Peleliu-based diving and questions

Hi!
It seems tempting to dive out of Peleliu because of shorter boat rides, much lower rates for diving and beaches... Peleliu Divers got bad reports. Maml Divers tend to speak only limited English, not really providing in-depth information, mainly focussed on Asian customers. I am travelling on my own, I need attentive and good guides and good briefing for dives in currents. The rate of 81USD for 2 dives off Peleliu (including 10% discount for email reservation) with optional bigger tanks, free Nitrox and max. 6 divers per guide seems tempting...
Anyone has dived with them? Or with Peleliu Divers?
On top of that: where to stay on Peleliu? Are there any shops? There is just one restaurant...

By the way, are there ATMs for Maestro/Cirrus in Koror airport or should I bring Dollar cash for the taxi etc.?`
Is New Koror hotel clean, safe, and do showers and aircon work? Other options?
Wherever I will be based, should I arrange diving in advance to avoid loosing time (flight arrives late from Manila)?

All advice will be appreciated.
Cheers,
Liberty

I am not a diver, so I will defer as to the dive operator questions. Hopefully, there will be other divers monitoring this site. The lodging choices are limited on Peleliu, I stayed at Mayumi's Inn, which was reasonable and served meals. There is also a small shop in front of the Inn that sells snacks and beverages. I also toured Storyboard Beach Resort, which is nicer but more expensive and referring to it as a resort is a bit of a stretch. Storyboard is affiliated with Peleliu Divers, which you had mentioned. Island View Inn is small, near the ferry dock and next to the only restaurant on the island. The Inn, restaurant and Maml Divers all seem to be loosly affiliated. Island View has a small store on the first floor. There are two other lodgings on the island, but they are fairly rustic. All lodgings offer meals, typically family style for additional cost. I have not been back since 2005, but understand one additional upper-end lodging has opened under the management of the people from Storyboard.

If you have access to US Dollars, I would suggest you bring enough for the Taxi, as the airport is a ways from the hotels of Koror. Almost all hotels have air-conditioning in Koror, I am not a fan of New Koror Hotel, preferring DW Hotel, Lehn's Motel and Tree-D Hotel for hotels in the budget price range.

When you ask questions on this forum, it would help if you indicated how many in your party, I assume you are coming alone. Where will you be coming from, as there are a lot of hotels that cater to certain cultures. The more information ou give the easier it is to try and offer appropriate suggestions.

Enjoy your rip to Palau!

Papa Mike
Papa Mike's Palau Islands Handbook

Hi!
Thank you. I am travelling on my own, being European. For some reason, it is difficult to get dollar notes here (from Citibank!). Particularly because when you order, they often give you notes that are to old and will be refused in Asia...
Should I reserve the hotel in Koror in advance? Arriving around 6:30pm, checking out different hotels will not be an option anyway. Do you know the email addresses of the hotels you mentioned?
Diving apart, which Island would you prefer? Are the beaches on Peleliu accessible from town? And what are must-do sights (apart from jellyfish lake)? No WWII stuff.
Cheers,
Liberty

Hello!

I dont recall that there were any ATM at the airport. (january 2006) But there are a couple of them downtown Koror.

Guest Lodge Motel was perfectly OK. Good location in a quiet side street in the centre of Koror.
For a listing of accom. in Palau, visit http://www.visit-palau.com/placestostay/index.cfm</a><BR><BR>Must do sights:(above water) Kayaking in Risong Bay (or elswere among the Rock Islands), visiting the spectacular Ngardmau Waterfall on Babeldaob, see the bizarre new government buildings in Melekeok, climbing to the lookout on top of Malakal Island for a spectacular view of Koror and parts of the Rock Islands.

PS! i am not a diver either.

regards
eflatjan
http://www.pbase.com/bolla49</a><BR><a href="http://my.flightmemory.com/eflatjan">http://my.flightmemory.com/eflatjan</a>

For Palau conneiseurs and locals:

I mixed up Malakal and Arakabesang. The pic under the "Malakal" link is Arakabesan. This is malakal with the lookout!
Sorry!:-)

eflatjan
http://www.pbase.com/bolla49</a><BR><a href="http://my.flightmemory.com/eflatjan">http://my.flightmemory.com/eflatjan</a><BR><BR>

Thank you!
By the way, I am planning to be in Palau from November 9th to November 17th, and Thanksgiving Day is November 22nd. When will the crowds arrive?
Yours,
Liberty

eflatjan- great pix! Did you party at SLC? I spent more than one night there at assorted affairs drinking and dancing. And I think that the inagural dinner was there, if I remember correctly.

I'm not sure crowds arrive for Thanksgiving- it is quite far from the US, and SE Asia is not given to celebrating Thanksgiving. There is a holiday in there somewhere in Palau, if I remember correctly- Celebrating Old Agers I think. Do not miss the parade if it happens when you are there= never have seen such a great group of raunchy oldsters in my life. They were wonderful.

5waldos wrote:

<blockquote>Quote
<hr>Did you party at SLC?<hr></blockquote>

No, I think they were closed at the time I visitid Palau. (january 2006) To me it looked like they were doing some kind of maintinance work or similar?...

eflatjan
http://www.pbase.com/bolla49</a><BR><a href="http://my.flightmemory.com/eflatjan">http://my.flightmemory.com/eflatjan</a><BR>

Thanks for the additional information. I would suggest you make your reservations prior to your arrival in Palau. If you have concerns book something for a couple of days and then check out your options once you are there. As eflatjan pointed out all of the lodgings are shown on the Palau Visitors Association wesite. E-Mail for DW Hotel is dwhotel@yahoo.com, Tree-D is treedomc@palaunet.com, Lehn's is lehnsmotel@palaunet.com. I would not worry about Thanksgiving in Palau, I don't think they celebrate it. 5Waldos, how do I get in the oldtimers parade? I certainly qualify.

Papa Mike

@Papa Mike,
how about the beaches on Peleliu? Are Wenty´s, Mayumi Inn und Maml Divers close to the beach?
Cheers,
Liberty

The beaches on Peleliu are limited and often related to WWII. No place is far from the beach- Mayumi's is at the beach. But be sure there aren't jelly fish. Also, I had an unpleasant shark encounter in Peleliu. Mostly the sharks in Palau are more interested in other things- these 3 thought I look good. Also had an interesting encounter with the Peliliu ghost.

PMike- you may qualify- but these folks are quite old- and raunchy!!! In the best possible way. And old lady (like, mid 70s or more) swishing her skirts and hips at the equally old guy on the next truck who is bumping and grinding- really quite a sight!

Do tell your ghost story!

tomorrow when I am sober- just celebrated my 41st wedding anniversary- but promise to share it tomorrow.

5Waldos- anyone celebrating 41st wedding anniversary can not call me old! You had an "unpleasent shark enconter?" Are their pleasant shark encounters? I'm pretty raunchy myself, so may qualify for the parade, we can share a float!

As stated, beaches in Peleliu are close to all lodgings, but will not hold a candle to Waikaki. Barrier reef pretty much eliminate waves, which eliminates sand buildup. Swimming is fine. watch out for those damn jellyfish.

Have a great trip!

Papa Mike

But if you get to the rock islands, some of the sand is so deep it is hard to walk. And Waikaki would not hold a candle to them- no people, perfect water, astonishing places. But Peliliu no- not great for swimming. Peliliu is great for WWII leftovers. Anguar also, but there also monkeys.

And yes there are plenty of pleasant shark encounters- when they are most interested in the fish, and not you. but i'm beyond good stories- more tomorrow if I don'thave a hangover. which I won't.