Travel Bug: You don’t have to be a diver to enjoy Palau – Pacific Daily News

Living in Micronesia means youre just a quick plane ride away from experiencing the rich cultural and ecological diversity all over the region.

Palau is a popular destination thanks to its unparalleled diving but is it worth it for those of us who dont relish trying to breathe normally 60 feet underwater while surrounded by sharks?

As someone still working up the courage to get dive-certified, I can confidently tell you that yes, Palau is filled to the brim with beauty everywhere you look.

Though the flight is a brief two hours, a round trip flight to Koror, Palau, will run you just about $1,300 in the economy cabin. Pricey, yes, and so if you arent diving or visiting loved ones the cost may not be worth it to you.

For now flights from Guam are every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday night, and departures from Palau are very early as in 1 a.m. every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Most hotels have a shuttle you can arrange for pickup, or you can opt to rent a car.

Palau, like Guam, is not designed to be particularly walkable. There are taxi services your hotel can connect you to but if you can rent a car, do. Your visit will be much more comfortable.

Good vibes abound at The Canoe House, where you can mingle with locals and visitors alike as they enjoy drinks and live music in Koror, Palau.

Three days is enough time to hit Korors highlights, though it wont leave much time for relaxation. If you can stay through Tuesday night and leave Wednesday morning, you wont need to rush your excursions, and it will leave you ample time for poolside lounging.

We stayed in Koror at Cove Resort Palau, which is near several other hotel properties and is a 45-minute walk into downtown. It has its own restaurant and bar, The Hungry Marlin, as well as a pool. The rooms are spacious and the showers are spectacular.

A reconstructed bai, or traditional meeting house, outside the Belau National Museum on July 16, 2022. The bai has been constructed using traditional methods, meaning it is fit together without using any nails, screws, or pegs.

There are also hotels closer to the city center, like the Palau Central Hotel, which allow for more walkability to restaurants and shopping or hotels off the beaten path that offer a touch of nature, like Ngellil Nature Island Resort.

It may not make much of a difference for your airfare, but booking your hotel well in advance can save you some money. Most rates in Koror span from $80 to $400 a night depending on location, amenities and timing.

A golden jellyfish beneath the surface of Jellyfish Lake in Palau on July 17, 2022.

Alright, so youre not into diving. I get it! But youd be a fool to visit Palau without at least snorkeling. Lucky for you, there are multiple companies offering day or half day trips that include a visit to the famed Jellyfish Lake and snorkeling spots throughout the Rock Islands.

You can poke around for one that suits your interests and schedule, but we booked a half day tour with Sams Tours that cost about $215, including lunch and the $100 permit to access Jellyfish Lake.

Bring your own snorkeling equipment or borrow from the company, and be warned that the trail to Jellyfish Lake includes a steep staircase.

For me, this was the absolute highlight of the trip. The journey via boat to Jellyfish Lake is magical in its own right sailing through rich, teal water amidst the verdant Rock Islands is hard to beat.

If youre unfamiliar, Jellyfish Lake is nothing short of a miracle. Thousands of years ago it was below sea level and as water levels receded, the jellyfish were left behind.

A golden jellyfish beneath the surface of Jellyfish Lake in Palau on July 17, 2022.

Now, an estimated 12,000 years later with no natural predator, they have evolved without the ability to sting. This allows visitors to serenely snorkel alongside thousands of stunning golden and moon jellyfish, who gracefully bob alongside you completely unbothered. Its unlike anything Ive ever experienced.

Following our Jellyfish Lake adventure, we headed to Cemetery Reef to snorkel with a wider variety of ocean life.

This area was teeming with vibrant fish, but the real delight for me was seeing the coral reef itself. To be so close to this elegant, natural architecture when so many around the world are disappearing feels sacred.

Goodies at the Q-Lala Snack House tent at the 680 Night Market in Airai on July 17, 2022.

Since we stuck to downtown Koror restaurants, I have to admit to not finding much in the way of authentic Palauan food. Learn from my mistakes and do some research on where to go! Otherwise youll be stuck with a surprising amount of pizza, pasta and burgers.

Standout restaurants included The Taj, an Indian restaurant downtown featuring an extensive, mouthwatering menu and warm atmosphere. I will be dreaming about their lamb vindaloo and kashmiri naan for weeks.

Koror mangrove clams in white wine and garlic at Elilai Seaside Dining on July 18, 2022.

Elilai Seaside Dining was also spectacular, both for its magnificent waterfront sunset views and for its food. The Koror mangrove clams were melt-in-your-mouth creamy, and the local white snapper served Korean style with red chili paste, leeks, and jasmine rice was divine.

If you find yourself in Palau on a Saturday night, make sure to visit the 680 Night Market if theyre on that week you can visit their Facebook page to check.

Located on the Airai side of the Japan-Palau Friendship Bridge connecting Koror and Babeldaob Islands, the market is often themed and features local dance groups, live music, food vendors and artisans.

You can also catch live music at The Drop Off or The Canoe House in Koror, both of which have lively weekend crowds enjoying drinks and dancing with family and friends.

A lover bag in the Searching for Indigenous Art exhibit, which highlights the indigenous people of Taiwan, at the Belau National Museum on July 16, 2022. This bag, carried by the Amis people, traditionally features patterns that reflect their family background and is used as part of a matchmaking ritual.

There are two major museums in Palau, and both are worth your time. Etpison Museum has a $10 entry fee and features a remarkable exhibit about the traditional first child birth ceremony in Palau. At the time of my visit, it also had an extensive collection of works by storyboard masters.

LAmarena, a charming gelato shop owned by an Italian family from Verona, is just up the street and is the perfect place to relax after an hour or two of learning. Their signature cherry gelato is not to be missed!

The Belau National Museum is much larger and costs $15 for nonresidents. You could easily spend two or more hours here, soaking up the wealth of information starting with the origin story of Palau and carrying visitors through the known history of the area pre-contact, through the colonization of the Spanish, German, and Japanese, through World War II, and finally as an independent nation.

Robiul Alam hard at work carving a storyboard at the Tebang Woodcarving Shop in Koror on July 19, 2022.

Among the treasures in this museum are many stories shared from locals about their experiences before, during and after World War II, drawings of daily life from Japanese artist Toshiko Akamatsu, and examples of Palauan glass money.

At the time of my visit there was also a beautiful exhibit focused on indigenous people of Taiwan, called Search for Indigenous Art.

The exhibit included examples of bright textiles, baskets, and tools from the 16 indigenous tribes recognized in Taiwan.

A lover bag in the Searching for Indigenous Art exhibit, which highlights the indigenous people of Taiwan, at the Belau National Museum on July 16, 2022. This bag, carried by the Amis people, traditionally features patterns that reflect their family background and is used as part of a matchmaking ritual.

Finally, if youre seeking a souvenir, storyboards are widely available in gift shops all over Koror but the cream of the crop is at the Tebang Woodcarving Shop.

Located just off the main road you can easily visit this shop to watch the woodcarvers at work, chat with owner Ling Inabo, and choose a handmade storyboard to bring home.

If you know youll be back to pick it up, you can even commission a piece with a story of your choice.

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Travel Bug: You don't have to be a diver to enjoy Palau - Pacific Daily News