PALAU
NGARDMAU WATERFALLS BABELDAOB ISLAND KOROR JELLYFISH LAKE BLUE CORNER PELELIU ISLAND ANGAUR ISLAND MAP OF PALAU
PALAU The Republic of Palau is scenically magical. For such a tiny area of land, it packs a big punch. It s hard not to be overwhelmed by its extraordinary array of natural wonders: this is an archipelago of about 200 largely pristine limestone and volcanic islands, blanketed in emerald forest, surrounded by a shimmering turquoise lagoon. Unsurprisingly, diving is the number-one activity here, with truly world-class dive sites. Divers swear by Palau s exciting seascape, fascinating wrecks and stunningly diverse marine life it s not dubbed the underwater Serengeti for nothing. When the underwater wonders have finished working their magic on you, there are other adventure options. Kayaking, snorkelling and off-road driving are fabulous, with the added appeal of fantastic settings. And for history buffs there are plenty of WWII relics scattered in the jungle, as well as a handful of well-organised museums in Koror, Palau s largest town.
KOROR Palau s economic and commercial hub of Koror comprises Koror Island and its two satellite islands, Malakal and Ngerkebesang. The only city of any note in Palau, Koror is home to about twothirds of the country s population and hosts most of its tourist facilities. Even so, it retains the air of a provincial town. While it may not fulfil all fantasies about tropical paradises, the city has a few good surprises up its sleeve. Great restaurants, idiosyncratic shops, cute little museums, and a weird mix of traditional monuments and modern-day buildings line the busy streets of the fairly compact centre. Best of all, it s ideally situated for hopping to neighbouring islands, including the fascinating Rock Islands archipelago, a short boat ride away. BLUE CORNER Blue Corner, one of Palau s most magical dives, is known for its sheer abundance of underwater life and reef configuration the point juts into the open ocean and then drops to the depths. Divers are dazzled by the incredible variety of fish, including barracudas, jacks, Napoleon wrasses and schooling grey reef sharks. Strong tidal currents render it a dive for the more experienced a reef hook is a must to remain stationary in the current. JELLYFISH LAKE Snorkelling in Jellyfish Lake is one of Palau s many highlights. This land-locked marine lake, in the south of the archipelago, is filled with millions of harmless transparent jellyfish that swim en masse to follow the path of the sun. Floating among these flimsy brownish creatures which expand and contract like so many pulsating brains is like exploring the atmosphere of an alien world. From where the boat moors, you ll need to hike up over a hill about 10 minutes through the jungle to reach this mangrovebordered lake be careful of the slippery rock.
BADRULCHAU STONE MONOLITHS If you want to see the Easter Island of Micronesia, bookmark this archaeological site located at Babeldaob s northernmost point, where you ll find large basalt monoliths studded on a hillside. Their origin and purpose is unknown, but according to one legend the gods put them there to support a bai (men s meeting house) that held thousands of people. Some stones weigh up to five tonnes. Badrulchau is also a wonderful picnic spot, with splendid sea views. NGARDMAU WATERFALL Another unmapped island, you will feel like the first to discover the island of Yanggefo, just on chance alone. As you reach closer and closer to land, you will gaze upon the large amount of mangrove trees, whose roots have entwined themselves within the life underwater and become a spectacle for your eyes, as well as a home for fish below you. Yanggefo keeps its beautiful islands a secret, but once you have found them, you will want to keep them