call of biibs (fruit doves). The bai stands in a clearing. No nails hold it together, just carefully positioned joints.
Like the idols of Easter Island, Babeldaob also holds a rocky mystery -- the Ngarchelong Monoliths. The massive, four-foot markers are carved from basalt, a stone not found in this locale. No one knows how they got here or why, although legend says they once supported a bai for the gods.
That evening I head to the restaurant at North Beach Cottages for local specialties: taro soup with sand clam, kankum (like watercress) and coconut crab.
Along with my meal, I sample taro wine, which at 38-proof resembles brandy because of its sharp burn. I drink it the local way, mixed with grape-flavored Tang. It's definitely an acquired taste.
So is the next dinner course, featuring Palau's most notorious nosh -- fruit bat. Two cooked critters about eight inches tall repose in a steamer basket, wrapped in their wings as if dressed for Halloween. Little, pointy teeth grin at me.
Still, I'm game. I have always joked that the only contest I could win on "Survivor" would be the food challenge. Yes, bat does taste like chicken -- more precisely, overcooked stew hen. I choose a tiny morsel from near the ribs, declining a serving of black, gelatinous wing. The worst part is that the flesh sticks between your teeth. When I get back to my hotel, I floss extra diligently.
Navigating waterways
The following morning, I go kayaking through the emerald channels of a former copra plantation with Dildoseb ecoTour.
After a paddle along a rocky seacoast, our group pulls into an inlet beside sacred ground. According to tradition, stones mark the resting place of the goddess who brought taro to the isles of Micronesia.
We return to a magnificent lunch prepared by Dildoseb ecoTour owner Ann Singeo. As we eat, she talks about Palau's matrilineal society: "A man becomes chief through his mother's clan. Women hold the traditional forms of wealth, such as taro patches and money beads."
Palau tradition means graciousness to guests. It seems to be a national priority to wave goodbye to departing visitors for as long as they remain in sight. Hands up, bodies swaying from the waist, Singeo and the kayak guides wave to our group.
Babeldaob, the most mountainous of Palau's islands, also is laced by mighty rivers. I join Billy Takamine for a cruise down the Ngerdorch River, one of Micronesia's longest.
We watch at a muddy spot for the resident crocodile, but only see her from a distance. "She's just had babies, she doesn't want to leave her nest," Takamine says.

Back on land, I meet Thor, Billy's pet fruit bat. The small creature charms us as it poses for photos dangling upside-down from our hands. "When he gets tired of visitors, he flies back to his cage and closes the door with his thumbs," Billy explains. Holding this personable little bat, I feel guilty for having capriciously snacked on one of his brethren.
By the time I leave, it's raining. Even so, Billy stands in the downpour waving goodbye.
Predators in peril
Oh, the shark, babe, has such teeth, dear
And it shows them pearly white "...
Five savagely white sets of jaws circle around me. As the old song "Mack the Knife" plays in my head, it helps calm me. I am 60 feet underwater at Blue Corner, one of the best-known scuba sites in Palau.
I adjust my flotation so I overlap closer to my scuba buddies. "Try to look big" rates as my favorite advice when I'm being measured as potential sushi. Sharks swim so close that I see every undulation of their gills.
Will future generations of scuba divers thrill to such sights? Sharks -- the ocean's most feared predator -- are themselves in danger. Shark populations have dropped by more than 50 percent in just two decades because of the demand for shark-fin soup -- a delicacy prized in Asia, where it sells for upward of $300 per pound.
To protect these predators, Palau in 2009 created the world's first shark sanctuary, banning all commercial shark fishing in its waters.
More adventures
Travelers do not need to be scuba-certified -- or to cozy-up to sharks -- to enjoy Palau's aquatic Edens. Hundreds of emerald islets float amid transparent turquoise lagoons in the Rock Islands. Several companies offer guided kayak tours through the sinuous canals and mirror-still inlets.
If you're lucky, you might spot a rare dugong, a shy marine mammal like a manatee. Dugongs are no-shows on my paddle, but I do see an eagle ray about eight feet across.
Palau's most unusual swimming hole is one shared with millions of jellyfish. A unique, stingless variety inhabits several of the country's saltwater lakes that connect to the sea via narrow passages.
At aptly named Jellyfish Lake, I don mask, snorkel and fins to swim through the warm, clear waters. First I encounter pairs, then dozens, then literally thousands of jellyfish, from thumbnail-size creatures to two-foot-wide behemoths.
It sounds like a sci-fi movie, but actually the experience is breathtakingly beautiful. After I overcome the initial, completely irrational fear of accidentally swallowing a jellyfish through my snorkel, I become enthralled by the gentle ballet of pulsating crowns.
After eight days, my trip to Palau is finished. I arrive at the airport early and stop in the restaurant for a snack. When I leave, the waiters wave -- as vigorously as if they had known me for years.
As I pass a poster announcing "Palau -- The Rainbow's End," I think about how the arc of their waving arms resembles the curve of that very rainbow.

2010-11-19T09:37:00.000-08:00

Check out our visit to Palau on TripAdvisor!

http://tripwow.tripadvisor.com/tripwow/ta-00b5-c6a8-03d8?lb

PALAU, MICRONESIA BOASTS SENSE OF WONDER ECO TOUR

2010-11-16T10:41:00.000-08:00

A naturally eco-friendly destination, Palau now boasts a new eco-tour, which was introduced just last year. The new Sense of Wonder ECO Tour is an environmental and education program supported by the Ebiil Society in the Ngarchelong state. The tour includes kayaking through the mangrove forests, nature games and a tour through Palau’s many historical remains, to name a few of the features.

Guests will enjoy close encounters of Palau’s endemic plants and animals; up close spiritual encounters; lessons on cultural legends; tours of historical remains such as stone monoliths; and a sumptuous Palauan lunch.

Limited to small groups of up to six people, the tour costs $150 for adults and $130 for children (6-12 years old). The fee includes personal tour guide, tour, lunch, beverages and transportation. The program schedule is as follows: pick up/greeting at hotel; departure to Ollei, Ngarchelong; kayaking through the mangroves; lunch; visits to historical sites, stone monoliths, Taro Garden; and a Taro painting experience.

For more information, contact Dildoseb Eco Tour at (680) 488 6276 via phone or annsingeo@yahoo.com orisebong@hawaii.edu via email. Visit the operator at Dolphinspacific.com.

Palau's Jellyfish Featured on National Geographic's Photo of the Day

2010-11-10T10:50:00.000-08:00

Jellyfish, Palau

Photograph courtesy National Geographic Television

This Month in Photo of the Day: Animal Migration Photos

Each day five million jellyfish glide across the surface of Palau’s Jellyfish Lake to follow the sun—streaming eastward in the morning and westward in the afternoon—in a stunning daily migration. At night, the jellyfish sink down 45 feet (13 meters) to absorb nutrient-rich bacteria, which the algae in their bodies require to survive.

To check out the video CLICK HERE!

From Adventure-Journal.com

2010-11-09T10:57:00.000-08:00

Green Matters: Good Environmental News from Palau
by CATHARINE FLEURY on NOVEMBER 9, 2010

Every now and then an environmental story slips into the news stream that is as unexpected as it is pleasant—like a dollar bill on the sidewalk or a favorite tee-shirt rediscovered in your bottom drawer. Recently that story came in the form of a stunning announcement from the South Pacific: The island nation of Palau declared the waters within its Exclusive Economic Zone a marine mammal sanctuary. The move will offer whales, dolphins, and dugongs a safe haven roughly the size of Mongolia.

Palau’s minister of the environment delivered the news on October 23 during a meeting of the Convention on Biological Diversity in Nagoya, Japan. It was an ironic setting, given that Palau has consisted voted alongside Japan in favor of commercial whaling. At least until now.

The announcement was well received in environmental circles, of course, but beyond the green blogosphere, word of Palau’s great deed didn’t seem to travel too far. Maybe it was because we were too caught up in pre-election fervor or too giddy about Ski Season 2010 (the day after Palau’s declaration, it started dumping in the Tetons and Colorado fired up its first lifts). Or maybe it was because Palau is just so…far.

Whatever the reason, you might be interested to know that this new marine mammal sanctuary is big—bigger, even, than the marine sanctuary that George W. Bush famously declared northwest of Hawaii back in 2006. That one measured about 140,000 square miles; this one tops out at 231,660. It’s also teeming with cetaceans. Palau is home to as many as 30 species of whales and dolphins, and one of the most isolated populations of dugongs in the world.

In fact, the more you learn about this tiny country (pop. 21,000), the wilder the numbers become: 1,500 species of fish, 700 species of coral and anemone, a 100 percent chance of seeing a shark during a dive.

“Every dive in Palau, I guarantee you can see one or two sharks—but I’ll bet you can see 10 to 20.” says Francis Toribiong, a Palau native and 62-year-old diving legend. “They come close to about three feet away from your mask.”

Toribiong founded Palau’s first dive center in 1972 and has since discovered virtually every major dive site in the country. It was he who found Blue Corner — one of the most famous dive sites in the world — and led the crew of The Living Sea, Greg MacGillivray’s 1995 IMAX hit, to some of the film’s greatest underwater moments. I’d wager that if it weren’t for Toribiong’s intrepid spirit, Palau might not have become the ecotourism hot spot that it is today.

And that’s another thing about feel-good environmental stories: They have an uncanny way of leading you to the world’s coolest adventure personalities. You just have to pay attention.

Photos courtesy PVA.

2010-11-02T11:12:00.000-07:00

Scuba diving Palau Palau is one of the world’s most exciting destination for diving. Boasting incredibly clear warm water, a very diverse wildlife and a ninety mile colourful coral lagoon, Palau is a real paradise for diving enthusiasts. However, preparing a diving trip can be tedious task and discourage some to take the plunge. Booking accommodation, renting gear, finding a boat, is a lot to think about when you want to take a vacation to relax. If you have limited time because of work, for example, a diving trip could be impossible to achieve because of the long planning involved. Squba Holiday is here to enable you to do the diving trip you have been dreaming of! With Squba Holidays, you can be sure you will get the most out of your trip without the hassle of booking everything separately. Our packages to Palau include staying at the Palau Pacific Resort, an absolutely amazing 5 stars resort where you will be able to relax in style. Its luxurious accommodation, delicious food and tranquil, beautiful beach make it a high quality choice to relax in between dives.

But what makes scuba diving Palau so good? Well, for one thing, the sightseeing is absolutely unbelievable. While on a dive in the clear waters of the island you can spot jellyfishes, reef sharks as well as over 1300 species of tropical fishes. The scuba diving Palau is also for everyone. Indeed, Palau offers great diving opportunities for every level. So whether you’re just starting, or have been diving for years, you will have an incredible experience in Palau. These are only a few of the many reasons why we offer packages to Palau. Realize your diving fantasies with Squba Holidays by choosing the package scuba diving Palau today!

Palau Pacific Resort is your 5 Star Resort ultimate tropical getaway in Micronesia on the western shore of Arakebesang Island, Koror, Republic of Palau.

The Palau Pacific Resort is the Eden's nest, nestled in 64 acres of lush tropical gardens with the great Pacific Ocean caressing its pristine white sand beach. This luxury resort features 160 rooms decorated in an island motif setting including amenities of a world class resort. Palau Pacific Resort offers an array of leisure activities and resort facilities right on the property making it convenient for staying guests. Awarded "2007 Best Dive Resort in Asia" by World Travel Awards.

