Yap and Palau

Hi guys,

has anyone visited such remote places as Ulithi island in the Yap state (http://www.pacificworlds.com/yap/home/oriented.cfm)? Just wondering where i will head next after doing some snorkeling off the Tap island (main island)...

as for Palau, i have noticed there are plenty of car rental companies. Do they rent out also motorbikes or at least bicycles? dont want to rely only on taxi...

cheers

I just checked my copy of Papa Mike's Guide to Palau and he mentions that scooters(new in 06) can be hired from Fish N'Fins (discount offered if you mention Papa Mike sent you). Also you can rent bikes from IAC Bike Rentals on the main road in Koror - apparently they are only there from 1:00pm - 10 pm - he suggests care be taken while biking as Palauans are not that used to bikers. This information is from 2006 and may have changed.

Hi Jirikoo,

Remind me how long you will be in Yap. When I was there, I could not find any transport to any outer island, and was told one would have to wait up to a month for a ferry to get to any of the outer islands. A group of missionaries had a plane, but weren't heading anywhere during the week I was there.

Peliliu was the only place I saw bicycle rentals, but that doesn't mean they don't exist in Koror..

Have been to a number of the outer islands of Yap. There is the ferry, if you are there when it happens to be running. There is also a ferry which wanders through the outer islands over to Chuuk. The missionaries do have a plane- that is what I took but it was arranged for me so I have no idea how it was done. You do need to get permission before going out to any of the outer islands, and you generally bring a small gift to the chief.

Always rented a car in Palau or had our own. The rain and hunidity discouraged bike riding. There were scooter rentals on Anguar but don't know if they are still available.

Have a look at [http://www.pmapacific.org/ministries/aviation.php]

Ought to fly once per week to Ulithi Atoll and IF you are very very lucky onwards
to Fais ( around 175$ rt - as memory serves me right )
I myself was SPELLBOUND by both of them.
The "Ulithi Ressort " is MAGNIFICENT and Fais is a class by its own.

The YapVisitorCenter can arrange homestay accomodation on Fais.
The mentioned "permit" for the outlying islands is easy to arrange, either through the
Concil of Tamol or through the YapVisitorCenter.

IF you ain't under time pressure GO FOR IT.......UNFORGETABLE !

I missed the Ulithi Resort- the only place to stay when I was there was a room made from a porch. And the outer islands are a wonderful experience. Nearly as far off the beaten track as is still around these days.

Escotillo: When we were in Yap in June, the missionaries did not have regular flights to Ulithi. But perhaps OP will be in Yap for several weeks, increasing the chance of some kind of transportation option.

Dear Tilos, my experience was quite different with them.

I made a flight reservation up front, setting off for Yap from Palau,
spent several days on Yap, confirmed and paid my ticket at their office there,
and at the scheduled day their plane took off for Ulithi/ Fais.
As simple !
At that time - end of 2009 - they flew at least once per week - friday? - to Ullithi
and onwards to Fais IF they had enough passengers and/or cargo.

Well, now they changed their scheme obviously, pity but be that as it may !

The "Ulithi Adventure Ressort" is built, owned and managed by the community
of Ulithi since 2001 ( ? ) and worth every single $ they are charging.
I wonder how they will have guests now.

I was there before it was built- sure has to beat where I stayed! Someday I will get back. For sure.

thank y'all for ur advice; nevertheless, i gotta say the Ulithi Adventure Resort seems a pretty expensive to stay at. are there any alternatives?

all in all, i try to avoid anything that bears a name of "resort" ;)

The only alternatives would be homestays - the YapVisitorCenter should be able
to arrange something for you - both on Ulithi and Fais.

Well, don't let the word "resort" bother you, it's light years away
from the "resort - feeling" you may have in mind.
But admittedly a bit pricy :(

You will be off the tourist radar and virtually have the islands to yourself.

Do you have any info about the current air service of the PMA ?

What is putting me off going back to FSM right now are the absurdly
expensive flight fares.

Agree about the word resort. There are a couple of true resorts in Palau but in Yap, unless something has changed very very radically since I was there, and especially in the outer islands, the term resort means- well- I would guess some cabins plus a place to eat and maybe a small library or gathering place? If you think shops and bars and fancy restaurants- uh, not by miles.

I've been to Ulithi and Fais in Yap's Outer Islands. A boat is supposed to go every month but is often broken down and cannot go for months on end. Pacific Missionary Aviation also flies there every now and then. The price for a seat has gone up to $240 return now. Check out Yap Visitor's Bureau for arranging homestays and Pacific Missionary Aviation for flights details.

Here's a link to my blog on Yap and Fais:

http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Micronesia/Yap/blog-337605.html