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The tiny islands are the result of volcanic activity millions
of years ago. Some islands are the tips of underwater mountains
while many of the atolls are the rims of sunken volcano craters.
The low coral atolls, with their serene blue-green lagoons,
offer incredible diving opportunities.
Guam is the largest island and a popular beach and
diving destination for Japanese, Korean and Taiwan visitors.
Palau on the other hand is home to Micronesia's strangest
natural beauty, the Rock Islands - perfect for diving
or kayaking. The Marianas are comparatively fairly
touristy but away from the bustle of Saipan it's possible
to find plenty of tranquil beaches such as Tinian and
Rota. The Marshalls are most famous for the
island of Bikini Atoll where atomic bomb testing in
the 1960s sadly led to radiation poisoning for many of its
inhabitants. Otherwise these tropical coral islands are spectacular
and offer fantastic diving and green vegetation.
The Federated States of Micronesia comprise of Chuuk,
Kosrae, Ponhpei, and Yap. Chuuk is renowned for
its rewarding wreck diving and ultra-relaxed pace of life,
while Yap offers interesting legends, traditions and attractions
such as a handmade seaside mens house and stone money banks.
Ponhpei's rainforests are a visual stunner and the
white sand beaches of unspoilt Kosrae are the perfect
retreat.
Micronesia really is that paradise beach postcard come true.
Minimal tourism means few crowds and the tranquility of the
Pacific is exclusively yours to enjoy.
When to Go
The climate is tropical all year round with minimal seasonal
variation. The average annual temperature is between 80 and
90F (27°C to 32°C) with up to seventy percent humidity,
depending on the individual island. It's very balmy and even
more humid between July and November. It can be slightly drier
and cooler between December and March while April and May
can be so rainy that Pohnpei is one of the wettest places
in the world at that time. Typhoons can hit between August
to December. Lying off the tourist trail, there's no real
high or low season but January and February are likely to
guarantee the best weather. Most American holidays are celebrated
like Christmas, New Year, and Thanksgiving. The
top indigenous festivals are Yap Day in Yap in early
March and Liberation Day on Kosrae on 8th September,
marking America's defeat of Japan after World War Two.
Visas
If you're a tourist and only staying up to 30 days you don't
need a visa, plus your 30 days begin again every time you
visit a different island group. If you're a U.S. citizen,
you can extend your permit for up to a year.
Cash
The currency is $US and even $US traveler's checks are accepted
as cash in many big hotels, shops and restaurants. However,
Micronesia is not necessarily the cheapest place to travel.
The distance between the islands and their dependence on imported
goods means that you may spend more than you would like. Budget
accommodation is few and far between and the beach resorts
are quite expensive. Generally speaking, the cheapest lodging
is around US$35 to $50 a night, for something slightly better
you could pay US$50 to $100 and US$100+ for luxury. Food is
well-priced though and you can eat well for around US$5 to
$10. You'll need to budget for around US$80 a day on a basic
level and more if you want to splash out. Renting cars and
diving can bump the costs up.
Don't rely on cash points (ATMs) and commercial banks so
make sure you have enough cash or travelers' checks to get
by on. Credit cards are accepted in some places such as Pohnpei
and Kosrae and their use is spreading.
Tipping is not that common, although in Pohnpei it
is becoming the norm to tip between 10% to 15%. Bartering
for goods is not widespread either, except in a few markets,
as most goods are imported and sold at fixed price.
Travel
Most of the islands have airstrips but Pohnpei, Chuuk,
Yap, and Kosrae are well-linked by air. Road travel
is, for the most part, decent but on some islands only the
airport and main road will be paved. Getting around by sedans,
pickups, and jeepneys is the most common option. Buses are
not part of Micronesian life - Yap is the only one where school
buses ferry tourists between Colonia and the villages,
otherwise there are private taxis. On Weno Island in
Chuuk there's a great taxi share scheme and minivans
operate in Pohnpei. In all honesty, car hire (at around US$50
a day) is your best bet if you want to explore the islands.
Travelling between the islands is another story. Boats are
frequent and Chuuk operates plenty of commuter boats between
the islands. If you want to reach the islands further out
you could hop on the cargo boats - not the most luxurious
ride of your life but they're cheap and cheerful. If you've
got the money, private speedboats are another option.
People
The whole of Micronesia has less than 500,000 people. Eastern
Micronesia is inhabited by people with marked Polynesian
or Mongoloid characteristics such as lighter skin and
dark hair that is straight or wavy but not curled. In the
western islands, tan-skinned Malays and dark-skinned
Melanesians are found. Micronesians generally live
in coastal villages that seldom have more than a few hundred
people and Micronesian families are mostly matrilineal-that
is, descent is traced through the mother's family. Most Micronesians
are Christian, especially Roman Catholic.
Language
English is spoken widely in Micronesia plus the native
tongue of each island group such as Chuukese, Pohnpeian,
Yapese, Kosraean, Chamorro, Palauan, Marshallese and Gilbertese
(I-Kiribati).
Dress
While you might spot some men in colored loincloths and women
in woven skirts, Western clothing is commonly worn in Micronesia.
There are some outer islands such as Woleai, one of
Yap's outer islands, where there are rules against T-shirts,
pants, baseball caps etc. but tourists are generally exempt
from this, although you'll receive a warmer welcome if you
make an effort to fit in. It is advisable to dress modestly
wherever you are and note that swimwear is not always permitted
in public areas. Generally speaking, wear light and comfortable
clothes especially to combat the humidity and heat during
the day but evenings can get relatively cool with the ocean
air so take long-sleeved warmer clothes as well.
Health
Typhoid vaccinations are strongly recommended before
any trip to Micronesia. Yellow fever and cholera depend
on which islands you are visiting so it is best to check.
Some islands carry the risk of Hepatitis A and B
so take precautions and a tetanus vaccination is also advised.
Dengue fever can also occur while swimmers should,
as always in topical waters, be aware of any poisonous fish
and sea snakes. Sun protection is of course crucial.
It is usually safe to drink mains water which is usually
chlorinated but can cause mild stomach upset in some cases.
If you're outside the main towns, stick to bottled. Milk is
pasteurized and, generally speaking, it is fine to eat dairy
products; the same can be said for meat, poultry, seafood,
fruit, and vegetables.
Visas
All non-United States citizens require a U.S. visa if visiting.
In Guam, both American and Canadian visitors do not
need a visa. U.S. citizens do not require passports or visas,
however, proof of citizenship is required. All other visitors
require a valid passport.
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