Palau Pacific Resort is an island haven for divers and non-divers alike. It is truly like no other island dream.

Palau Aggressor - Palau

Palau's mushroom-shaped rock islands offer a variety of exciting dives: WWII wrecks, shark-infested channels, blue holes, a freshwater lake with stingless jellyfish and even a few caves. There are also sheer walls covered in lush soft corals and huge anemones. Beginner divers may find Palau's strong currents challenging. All dives are made from the 18-passenger dive skiff, which is lowered into the water by a hydraulic cradle. Seven-day charters are Sunday to Sunday with five days and one-half days of diving. Diving begins Monday and ends Saturday morning. Transfers from the Palau airport are provided on the day of arrival and departure.

For more information visit http://squbaholidays.com/scuba-diving-palau.html

PALAU DECLARES SOUTH PACIFIC SANCTUARY FOR WHALES, DOLPHINS

2010-10-26T10:53:00.001-07:00

The South Pacific island nation of Palau has declared all the waters within its Exclusive Economic Zone to be a marine mammal sanctuary for the protection of whales, dolphins and dugongs.

Harry Fritz, Palau's minister of the environment, natural resources and tourism, announced the new 600,000 square kilometer (231,660 square mile) sanctuary on behalf of President Johnson Toribiong at a news conference Saturday during Oceans Day at the Convention on Biological Diversity meeting in Nagoya, Japan.

"From ancient times to today, we have conserved our biodiversity through the tools of "bul" or moratoria, and protection of critical areas," said Fritz.

"Biodiversity has always been integral to the Palauan culture," he said. "Our traditional identity, values, legends and practices are intimately linked to our surroundings and to our relationships with living creatures. Conservation of biodiversity is ingrained in our daily approach to life and inherent in the meaning of our words."

A close group of islands, Palau has at least 11 species of cetaceans in its waters, including a breeding population of sperm whales and as many as 30 other species of whales and dolphins. Palau's dugongs are the most isolated and endangered population in the world, said Fritz.

"This sanctuary will promote sustainable whale-watching tourism, already a growing multi-million dollar global industry, as an economic opportunity for the people of Palau," Fritz said.

Much of Palau's economy comes from tourism and the country hosts Dolphins Pacific, the world's largest dolphin research facility and the Palau International Coral Reef Center, a modern aquarium and research facility specializing in tropical coral reefs. The region's spectacular underwater biodiversity includes over 1,500 species of fish and 700 species of coral and anemone.

"The hunting of marine mammals, largely by foreign countries, in the 19th and particularly the 20th centuries has dramatically reduced populations in the Pacific Islands Region," he said. "The International Whaling Commission has recognized that there is clear scientific evidence that in the Pacific Islands region many of the great whale species remain severely depleted in numbers, due to the impacts of past whaling."

"It is a well-established scientific principle that to protect migratory species it is necessary to protect them not only in their feeding areas and migratory routes but also in their breeding grounds," Fritz said.

Establishment of the sanctuary is intended to prohibit the deliberate hunting and harassment of any marine mammals.

But Palau has only one patrol boat at its disposal to patrol waters that cover an area just a little smaller than the U.S. state of Texas. The boat is supplied by Australia and operated by the government of Palau.

Fritz said that Palau is seeking assistance from neighboring countries in patrolling and surveillance of its EEZ for illegal taking of marine mammals.

"We urge other countries to join our efforts to protect whales, dolphins and other marine mammals - for the sake of the species, as well as the future economic, social and spiritual development of coastal peoples," he said.

Palau also needs help to deal with all the illegal fishing taking place in its EEZ. "Last August I received a report from the U.S. officials in Guam showing more than 850 vessels fishing illegally in Palau’s waters," Fritz told reporters in Nagoya. Illegal fishing with the use of dynamite has also been reported.

"Palau's support for the conservation of marine species underscores this small island nation's tremendous commitment to protecting life in the oceans that surround it. Other countries should join Palau in safeguarding species in their waters," said Dr. Susan Lieberman, director of international policy for the Pew Environment Group, which has contributed a grant to fuel the patrol boat.

The Republic of Palau lies in the Pacific Ocean, some 800 km (500 miles) east of the Philippines and 3,200 km (2,000 miles) south of Tokyo. The islands were seized by Japanese ships during World War I and governed by Japan until 1947 when the islands passed formally to the United States under United Nations auspices as part of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands.

Emerging from trusteeship in 1994, Palau is one of the world's youngest and smallest sovereign states. About 70 percent of Palau’s population of approximately 21,000 residents, live on the island of Koror.

Until now, Palau has voted with Japan in favor of commercial whaling at the annual meetings of the International Whaling Commission and the establishment of its marine mammal sanctuary is viewed as a signal that Japan may no longer be able to count on Palau's vote for whaling.

Asked whether the new marine mammal sanctuary will affect Palau's relationship with Japan, Fritz said Palau is now making its position known and that it will be "understood by friends."

More than 1,500 whales are hunted and killed each year for their meat, most of them by Japan. This occurs despite a global moratorium on commercial whaling since 1986 and the establishment of the Southern Ocean as an international whale sanctuary in 1994.

Palau, in partnership with the South Pacific Whales Research Consortium, Whaleology, and the Pew Environment Group, announced last week that it is beginning to lay the groundwork for a sustainable whale-watching industry.

During a presentation Wednesday night on the importance of marine mammals in the region, the Queen of Koror Bilung Gloria Salii said Palau is in the process of completing a whale-watching feasibility study.

At the event, entitled, "The Role of Marine Reserves and Wildlife Sanctuaries in Conserving Large Pelagic Species," hosted by the Pew Environment Group, Salii said whale and dolphin-watching alone already generates approximately US$23 million each year in direct revenues worldwide.

Lieberman, who represented Pew at the presentation last week, said, "Palau, which once supported the Japanese position on commercial whaling, now supports conserving marine mammals, along with sharks and other species. By aiding economic development through ecotourism, Palau recognizes the importance of keeping these species alive and thriving."

From the LA TIMES: Dazzling Palau and its turquoise waters under the radar

2010-10-25T11:01:00.000-07:00

By Rosemary McClureTimes Staff Writer

An underwater armada sailed by my dive mask, turned as if on cue and sailed by again -- a dozen bright splashes of color sparkling in the calm, clear water. These yellow-tailed fusiliers were showing off for a clumsy human intruder, I thought, and I laughed.

Clumsy, indeed. I exploded to the surface coughing. I'd forgotten you can't laugh underwater; I'm always so excited when I'm nose to nose with a school of fish that I overlook the limitations of having a snorkel clenched between my teeth.

The fusiliers and I were swimming in aquamarine water off the coast of Palau, a tiny Western Pacific nation that's considered an underwater wonder of the world. Its turquoise seas are legendary with divers, some of whom view it as a mecca. But visitors don't have to dive to appreciate Palau's treasures; even an inexperienced snorkeler can glimpse a magical array of coral, fish and other colorful marine life. Those with simpler tastes -- a beach chair and a sandy shoreline -- can find long, white beaches on emerald-green, uninhabited islands.

Despite its popularity with divers -- Jacques Cousteau was among its boosters -- Palau is relatively undiscovered. It's off the radar of most Americans, with fewer than 3,000 visiting last year. Only about 70,000 visitors arrived overall, the size of the weekend crowd at a U.S. theme park. The nation hopes to raise its visibility July 22-31, when the Pacific Islands Festival of the Arts is held here, drawing 27 nations and about 4,000 participants and guests.

For Americans, Palau offers more than tropical ambience and multihued fish. In a world of places where Yanks aren't welcome, Palau is a gentle alternative. The island republic, once a U.N. Trust Territory administered by the U.S., is an uncomplicated destination. The currency is the U.S. dollar, visas are not required, and most residents speak English. Best of all, they seem to genuinely like American visitors.

"The friendliness of the people, the slow island style, the great diving, I love it all," said Tina Summerlin of Charlotte, N.C., whose June trip to Palau was her second visit. "I'd eventually retire here if I thought I could talk my husband into it."

A wealth of islands

The Palau archipelago, considered part of Micronesia, has more than 300 forested islands and atolls spread out over 325 miles of the Pacific Ocean and the Philippine Sea. Most visitors stay in Koror, the capital, and spend their time diving, snorkeling and kayaking in the blue waters surrounding Palau's Rock Islands, lush green wedges of land that jut out of the sea to form a maze of channels teeming with marine life. Protected by a long barrier reef, the islands are surrounded by water so calm and clear that a boat in the distance seems to float on the sky.

When I visited in mid-June -- my 18-hour flight here was on Continental Micronesia via Hawaii and Guam -- I wasted little time. Within a few hours, I was in a boat skimming through the water toward the Rock Islands with five other snorkelers.

Our first stop was an area called Clam City, where the mollusks grow as large as 4 feet at their widest point and as heavy as 500 pounds. The giant clams, the world's largest, were resting on a sandy bottom in tranquil, 10-foot-deep water. Everyone joked about getting trapped inside one, but our guide, Jake Oiterong, quickly set us straight. "Impossible," he said, laughing.

The giant clams are among many species that can be seen only in Palau. The islands lie astride two of the world's deepest ocean channels, the Palau Trench and the Philippine Deep. Their fathomless depths have helped create an unmatched marine environment that's home to 1,400 species of fish and hundreds of species of coral. The diversity makes snorkeling or diving enticing; water temperatures of 80 to 86 degrees make it comfortable.

We saw snappers and wrasses, cuttlefish and gobies, sea stars and soft corals as our boat motored through the huge lagoon that encompasses the Rock Islands, stopping at underwater attractions. At one point, we peered down at a submerged Japanese Zero aircraft that crashed in 1944 during a World War II battle. The pilot swam to shore uninjured, Jake said.

Palau was a major battle site during the war, and its lagoon is a silent harbor for dozens of ships that sank during fierce fighting. Planes, armaments and tanks can be seen on the land and in the water. Peleliu Island, 23 miles southwest of Koror, was the scene of one of the bloodiest battles, with thousands of casualties.

Now an independent nation of about 20,000 residents, Palau weathered several colonial periods: Spain, Germany, Japan and the U.S. all left their mark in one way or another. Palau's government buildings, currently in Koror, were built by the Japanese before World War II. They're timeworn, like most of the buildings and roads in the tiny capital. There are 23 miles of paved roads and two stoplights, although they don't work. (They caused more congestion than they prevented, residents say.)

There are restaurants and bars, hotels and small shops, but many Palauans seem to agree with resident Miriam Chin: "The beauty of our nation is in our waters, not in our town."

Land also delights

There also is beauty in the land, where rain forests, jungles and mangrove forests form a nearly impenetrable labyrinth of greenery.

The island of Babeldaob, north of Koror, is one of the largest landmasses in the region, second only to Guam. A combination of thick rain forests, rolling hills, sandy white beaches and picturesque villages, Babeldaob bursts with natural wonders. But, like most of Palau, it is isolated. A new road promises to make visits there simpler, but until it is finished -- and no one wants to guess when that will be -- only jolting four-wheel-drive tours are possible.

