Archives: Destinations

Bismark Archipelago consists of volcanic islands. There are more than 200 islands in this region, most of them sparsely inhabited. It is best to limit your travel to New Ireland and New Britain islands because those are the most developed. These islands are known for their crystal clear water and coral reefs. There are also a number of shipwrecks in the waters nearby, which can be accessed by scuba diving.

The Islanders don’t put much spice into their food. This might suit westerners whose stomachs don’t agree well with spicy food. The Islanders cook their food in an underground oven called Mumu, with the typical islander meal consists of rice, meat, and vegetables. They also use many types of tubers in their food such as taro, sweet potato, cassava, and yams.

Alcohol is available on the islands though it is quite expensive. Many types of alcohol are available but we recommend that you stick to beer. The most popular brands are local ones such as like SP beer (South Pacific beer), it is quite decent in taste. If you want something international, don’t worry. Many New Zealand and Australian brands are available. There is a local moonshine called stem but don’t drink it even if someone gives it to you for free.

Papua New Guinea is a popular tourist destination in the South Pacific. The Islands region comprises of North Soloman Islands and Bismark Archipelago. The population density of these islands is very low (14% of the population of Papua New Guinea), compared to the rest of the country.

The Islands are divided into five provinces – East Britain, New Ireland, Manus, West New Britain and Bougainville. These Islands are rich in natural beauty; many tourists have said the trip is positively unforgettable. They also have a vibrant tourist industry and will appeal to backpackers and adventure travelers. Popular tourist activities on these islands are swimming, rock climbing, fishing, kayaking, snorkeling and arts, and crafts.

If you are looking for a ‘formal’ shopping experience (supermarkets and shopping malls) on these islands you are going to be disappointed. Your best chances of shopping are in the town centers like Rabaul, the capital of West New Britain and Kavieng, the capital of New Ireland. Kavieng is an idyllic sea port, the kind you might read about in a Somerset Maughum novel. The island contains a nine hole golf course, so if there is a golfer in you, you can try a hand or two here.

Other fun activities on the islands are scuba diving, bird watching, surfing, trekking, kayaking and more. The Islands are acclaimed worldwide for their diving spots. These are said to be some of the best in the world. Papua New Guinea is also home to more than 700 species of birds. You will find a large number of them on these islands. For bird watchers, the islands will be akin to a bird watcher’s paradise.

If you like fishing, there is good news for you. The waters around the islands are teeming with blue marlin, black marlin, yellowfin tuna, sailfish, skipjack and many other types of fishes. Consider chartering a boat to go fishing.

The islands of Micronesia are spread over a great distance, yet each has its own culture and topographical personality. Set in sparkling waters which change shades of color from deep blue through to sea green, each one is ringed by coral reefs. Your first glimpse of these ‘pearls’ of the Pacific is of specks of land surrounded by necklaces of white waves. Each island is covered in lush tropical vegetation, but the real action is underwater where there is some of the richest and most varied of marine life to be found anywhere in the world.

People
The islands vary in size and political status. The most well known are Guam, which is an American territory and serves as a gateway to the other island groups. The islands of Pohnpei, Chuuk (Truk), Kosrae and Yap elected to join a federal government known as the Federated States of Micronesia with headquarters in Pohnpei.

Nature
Palau and the Marshall Islands voted to remain independent and have established autonomous governments. Saipan, Rota, and Tinian became the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (commonly referred to as the Marianas or Northern Marianas) with Saipan the capital.

The Sights
Geologically, culturally and naturally diverse, the islands of Micronesia offer a wide range of natural and man-made attractions to suit every taste. These differ from pristine underwater environments and lush island landscapes to sprawling resort areas with shopping and nightlife.

Where to Stay
Each island differs in accommodation. The more developed islands such as Guam, Saipan, and Palau have international hotels. Rota also has several new hotels and a resort with an 18-hole golf course. In the Marshall Islands guest accommodation on some of the outer islands is in traditional thatched huts with few amenities.

Activities
Comprising approximately 2000 islands and atolls, Micronesia caters for all levels of diving. Here’s a taste of what you can expect to find at the various destinations. Guam has an exceptional underwater world. The water is crystal clear, with 60 meters visibility commonplace, and you can expect to see coral gardens teeming with fish life, a unique blue hole, and caverns.

There are several wrecks of historical importance here including a Japanese Zero. Also, the remains of a Spanish galleon, the world’s largest side paddle wheeler, and a 230-metre passenger liner can be found layered on top of each other. You can also trace the remains of both world wars at the double wreck of the Cormoran, a WWI German Gunboat, and the Toka’s Maru, a Japanese freighter from WWII.

