(Palau, Micronesia --- June 20, 2013) --- Known for its world-class scuba diving conditions, Palau is host to a whole range of options for adventure seekers. In addition to being one of Jacques Cousteau’s favorite dive destinations, this Micronesian paradise is also one of Survivor TV’s Jeff Probst’s favorite places on earth. It’s no wonder…the remote location is free of commerciality and truly a genuine eco-environment, which is not at all … [Read more...]
Exploring Port Moresby
Port Moresby is a bit difficult to explore on your own - the city is spread out and there aren't that many attractions to visit right in town. However we caught up with the energetic folks from Cold Media Productions who are covering my visit to PNG. We headed out in their Toyota Land cruiser for the top of a nearby mountain - Sogeri which affords one excellent views overlooking all of Port Moresby in the distance, the Stanley-Owens range (the … [Read more...]
Palau Tops Scuba Diving Awards
(January 17, 2013) --- Considered by industry experts and scuba diving enthusiasts as “the best of the best,” Scuba Diving Magazine’s Top 100 Gold List is a “popularity contest” where rankings are based on a total number of responses from global readers and divers. The Top 100 Gold List features operators, resorts, live-aboards, underwater experiences (i.e., best wall, shore and wreck sites), dive bars and more. Here are some of the highlights … [Read more...]
Dropping onto Saipan
Dropped into Saipan in the dead of night - starry skies, the blackness of the sea greeted us - disturbed only by the lights emanating from this small island. I had only done cursory research before our visit here and after speaking for nearly 2 hours to my seatmate who lives here now - I wasn't really sure what to expect. He spoke of sweat shops (now extinct), high alcoholism, a hub for smuggling drugs in from China, unemployment, gambling … [Read more...]
World War II History Tour on Peleliu Island, Palau
Peleliu Island in the country of Palau is a part of the beautiful "rock islands" - hundreds of small limestone islands all covered with vegetation. This southern most part of Palau offers spectacular beauty in the form of pure white sand beaches, peculiar looking umbrella-like shaped islands, intense green vegetation covering the islands and its turquoise waters. There are a number of reefs in the area and snorkeling provides excellent visibility … [Read more...]
Final Thoughts on Palau
It was like pulling teeth to leave this amazing place. Now it is just a dream - a dream of sadness at being back yet a dream still tinged with those amazing turquoise waters - that are in front of me whenever I close my eyes. I cannot sleep. I stay awake and write about Palau and this remarkable trip. I gorged myself silly on sashimi the last few days - both from fish that I caught and that my home-stay hosts caught. Peleliu Island has … [Read more...]
Ngardmau Waterfall & More
Ngardmau Waterfall is Palau's largest waterfall - dropping over the edge of a cliff about 30 meters. The main island in this country is by far the largest - yet it is still very small. You can drive around this entire island in about an hour. One of the highlights to the north is definitely this waterfall - its about a 30 minute hike in - or for those who prefer not to walk, jump on the small single engine mono rail and move along at a snail's … [Read more...]
Peleliu Island Palau
This island has seen much pain - it was scene of intense battles fought in WWII between Japanese and American forces. Initially the Americans thought the fight for the island and its airstrip would take a couple of days but ultimately winning the island took over 2 months. Existing limestone caves and new ones specially built as hide outs were constructed by the Japanese. A group of Japanese even lived undetected in one of the caves for 2.5 … [Read more...]
Paradise in Palau – Kayangel
The word "paradise" is truly defined by Palau's northern most state of Kayangel, which is composed of merely four small atoll islands. Total population: under 100. Total "wow" factor: 100+ percent. It is places like this that you only read about in travel magazines or see on TV - and when you find yourself in one of these places (such as Kayangel), you have to pinch yourself to make sure its not a dream. It's easy to get 'high' here - perhaps … [Read more...]
Kayangel, Northern Palau
Today we visited Kayangel - the northernmost coral atoll island in all of Palau. The scenery here is much different than the rock islands to the south - yet just as stunningly beautiful. We went line fishing for an hour and almost every time we dropped the line we pulled it back up with a fish on the other end. We caught White snapper, grouper, a long fish the locals called a "marijuana fish" and other colorful fish. We dropped anchor on a … [Read more...]