Palauan friends told me the road was much better than it used to be. Still, we jerked and bounced over the unpaved, single-lane track for eight hours to make a 50-mile round-trip journey, sliding off into a muddy ditch at one point. Luckily, a dump-truck driver needed to get by our Toyota 4Runner. His only recourse was to yank us out.

But our rollicking trip -- from Koror to the tip of Babeldaob -- was well worth the effort.

We saw mysterious carved stone faces, reminiscent of Easter Island's stone carvings, and giant monoliths, the largest nearly 10 feet tall. A group of six carved stones and 31 monoliths sat on a wind-swept plateau overlooking the Philippine Sea, strange, moss-covered faces staring mutely into space.

In the last decade, when the new road began cutting into Babeldaob, archeologists found evidence of ancient burials and advanced construction of large, terraced, man-made mounds. Primitive inhabitants created terraces, dating to 200 BC, on more than 20% of the island, said Rita Olsudong, an archeologist with the Palau Historic Preservation Office. Our trip took us by some of the mounds, where we found clay pottery shards underfoot.

"The technology is impressive," Olsudong said. "Using only ancient tools, these communities were able to construct terraces and stone features still standing today."

Although much of the distant history of the country is lost in time, there is a strong oral tradition, with legends of tortoises, spiders and mermaids passed from generation to generation. Carved wooden storyboards, a popular souvenir, relate the tales. These are available at the few gift shops here, but one of the largest stashes can be found at the Koror jail, where prisoners whittle and carve them for cash.

I wandered in with some friends one steamy afternoon. The overcrowded jail smelled, well, like a jail on a hot day. But there were dozens of storyboards to choose from, some as tall as 4 feet. My favorite depicted a village full of people and an ocean full of fish, tortoises and leaping marlins. It was a foot tall, 2 feet long and carved from mahogany. It was marked $130, but I was told the prisoners often allowed the items to be sold for less. I glanced at the name carved on the back of the plaque.

"Would Oscar take less?" I asked.

The attendant went through a side door and reappeared a few minutes later.

"He said $100."

I bought the piece along with a book of Palauan legends.

"Why's Oscar in jail?" I asked.

"Drug trafficking."

Crime is uncommon in Palau, where strong gun laws and community pressure limit lawbreaking. But the per-capita income is about $10,000 a year, and some people in remote areas cultivate marijuana to supplement their income, I was told.

We left the jail, and I moved on to other attractions. Rain had started -- the official rainy season is late June to November -- and winds were churning the waters near the Rock Islands. I'd have to swim with the fish another day.

Environmental education

But there were museums to see. The nation's main facility, the Belau National Museum, will relocate to a new building before the Festival of the Arts. I toured the current facility and saw historical and cultural artifacts. Nearby was a thatched-roof bai, or traditional men's meeting house, where chiefs gather to discuss issues and make laws.

Also on my itinerary was the Etpison Museum, a nicely organized collection of Palauan artifacts and historical photos; and the Palau International Coral Reef Center, where I walked through a mock-up of the country's coral reef ecosystem. I learned about saltwater crocodiles, rabbit fish, jellyfish and a host of small, colorful reef fish, such as butterflyfish and clownfish. The center has a research wing that focuses on helping the country preserve its environment and culture.

Palau aggressively protects its resources, particularly marine resources. Twice in the last year, Palau President Tommy Remengesau Jr. has set fire to gasoline-doused piles of shark fins seized from foreign fishermen. The message: Palau's sharks are off-limits. Conservationists say sharks are "finned" on the high seas and their bodies are dumped back in the water, often while the fish is still alive. (The finless shark bleeds to death, drowns or is eaten by another.) The fins are used in shark fin soup, a popular Asian dish.

Environmental issues are debated in bars, restaurants and neighborhood gatherings as the community struggles with the fine line of promoting tourism and protecting the environment. Palau is the only place I've ever visited where I've heard the term "sustainable tourism" outside of a government office.

The result is clean water, clean shores and no major development in the Rock Islands. A particularly beautiful region, called the Seventy Islands Wildlife Preserve, has white beaches, inviting coves and a maze of turquoise waterways. But it can be viewed only from the air. Its sandy shores are the natural habitat for egg-laying sea turtles; boats are banned.

The Palauans' respect for the environment was evident throughout my snorkeling adventures. Trash was collected before it had a chance to blow overboard, and tourists were cautioned not to touch the coral or the fish.

It was an easy rule to follow until we reached Jellyfish Lake. Everyone says the lake offers a once-in-a-lifetime chance to swim with jellyfish -- without getting stung by their trailing tentacles.

The marine lake is atop a limestone island near Koror. Visitors must climb through the jungle up a hill so steep that thick ropes have been strung along the rocky pathway to help them to avoid falling. Dense vegetation keeps the sun from reaching the ground; tales of poisonous trees and saltwater crocodiles made the walk more interesting.

Once at the lake, there was sun -- and jellyfish by the thousands. Cut off from the main lagoon and predators, the mastigias jellyfish evolved without the ability to sting. They follow the sun during the day, moving with it across the lake. When we arrived, they were only about 20 feet from the shoreline.

We'd been told not to wear flippers, which could rip the fragile jellyfish apart, and to avoid harming them.

I looked at the deep, murky water, at the thousands of bobbing, throbbing, undulating jellyfish and wondered whether I was up to this undertaking. Hmm, I thought. Undertaking. Poor choice of word.

OK, I thought, I've come this far. I slid off the wooden dock and floated toward the jellyfish, trying hard not to actually get near them. No such luck. They oozed through the water toward me. Some were as large as a fist, others as small as a pinhead. They began bouncing and rolling against my body.

I didn't touch. I didn't scream. I didn't flail.

But I didn't hang around long either.

"So, what did you think?" another snorkeler asked as I popped onto the dock, gasping.

"It's a once-in-a-lifetime thing," I answered, "just like everyone says."

PALAU, MICRONESIA FEATURES NATURE’S SPA AND WORLD-CLASS MANDARA SPA

2010-10-14T10:39:00.000-07:00

As one of the seven Underwater Wonders of the World, Palau is blessed with one of nature’s most coveted indigenous spas, the Milky Way, as well as Bali-inspired Mandara Spas, located at two of the destinations most prestigious resorts.

The Milky Way…

one of nature’s most coveted indigenous spas

Sometimes, the best spa treatments are found right at the source and that’s where Palau rises to the occasion. One of the most popular attractions for those visiting this archipelago of more than 586 islands is at the foundation of a special cove locals call the “Milky Way.” The creamy water gives off a cloudy mystique, its bottom covered not by the sand one might expect, but instead white limestone mud, which gives the water a milky sheen. It is rumored that the mysterious chalky mud makes an excellent rejuvenating facial, so tour guides make it a must-see pit stop for passengers visiting the Rock Islands.

Once safely ensconced in the secluded cove, guides abruptly dive off before the boat is even anchored, diving down to the floor of the inlet to return with a huge handful of the white muck. Depending on the personality of the group, guides will either start playfully slathering the pungent mud upon the passengers, which often turns into a “mud fight,” or they will pull up buckets of the healing balm, which guests can apply themselves. Once covered in the creamy substance, passengers are instructed to relax and bask in the sun, while the clay dries and the minerals work their magic. Once sufficiently dry, literally cracking at the seams, it’s time to jump into the milky water, rinse off and relish in the benefits of this natural body scrub that is said to fetch hundreds of dollars in some of the world’s best spas.

Mandara Spas

(Bali-inspired tradition, located at the Palau Pacific Resort and Palau Royal Resort)

In Bali, the healing arts are passed down from generation to generation, from mother to daughter; from father to son. Mandara Spa was founded upon this peaceful Balinese ritual and the critically-acclaimed custom embarked upon its spa journey with a simple desire to pass this healing knowledge on to all those seeking solace and relaxation. Today, there are over 70 Mandara Spas in all corners of the world, each maintaining its reverence for Balinese traditions. Because Micronesia does not itself have a tradition in the healing arts, they have adopted this tradition as it aligns well with Palau’s customs.

Mandara Spa – Palau Pacific Resort

The 160-room Palau Pacific Resort is nestled among 64 acres of lush tropical gardens with exotic flowers on the western shore of Arakebasang hamlet in Koror. Combining the true spirit and culture of the islands with a tranquil ambiance and beauty, the resort is a premiere destination for scuba divers and outdoor enthusiasts.

Featuring a private 1000-foot blanket of white sand beach, the property recently constructed the Elilai Spa by Mandara, which is a perfect retreat, located at the secluded end of the property, taking advantage of its peaceful, soothing surroundings. The Spa Villas are built on an elevated area overlooking the private ocean bay, comprising of two double Deluxe Spa Villas and three single Spa Villas. The double Villas feature in-room private bath, steam shower and relaxation deck. The Tranquility Centre is located next to the beach offering an amazing ocean view, housing the Spa Reception, retail Boutique, manicure and pedicure area.

There are several treatments, but the signature options at Mandara Spa – Palau Pacific Resort are as follows:

- Milky Way Escape: This luxurious package begins with a refreshing peppermint foot ritual followed by an aromatic coco vanilla body scrub to soften the skin and prepare for the detoxifying white body mud, which will set while the guest is wrapped in a comforting spa cocoon. Next, the guest will luxuriate in a Milky Way bath, soak and finish with a muscle melting warm stone massage.

- Mandara Massage: The signature treatment is performed by two therapists working together with a unique blend of five different massage styles – Shiatsu, Thai, Hawaiian Lomi Lomi, Swedish and Balinese.

- Elemis Skin Specific Facial: The facial combines the power of absolutes with true premium grade essential oils, to treat the skin at the deepest level, gently but surely. Specialized Eastern massage movements help to stimulate and oxygenate skin, whilst bringing the body and mind into balance.

- SPA OFFER: Valid through 12/31/10: Go to: http://www.mandaraspa.com/spa/Koror-Palau-Pacific-Resort.aspx for choice of complimentary Refresher Facial or Back Massage, when another treatment is purchased AND 10% off selected retail item, when making a booking

Mandara Spa – Palau Royal Resort

Palau Royal Resort is located amidst the captivating beauty of one of the world’s most magnificent seascapes and the famous Rock Islands. Operated by Nikko Hotels International, the six-storey resort features 157 guestrooms and suites overlooking the panoramic view of Palau’s pristine waters and extensive recreational facilities.

Mandara Spa is located at a secluded part of the resort, offering three double and two single Deluxe Spa Suites, with private outdoor bath, steam shower and relaxation area overlooking the landmark Rock Islands. The main building houses the reception, retail boutique, relaxation lounge and manicure/pedicure area.

There are several treatments, but the signature options at Mandara Spa – Palau Pacific Resort are as follows:

- Ultimate Indulgence: An exotic, luxurious and unforgettable experience of indulgence, featuring Aromatherapy Floral Footbath; Lavender Body Wash; and choice of Traditional Body Scrub, Aromatherapy Floral Bath or Herbal Steam, Mandara Massage, Refresher Facial or Foot Massage

PALAU, MICRONESIA IS ONE OF THE SEVEN (UNDERWATER) WONDERS OF THE WORLD

2010-09-03T14:46:00.000-07:00

As one of the seven Underwater Wonders of the World*, Palau, Micronesia is a playground of nature’s finest assets both on top of and underneath the surface.

