Country Updates
The capital city of Guam, Agana, is now called Hagatna. The bay fronting the Chamorro Village is still called Agana Bay. I was told that Hagatna was the original name before the Japanese came in 1941.
Paul Binford, Japan (Mar 99)
Weather info (24 hour forecast), can easily be obtained from the Palau Weather Service which is operated in cooperation with the US National Weather Service. Call 488 1103. For long-range forecasts, pilot briefings (air/sea) and route forecasts, you can call 488 1034. They can also furnish weather info on other places (in the world). These involved forecasts usually take one to two hours to prepare.
Dave Casey - USA (Jan 98)
In half-a-dozen trips to Guam at all seasons of the year, I have never, ever experienced a
power shutdown, although Guam's infrastructure is clearly being overtaxed. (A Japanese firm
recently signed a contract with Guam's government to construct a new power plant, to be
completed within a couple of years).
Jack Martire - Korea (Mar 97)
Saipan: the scenic beaches along Beach Road, as well as the picturesque Micro Beach, are home to fecal coliform bacteria which sometimes rises to unhealthy levels. Before swimming in these areas, it is wise to check the conditions (itÆs usually published in the local paper). YouÆll notice there are not many people swimming in these picture perfect waters. The San Jose dump, breeder of this problem, is slated to be closed in the near future, but we continue to wait.
Deborah E Fisher, Micronesia (Mar 99)
Palau has not changed much from the descriptions in the October 1995 edition of LP's Micronesia. The new hotels are still under construction and the prices of the others appear to have remained close to the 1995 rates. The changes to note on visiting Palau are that the government has instituted a $15 fee for a Rock Island permit. This is good for one month and covers such activities as snorkelling, scuba diving, and visiting Jelly Fish Lake. Be sure to get a copy of the permit or use the same company for all your activities to avoid being charged for this permit more than once. Another important change effective November 1, 1997, was the airport departure tax increased to $20.
Tim Morton (Mar 98)
Travellers venturing out alone on Peleliu Island, Palau, should be advised to bring a compass and map. The multitude of interconnecting, unmarked, indistinguishable roads make getting lost all too easy. This I know well.
Dave Casey - USA (Jan 98)
The departure tax has been increased from US$15 to US$20.
V E Janicke, Germany (Mar 99)
Palau: Paradise Air, located in Koror, is now out of business and as a result any air transportation to any outside island in Palau is impossible. This is a result of a Paradise Air plane crash in November and a pending investigation into the disaster. The only transportation is the state ferries, which leave the Fisheries dock in Koror. Each state has a ferry and the schedule should be available from the individual state office. Beware of the weather conditions, if the sea conditions are bad, the ferry does not travel.
Bob Bergevin (Mar 99)
The Republic of Palau in Micronesia is an awesome place for a getaway for anyone living in Asia. I just returned from a short trip there with my wife and five other friends. There are now direct flights from Taiwan offered by Far Eastern Air Transport and Uni Air. Japan Airlines also serves Koror from Tokyo as well as the service offered by Continental Micronesia from numerous places, including Guam.
Tim Morton (Mar 98)
The traffic on Route 1 is NEVER "awful". There is a brief rush hour on Marine Drive which lasts about an hour, but even at its absolute worst, it is nothing compared to the traffic gridlock that is typical of any given Asian capital.
Jack Martire - Korea (Mar 97)
There are some impressive caves on Saipan not mentioned in the LP guide. The best known is Kalabera Cave which is located past the Bird Island lookout. Take the dirt road for about a mile and turn right on a dirt road (you can see a big green garbage can about 10 metres in; park and walk the rest of the 20 yards to the cave). Unfortunately there are no landmarks or signs. Supposedly there are ancient photographs at the bottom, but itÆs a long way down. In addition, at one time it was used by the Spanish as a prison for Chamorros. Another cave is on John ReyesÆ private property. Take the same road but pass Kalabera cave and continue for another mile or so. On the right is a homemade pavillion and a banana patch. John is usually around and is hoping to develop his cave as a tourist attraction.
