Anybody been to Ulithi?

My wife and I are going to Yap and then one week to Ulithi in April 2009. We are going to stay with a family at Ulithi. We have booked this through Danka Ledgewood on Palau. We are of course very curious about what Ulithi is like. Is there anybody out there who have been to Ulithi and stayed with a family?

Any recommendation on accomodation on Yap (preferably cheep but need to be clean and nice)?

replied to your PM already then read this. Most hotels on Yap are, I think, at least US$60 a night but I can't be sure as I never stayed in one. If you want a hut on a beautiful beach which is clean and nice, go to Yap Visitors Bureau in Colonia and say you want to stay at Joaquin's place on Maap its US$35 a night. If you have a tent and are willing to camp on a beach, like I did, tell them you want to go to Bechiyal beach and they'll arrange it for you for US$5 a night.

The Hiltop (sic) motel is about $35. I was there in July, clean, friendly and it had AC. Cooking facilities in your room. Email: yoruwm @ hotmail.com

I did the $5 camp on the beach at Bechiyal for a night. Beautiful there, but no toilets, and there were people and houses all around so it was weird as far as that goes.

Joaquim's the guy who didn't pick me up at the airport at 3 am as arranged by Danka. (A kind local family put me up.) Turned out that I paid half or less than half for everything at Bechiyal that I had been quoted by Danka at Joaquim's.

Ulithi is sand and trees and some simple houses. We stayed in a porch like room with a family. I don't remember which of the islands- the one with the airport which we couldn't get off of because it was a bit stormy and the passage to the other islands was too rough. there was a small church and we attended a christening. Take the opportunity to stop at the other islands if you can- the further you get out the more "exotic" they become. It is a wonderful opportunity as there are not a lot of tourists who get out there- you may well be the only ones while you are there. Will you be working? A week is a long time on Ulithi.

I agree. Ulithi gets a few tourists, none of the other islands get any. Not always true though that it's more exotic the further you get - Woleai is very far indeed from Yap and is one of the most developed islands.

Say more about Woleai. I think I was there but I don't remember exactly where it is. And how is it developed? Or perhaps, why is it developed? What is going on there?

It's definitely not developed compared to most other countries but by the standards of Yap's Outer Islands it definitely is - it has a high school and an airport, which of the other Outer Islands only Ulithi can boast. Anyway, it's true that once you get past Woleai the other Outer Islands before Chuuk are mostly very traditional and unspoilt, as is Fais which has remained remarkably untouched despite its proximity to Ulithi

Ah....that makes sense. I somehow had visions of a shopping mall and McDs or something!

Have you been to all these outer islands?

only been to Ulithi and Fais but did a lot of talking with islanders and PMA about the other islands :)also met people from Woleai and Ifalik

Ulithi was incredible. We stayed on Falalop, in the "Ulithi Adventure Resort"---we were the only guests at this simple but beautiful place, and we were treated like royalty. We had our own beach with outstanding snorkeling, including a drop-off about 100 yards out. You can find it on the internet, and John Rumal is the contact. He is the brother of the chief, and can arrange for permission for you to visit.

The flight to the island is on Pacific Missionary Air, an adventure in itself. Beautiful flight over the atoll.

The residents were very kind and friendly. Food was simple but delicious. We were there seven days, and wished it were longer. Our kids cried when we departed.

On Yap, stay at the "Village View", the only place on the island right on the beach. It is basically three modern cottages, with kitchens, right on the water. Isolated and friendly, about 20 minute drive north of Colonia.