Examples of this destination’s special attributes, include its distinction as one of the world’s largest archipelago with an amazing inventory of 586 islands; a plethora of marine life with 400 species of fish, 500 diverse coral species and seven of the world’s nine species of Giant Clams; 60 dive sites; breathtaking waterfalls; swimming with jellyfish in Jellyfish Lake; diving with sharks; and the “Milky Way,” which is the North Pacific’s finest, natural “spa.”

With all of Palau’s human and natural resources preserving these special gifts, it’s no wonder that CEDAM International* selected this “’Survivor’ of the fittest” destination as one of our world’s greatest wonders.

Largest Archipelago

Palau is one of the world’s largest archipelagos, located in the westernmost corner of Micronesia with 586 islands and about 20,000 inhabitants. Consistently ranked as one of the world's best dive destinations, Palau is the ultimate paradise for the adventurous traveler, boasting some of the most spectacular water features and beaches. Palau is part of the Micronesian Island chain and is beautifully located just 7° north of the Equator in the western Pacific Ocean. This gives Palau some of the most favorable tropical weather on earth with moderate temperatures and soft ocean breezes all year round.

Marine Life

The abundance of marine life is evidenced through the sheer number of healthy species, with over 1,400 varieties of fish, about 300 types of marine sponges and at least 500 diverse coral species. There are only nine known species of Giant Clams in the world and Palau has seven. Many of the colorful reefs lie in unbelievable proximity to dozens of deserted, glistening white sand beaches on the edges of palm-shaded tropical islands. One can simply marvel at the marine life that thrives in Siaes Tunnel, located along the reef where over two centuries ago fate washed up the British Ship, The Antelope, and instantaneously initiated Palau’s first recorded contact with the outside world. In the tunnel, at the entrances to their homes on the sandy bottom, the multicolored and decorative Helfrich’s dartfish and Randall’s shrimp goby thrive can be found. On the other side of the tunnel, is a sheer drop off that is domicile to impressive schools of hump-head parrotfish, Napoleon wrasse and dazzling soft corals. There may even be a leopard shark resting against the wall of its numerous small caves. In its many shallow-water canyons, there are bi-color blennies, lionfish, black-spotted puffers, unicorn fish and triggerfish. And the list goes on.

Dive Sites

Transparent waters bequeath underwater visibility beyond anyone’s imagination. So much so that from the most immaculate shorelines in the world, a boat 50 meters beyond creates the magical illusion that it floats merely on air, with its conspicuous shadow cast on a translucent seabed a few feet beneath. A prism of colorful coral reefs and a virtually limitless variety of sea life set the stage in this tropical paradise. From beginners and intermediate to expert divers, there are over 50 existing dive sites, each possessing distinct characteristics and individual personalities to appeal to everyone’s desires and abilities. Chandelier Cave, for instance, is a sub-surface catacombs of rooms filled with massive, ancient icicle-shape stalactite deposits that simultaneously hang from the ceilings of cavernous openings. Experienced guides ensure measures are taken to adroitly negotiate the dives that result from this shallow-water, yet challenging diving experience. The Ngemelis Wall, is commonly known as the Big Drop-Off and has been declared by diving’s immortal icon Jacques Cousteau to be the best wall dive in the world. Its precipitous 1,000 foot drop bestows a profusion of intriguing sights of soft corals and reef animals, while its upper portion is encrusted with a rainbow of multi-colored sea fans, sponges, coral whips and soft corals.

Blue Corner, arguably one of the best in the world and the most famous of Palau’s underwater attractions, boasts constantly cruising gray reef sharks searching the rich waters for their prey. Insatiable photographers, their excitement masked considerably by the slow motion pace of underwater movement, train their equipment and snap away at schools of barracuda, giant resident Napoleon Wrasse that often reach six feet in length, snappers and butterfly fish.

The dense concentration of marine life is revealed as these countless underwater fruits of nature dart in and out of a scintillating panorama of hard and soft corals that house them. And they are but a fraction of the more than 1,400 species of coral that thrive in these extraordinarily clear waters.

The famed Siaes Tunnel, with its enormous cavern bathed in ethereal blue light and peppered with sea fans and ancient bushes of black coral, is an unparalleled aesthetic dive. On its spotless, white sand bottom can often be seen whit tip reef sharks and black spotted stingrays slumbering.

On the east side of Palau Lagoon is a site known as the Ngerchong Coral Gardens, famous for its fabulous variety of intricate coral formations and high concentrations of small, schooling reef fish.

Breathtaking Waterfalls

Splendid waterfalls such as the largest one on Palau, Ngardmau Waterfall, can be reached after a serene trek through the jungle, amidst indigenous flora and fauna. Each presides majestically over their respective natural domains, and along the way, captivating endemic birds and plants proliferate.

Jellyfish Lake

Natural preserves most can only dream of also include the daring and the unusual – like Jellyfish Lake, where two types of jellyfish can be found, namely the golden jellyfish known as Mastigias and the moon jellyfish known as Aurelia. This intriguing lake departs radically from convention for it is an enclosed body of water wherein, over the course of millennia, resident jellyfish have become virtually stingless, allowing adventure seekers a rare opportunity to swim amongst these truly unique water creatures.In order to access this unique adventure, visitors will need to enlist the transport of a local tour guide at one of the tour shops operating in Palau. The Rock Island and Jellyfish Lake entry permit is $35 per person in addition to the tour package. It’s recommended that visitors sign up for the full day excursion, which includes snorkeling, lunch in the Rock Islands and a trip to nature’s spa…the Milky Way.

Shark Dives

Diving is a year-round adventure in Palau and during the busiest season, from January to April, divers will witness spectacular sights such as migratory whale sharks passing by, sharks or mantas mating and large schools of fish spawning. And as for the “icing on the cake,” shark enthusiasts will enjoy a shark themed week full of adrenalin-packed activities as the Micronesian Shark Foundation (MSF) holds its annual shark week at Palau’s Fish ‘n Fins dive shop in March of each year. The Micronesian Shark Foundation is a Palauan-based, non-profit foundation whose goal is to research and monitor the many sharks of Palau as well as collect scientific shark data. Between February and April, hundreds of grey reef sharks migrate to the waters of Palau to mate. This generates a fabulous opportunity for shark lovers to dive with the world famous sharks of Palau and to participate in data collection, which is invaluable in the study of migration and behavioral patterns of the sharks in these waters.

Milky Way

A special cove the locals call the “Milky Way,” the bottom of this little bay consists not of sand but of white limestone mud, which gives the water a milky sheen. Rumored that the mysterious chalky mud makes an excellent rejuvenating facial, guides dive off before the boat is even anchored, head down to the floor of the cove and return with a huge handful of the white muck, which they instruct their passengers to cover themselves with. After soaking in the sun,while the clay dries and the minerals work their magic, it’s time to jump in, rinse off and relish in the natural body scrub that is said to garner hundreds of dollars in some of the world’s best spas.

While many destinations feature amazing assets, the effect that Palau has on its inhabitants and visitors alike is profound. This enchanting land is a tropical paradise of nature’s greatest gifts.

From Environmentalgrafitti.com

2010-08-31T10:37:00.000-07:00

Photo: cinz

I had never thought of snorkeling or of jellyfish as being sensual before, but that’s how it was described to me before entering Jellyfish Lake in Palau. I can’t say that I disagree, having millions of jellyfish rub on your skin feels like being wrapped in silk ribbons. Perhaps you might recognize Jellyfish Lake from the reality TV show of Survivor: Palau or Survivor: Micronesia, in which challenge winners got to snorkel in the lake.

Photo: taka_aka_T

Millions of golden jellyfish (Mastigias sp) inhabit the lake. They are often called non-stinging jellyfish, but in fact they do sting – the sting is just too mild to feel.

Photo: aSIMULator

If you want to find the jellyfish in Jellyfish Lake, it’s not hard since there are millions of them. Every day, they make a 1km migration across the lake following the sun. It’s hypothesized that they do this to avoid their anemone predator and to acquire nutrients from the sun-loving algae.

Photo: aSIMULator

There are other jellyfish lakes in Palau, but the one on Eil Malk Island is the only one open to snorkelers. Diving is not allowed, since the bubbles can harm the jellyfish. From the surface, Jellyfish Lake looks like a nice normal lake. You would never guess that millions of jellyfish are lurking in its waters. Jump in!

FAMILIES CAN DIVE INTO THE ULTIMATE THANKSGIVING WITH THE PALAU KID’S SEA CAMP

2010-08-26T14:27:00.000-07:00

Sam’s Tours’ and Palau Royal Resort are set to host the two-time Emmy Award winning Kids Sea Camp for a second year. Kids Sea Camp, in collaboration with Continental Airlines, Sport Diver Magazine and PADI Diving Society, is scheduled for the week of November 19-27, 2010. This event “sets the table” for an unforgettable Thanksgiving family vacation. With great value in mind, Kids Sea Camp offers a variety of packages to accommodate a full family of divers or combination of divers and non-divers.

Packages include seven days and seven nights of luxury accommodations at Palau Royal Resort; all meals, including Opening Ceremonies, Beach BBQ, Thanksgiving Feast and Graduation “Survivor Day”; round trip airport transfers; transportation for all excursions; welcome baskets; painting with renowned artist Roger Rogest; Rock Island Tour/Jellyfish Lake; and lots of extras. Kids Sea Camp is a fun filled, educational adventure for the entire family. Parents and certified teens enjoy Palau’s world class diving while younger children and those not yet certified enjoy introductory diving, certification classes and marine education programs including PADI SASY (ages 4-7), PADI SEAL Team program (ages 8-9) and PADI Jr. Open Water Programs (ages 10 – 16). There is week full of adventure for the non-diver as well. Non diving tours included full-day guided Kayak Tour; Babeldaob Island Tour; Ngardmau Waterfall Hike; City Tour; and visit to Palau International Coral Reef Center.

To make the event even more special KIDS FLY FREE on Continental with each accompanying adult fare. Guests will fly from LAX to Palau on Continental Airlines, stay at the beautiful Palau Royal Resort and enjoy an amazing week of adventure with Sam’s Tours Palau. For more information or to reserve your family’s space, call (800) 934-3483, email us at kids@kidsseacamp.com or visit http://kidsseacamp.com/palau/palauhomepage.html.

2010-08-17T11:42:00.000-07:00

Pacific Partnership 2010 Kicks off in Palau

2010-07-28T15:19:00.000-07:00

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Latrice Ames, Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet Public Affairs

KOROR, Palau (NNS) -- U.S. 7th Fleet command ship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) kicked off Pacific Partnership 2010 at the Ngarachemayong Community Center in Koror, Palau with an opening ceremony July 26.

"Pacific Partnership is a mission that I am particularly excited about, and proud to be a part of," said Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet, Vice Adm. John M. Bird. "Unlike most missions the Navy does which are military in nature, this mission works by, with and through host and partner nations, non-governmental organizations and other U.S. government agencies to provide humanitarian and civic assistance. It is a chance for our men and women in uniform to give something back to the people of this region."

The Republic of Palau President Johnson Toribiong attended the opening ceremony and spoke about the special relationship Palau has with the U.S.

"Your visit today is outstanding. It will provide many forms of assistance through humanitarian projects and programs including medical care, clean-up, and painting of some of the schools here in Palau," Toribiong said. "We are most grateful for that expression of goodwill and friendship to our people."

