Koror | Malakal
Things To Do While You're in Palau
Cultural and Historic Sites
Palau is a country rich in tradition and culture. Today, many sites of cultural or historical importance remain intact, reminding modern Palauans of a past long ago, while reinforcing the culture and tradition for future generations. Chades er a Mechorei, the traditional causeway in Airai, entered the Palau Register of Historic Places in 1995. It remains one of the most significant pieces of Palauan heritage that can be seen in Palau today. It is not certain when the Chades er a Mechorei or the meeting house were constructed; however, respected elders from Airai say that they were built before any foreigners came to Palau. Chades er a Mechorei is a significant site for the village of Airai. It demonstrates the skills and perseverance possessed by Palauans of former times. Hardworking and inventive, they were capable of creating sophisticated architecture without using any form of modern technology. It is said that people from all over Palau helped to construct this causeway. The end of the causeway is called Chedesirarsuul because it was constructed by people from Ngersuul. The beginning part of the causeway toward Tmecherur Rock Island was built from people from Ngermid of Koror. Various clubs from villages in Palau worked together to assemble the Chades er a Mechorei. Other elders say that this causeway was built during the era of Uab, because these villages belong to Uab. The inhabitants were strong people and sufficient in number to build this causeway. Chades er a Mechorei is a valuable landmark because in the old times, it served as the boundary for jurisdiction under Reklai and Ibedul, the two highest chiefs in Palau. The Northern side belonged to Reklai while the Southern part belonged to Ibedul. This causeway is situated on the dividing line and is connected to the Kambes (compass) in the interior of the village beside the Bai ra Irrai (Airai Bai). This is the boundary, so Okemii belongs to Melekeok and Diberdii belongs to Koror. In cases where a person is running from Koror (which falls under Ibedul), once he crossed the boundary to Okemii, he becomes untouchable because he is now within Reklai’s jurisdiction. This also applies to a person running away from Desbedall, as once he crosses to Diberdii, he is safe because he is now within Ibedul’s jurisdiction.
Peleliu
As the training phase of our next operation completed we we~ informed about our intended target isle Peleliu in the Palau Islands. This was to be a base of operations for bombers to go just a few hundred miles to soften up the Philippines for General MacArthur's dramatic return, walking on the water, correction, wading IN the water into Luzon. Like the bloody World War II island campaigns before it, Peleliu was a fight to capture an airstrip on a far-flung speck of coral in the western Pacific. And, as with previous island battles, the Americans would prevail, but at a cost no one anticipated, against a fanatical enemy whose new defense strategy would make the invaders pay dearly for every chunk of coral taken. By the summer of 1944, the United States had come a long way since the dark days of Pearl Harbor, Wake Island and Bataan. Victories in the Southwest and Central Pacific had brought the war even closer to Japan, with American bombers now able to strike at the Japanese homeland itself. But there was disagreement by the U.S. Joint Chiefs over two proposed strategies to crush the Japanese Empire. One strategy proposed by General Douglas MacArthur called for the recapture of the Philippines, followed by the capture of Okinawa then Formosa for an attack at the Chinese mainland. From there, the eventual invasion of Japan would come. Admiral Chester Nimitz, on the other hand, favored a more direct strategy of bypassing the Philippines, but seizing Okinawa and Formosa as staging areas for the future invasion of Japan's southernmost islands. As for Peleliu, both commanders' strategies included the invasion of this island, but for different reasons, and the 1st Marine Division had already been chosen to make the assault. To settle this dispute, President Franklin Roosevelt traveled to Pearl Harbor to meet personally with both commanders and hear their respective arguments. From this the president would make his own decision. After a review of both positions, MacArthur's strategy was chosen. However, before MacArthur could retake the Philippines, the Palau Islands - Peleliu specifically, would have to be neutralized to protect his right flank. What followed would be a ferocious battle lasting more than two months and costing over 12,000 lives. It would also be one of the Pacific War's most forgotten campaigns.