I believe that the hands down most beautiful sight on the island is Forbidden Island. Finding the trail is difficult. Go past Lao Lao Bay golf course and at the end of the road, turn right. Go to the end of that road and turn left. Continue on past the quarry (the quarry is the turn to the right; you want to stay to the left). The dirt road will wind up and up until you get to a high voltage fence project which is well marked. Park, then walk about 50 to 100 yards. If youÆre lucky, thereÆll be a trail marker on your right. If not, itÆs about halfway down the road. Go into the jungle and look for the concrete foundation of a long ruined house. Off the back corner youÆll notice the trail. Take the trail through the jungle and you will emerge with tremendous views of Forbidden Island.
Working your way down one of two paths will require some exertion and climbing. It is truly stunning scenery. Once down on the beach, head for the point nearest Forbidden - thereÆs a small cave and rocks where you can put your stuff. Be very careful about crossing as the currents can get very strong and the depth is deceiving. Also, the currents and tide change, making what was once crossable water, uncrossable. In fact, I strongly suggest not crossing at all. ThereÆs some nice snorkelling in the water between you and Forbidden but be careful of the currents. The hike down takes at least 30 minutes and going up is longer, maybe 35 to 40. Be sure to bring water and leave in time to get back in the light.
Deborah E Fisher, Micronesia (Mar 99)
World War II history buffs travelling to the Republic of Palau in Micronesia should definitely take time out for a day trip to the beautiful island of Peliliu. History abounds there. Many of the Japanese and American tanks, planes and shipwrecks have been left as they were at the close of the war. There are also war memorials there for the Americans and Japanese who lost their lives. Peliliu is a short boat or plane ride from Palau's capital city, Koror. I recommend taking a boat since the route will take you through the beautiful Rock Islands with many opportunities for snorkelling and diving, including shipwreck diving. Your best bet for an enjoyable trip is to find a local guide who will take you from Koror to Peliliu and hook you up with a guide there to show you the sights. I do not recommend trying to make this trek on your own just for the fact that the roads on Peliliu are winding and unmarked making it confusing for first-timers. Finding a guide is fairly easy. Any of the tourist information people at the airport upon your arrival in Palau will be able to direct you to a reliable source or a stop at the small store at Koror's local T-dock will render favourable results. If you are staying at one of the big resorts (Niko, Palau Pacific Resort, Sunshine Villa) you should have no problem obtaining information on guides touring Peliliu. Palauans are friendly people so if you run into a problem, just ask questions. Most speak some English and/or Japanese.
Caroline Crowell, USA (Sep 98)
Fananang Island (Blue Lagoon Island), Chuuk Lagoon: this island lies about 10km directly east of Etan Island and is no more than 50 square metres in surface area, including 16 coconut trees. It contains a small hut sleeping about six people and is maintained by two to three residents on the island. In addition, there is space for about two tents and bedding for about a further four people. There is a small toilet and generator which is turned on and off according to need. Blue Lagoon Divers run the island and often use it as a lunch spot during surface intervals. Odds are that you will have the island to yourself if you choose to go and there is nothing finer than gazing at the stars and sitting on a chair in the surf after the generator is turned off. There are two hitches however: if there are a lot of dive parties around during lunch, they can very quickly make the island crowded and noisy, which tends to spoil this idyllic beauty, and; the price: $65 a day per person - really very steep for sleeping in a tent. They also tacked on an additional charge of $20 for the transfer to the island.
Rod Szasz & Chao Chang - Canada (Jun 98)
The highlight of our trip was a kayak tour of the Rock Islands. The tour we took was a full day one and included stops at numerous caves and islands. The best stop was of another Jelly Fish Lake, not the tourist one, but a much cleaner, less crowded one. This place was incredible with much better visibility in the water and many more jelly fish. It is a good hike over sharp coral so be sure to take good shoes. Also bring your snorkel gear for the numerous places to stop and snorkel.
Tim Morton (Mar 98)
GREATER MICRONESIA
