Last minute advice for Palau?

Hi--we are leaving for 3 weeks in SE Asia and 2 weeks in Palau (5 weeks total!) in just 10 days. We will be staying for a week at the West Plaza, and 1 week split between North Beach Cottages and Dolphin Bay Resort in Peleliu. Any suggestions for good places to eat? Any "musts" for presents to bring home to friends/family? Hubbie has limited shopping tolerance so will need to be strategic.

Thanks!

Look in the shop at the museum- not necessarily the cheapest, but they have nice things. And hubby can continue to wander around the displays. Storyboards are nice- you used to buy them at the jail, but I don't know if you can do that any longer. The PPR has a nice gift shop. Palau isn't a great shopping place really- and living there was shopping hell. Don't bother with the Betel Nut Liquor- it is really really awful. But oddly, the wine isn't too bad.

Dragon Tai has wonderful food, but the smoke even got to me last time I was there. I understand that the thai restaurant is great. Do have at least a drink out at the Palau Pacific Resort at sunset- really beautiful on the beach. And their taro leaf soup is memorable. You can sit around the pool and order, or sit at the outside bar, or go up on the patio. On Wednesday? they have stick dancers, and Johnny B on maybe Sunday night. Carp Restaurant used to be good. And the place that used to be Pirates Cove is good- I can't remember the name, but it is on the water upstairs. If you take a taxi they will know where you mean. At North Beach you'll eat there- and if you find a pair of small binoculars hidden away- grab them for me. We left ours there! And do post about the Dolphin Bay when you get back- would be interested to hear about it. And as a hint- if you need to get close washed, you can bring them to the landramat across from Desical (I think that is how it is spelled). Leave it, come back a few hours later to clean folded clothes. For very little more than just throwing things into the washer yourself. And much cheaper than having the hotel do it.

Have a wonderful time.

Oh- and for a great massage- downstairs in the big hotel downtown they do massages (I seem to be suffering from bad old times these days- can't remember the name of anything- except for Elvis, the bird at the museum). I think it was $25 for an hour. I had a Chinese woman who spoke no English- my idea of heaven since I don't really like people chatting with me when they massage.

that is, bad old timers disease- lordy lordy I can't even write right.

I secontd the storyboard idea for souveniers of Palau. They have a good selection at the Rock Island Restaurant and Museum. Have a great trip.

Papa Mike

"secontd" the idea, humm the old timers disease is spreading 5Waldos!!!

gotta watch out Mike. Did you ever go over to the jail? That used to be the place to buy storyboards. We commissioned several from people we knew there. There is also the old age center (by the tennis courts) that have some local handicrafts. And last I saw a great canoe that they had carved. If you are around when there is a parade, do go watch. The old folks are wonderful and raunchy- usually one truck with men one with women "dancing" at each other. Quite ribald.

Hi 5Waldos,

Yes I did go by the jail, but the talent pool was a bit weak at the time. I was staying at a motel next to the "old age center" but was not impressed with the storyboards. I did get several dates there (just kidding). I think one should just hit a variety of places and see whats available at the time. I've got to have the only storyboard over the door in Southwest Montana, the locals look at me as a bit weird, no elk horns and all.

Papa Mike

Don't be too sure- we returned from Palau to Colorado, about 10 years ago. Stayed for a few days in a hotel. There in the elevator, me in a Palauan tee shirt- 2 folks said- oh- yes- I spent time there. One in the Peace Corp. There were only 3 of us in the elevator. Funny place Palau- many people have never heard of it, the others have been.

Bet the other guys have jackalopes, so they can't look weirt.

ok- can't look weird either.

5Waldos,

Most of my friends looked at me weird when I said Palau was my next guidebook. Only the scuba folks were in awe. One of the key factors was that my dad was part of the American forces that occupied the island of Peleliu. Had to go see if I had any half brothers or sisters down there. I have a tendency towards off the beaten track island groups, have you been to the Cook Islands?

I apologize to LA Contessa hope we have answered your questions, we seem to have digressed at some point, so ask other questions if you like.

Papa Mike

Suspect that your Dad may have been a bit too busy dealing with other things. Haven't been to the Cook Islands, just the Micronesian ones. We were there at the 50th anniversary of Peliliu so met many of the guys. Talk about living history! Quite interesting.

And I'm sure that LA will understand.
By the way, I have a great trip report from about 2 years ago that I could email you. (Not mine but author has given permission). Too long for PM. If you are interested, pm me with an email address.

Thanks for the advice and for the trip report. Will report back on Dolphin Bay. Any other suggestions on where to eat?

Outside of Koror you eat where ever you can find food. There is a small restaurant to the left of the newish hotel by the dock in Peliliu. Dolphin Bay must have a restaurant. I'm not sure if the other places have meals except for guests. You definatly do not go to Peliliu for the food. Fresh fish and rice (although if you hit a wet spell, fresh fish can be hard to come by), chicken, japanese noodley things. In Koror, the hotels all have restaurants which usually offer nice views. New restaurants pop up all the time, and some are doing well. Yannos small shop for local produce.

Ah- Dolphin Bay used to be the Storyboard. Now I know why last year when we were there I heard nothing about a new resort being built. We stayed there when it first opened, years ago. Lovely setting, but check to make sure that there are no jelly fish in the water- that was the one problem with the beach there. Wonder if I returned their book before going back to Koror??

Wrong- Dolphin Bay is not a rename, but rather a new place run by Miyumi, who has several places now in Peliliu- this the most "upscale", which should be taken with a huge grain of salt. Simple beachfront cottages which look nice. I think they are pretty much nextdoor to the Storyboard. Still check about the jellyfish- getting stung would put a real damper on a day.

Found a translation of a Japanese web site from a google search (dolphin bay peleiiu --- on 3rd page).
It has a rather comprehensive desciption of many of the hotels in Palau, including Dolphin Bay. But still haven't been able to pinpoint the latter's exact location on Peleliu.

Translated Japanese Web Site

Dick

Here's a batch of pictures someone took in Palau. About midway there's aome shots of Dolphin Bay Resort.

Batch of Pictures

Dick

Ricky- I think it is just next door to the Storyboard- next door to Miyumi's other place.