Info about the FSM islands

jh09c2m11:33 UTC19 Nov 2011

Hello,

I am a 23 year old student who is planning a 5-7 week trip to FSM.

My plan is to use continental's island hopper route going from Guam to Majuro, stopping off at Chuuk, Phonpei and Kosrae along the way.

My main source of info has been the 2000 LP Micronesia guide book.

I am not sure how long to plan the trip for as it is hard to get an idea of how long to spend on each island.

Chuuk

How dangerous is it? From the guidebook it didn't seem too bad, only warning not go out at night, yet some people in the forum suggest it is like downtown Fallujah, ie do not leave the confines of your dive resort! Is this so? Is it only worth going for the wreck diving? The guidebook said Satawan Atoll is good, how acessible is it?

Pohnpei

Pohnpei sounds to be a really interesting place that deserves more time. How long is a good time to spend on the island? I also wanted to visit some of its outer islands, which are the best? How much time is a good time to spend on them etc.?

Kosrae

I hear Kosrae is a bit boring, again how long is a good time to stay on it for?

Majuro

I was planning to stay on Majuro for a couple of days, as the Laura area sounded pretty cool.

I wanted to use it as a base to visit some of the more remote Marshall islands.

What would people recommend as interesting atolls? I was thinking either Maloelap or Wotje atoll for their WW2 relics, or Alinglaplep atoll as it sounded pretty cool.

Due to the remoteness of these atolls planes fly weekly, so it will be an extended stay. I am assuming being on the outer islands will be relatively cheap, as I would be camping or in a homestay, so I was thinking of going to two different ones. However, will I get bored? Are the islands much in the same? Interesting to see a new one for a day, but not a whole week.

General

As most of my info is from a 10 year old guidebook, could someone give me an idea of how much prices will have changed? How much is a cheap hotel on average?

Is 7 weeks too long? I'm looking for a different experience in a far flung place of the world, but will I get a bit lonely? I get the impression that not that many people travel the area.

Is the Continental island hopper route flexible, do you have to give fixed dates of which stop offs you are taking, or can you hop on or hop off? I can't find any info about it on their website. I heard you have to book it over the phone, is this true?

What vaccinations would people recommend I get?

Thank you very much for any information given.

Best wishes

Christian Moore

taekyon201:34 UTC08 Feb 2012

Hi Christian,

Take a look at my "Things I wish I had known about..." posts I have just put on this forum about the FSM. It may answer a few of your questions already. Chuuk and Pohnpei are already online, and Kosrae (by far my favorite island btw) is coming up in a day or two. I will send you a PM with more direct answers to your other questions within the next couple of days or so. There is a new guidebook about the FSM which was written by Peace Corps Volunteers and published in 2010. It's fairly accurate and MUCH more detailed, not to mentioned current, than the old LP chapters on the FSM. I definitely recommend you to get that. It's available on Amazon. More later...

taekyon209:19 UTC09 Feb 2012

“My main source of info has been the 2000 LP Micronesia guide book.”

As mentioned previously, I suggest you to get the 2010 edition of “Micronesia and Palau” written by Peace Corps volunteers.

“I am not sure how long to plan the trip for as it is hard to get an idea of how long to spend on each island.”

This cannot be answered objectively, especially as you say that you wish to travel to some of the outer islands.

“Chuuk”

It’s sketchier than the other islands, and you definitely hear all kinds of damning stories about the place. It’s also the obviously poorest and run down of all the island states. Read my recently posted “What I wish I had known about Chuuk before going…” for more details.

“Pohnpei sounds to be a really interesting place that deserves more time. How long is a good time to spend on the island? I also wanted to visit some of its outer islands, which are the best? How much time is a good time to spend on them etc.?”

I can’t say much about the outer islands. Getting to and from them may be a bit of an issue. I imagine you need to be quite flexible with your schedule. Personally I didn’t enjoy Pohnpei as much as I enjoyed Kosrae. I guess on Kosrae you can get somewhat of an “outer island” feeling without actually leaving the main island. (Well, in Kosrae’s case there are no outer islands anyway)

“I hear Kosrae is a bit boring, again how long is a good time to stay on it for?”

I had the same fear of getting bored, fast-paced traveler that I usually am. I spent a week and enjoyed it a lot, and could have easily stayed even longer. I have met sailors who spent 1-2 months there and were wailing about having to leave after “such a short time”, and making so many friends there.

“Majuro”

Didn’t get off the plane there, so no opinion…

“However, will I get bored? Are the islands much in the same? Interesting to see a new one for a day, but not a whole week.”

Nobody can answer you that question except yourself. I think it all depends how well you connect with the islanders. If you connect well I don’t think there’s a risk of getting bored. If you don’t, well…!

“As most of my info is from a 10 year old guidebook, could someone give me an idea of how much prices will have changed? How much is a cheap hotel on average?”

Starting from around 50$ per night up…

“ I get the impression that not that many people travel the area.”

You are definitely spot on with that. However, if you are a reasonably sociable person you will find that connecting with the people that actually are there is relatively easy, as everybody finds themselves in the same position.

“Is the Continental island hopper route flexible, do you have to give fixed dates of which stop offs you are taking, or can you hop on or hop off? I can't find any info about it on their website. I heard you have to book it over the phone, is this true?”

Depends on the ticket class you book. The cheapest ones are not flexible. Then again, on this particular route the difference between the cheapest inflexible economy class fares and the more expensive flexible economy class fares is not very significant.

“What vaccinations would people recommend I get?”

