The Top 4 Islands

I have a big favour to ask those whom have travelled extensively through Micronesia.

I am planning an island hopping honeymoon for my Fiance and I next March 2010. I want to take her someplace that no one of our friends has ever been to and that wont cost the earth. I am thinking of the Micronesia Airpass out of Cairns, Australia which includes 4 stops additional to Guam. The options are: Guam/Rota/Yap/Truk/Palau/Pohnpei/Kosrae. I definately want to go to Palau, which leaves 3 choices left between Yap, Truk, Pohnpei and Kosrae.

Can anyone offer their advice with which they would decide based on experience and how long would you spend on each of the 4 islands chosen (Guam just a transit) for a total of 20 days?

Cheers.

Hey Mate,
Of all the options youve mentioned, I'd choose Palau-Guam-Chuuk-Pohnpei (this will also be your air route) The reason I choose this is that I didnt find a bigger cultural fascination with the Marianas group/Guam area as to the other islands of Micronesia (I agree that the Chamorro people are interesting BUT Im a sucker for cultures that still exists like it was 50yrs ago!- i know this is personal). Having said that, if you want to have that "old south seas" experience, I would spend time on the outer islands...

Yap= Ulithi Atoll (Falalop, asor, mogmog and more remote fedray)
Truk/chuuk=(the farther from weno the better within truk lagoon or you can head out to losap or fayu-outer atolls)
Pohnpei=(arii or pakin atolls)
Palau=(lots of choices since everything is a lot closer compared with FSM)

we spent 3 weeks on each places with a visa extension but still wasnt enough. This will depend on how much holidays you have and your budget. extending visa was easy. The places Ive mentioned are away from the main hubs and see very little tourists/yr. most tourists just stay within the area where the planes land. farther you go, you will have the feeling that nothing has changed for the last 50 yrs. Much of those places are still ruled by chiefs and lineages. Sometimes trade was still efficient rather than purchasing things with your $$$.

have fun there and congrats on your wedding!

I mostly agree, although I'd spend time on Kosrae rather than chuuk unless you are a wreck diver.It is a very classic sleepy tropical island. Yap Proper isn't so bad itself- the villages are quite wonderful. And getting out to the outer islands isn't easy. However, Micronesia isn't cheap, so do your homework on it. The back and forth is difficult- Palau and Yap are easy, or Chuuk and Kosrae. But you will spend a day or two traveling when you go from the western islands to the eastern, then you have to go back to Guam. And if you try to add the outer islands you are going to be quite short on time. I'd probably do Yap and Palau and try to get out to some of the lesser islands and save the more eastern islands for another trip.

And best of luck and happiness on your upcoming marriage.

Edited by: 5Waldos

It would be very unrealistic to try and go to outer islands if having a total of 20 days for 4 regions, I think.
Basically, all OP will have time for is the main island at each stop, I think.
As the main island of Chuuk seems to have a very poor reputation by all accounts (I have not been here myself), Kosrae is probably the better choice.

You could go to two islands and fly out to the outer islands. Even an hour or two should do it since many of then are very small with nothing on them. Since the plane isn;t very regular it is hard to go for a day or two. I have spent time on Chuuk which is why I recommended Kosrae., unless you are a wreck diver in which case it is amazing. I'd still consider Yap (get out to Ulithi- or take the missionary flight all the way out and stiop on the way back- an stop on these far outer islands is worth while) and Palau (Peliliu, Kayangel, Anguar, and of course the rock islands as many times as possible). Less time flying around and more time exploring.

Edited by: 5Waldos

Thank you for your lovely advice. After more investigation, I think I will stick with Palau and Yap and save the rest of Micronesia for another time. Now all I need is some accommodation advice. Do the hotels get booked out in March or can I just wing-it!?

Good decision I would think. What kind of accommodations are your looking for? Romantic and not cheap- Palau Pacific Resort in Palau, Manta Ray Bay in Yap- although there may be something newer there. There is an isolate place on Balbedaob whose name I am blanking on- will remember it later today. Give us some ideas of what you are looking for in terms of price and we can jointly give you some ideas.

Palau, move around to these places:
1. Palau Pacific Resort, best place to stay in Palau. Small resort in the best location, great snorkeling off the beach. Not cheap, tho.
2. North Beach Cottages. Four bungalows in an isolated, idyllic spot on the coast of Babeldob. Reasonable, good food, beautiful. About a 75 min. drive north of Koror.
3. Carp Island. A bit rustic, but pristine location. Good snorkeling around the corner. Hot, steamy, jungle, but beautiful.
Also visit Peleliu and Angaur if you have time. The boat there and plane back are worth the trip!
Yap: Take the Pacific Missionary plane to Ulithi Atoll. Stay at Ulithi Adventure "Resort" on Falalop, you will have the place to yourself. On beach, great snorkeling. John Rumal is the brother of the chief, runs the place, great guy.
Back in Yap, stay at Village View---similar type of spot to North Beach on Palau. Beautiful and quiet. Also try Traders Ridge, a wonderful place in town (not cheap, but worth it). Stay there the day before departing (they have an a/c room w/drinks at the airport for their guests!).
We envy you.

North Beach was the one I was trying to remember. Quite lovely. And if you are a Survivor fan, it is where the entire group gathered when they arrived in Palau, and where the people who were booted off the island landed before leaving. but if you arent a Survivor fan, please don't let this piece of trivia bother you- it is a lovely spot.

my experience of getting Pacific Missionary Aviation flights to the Outer Islands is that they're often delayed and unless you have enough time to hang around Yap waiting you may end up not being able to go

They run on island time.

yeh unless you have 2 - 3 weeks to hang around Yap, I'd say the only way to really ensure that your honeymoon plans all go as planned would be to book about 5 of the 9 seats in the plane which would cost about US$1200 return

We had no problems with Pacific Missionary Air. We reserved well in advance. When flight time arrived the pilot---a great guy named Pete Reichert, who moved to Yap from S. California 20 years ago---said "This is your flight. If you weren't booked on it, we wouldn't be flying." Same for the return.

We felt like special guests, and that continued through our stay at Ulithi.

The flight in that plane was a highlight for us. Incredible views of the atoll.

can't say I had the same experience, I booked one seat to Fais for US$178 over 6 months in advance and when I arrived they told me it was cancelled and they didnt know when the next one would be. When I got there I went and saw a senator whose name I'd been given by someone I met in Palau and luckily he wanted to go to Fais as well and ended up getting the plane in the air!

I think to go to Ulithi is easier as its closer to Yap and they have more locals wanting to go there anyway

If being late and being unexpectedly cancelled and going here and not there is a huge problem for a person, they probably shouldn't spend much time in the islands, at least not Micronesia (cannot speak from personal experience about other islands). Things just don't work that way. One really does have to relax and let things happen the way they will.