At the end of the ceremony Capt. Rudy Lupton, commanding officer of Blue Ridge and Capt. Salvador Aguilera, chaplain of U.S. 7th Fleet, presented Project Handclasp materials, which are educational, humanitarian and goodwill goods, to Bilung Gloria Gibbons Salii.

Faustina Rehuher-Nargg, Minister of Community Country Affairs, who was also in attendance at the opening ceremony, said she was glad to see Pacific Partnership 2010 in Palau because humanitarian exercises help different cultures come together as one for a good cause.

"We need to understand each other. We need to understand each other's cultures. So if I understand you and you understand me then communication is for you open and we're not saying I'm better then you you're better then me, we're equal partners," Rehuher said.

During the five day visit Sailors and Marines from the Blue Ridge and Commander U.S. 7th Fleet will participate in several community service projects around the country. The renovation projects will take place at the following facilities: Ngchesar Elementary School, Melekeok Elementary School, Aimeliik Elementary School, Palau High School, Peleliu Elementary School, Angaur Elementary School and the Bloody Nose Ridge World War II Monument.

Blue Ridge and 7th Fleet medical and dental teams will also visit the Belau National Hospital in Koror, the Southern Community Health Center in Peleliu, and the Angaur Medical Clinic in Angaur, and provide free primary care and prescriptions.

Pacific Partnership 2010 is the fifth in a series of annual U.S. Pacific Fleet endeavors aimed at strengthening regional relationships with host nations and partner nations. The visit marks the first time Pacific Partnership has come to Palau.

For more news from Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet, visit www.navy.mil/local/c7f/.

2010-07-26T20:58:00.000-07:00

PACIFIC ISLANDS REPORT

Pacific Islands Development Program/East-West Center
With Support From Center for Pacific Islands Studies/University of Hawai‘i

EFFORT AFOOT TO PROTECT PALAU ENDANGERED BIRDS
Monitoring program to track 149 species

By Bernadette H. Carreon
KOROR (Palau Horizon, July 14, 2010) - Palau is getting assistance from the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Enviornment Programme (SPREP) to save endangered bird species in the island-nation.

During the thirteenth meeting of the Pacific Islands Roundtable for Nature Conservation in Apia this week, BirdLife International presented a compendium of Important Bird Areas in the Pacific, to the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP).

Australia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Palau, New Caledonia, New Zealand and Samoa are the SPREP members featured in the compendium with studies now underway to highlight the Important Bird Areas in the Cook Islands.

Bird Life International’s Pacific Programme Director Don Stewart in a statement said, "This is just the first stage in doing something to address the crisis facing the birds and biodiversity, the second stage is to use those sites that are demonstrated to be vital for bird and biodiversity conservation to actually start conservation action on the ground."

The compendium of Important Bird Areas for seven of the SPREP member countries has taken over four years to complete.

The compendium will assist and guide bird conservation programs in the Pacific to recover the population of birds that are now on the verge of extinction.

Now that BirdLife International has highlighted some of the important bird areas in the Pacific region, work is underway to assist the formation of conservation areas to help the bird numbers grow, Stewart said in a statement.

There are a total of 149 bird species in Palau.

In May, an executive order was issued creating a bird monitoring program for Palau to help preserve Palauan culture by protecting species from extinction.

Executive Order No. 280 establishes a National Program for Monitoring Forest and Coastal Birds.

For National Program for Monitoring Forest and Coastal Birds, permanent stations on Babeldaob Island will be designated for the monitoring of forest and coastal bird populations. Monthly monitoring will be done at designated sentinel stations to collect population and ecosystem data, including the monitoring of indicator species such as the Palau Fruit-Dove and Micronesian Imperial-Pigeon which are highly valued for the role they play in Palauan legends and traditions.

Scientific data obtained from the monthly monitoring activity for indications of ecosystem change, bird population trends and other information will be analyzed. Other ecosystem-based management activities will also be done from time to time.

Marianas Variety: www.mvariety.com
Copyright © 2010 Marianas Variety. All Rights Reserved

From American Way Magazine

2010-07-14T16:36:00.000-07:00

Off the Deep End

by Jordan Rane

You’ve skied on it, surfed over it and dived in it. Think you’ve enjoyed water in every possible way? Think again.

Water. It’s everywhere. Covering 71 percent of the planet. Making up at least 60 percent of our bodies. Falling from the sky in Forks, Wash., in 121-inch annual buckets. Supporting an entire whale-watching industry. Chilling your beverages in frozen cubes. We could go on, but you already know the many wonders of water, right? Wrong.

What follows are four refreshingly unique ways to enjoy everyone’s favorite hydrogen-and-oxygen hybrid. These aquatic adventures are surreal and perhaps a little bizarre — but they’re also fantastically fun and cool on a scorching summer day. Best of all, they’re ready when you are. You don’t even need to add water.

BASK IN A LAKE FULL OF BENIGN JELLYFISH
Where: Jellyfish Lake, Rock Islands, Palau

Normally, wading into a colony of bobbing jellyfish would sound about as enticing as frolicking barefoot through fields of wasp-infested clover. But at Jellyfish Lake, which is locked inside a tiny isle in the heart of Palau’s otherworldly Rock Islands, it’s not such a daunting proposition.

For it is in this peaceful, secluded marine lake that millions of benign Mastigias papua etpisoni (aka golden jellyfish) and a smaller population of equally congenial Aurelia aurita (moon jellyfish) have been residing in relative isolation for millennia — and where thousands of visitors now come to swim with them in painless wonder. Jellyfish Lake, Palau’s famous lake full of “stingless” jellyfish, first reached a wider, international audience in the early 1980s when marine biologists discovered the place and National Geographic came knocking. Today, the site has become one of the most mythic — and slightly myth-fueled — marine wildlife attractions on either side of the Pacific.

The jellyfish in Jellyfish Lake aren’t technically stingless, as travel brochures and guidebooks are known to misstate. Nor did they lose their sting by being isolated in a landlocked lake with no natural predators — another widespread inaccuracy. That said, the difference between myth and reality is largely academic.

“The species of jellyfish in this marine lake feeds on very small prey, so they don’t need the volumes or types of venom nor the type of stinging cells that would cause a painful sting in humans,” explains Michael Dawson, Ph.D., assistant professor of evolutionary biology at the University of California, Merced, who heads a study at Jellyfish Lake. “Hundreds of thousands of people have swum with the jellyfish in Jellyfish Lake for almost two decades and there has never been any report of a problem.”

So, what exactly does it feel like to bask in a colony of millions of golden jellyfish?

“Absolutely surreal, in the most wonderfully indescribable sense of the word,” says Molly Blaisdell, a San Francisco–based spokesperson for the Palau Visitors Authority who has swum at Jellyfish Lake several times. “You feel like you’re being held afloat and carried along by this mass of soft, gentle creatures. If you’re really paying attention, you may feel a slight tingling sensation — about half the strength of a feather on your cheek — when rubbing against them. I’d say it’s about as close as one can come to floating on a cloud.”

Several outfitters from Palau’s main hub, Koror, which is about a two-hour flight from Guam, offer half- or full-day boat excursions to Jellyfish Lake. Most trips to the lake incorporate other Rock Islands attractions en route, including some world-class snorkeling stops and a visit to the Milky Way — a cove lined with a “natural spa” of white limestone mud.

For more information: www.visit-palau.com

PALAU, MICRONESIA FEATURES SPECIAL STAY AND DIVE PACKAGES

2010-06-16T14:26:00.000-07:00

Palau is one of the wonders of the diving world, where large schools of sharks, manta rays, colorful soft corals, dramatic wall dives and adrenaline pumping drift dives are some of the features. And now, U.S. based tour operators are offering special packages to accommodate those that want to take the ultimate plunge. Here’s an example of what two Palau tour operator specialists have to offer:

Caradonna Dive Adventures

Palau Pacific Resort Dive Package:

Five days/four nights from $740 per person double occupancy and includes four nights in a garden view room, two days of two-tank boat diving with Neco Marine including lunch, free Nitrox and roundtrip airport transfers. Add $655 for seven nights’ accommodations, five days of two-tank boat diving (including lunch) and a free snorkel tour of Jellyfish Lake.

Valid through July 31, 2010 and September 1-December 19, 2010

Cliffside Hotel Dive Package:

Eight days/seven nights for $1,075 per person double occupancy and includes seven nights’ accommodations, five days of two-tank diving with Neco Marine including lunch, free Nitrox, a free snorkel tour of Jellyfish Lake and roundtrip airport transfers.

Valid through December 31, 2010

The Carolines Resort Dive Package:

Eight days/seven nights from $1,270 per person double occupancy and includes seven nights in an air-conditioned bungalow, five days of two-tank boat dives with Fish 'N Fins including lunch, breakfast daily, use of beach and facilities at Palau Pacific Resort and roundtrip airport transfers.

Valid through December 19, 2010

Ocean Hunter III Live-aboard Dive Package:

Eight days/seven nights from $2,886 per person double occupancy and includes 15% off any seven night dive charter in June, July or August aboard the Ocean Hunter III in double stateroom with up to five dives per day, gourmet meals and roundtrip airport transfers.

Valid for charters through August 27, 2010

Contact Information for Caradonna Dive Adventures bookings:

sales@caradonna.com

800-328-2288

www.caradonna.com

World Of Diving

Sea Passion Hotel With Sam's Tours
This seven night dive package starts at $1,099 per person/double occupancy and includes free upgrade to Ocean View Room; daily breakfast; five days of two tank boat diving; lunch on dive days; free Nitrox, free Jellyfish Lake snorkel; free Chandelier Cave dive; two free third dives; unlimited Mandarin Fish diving at Sam's Wall; complimentary Sam's logo T-shirt; tax and transfers.
Must book by June 30, 2010 and travel by December 15, 2010
Not included: $60 dive permits, $15 green fee, meals other than those listed, dive rental equipment and $20 departure tax

Palau Pacific Resort
With this special relationship, it’s resort only, but every fifth night is free. Book by July 30, 2010; valid for travel through July 31 and September 1 through December 19, 2010

Ocean Hunter Live-aboards
For those traveling from June through September 30, 2010, passengers will receive a special 15% Summer special discount

Contact Information for World of Diving bookings:

Will McFarland - World of Diving

will.m@worldofdiving.com

800-463-4846 ext. 24

www.worldofdiving.com

Palau: the world's best-kept secret

2010-05-26T18:29:00.000-07:00

DAVID BARBELER, The West AustralianMay 25, 2010

From the gut-wrenching bowl of fruit bat soup that grins back at you, to a lake that feels like it's filled with equal parts water and stingless jellyfish, Palau is a tropical paradise packed with uniquely odd traits.

Where in the world is Palau you ask? Well, the Republic of Palau is a series of more than 250 limestone islands bobbing their heads up out of the Pacific Ocean 800km east of the Philippines.

Virtually untouched by tourists, a new flight from Brisbane operated by Pacific Flier has just opened a direct passageway for the first time. So to whet your appetite, here are eight little known quirky facts about a country you've most likely never heard of:

1. The national culinary delicacy is fruit bat soup

When people get asked what a particular animal tastes like, most reply "chicken". However fruit bat soup tastes nothing like chicken. The closest it comes to is a faint resemblance of quail, without any aesthetic presentation whatsoever. Basically they drop a whole fruit bat into a broth, boil it, and then pull it out only to have its face still grinning back at you. Only scarier — as if it's just daring you to try and eat it. I gingerly peeled off the fur/skin surrounding its legs and managed to eat that. However a Palauan who saw me having trouble decided to rip open the rib cage and devour its guts, insisting that because of its fruit diet, it was the "sweetest part". I kindly let him eat the rest.