Lots of websites about that online. Even better, consult a doctor!

Info about the FSM islands Country forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea / Micronesia, Federated States of
jh09c2m11:33 UTC19 Nov 2011	Hello, I am a 23 year old student who is planning a 5-7 week trip to FSM. My plan is to use continental's island hopper route going from Guam to Majuro, stopping off at Chuuk, Phonpei and Kosrae along the way. My main source of info has been the 2000 LP Micronesia guide book. I am not sure how long to plan the trip for as it is hard to get an idea of how long to spend on each island. Chuuk How dangerous is it? From the guidebook it didn't seem too bad, only warning not go out at night, yet some people in the forum suggest it is like downtown Fallujah, ie do not leave the confines of your dive resort! Is this so? Is it only worth going for the wreck diving? The guidebook said Satawan Atoll is good, how acessible is it? Pohnpei Pohnpei sounds to be a really interesting place that deserves more time. How long is a good time to spend on the island? I also wanted to visit some of its outer islands, which are the best? How much time is a good time to spend on them etc.? Kosrae I hear Kosrae is a bit boring, again how long is a good time to stay on it for? Majuro I was planning to stay on Majuro for a couple of days, as the Laura area sounded pretty cool. I wanted to use it as a base to visit some of the more remote Marshall islands. What would people recommend as interesting atolls? I was thinking either Maloelap or Wotje atoll for their WW2 relics, or Alinglaplep atoll as it sounded pretty cool. Due to the remoteness of these atolls planes fly weekly, so it will be an extended stay. I am assuming being on the outer islands will be relatively cheap, as I would be camping or in a homestay, so I was thinking of going to two different ones. However, will I get bored? Are the islands much in the same? Interesting to see a new one for a day, but not a whole week. General As most of my info is from a 10 year old guidebook, could someone give me an idea of how much prices will have changed? How much is a cheap hotel on average? Is 7 weeks too long? I'm looking for a different experience in a far flung place of the world, but will I get a bit lonely? I get the impression that not that many people travel the area. Is the Continental island hopper route flexible, do you have to give fixed dates of which stop offs you are taking, or can you hop on or hop off? I can't find any info about it on their website. I heard you have to book it over the phone, is this true? What vaccinations would people recommend I get? Thank you very much for any information given. Best wishes Christian Moore
taekyon201:34 UTC08 Feb 2012	Hi Christian, Take a look at my "Things I wish I had known about..." posts I have just put on this forum about the FSM. It may answer a few of your questions already. Chuuk and Pohnpei are already online, and Kosrae (by far my favorite island btw) is coming up in a day or two. I will send you a PM with more direct answers to your other questions within the next couple of days or so. There is a new guidebook about the FSM which was written by Peace Corps Volunteers and published in 2010. It's fairly accurate and MUCH more detailed, not to mentioned current, than the old LP chapters on the FSM. I definitely recommend you to get that. It's available on Amazon. More later...	1
taekyon209:19 UTC09 Feb 2012	“My main source of info has been the 2000 LP Micronesia guide book.” As mentioned previously, I suggest you to get the 2010 edition of “Micronesia and Palau” written by Peace Corps volunteers. “I am not sure how long to plan the trip for as it is hard to get an idea of how long to spend on each island.” This cannot be answered objectively, especially as you say that you wish to travel to some of the outer islands. “Chuuk” It’s sketchier than the other islands, and you definitely hear all kinds of damning stories about the place. It’s also the obviously poorest and run down of all the island states. Read my recently posted “What I wish I had known about Chuuk before going…” for more details. “Pohnpei sounds to be a really interesting place that deserves more time. How long is a good time to spend on the island? I also wanted to visit some of its outer islands, which are the best? How much time is a good time to spend on them etc.?” I can’t say much about the outer islands. Getting to and from them may be a bit of an issue. I imagine you need to be quite flexible with your schedule. Personally I didn’t enjoy Pohnpei as much as I enjoyed Kosrae. I guess on Kosrae you can get somewhat of an “outer island” feeling without actually leaving the main island. (Well, in Kosrae’s case there are no outer islands anyway) “I hear Kosrae is a bit boring, again how long is a good time to stay on it for?” I had the same fear of getting bored, fast-paced traveler that I usually am. I spent a week and enjoyed it a lot, and could have easily stayed even longer. I have met sailors who spent 1-2 months there and were wailing about having to leave after “such a short time”, and making so many friends there. “Majuro” Didn’t get off the plane there, so no opinion… “However, will I get bored? Are the islands much in the same? Interesting to see a new one for a day, but not a whole week.” Nobody can answer you that question except yourself. I think it all depends how well you connect with the islanders. If you connect well I don’t think there’s a risk of getting bored. If you don’t, well…! “As most of my info is from a 10 year old guidebook, could someone give me an idea of how much prices will have changed? How much is a cheap hotel on average?” Starting from around 50$ per night up… “ I get the impression that not that many people travel the area.” You are definitely spot on with that. However, if you are a reasonably sociable person you will find that connecting with the people that actually are there is relatively easy, as everybody finds themselves in the same position. “Is the Continental island hopper route flexible, do you have to give fixed dates of which stop offs you are taking, or can you hop on or hop off? I can't find any info about it on their website. I heard you have to book it over the phone, is this true?” Depends on the ticket class you book. The cheapest ones are not flexible. Then again, on this particular route the difference between the cheapest inflexible economy class fares and the more expensive flexible economy class fares is not very significant. “What vaccinations would people recommend I get?” Lots of websites about that online. Even better, consult a doctor!	2