coming back to Pacific; this time Micronesia

hi guys,

having just come from my latest trip to SE Asia, I am already planning another one, which will be to Micronesia. As I have never been to this part of the world, I would like you to pin down a country(ies) or area I am gonna visit at first. Thats what i need from you guys.

Rest assured I will do some research, but for now i just need to make a draft itinerary, only to get a rough idea about the place.

I am not a scuba diver, so i am not heading to this region primarily for this; however I am into snorkeling and swimming with all kinds of sea creatures if available. I had read the huge manta rays hover in those waters and they are exactly what draws me there, amongst others. For this reason i am planning an april trip. Besides this, I like photography and will be happy to see some beautiful coastal sceneries, secluded islands, villages and get to know the local culture and people, too. As far as accommodation goes, i prefer authentic and budget accommodation, possibly homestay if this phenomenon is known therein. Not interested in staying in resorts and likes. The time i am gonna assign for the journey is about 1 month.

On balance I do not think i want to drag as far as Kiribati, therefore i exclude this country from the prospective list. Since I saw some amazing pics of the place, I have been pondering about Palau. That may be only my perception, but it seems like those islands are extremely photogenic...

I am gonna fly from Europe and make about two longer stops on my way. I have not given too much thought to the route yet, but i expect it this way: Prague - Bangkok (one week) - Jakarta (1 month within Indonesia) - Manila(?) - an then?

Any brainstorm welcome

jirikoo

Start by looking at the air routings. This is a list of islands in a logical and available routing from Manila.
Manila - Palau (note the links in my signature) - Yap, FSM - Guam, USA - (side trip to Saipan, USA and Rota, USA) - Truk, FSM - Pohnpei, FSM- Kosrae, FSM - Marshall Islands - Hawaii, USA.
Continental Airlines is pretty much your only choice here. There are charter flights and an occasional other carrier to Palau but then you have to travel on CO to get elsewhere. There may be a local carrier to the Marianas (Saipan and Rota.)
I spent a month in Palau and Yap. Not enough time for just those two.

I was going to suggest those two- Palau and Yap. Closest to Manila and if you go beyond Yap you can spent a lot of time getting back and forth. Those two islands should give you everything you are looking for although the Manta Rays are hard to see from the surface- the areas in Yap around the feeding center rock are rather deep and not really clear. And for what it is worth- I spent 4 years there and it was not enough time.

Just booked a trip to Kosrae and Pohnpei for end of November using miles from Tokyo (only 25K).

I'm excited!

Definitely Palau and Yap. Although I'll note that I went diving and snorkeling on several occasions but never managed to spot a manta. Hopefully you'll have better luck in April.

See my posts for more details: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/thread.jspa?threadID=1931212 (Palau)
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/thread.jspa?threadID=1931231 (Yap)

Silvano- NOT FAIR!!! It is 65,000 plus days of travel from here. I am very jealous. Do be sure to have the limeade in Kosrae- wonderful stuff. And lunch at the Joy Restaurant in Pohnpei- at least used to be about the best simple food in the islands.

Island dreaming for sure.

I believe that continental is the only carrier that flies from Manila to Palau & Yap.

As for manta ray spotting, I would send an e-mail to Yap Divers (http://www.mantaray.com/diving.php) and ask. I can't say enough good things about Jan Sledsens, he would know when to plan your trip for maximizing your chance of manta spotting. They do have a snorkeler rate.

Hi guys. Thank you all for your comments and tips. It seems like Palau and Yap it will be. These two destinations have been in my mind for a longer time, anyway. Just checking into continental airlines website to find out the fares from this carrier are quite high considering a 2.5-hour trip. i guess. Well, are there, by chance, any other competitive options?

For me, the only realistic route is a round way from Manila. Before I proceed to Micronesia, I am gonna stay in SE Asia for a while, so this travel sounds reasonable, anyway.

Further, what is the best time to visit Micronesia with respect to prospective Manta ray spotting?

Thanks silavnocat for your links. Very useful, invaluable info.

Also check about what they are finding in Palau- never saw mantas there but I believe that they have been seeing them more recently. And the water is often clearer which gives you a better shot.

5Waldos, Joy is still the best restaurant in town!

Best lunches in Micronesia- one of the few foodie places we missed when we left! Do they still have the silly coocoo clock?

Thank you guys for all ur comments. I reckon i will have some more queries.