Saipan is famed for its beaches and some of the fiercest fighting between the Americans and the Japanese. As a result, there are an estimated 18 sunken Japanese ships and many others as yet undiscovered. The majority of the wreck diving here is in Tanapag Harbour in depths of 12-18 meters with visibility up to 18 meters. The harbor has a ship believed to be the Shoan Maru, a B-29 Bomber, a Japanese seaplane, sub chaser, landing craft and a Zero fighter.

An interesting snorkeling site is provided by two American tanks in two-and-a-half meters of water off Saipan World Resort.

The most adventurous site is the Grotto which starts at the base of 200 stars. After submerging 18 meters down the cavern, you then swim through the tunnel to the outside wall of the island where visibility averages 30 meters.

Palau is known as one of the seven underwater wonders of the world – not surprising when you can stand on a reef edge in knee-deep water and see it drop away to 320 meters vertically! It is believed that there are more than 50 WWII shipwrecks sunk in the lagoon. For a truly unique experience, how about living on a land locked lagoon with 100,000 non-stinging jellyfish! Dive sites offer stalactite-filled caves, giant undersea tunnels and gorgonian fans that stand up to three meters tall.

Chuuk is renowned as having the best shipwreck diving in the world because of what is today known as the Ghost Fleet of Truk Lagoon. It consists of 50-60 ships and Japanese planes that were sent to the bottom after two days and a night of continuous strafing and bombing. The water temperature has served as a great incubator and the ships are now excellent artificial reefs, home to a variety of spectacular marine life.

Underwater photography is a must here with the prolific coral growths that line the wrecks. The diving is year-round with visibility on the wrecks varying from 15 – 30 meters, and average depths between 12 – 40 meters.

Pohnpei is a maze of coral passes or channels leading from the outside see into the inner lagoon offering great diving and superb coral formations, including deep gorgonian fans that can grow up to six meters in height. The shallow water is also the place to see barracuda, mantas and several varieties of curious reef sharks.

Yap is known as the island of manta rays because you can see mantas here consistently. A new find is the manta ray cleaning station where the mantas queue up to have parasites removed from them by small wrasses. These rays have a wingspan of three to six meters and weigh in at approximately 460 kilograms.

Popular dives in Yap are Mill Channel, Manta Ray Pass, and Goofnuw Channel. Mandarin fish are also becoming a diving attraction. When the sun goes down, these colorful little fish come out and stare at you!

Kosrae has consistently good driving conditions due to the triangular shape of the island. The great attraction here is the clear, clean water and live coral that encircles the island. August is usually the best month when visibility is up to 65 meters. Kosrae has a large population of turtles and during the mating season in December, their numbers escalate. Another great attraction is provided by the 150 dolphins that reside outside the reef.

The Marshall Islands are Micronesia’s atoll diving destination. Made up of 29 coral atolls, diving in the Marshalls can be enjoyed either within the lagoons or in the open ocean. Dive sites include lagoon pinnacles, walls, channels, reef points, and vast areas of virgin, unexplored reef. The Marshalls are also home to an abundance of WWII ship and plane wrecks concentrated in the lagoons of Bikini, Kwajalein, Jaluit, Mili, Wotje, Maloelap and Majuro Atolls.

Dive excursions to seldom visited outer atolls can easily be arranged with local operators and shark sightings are guaranteed.

Shopping guide
Jade, coral, ivory, gold and handmade silks, plus handicrafts such as trays, baskets, hats, headbands and purses are popular purchases. The islanders are known for their weaving of pandanus leaves and for their traditional stick charts which fishermen have used for centuries for navigation.

The islands that are best equipped for tourism offer world-class seafood restaurants. In Guam, Palau and Saipan enjoy a variety of cuisine including American, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Filipino, Mexican and Chamorro. In Pohnpei try the local drink, sake.

In Chuuk sample Japanese and local cooking while in Rota indulge in the best of the traditional Chamorro cooking. In the Marshall Islands, American, Western-style cooking and Chinese cuisine go hand in hand with Marshallese specialties.

Climate
Tropical with little seasonal change. The average temperature on all the islands is 30ËšC.

Clothing
Casual clothing is recommended. Swimwear is acceptable near beaches and pools, but not usually permitted in public areas.

Currency
US currency is used throughout Micronesia. Outside of Guam and Saipan, the use of credit cards is very limited, although major hotels on all islands take them.

Tips are accepted.