2. Matriarchal society

While many females are the unofficial household bosses in many a country, the women in Palau formally run the show. The appointed Chief of each region is generally the nephew of the previous Chief, allowing the lineage to run through the women's bloodlines. However if the nephew is not a suitable option, the women in the tribe will not hesitate to appoint someone more suitable. Women also control all the money their husbands make. My guide Steve told me that if he wants a pair of sunglasses, he has to ask his wife to buy them. "One time a Japanese tourist gave me this Japanese cap," he told me while cheerily pointing to his head, "My wife didn't believe me and demanded to meet the tourist to know for sure."

3. Dance floor musical chairs

I learned the hard way that you just don't get up and bust out a Marky-Mark move on the dance floor in Palau. Everyone first asks a member of the opposite sex to join them before strutting their stuff under the disco ball. Fortunately, because Palau is a matriarchal society, women don't hesitate to ask you. I was asked to dance six times in two hours. That's six times higher than my record. It's also important to not get too heavily involved in a dance trance. About 30 seconds before each song ends, everyone on the floor scatters and sits back down. Almost like an adult's version of musical chairs. But don't worry, the fun starts up all over again at the start of the next song - which is normally of the slow rock variety.

4. It was a fierce battleground during WWII

The presence of approximately 11,000 Japanese troops in Palau in WWII made it a major target for the allied forces. It became the scene of intense fighting during the Battle of Peleliu (aka Palau) between September and November 1944. Survivors call it "The Forgotten Battle". Before the Japanese surrendered, the battle claimed thousands of lives on both sides. To this day, divers and snorkellers can visit many underwater wrecks from the battles — a real must-see.

5. American Influence still lingers

Because Palau remained under United States administration until 1994, it has adopted several of its customs - as well as keeping many of its own. Despite having their own native languages, most Palauans speak perfect English. Other influences the United States has had on Palau includes their currency, high population of Christians/Catholics, dress style and baseball. Rest assured, however, that despite all these US influences, there is almost not a single annoying American tourist to be seen on the entire island.

6. It has its own Stonehenge

When you think of gigantic mysterious stone formations, Palau doesn't exactly spring to mind. Easter Island? Yep. Stonehenge? You bet. But Palau? Well most people haven't even heard of it. The Badrulchau Monoliths are located on Palau's largest island, Babeldaob. They consist of two columns of refrigerator-sized volcanic rocks which have sat there and stumped locals for many a century. All the rocks in the formation are so big they would have been virtually impossible for a primitive tribe to transport overseas. The great mystery is, however, that Palau is made up of limestone, with no volcanic rocks anywhere in sight. Aliens, meteorites and supervolcanoes were just a couple of the wild theories tossed about during my 30 minutes wandering the site. My guide Steve told me they recently paid "a lot of money" for an archaeologist to study the rocks for nine months. Steve: "He walked around looking very serious and holding his chin for a lot of the time. At the end all he could tell us was the volcanic rocks were not from this island. We already knew that!"

7. World's first and only shark sanctuary

Last year, President Johnson Toribiong proudly announced to the world at a UN General Assembly that Palau would be home to the world's first shark sanctuary in a bid to save more than 130 sharks and rays fighting extinction. Of course, the government finds it difficult patrolling an area more than twice the size of Victoria with a single patrol boat — let alone paying for its petrol. But the Palauans hope the gesture will be respected by shark fin poachers from nearby countries and that it will inspire other countries to follow suit.

8. Jellyfish Lake

Cut off from the main ocean at the end of the last Ice Age 12,000 years ago, Jellyfish Lake is home to 13 million jellies. As a Queenslander who has spent a lot of time with the deadly stingers up north, I can honestly say the first 10 minutes of swimming through the lake scared the hell out of me. But because the thick blanket of jellyfish that inhabit the lake have been isolated for so long, they've had the luxury of no natural predators, and thus, no need to develop any toxins. Up your boardshorts, in your hair, down your snorkel — the alien-shaped creatures feel like they're invading every crevice of your body. In fact, Jellyfish Lake just about sums up Palau as a whole. Both are isolated, harmless, and jam-packed wonders. And while they can take a little while to get used to, you can rest assured it's a unique and untouched experience that you won't forget.

CHECK-OUT OUR MAY SCUBA DIVING SPECIALS FROM PACIFIC DIVE AND TRAVEL INC.

2010-05-20T14:22:00.000-07:00

PALAU AGGRESSOR
SAVE $600 Palau Aggressor II Celebrates 20 Years in Palau with Special
During August 29-September 26 and October 3-24, 2010, divers SAVE $600 per person. For over 20 years, Palau Aggressor crew members have offered an incredible variety of diving opportunities like WWII wrecks, thrilling shark dives, fast-paced drift dives along soft coral walls, snorkeling at Jellyfish Lake and a memorable plunge into Chandelier Caves. No other discounts apply during this time.

OCEAN HUNTER III

15% SUMMER SPECIAL DISCOUNT FOR TRIPS FROM JUNE TO SEPT.

Applicable for bookings requests received and confirmed until June 15, 2010.

Ocean Hunter III is Palau’s most luxurious liveaboard and a new addition to the Ocean Hunter fleet. Designed and built for divers by an avid diver, Naval Architect and owner Navot Bornovski

PALAU TROPIC DANCER

Save $600 off the charter price

Get free Nitrox for the entire week ( $150 value)

Offer valid for charters departing between 1-Jun-2010 and 28-Nov-2010

Limited to new bookings. Must mention this special at time of initial reservation.
Discounts apply to cruise only and not fees or surcharges.
Cannot be combined with other discounts, promotions, or special incentives.
Subject to withdraw or change without notice.

MALDIVES AGGRESSOR

Groups booking the full boat earn 2 FREE spaces. That’s 8 pay, spaces #9 and #10 go free!

The Island Dancer II is an intimate 10 passenger yacht that is ideal for small groups and family charters.

TRUK ODYSSEY

$2995.00 plus taxes pp

7 nights, free nitrox, world famous wreck diving for 51/2 days and meals, Truk Lagoon, also known as Chuuk is the graveyard to nearly 70 wrecks. On the morning of February 17, 1944 a United States Navy air attack code named "Operation Hailstone" caught a fleet of Japanese Merchant vessels and warships by surprise in Truk Lagoon. 400 tons of bombs and torpedoes were dropped.

PALAU...A DESTINATION OF HISTORY FOR WORLD WAR II BUFFS

2010-05-17T11:55:00.000-07:00

Known to many as the location for the bloodiest battles of World War II, war buffs will appreciate Peleliu’s plethora of historical and commemorative elements.

Available year-round, Palau’s World War II/Peleliu Excursion is an integral part of Palau’s truly unique history, rounding out the varied interests and attractions found within the destination’s natural “habitats.”

Peleliu Island was the scene of one of the Pacific's bloodiest battles when U.S. Marines made an amphibious assault on the beaches of Peleliu in 1944 to liberate the island from Japanese forces. Peleliu was heavily fortified with massive concrete bunkers and over 300 man-made and reinforced natural caves used to shelter the Japanese forces during massive naval bombardments prior to the assault. Remnants of Japanese headquarters buildings, incredible cave systems, gun emplacements, tanks, planes and weapons can still be seen today.

Sam's Tours works closely with Peleliu Adventures, a small locally-owned tour company based in Peleliu that offers professionally guided tours to battles sites, tanks, shrines, historical monuments and the Peleliu WWII Museum. For more information, contact Sam’s Tours at (680) 488-1062 or reservations@samstours.com or Fish ‘n Fins at (680) 488-2637 or info@fishnfins.com.

Additionally, for those planning ahead, Sam Scott, founder of Sam's Tours, leads his Annual Wreck Expedition Week in March to dive and explore Palau's historic WWII “Forgotten Fleet” of Japanese ships and planes which were sunk by U.S Forces during Operation Desecrate One in March 1994. The program includes guest speakers, historians, slide shows, movies and historical presentations. For more information, contactinfo@samstours.com or visit www.samstours.com/wreckdiving.

Local operator, Neco Marine Tours, also offers a scenic boat ride to the island of Peleliu and a guided tour around the island, which can be combined with diving there. Guests will visit the World War II battlefields; see the old tanks, gun emplacements, bunkers, communication centers, the Japanese HQ and airplane wrecks; as well as a stop at Peleliu's War Memorial Museum, where WWII artifacts are on display. There's also an opportunity to spend time at the memorials to both American and Japanese soldiers lost during the war. For more information, contact (680) 488- 1755 or info@necomarine.com or visit www.necomarine.com/landtours.html.

Check It Out!

2010-05-05T20:48:00.000-07:00

Palau…Sets the Stage for Weddings in Paradise

2010-04-27T11:30:00.000-07:00

Aside from having one’s own private island, Palau is a North Pacific paradise that appeals to those who truly want to get away from it all, especially for couples who want to enjoy a romantic interlude, far far away. Ideal for those who want to renew their vows in a unique, outdoor fashion or for those tying the knot for the first time, Palau boasts some very intriguing options, including everything from underwater nuptials to an upclose and personal encounter with dolphins.

Front and center are local purveyors, Sam’s Tours, Fish –n- Fins and Neco Tours, whom all offer the incredible opportunity to engage in underwater nuptials. Although no packaged programs exist, each tour company can provide this customizable service for those hard core divers who feel the urge to exchange their vows beneath the surface. Other available options through these vendors include a wedding on the secluded island of Peleliu at Honeymoon Beach or on board a live-aboard yacht while out at sea.

For those who prefer to “be grounded,” the beachside Palau Pacific Resort has hosted many couples interested in exchanging their nuptials in the most idyllic of settings. Surrounded by the gentle sound of the sea, with blue skies or golden sunsets and sparkling white sands as the stage, couples will make their everlasting vows of love in a truly unforgettable setting.

The Palau Pacific Resort’s wedding package includes: private beach ceremony; personal wedding coordinator; transfers to and from the airport in an exclusive VIP vehicle; fresh floral arrangements/flower shower/floral wedding ring pillow;

marriage certificate; bridal bouquet and groom’s corsage; Champagne toast after the ceremony; bridal beauty package; 80-minute treatment for the bride at Elilai Spa by Mandara; wedding gift especially made by Palau Pacific Resort; exclusive use of a bride’s room for preparations; gift voucher (two nights in a Ocean View Room, for a return visit, valid for one year). For more information and reservations, visit www.palauppr.com or contact Palau Pacific Resort at (680) 488 2600 or info@ppr-palau.com.

