Situated within the Palau Archipelago, the island of Koror is home to the eponymous city of Koror. It serves as the transport, economic and commercial center of the island. Visitors can look forward to spending lazy days on pristine beaches lapped by turquoise waters, or for the more adventurous, exploring the mountains and ancient basalt monoliths of Badrulchau. Other highlights include sampling local cuisine at an array of inviting restaurants and cafes, visiting the collection of interesting museums and viewing a variety of traditional landmarks and monuments that dot the city streets. It also provides an excellent base from which to explore the scenic surrounds including island-hopping to neighboring islands such as the beautiful Malakal and Ngerkebesang islands. Don’t miss the opportunity to explore the Rock Islands archipelago, just a short boat ride away.
Yap, the largest island within the state of the same name in Micronesia, is famous for its giant pieces of rock “money”, which date from hundreds of years ago. Some of the locals still own a few of these pieces, which give them prestige, and can be bought with the other currency of shell money. Carved from rock 400 kilometers away at the neighboring island of Palau, these relics are a strong part of local heritage and can be seen all over the island. Yap is also notably one of the only islands in the area to have escaped the scars of the second world war and maintains a wonderful authenticity. Gorgeous sandy beaches lapped by shallow, warm waters and backed by swaying palms make this a truly idyllic destination, while excellent scuba diving, snorkeling and swimming opportunities beckon too.
