YAP & PALAU, MICRONESIA
February 2008
A trip of a lifetime ... three years in the planning ... finally became a reality!
A group of 15 made the L-O-N-G trip to Yap and Palau to dive with the manta rays, see the mandarinfish, lionfish, crocodilefish, anemonefish, and all the other creatures and fish that are common in the Pacific. For most of us (yours truly included), this was our first trip to the Pacific ... it was well worth the wait, as well as the trials and tribulations associated with such a trip.
Day 1, Feb. 13th, we arrived in Yap, Manta Ray Bay Resort, around 7:30 a.m. ... by 10:30 a.m. we were in the water on our first dive! By 11:00 a.m. we had seen at least 25 manta rays, numerous clownfish, lionfish, nudibranchs, crocodilefish, pipefish, and more ....
Day 2, Feb. 14th, was a repeat experience with an added mandarinfish dive. Just before the sun sets, 3 to 5 females will make their way to a particular region of the reef and gather where males visit and display courtship behaviour, hoping to attract the females. The visiting males tour around various sites in one evening spreading their sperm among a number of different females.
They are highly reclusive during the day, but may be seen perched on or hopping between coral branches. They swim with a rapid pulsating of their fins which tends to make them look like they are hovering like a hummingbird.
Photographing the mandarinfish was extremely challenging due to lack of light and fast movement ... out of approximately 100 shots, only five were keepers!
Day 3, Feb. 15th, two more great dives in the morning and then early afternoon, an awesome "Shark Feed" dive on a wall with 300+ visibility.
I highly recommend the dive operation at Manta Ray Bay Resort; these guys run a first-class operation and could not have been more accommodating.
The resort was also outstanding. It was evident they took pride in the overall appearance, cleanliness and upkeep.
I almost forgot the "Mnuw" Ship's Bar and Restaurant, a 100-year-old South Seas Schooner ... a place where everybody knows your name! No lie ... after you told your waitress your name at breakfast the first morning, the entire staff knew everyone by first name for the rest of our stay ... how awesome does that get?
Day 4, Feb. 16th, following the 24-hour-no-diving-before-flying rule, we planned a tour to the "Kadai Village". Mary, our guide, was great ... considering she put up with answering all our questions. If in Yap, you should definitely take this tour.
... the end of Yap and now we're off to board the Palau Aggressor II for a fabulous week of luxury liveaboard diving!
Sunday, Feb. 17th, we board the boat at 5:30 p.m. After getting settled in our rooms and setting up our gear, we have a great dinner, followed by crew introductions and boat briefing ... now time for a good night's sleep ....
Monday, Feb. 18th thru Thursday, Feb. 21st, included intense and exciting dives to Blue Corner, Peleliu Tip (Corner), Turtle Cove, The Blue Holes, Ngemelis Wall, Siaes Tunnel, German Channel, Big Dropoff, Ulong Channel and more ....
Peleliu Tip ... an awesome dive, where you dive in 2 different oceans - the Philippine Sea and the Pacific Ocean! I always heard of Blue Corner being so awesome ... it was! but I really enjoyed Peleliu Tip! I thought it was more action packed!
Thursday afternoon included a WWII land tour of the Rock Islands.
Friday, Feb. 22nd, included snorkeling in Jellyfish Lake and diving Chandelier Caves.
... sad, but true, this ends an awesome two weeks in Yap and Palau ....
Until next time ....
S. Scott