Dolphins Pacific is another option, where the bride and groom can swim with dolphins in the pristine waters of the Pacific, either pre- or post- ceremony as a special way to commemorate the joyous occasion. Dolphin’s Pacific Ocean Blessing package allows couples to enjoy a private affair in the remote Emerald Lagoon alongside the dolphins. The magical creatures, which symbolize smooth sailing, share their ocean blessing and give couples a truly unique wedding day experience. The package starts at $1,500 (8 person maximum) and includes: private ceremony at Emerald Lagoon, surrounded by the beautiful Rock Islands; boat transportation to and from Dolphin Bay; round trip land transportation from Palau Pacific Resort to venue; ceremony officiated by a Judge; mar mar, lei & bouquet; VIP red carpet and flower and candle arrangements; hair and makeup “Bridal Beauty Package” by Melusch- Dil; and photo (CD & album) services of ceremony. For more information and reservations, visit dolphinspacific.com or contact (680)488-8582 or e-dream@dolphinspacific.com.

Dive it All During Diversity Fiesta - From The Circumference

2010-04-25T17:51:00.000-07:00

Typically, when you plan a dive holiday you spend hours researching and narrowing down your choice to one place where you're guaranteed to find a single breathtaking marine attraction. But when planning a Palau dive trip, you won't have to choose just one attraction because it has it all! This isolated set of 200 or so limestone islands showcase a selection of dive sites that nearly all other dive locations can only dream of. Every year to celebrate this natural endowment, pioneering dive shop Fish 'n Fins holds Diversity Fiesta, a week long food and diving event.

The dive schedule during Diversity Fiesta brings patrons face to face with some of the most unique marine phenomenon, including WWII plane and ship wrecks, ancient marine lakes, shark encounters, blue holes, chandelier like caves and coral gardens. The number of quality dive sites here continually spur people to say that they could dive here everyday, and be guaranteed that everyday it would be different. Diving Palau makes you feel like your among a lucky few. During WWII, on March 30 and 31, 1944, over 60 Japanese ships and planes were sunk here by the US. From the startlingly intact Jake's Seaplane to the coral overrun Iro Maru wreck, the more then thirty plus wreck dives here provide a startling testimony of Palau during the war. After gliding over history at a WWII plane wreck, move to staring down a swarm of 10 whitetip reef sharks. For many thrill seekers, their need is more then satisfied after diving the famous Blue Corner. Here at the tip of the southwestern lagoon, three major ocean currents meet, the result of which is one of nature's best shows. About 25 meters down you can hook into the reef as packs of black and whitetip reef sharks patrol the edge of the wall. Although some are still fearful of reef sharks, seeing them surf the current here seems to abate the misconception.

After a long day of diving the festivities keep going with a nightly Palaun dinner, hosted dockside at Fish 'n Fins. Each night you have the pleasure of enjoying different dishes from the exotic Pacific Rim, while reminiscing with your dive group about the amazing dives you did that day. With all the events going on during Diversity Fiesta you'll be glad to stay at the Landmark Marina, which is conveniently located adjacent to the Fish n' Fins dive shop. Location is everything, and being on waterfront as well as having the ability to roll out of bed and be at Fish n' Fins in a second, is a huge pro

Check out this diver's amazing experience in Palau!

2010-04-22T10:54:00.001-07:00

http://www.surf-dive.com/diving-palau

From www.thecircumference.org!

2010-04-22T10:49:00.000-07:00

The Experience - Diving in Blue Corner

by Kristin Cowles, Editor-in-Chief

Palau is a divers dream, with its fringing coral reefs and burgeoning marine life it's hard to beat. In a time where our oceans are being devastated beyond belief, Palau has managed to maintain some sanctity, and in 2009 with the help of pioneering dive shop Fish'n Fins, declared its waters a Shark Sanctuary.

Thanks to this, people who make the trek to Palau can enjoy an increasingly rare treat - sharks and other large fish that have been overfished in other areas of the world. Although you can see sharks on almost any dive here, perhaps the best place to spot these and other large pelagics is diving Blue Corner. Blue Corner is Palau's most famous dive site, and is continually in the running for the single best dive site in the world. Here at this current charged corner divers flock by the boat load to take in the high concentration of large marine life. Below the surface, a wild spectacle awaits. Drawn by the sharp change in current and depth, a Blue Corner dive parades a seemingly endless scene of sharks, tuna, barracuda and wrasse. Searching for a dive spot that flaunts these increasingly rare species on a more impressive stage may take a lifetime.

Blue Corner was first discovered by Francis Toribiong, Fish 'n Fins founder, just east of the Blue Holes dive site. Although it can be a difficult dive depending on the currents, it's one that you'll remember for the rest of your life. Diving Blue Corner essentially allows divers to pull up a seat and watch the show, by floating at the edge of the drop off suspended by a reef hook in the current. Your dive guide will help position each diver in a straight line so as to not disrupt the path of the sharks patrolling in front. After you've had your fill of the 10 - 20 large sharks that zoom by you, unhook and glide across the reef plateau through huge schools of bumphead parrotfish, jacks, barracuda, and the occasional wandering napoleon wrasse. And this is just your typical day diving Blue Corner. As if that weren't lucky enough, every now and then you may also see a hammerhead, whale shark, manta, marlin, sailfish or whale. Diving a place as extraordinary as Blue Corner will make you grow in awe and appreciation for its amazing sea life.

Trip or Treats: Palau Dive Diary Part Quattro

2010-03-31T09:42:00.000-07:00

Trip or Treats: Palau Dive Diary Part Quattro

Did You Know? Jellyfish Lake

2010-03-25T10:39:00.000-07:00

Ongeim’l Tketau (OTM), also known as Jellyfish Lake, is a 30 m deep basin filled with seawater indirectly connected by cracks and crevices to the lagoon. Typically the lake hosts 13 million golden jellyfish. While this is the only lake open to visitors, there are over 50 marine lakes in Palau, at least five of which contain golden jellyfish.

What are marine lakes? Marine lakes are isolated bodies of seawater, surrounded by land. All marine lakes retain connections to the ocean via channels through the encircling limestone rock. The number, size, and length of channels determine the degree to which water and organisms exchange between the lakes and the ocean. Each marine lake is unique in characteristics such as depth, size, shape and volume of the lake, number and positions of tunnels and vertical profiles of salinity, temperature, and dissolved oxygen. These and affect the types and amount of habitat, and therefore the numbers and kinds of marine species each lake supports. In fact, each lake is distinguished by a unique suite of habitats and species. Marine lakes occur in two main types: mixed and stratified. In mixed lakes, temperature, salinity, and the amount of dissolved oxygen do not change significantly with depth. The opposite is true in stratified lakes, and the deeper regions of these lakes lack oxygen and have high concentrations of hydrogen sulfide. Like most jellyfish lakes, OTM is stratified with the anoxic (oxygen-less) lower layer beginning at 12-14 m (40-45 ft). This transition is marked by a pink bacterial layer 1 meter thick.

Why call it Jellyfish Lake? Two species of jellyfish inhabit OTM: the golden jelly, Mastigias papua etpisoni, and the less common moon jelly, Aurelia. Fragile, transparent moon jellies are graceful swimmers that often hang suspended, unmoving in the water. These animals generally spend daylight hours 5m (15 ft) below the surface feeding on plankton. Golden jellies, in contrast, are a mutualistic union of jellyfish and microscopic algae. As in corals, the algae provide energy for themselves and the jellyfish by converting sunlight into sugars, some of which they share with their host. Golden jellies also acquire energy by capturing zooplankton with stinging cells located on their frilly oral arms. Like their ancestors in the lagoon (Mastigias papua), the sting of OTM’s Mastigias is mild and often undetectable. This has given rise to the myth that the jellies have lost their ability to sting due to isolation in a predator-free lake. However, you may feel their tingly sting if an oral arm comes in contact with sensitive skin like that around your mouth.

Is the lake really predator-free? The myth that the golden jellies lack predators is also discredited by the presence of the endemic white-sea anemone Entacmea medusivora (medusa-eating). Although immobile, these animals are capable of capturing and ingesting a passing jellyfish larger than themselves and can often be seen doing so on the rocky point 50 m from the dock. In fact, these anemones are likely responsible for the evolution of the remarkable, daily migration of the golden jellies

Join Us In Palau!

2010-03-21T10:52:00.001-07:00

Join PADI Diving Society for nine adventurous days and eight magical nights in Palau at the Palau Royal Resort and enjoy five days of three-tank boat diving with PADI Five Star Dive Center Sam's Tours.

Your package will also include:

Rock Island Tour with Jellyfish Lake
Welcome Party
Breakfast each morning
Lunch each day
Roundtrip airport transfers
Daily hotel transfers
Free Enriched Air Nitrox
Special guests, including Sport Diver's Ty Sawyer

Reserve your space today by contacting your localPADI Dive Center or Resort or contact PADI Travel Network at 800 729 7234 (US and Canada) or +1 949 858 7234 ext. 2555 or ptn1@padi.com for more information.

Check it out!

2010-03-21T10:51:00.001-07:00

Video taken during a 10 days trip around Palau....

http://vimeo.com/10030660

Micronesia’s natural beauty and remoteness makes it one of the richest locations in the ocean realm.

2010-03-21T10:48:00.000-07:00

The islands of Micronesia are scattered over three million square miles of the North Pacific. Palau alone has more than 700 species of coral and more than 1,500 species of fish. Below the surface, divers experience a paradise of incredible walls, blue holes, breathtaking reefs and crystal caves. Vast numbers of pelagic predators, sharks, turtles, dolphins and many species of migratory fish gather at this unique crossroads where three of the world’s major currents converge. Palau is home to the famed Rock Islands, a collection of rounded, foliage-covered isles perfect for kayaking. The seas around Micronesia are dotted with the remains of more than 75 World War II military ships and Japanese seaplanes, making it not only a great dive destination for reefs, but also a haven for wreck and history buffs.

Palau has a number of liveaboard diving boats of various sizes and styles. Most of the vessels operate seven-night cruises that include unlimited scuba diving. Special 10- and 14-night excursions on liveaboard dive boats also operate at certain times of the year.

When to Go
You can dive year-round in Palau, although January, February and March offer lower humidity and slightly cooler temperatures.

Dive Conditions
Visibility ranges from 50 feet to more than 100 feet and water temperature varies slightly from about 78-82°F.

Check Out Palau's Giant Clams!

2010-03-17T09:31:00.000-07:00

http://www.articlemarks.com/giant-clam-farming-palau/

THE MALDIVES JOIN PALAU, MICRONESIA IN THE FIGHT TO SAVE SHARKS OF THE WORLD

2010-03-15T09:15:00.000-07:00

The Pacific nation of Palau was honored as the world’s first shark sanctuary during the United Nations General Assembly in New York last September. And now, The Maldives join forces with Palau to further the conservation of the worlds’ shark population.

These pro-active and increased efforts come as a result of the diminishing shark population, which is in danger of collapse because of limited protective measures. As a matter of fact, shark

fishing has grown rapidly since the mid-1980s, because of the rising demand for shark fin soup, a highly coveted expression of wealth. Sharks, in general, have a long life span and low fertility rates making them vulnerable to extinction.

Palau, with 20,000 inhabitants and an archipelago of more than 500 islands, formally established a protective zone to help preserve the predatory fish and support local tourism, protecting its 136 species in its 237,000 square miles of ocean, an area nearly the size of Texas.

And just last week, The Maldives announced it was making its territorial waters a shark sanctuary as well and has banned all imports and exports of shark fins.

In addition to the ethical and economic impact of protecting the shark population, sharks are an apex predator that are critical for maintaining the health of the oceans and the health of the population of fish and other species that are a mainstay of the human diet.