Ngarachamayong Cultural Center
In the matrilineal culture of Palau, the women's role symbolizes that of land as source of food and direct link to family inheritance. A person's community standing is determined by his relationship to his mother's family, The women choose the chiefs and have the power to rescind them. Women also have significant role when it comes to setting conditions relating to cultural practices, and to educate the community of those conditions and practices, Some twelve years ago, a group of visionary women of Palau, led by Bilung Gloria G, Salii, held a special meeting to discuss ways in which Palauan culture and traditions can be preserved. That special meeting led to a series of annual Mechesil Belau Conferences, which have influenced legislations and national policies aimed at preserving Palauan culture and traditions. It was through these conferences that an idea was born to establish a center, known as Ngarachamayong Cultural Center, from which the Ngarachamayong and the women of Palau, in collaboration with the Ministry of Community and Cultural Affairs, will conduct educational programs aimed at preserving and conserving the culture and traditions of Palau.
Through their resolve, Ngarachamayong, Inc, was chartered and a $2,5 million grant was obtained from the Republic of China to construct the Ngarachamayong Cultural Cente. A matching fund of $600,000 was appropriated by the government of Palau toward the construction of the center. The Center was carefully designed as follows: Shape: Mechuchuu (largest Palauan money from Idid clan) Color: Yellow (color of Mechuchuu) The Center will eventually include: · Bai ra Belau (Palauan Meeting House) · Blil Omengaus (Weaving Area) · Blil Omelasch (Carving Area) · Blil a Ngloik (Dancing Area) · Diangel (Canoe House) · Amayong el ngara pond (Replica of dragon fly at the pond) · Toluk ma Olchotel a udoud era Belau (Replicas of Palauan Turtle Shell Money and Traditional Money) · Pavilion · Outdoors Stage · Botanical Garden · Plant Nursery · Boardwalk/Keburs Garden · Chinese Water Fountain Pond · Mesei (Taro Patch) · Sers (Dry Garden) ·
Diving in Palau
Palau has been named one of the Underwater Wonders of the World. An archipeligo surrounded by a fringe reef, Palau's waters are packed with a great diversity of marine life. Go with tour operators that offer day trips from Koror, or stay in the islands in one of Palau's luxurious live-aboards.
Jellyfish Lake
An attraction most can only dream of, this daring and unusual phenomena, Jellyfish Lake, departs radically from convention; for it is an enclosed body of water wherein - over the course of a millennia - resident jellyfish have completely lost their sting because they have not had to fight off predators. Instead, they spend their days in privileged leisure, pulsating gently from one side of the lake to the other while catching the sun's rays and farming their own food supply of algae.
Kayaking in Palau
Palau was made for kayaking. Paddle your way into any one of hundreds of deserted bays and lagoons, and find no evidence that any other human has been there before you. With its perfectly unspoiled scenery, impeccably preserved reefs and coves, and only the swirling sound of your paddles breaking through the turquoise surface. Palau is probably the best place in the world for nature-loving kayakers.
Land Tours
While Koror offers shopping and Museums, Babeldaob is full of cultural/historic treasures, from the famous Badrulchau, or Stone Monoliths, to ancient terraces and Stone Faces. Hear the legends and history of these sites from a local guide and wonder about times past. On the islands of Peleliu and Angaur, rustic remains are found in the scenic forests, intact after 60 years following one of the fiercest Pacific battles of WWII.
Museums
Learn more about Palauan culture, history and the arts through impressive exhibits showcased at museums in Palau.
Etpison Museum
Artifacts - Displays - Jewelry - Gifts - Storyboards - Books - the Reef Restaurant - Many many more.Come to the newest and best stocked museum in Palau. Many lovingly displayed artifacts to teach you about ancient Palauan rituals and ceremonies. Relax in our fully stocked gift shop and browse artwork from local and international artists. Take a coffe break in the coffe shop or enjoy a full meal from internationaly renowned chef Bill Munn at the Reef restaraunt.
Rock Islands of Palau
There have been many descriptions of the Rock Islands, including "A labarynth of emeralds floating on a cobalt sea". Protected by a fringe reef, the placid waters are a haven for snorkeling, swimming, fishing, kayaking, or just relaxing on the sugary white sand beaches.
Sail Charters
Sail through placid channels and azure lagoons with the quiet solitude that only sailboats can bring.
Snorkeling
Inside the area sheltered by the Rock Islands' tiny isles are calm seas that afford ideal sites for snorkeling. Year-round warm water temperatures are indescribably soothing and therapeutic, making snorkeling tours compelling. Shallow reefs reveal tropical fish and technicolor giant clams thriving amongst a prism of corals.
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