YAP

Is YAP as remote and as exotic and as interesting as the Lonely Planet guides explain it to be?

Certainly remote. Depends on how you define exotic. Wonderful culture, people smart and many speak English, traditions still largely intact.

I guess the exotic part is better answered by people who visited- I lived in the FSM and worked there- things stop feeling very exotic rather quickly that way.

Yes, Yap is......still quite traditional .......unless that have changed in the last 3 years since I went there...

Would doubt that a lot. Haven't changed in all these years- why start now>?

In my opinion, somewhat remote but not too exotic. Remote in that it's a small island surrounded by lots of water, as visible on a map, but how remote is a place that is regularly connected by Continental Airlines? There are plenty of tourists, well-developed/established hotels, U.S. mail, internet and a wide array of U.S. goods available at the local store.

While I'm sure people's lifestyles/attitudes are still very traditional, you should not go in expecting too much native dress (mostly gone now) or architecture (the traditional faluws that exist are beautifully crafted, but people live in (mostly ugly) buildings of modern construction). That is, the physical manifestations of culture that make places seem 'exotic' for travelers do not really exist.

Linen- didn't you see the outer islanders in town wearing bright yellow or blue thules and the women in wrapped striped cloth around their waist and topless? This is native dress- and at least as of last summer was still legally required of all outer islanders in Kolonia (or is it Colonia?). They were still all over the place just a year ago- including at the airport. This is the same thing you would see on one of the outer islands where there is no tourism to speak of and people continue to live in their traditional way- except of course for the tin shacks that mostly people live in. But I don't think that is what you saw either. Nobody used to live in the faluws- those were meeting houses or men's houses. People used to live mostly in grass huts. If the ugly buildings were of concrete- that was a huge step up for many people. And they mostly don't live in the houses anyway- they live mostly outside- the inside is for storing things and sleeping. It was very difficult to return to the states and have to take up living in a house again- I felt cooped up all the time, particularly as the weather got cold. I had gotten quite used to living on the steps or in the summer house- a roof to keep out the rain and some benches around the edges.

There were a handful of people in native dress, but few and far between. I know, I shouldn't expect people to stay in grass huts for my sightseeing amusement...

don't for get the huge stone money that looks like a caveman wheel

I am considering Yap as a peaceful site where I can finish a book I'm working on (and eat fresh fish for dinner every day). I need a place where I can live inexpensively as I won't be employed and don't want to deplete my savings. To that end, can anyone help me out with a resource for finding apartments for rent or at least something cheaper than a hotel for a long term stay. I plan on being there for about six months or so. Also, any suggestions for another location are welcome. Many thanks.

Yap certainly is a peaceful place, it would be perfect for a writer.

You can try the Hiltop (sic) Motel: hiltop_yap@mail.fm
or the Blue Lagoon Apartments: EMIyap@mail.fm

or contact the Yap Visitors Bureau: yvb@mail.fm