PALAU…NATURALLY ECO-FRIENDLY And is making great strides in preserving its natural resources

2010-03-10T12:53:00.000-08:00

With so many tourism entities intent on implementing new environmentally-friendly programs, procedures and strategies, the destination of Palau needs not enhance what is already an ingrained custom in this North Pacific paradise. It is the culture’s instinct and primary concern to preserve nature’s wondrous resources, which are in abundance in this Micronesian eco-sphere. However, with that said, old customs are merely a springboard for this eco-centric and naturally “green” island nation as several Palauan entities are indeed further enhancing the “cause.”

To begin, according to Palau’s former President, Tommy E. Remengesau, Jr., “The Pacific nation of Palau recently created the world’s first officially-recognized shark sanctuary, a biological sanctuary to protect great hammerheads, leopard sharks, oceanic whitetip sharks and more than 130 other species fighting extinction in the Pacific Ocean.” He continues, “Our objective is to end all commercial shark fishing in our waters and provide a sanctuary for sharks to live and reproduce unmolested in our 237,000 square miles of ocean.”

With a great deal of focus and resources devoted to maintaining the health and well-being of sharks in the Palauan waters of Micronesia, the destination was internationally and officially recognized as the first official shark sanctuary in the world, at the last United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Additionally, President Remengesau developed the Micronesia Challenge, which is a regional inter-governmental initiative in the western Pacific region that facilitates more effective conservation of marine and forest resources in Micronesia. In November 2005, President

Remengesau, Jr. called on his regional peers to join him in conserving 30% of near shore coastal waters and 20% of forest land by 2020. In addition to Palau, the following destinations have joined the initiative, the Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of the Marshall Islands, the U.S. territories of Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. These nations and territories represent nearly 5% of the marine area of the Pacific Ocean and 7% of its coastlines. Since its inception, the Palau-inspired program has been recognized internationally and the President Remengesau, Jr. received an award from TIME magazine as one of the Heroes of the Environment in 2007. For more, visit www.palaugov.net/PalauGov/Executive/thePRES.

To complement these efforts, the Palau Conservation Society (PCS) has been a leader in conservation of Palau’s environment. Dedicated to the protection of biodiversity, Palau’s natural resources and to local communitiesthat use those resources, PCS supports the establishment and management of conservation areas, the development ofsustainable resource use policies and an increase of environmental awareness. For more information, visitwww.palau-pcs.org.

The Palau-Taiwan Agrotourism Project was recently inspired by the Taiwan Technical Mission with the goal to promote both agriculture and tourism in Palau. The Palau-Taiwan Agrotourism Farm, located in Nekken, Aimeliik State, is now open 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. from Monday through Saturday. This relatively new site is not only an educational facility but also serves to demonstrate how local plants are grown, harvested and processed and cultivates 21 species of tropical fruits, such as soursop, breadfruit, jackfruit, carambola, mangosteen, jujube, rambutan, wax apple, pili nut, lanzones, noni, pitaya, giant grandadilla and tree cucumber as

well as such common fruits as pineapple, papaya, guava, lemon and sour orange. Processed fruit and vegetable products are also available and include taro wine and noni juice.

Adjacent to a tropical forest, the farm leads to a nature trail with beautifully-colored birds, some of which are endemic to the Palauan islands, including the biib, Palau’s national bird. No website currently available, call (680) 544-5804.

In addition to the aforementioned government initiatives, Palau is also home to some of nature’s most spectacular wonders of the world, namely: the plethora and variety of coral, which is featured at the Coral Reef Center; Jellyfish Lake; Micronesian Shar

k Foundation’s Shark Week; the (new) River Boat Jungle Cruise; and Dolphins Pacific.

Palau International Coral Reef Center

The Palau Aquarium is the interpretive division of Palau International Coral Reef Center, a non-profit organization which opened in January of 2001 and has become one of the best land based attractions for tourists and locals alike. It offers enlightening, first hand experiences to inspire understanding and respect of Palau’s natural marine ecosystems. Comprised of ten (10) sub-themed aquariums that convey details of 17 specific habitats, the exhibits recreate the

breathtakingly beautiful marine environments and animal species found in those environments. Visitors can experience the wonders of the sea without even getting their feet wet. The adventure begins with a look at the many geological wonders found in Palau, including the famous Rock Islands. Next, observe the tentacle-like roots of the mangroves where life in the sea begins. The, one can look closer to see a school of archerfish stunning their prey by spitting beads of water, or the pulsating rhythms of an upside-down jellyfish. Further along the winding path, past the Seagrass Bed to the Inner Reef, reside a green sea turtle, white-tip shark,

groupers, giant trevally and the Aquarium’s resident napoleon wrasse. Lastly, a diversity of corals and polyp-feeding butterflyfish in the Reef Crest await at the end of this journey. For

more information, visit www.picrc.org.

Jelly Fish

In order to access this unique adventure, visitors will need to enlist the transport of a local tour guide at one of the tour shops operating in Palau. The Rock Island and Jellyfish Lake entry permit is $35 per person in addition to the tour package. It’s recommended that visitors sign up for the full day excursion, which includes snorkeling, lunch in the Rock Islands and a trip to nature’s spa…the Milky Way. For more information on activities, visit www.visit-palau.com.

Diving/Shark Week

Shark enthusiasts are invited to enjoy a shark themed week full of adrenalin-packed activities as the Micronesian Shark Foundation (MSF) holds its 8^th annual shark week at Palau’s Fish ‘n Fins dive shop from March 12-19, 2010. The Micronesian Shark Foundation is a Palauan-based, non-profit foundation whose goal is to research and monitor the many sharks of Palau as well as scientific shark data collection.

Between February and April, hundreds of grey reef sharks migrate to the waters of Palau to mate. This generates a fabulous opportunity for shark lovers to dive with the world famous sharks of Palau and to participate in data collection, which is invaluable in the study of migration and behavioral patterns of the sharks in these waters. For more information, contact info@fishnfins.com.

River Boat Jungle Cruise

Palau’s newest attraction is the River Boat Jungle Cruise. Located in Ngchesar State, the Jungle River Boat Cruise is one of Palau’s eco-friendly tours, providing visitors with the ideal opportunity to relax and enjoy the island’s natural attributes firsthand. The cruise takes one hour on an all-aluminum boat that can carry up to 40 passengers. The five-mile tour starts at the main dock and goes upstream coming out to a beautiful ocean vista. During the tour, visitors get a chance to see crocodiles; Palauan Fruit Dove Bird, or Biib; Palauan Fruit Bats; Kingfishers; Archer Fish; and several other wildlife and fauna. Additionally, passengers might get a glimpse of locals collecting their catch of the day, big mangrove crabs, along the river banks. Contact rivercruise@palaunet.com.

Dolphins

Dolphins Pacific is the world’s largest marine mammal interaction, educational and research facility. “Dolphin Bay,” located on the northern side of Ngeruktabel Island in Palau, is situated in a 200-million-gallon saltwater lagoon. The modern impoundment provides an expansive,

healthful marine environment for the resident population of dolphins, as well as a relaxing eco-friendly venue for visitors. The objective of this local outfit is to preserve the integrity of these popular mammals, educate visitors about their unique place in the environment and to study their behaviors and abilities. The facility offers several public encounters, including everything from a basic one-hour interactive program to fantastical wedding ceremonies. For more information, visitwww.dolphinspacific.com.

2010-03-01T17:34:00.000-08:00

Check out our first dive in Palau's Shark Sanctuary

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Da0a4JbuEDg&feature=channel

Palau Pacific Resort and Carp Island Resort Feature Special Packages for 2010

2010-02-07T17:20:00.000-08:00

Palau is one of the seven underwater wonders of the world, where large schools of sharks, manta rays, colorful soft corals, dramatic wall dives and adrenaline pumping drift dives are some of the features. And now, to accommodate Micronesia destined travelers, the Palau Pacific Resort is offering a special package for those that want to take the ultimate plunge.

Palau Pacific Resort’s “Choice” Package

The Palau Pacific Resort’s “PPR Choice” package starts at $315 for a Garden View Room or $360 for an Ocean View Room. Both of these rates are exclusive of tax. Based on availability, the package is valid through December 29, 2010 and includes:

- Guaranteed Late checkout until 3:00 p.m. AND

- One of the following “choices”:

a. Daily Breakfast for two

b. $25 Dining Voucher per room/per night for use at Coconut Terrace, Meduu Seafood & Wine Dining, or Poolside; exclusive of any beverages. (Not applicable toward Mini Bar, Room Service, Catering, and Functions,)

c. Round trip transfer to and from airport OR

d. Recreation Activity Pass for up to seven days. (includes free water sports equipment such as kayak and snorkeling gear

Palau Pacific Resort sits on 64 acres of lush tropical gardens and is the ultimate tropical getaway in Micronesia. It is just a 30 minutes commute from the international airport, on the west Shore of Arkabesang Island, Koror, Republic of Palau, Western Caroline Islands. For reservations and additional information, please call 680-488-2600 or visit www.palauppr.com.

Carp Island Resort

Across “the pond” from Koror, so to speak, the Carp Island Resort/Palau Diving Center offers an indulgent package that includes seven nights accommodations and five days of diving. Rates start at only $1,183 for single occupancy or $1,925 for double occupancy and they are valid through March 31, 2011. The package includes: seven nights accommodation (including tax); five days/two tank dives (10 dives) with lunch, drinks and guide; daily breakfast; and round trip airport transfer and round trip boat transfer to Carp Island.

Carp Island Resort is just 10 minutes away from Palau’s most spectacular and famous Blue Corner, Blue Holes, beautiful drop-offs and other famous dive sites in the world and is the only private diving resort among the rock islands. For reservations please call (680) 488-2277 or email carp@palaunet.com. You can visit the property atwww.carpislandpalau.com.

The Path to Palau

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About Palau

The Dolphins of Palau

River Boat Jungle Cruise

The Jelly Fish of Palau

Palau International Coral Reef Center

Palau Is Naturally Eco-Friendly

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Congratulations Palau!!!

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Risa Wyatt- Contra Costa Times Correspondent

Contra Costa Times Correspondent

I have found a new cure for jet lag -- waterfalls. At the famous 100-foot tall fall in Ngardmau, I clamber onto a log behind the streaming waters to relish the sight of mist glinting gold in the late afternoon light.

I have found a new cure for jet lag -- waterfalls. At the famous 100-foot tall fall in Ngardmau, I clamber onto a log behind the streaming waters to relish the sight of mist glinting gold in the late afternoon light.

PALAU, MICRONESIA BOASTS SENSE OF WONDER ECO TOUR

Guests will enjoy close encounters of Palau’s endemic plants and animals; up close spiritual encounters; lessons on cultural legends; tours of historical remains such as stone monoliths; and a sumptuous Palauan lunch.

For more information, contact Dildoseb Eco Tour at (680) 488 6276 via phone or annsingeo@yahoo.com orisebong@hawaii.edu via email. Visit the operator at Dolphinspacific.com.

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Jellyfish, Palau

From Adventure-Journal.com

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Check It Out!

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Join Us In Palau!

Check it out!

Micronesia’s natural beauty and remoteness makes it one of the richest locations in the ocean realm.

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Palau Pacific Resort and Carp Island Resort Feature Special Packages for 2010

Risa Wyatt-

Contra Costa Times Correspondent