Palau is a special place to those of us working at ALLMYNE. Not only is it a beautifully unique location to travel to, but the Pacific nation’s dedication to ecotourism is quite admirable. This is what makes the Ol’au Palau initiative so unique.
Before we jump into what makes Palau your next bucket list destination, let’s take a look at all the good this majestic nation is doing for our world.
Palau Ecotourism At Its Finest
Palau’s Pledge is not only for its own community but also the tourists visiting their community. Tourists who sign the pledge promise to respect the ecological and cultural heritage of Palau during their stay.
“They commit to preserving the land, not taking what isn’t freely given, and refraining from causing harm without self-defense. The Pledge emphasizes leaving only footprints that will be washed away by the ocean…To make it even more special, local children played a significant role in drafting the declaration.”
Palau is home to the world’s first shark sanctuary. In Palau, blacktip, whitetip, and gray reef sharks can be found on just about every snorkeling trip.
In 2009, Paula dedicated its economic zone to the shark sanctuary, pushing others to make bigger moves in protecting marine biodiversity. In the same vein, they established the Palau National Marine Sanctuary at the start of 2020, becoming one of the world’s largest protected areas of the ocean.
Eco-friendly destinations are always a win-win in ALLMYNE’s book.
You get to help the environment and see the world? Sign us up! Let’s see what else Palau has to offer.
The Cornerstones of Palauan Culture
There are about six solid pillars of Palauan culture that are evident in their day-to-day lives and traditions:
- Matriarchal Society: Women have authority over the land and the clan’s finances. They also select and remove chiefs.
- Nature: Palauans have a deep respect for the environment. They emphasize the interconnectedness of humanity with nature, and they believe that the maintenance of a harmonious relationship with the world is important.
- Storytelling: Oral tradition preserves cultural heritage. Myths and historical events are passed down along with Palauan identity and cultural values.
- Arts: Palauans partake in arts and crafts, like traditional weavings, creation of clay pottery, and wood carvings in the form of storyboards.
- Navigation: With a cultural connection to the ocean, Palauans use the stars, wind, and nature to navigate the Pacific Ocean.
- Land Ownership: The Bai meeting houses, which we will talk about shortly, are the meeting places for traditional chiefs to make decisions for their villages.
So, how does Palau embody these cultural traditions through their tourism?
Cultural Immersion Experiences: On Sea
Home to over 1,300 species of fish and 700+ species of coral, it’s no wonder that you can’t go wrong when picking a snorkeling destination in Palau. Three areas we recommend you check out are:
- Jellyfish Lake—a salt-water lake with millions of stingless jellyfish
- Clam City—a spot to see giant clams, some weighing more than 100kg (~220 lb.)!
- Rock Island tours—only reachable by boat, but notable locations are Big Drop Off, Turtle Wall, and Nikko Bay
Another watery experience to add to your checklist of things to do is seeing the Ngardmau Waterfall. The tallest on the island of Babeldaob and the entirety of Micronesia, this waterfall flows from the island’s highest peak, Mount Ngerchelchuus.
Legend says that a one-eyed eel fell into a deep sleep never to wake up, and his head is considered to be the waterfall itself, flowing on and on forever. Locals say the big eel is alive and wanders the river.
Another cool location to check out is Slippers Beach. A local from Kayangel named Lazarus Meyar started collecting slippers (flip-flops) in 2018. The slippers washed ashore onto the beach, and now he has them all hanging in an artistic exhibit of the impact of marine pollution.
He’s been recognized for his work by the Palau International Coral Reef Center. Some honorable mentions to consider are kayaking, exploring underwater wreckage from WWII, traditional sailing on a canoe, or visiting the Palau Aquarium!
Cultural Immersion Experiences: On Land
If the thought of being underwater makes you seasick, then maybe some of these sites on dry land will pique your interest instead.
There are tons of cultural sites in Palau, but some of the coolest ones are the Bai houses like Airai Abai House and Aimeliik State Abai House. These houses were a place for men to gather and socialize when they were first created. Today, they’re a center for religious ceremonies and a meeting place for community leaders to discuss issues affecting the community.
The pillars of the Bai were hand-carved with intricate designs symbolizing Palauan beliefs. The community joined together to create the structures with wood, thatch, and bamboo.
Did you know that Palau has its own Easter Island? The Ngarchelong Stone Monolith is potentially the oldest and largest archaeological site in Palau. It’s made up of 52 basalt megaliths in two rows. There are even faces carved into some of them.
Archaeologists believe they were created in 161!
As far as historical sites go, both of the ones we found are from World War II. First is the Kaigun Sho, which was a communication center for the Japanese. There is actually a Japanese tank and anti-aircraft guns near the building. It was built in the shape of a cross and disguised as a hospital until the Allies caught on and bombed it.
You need to have a ticket to visit it, which can be purchased at the Airai State Office. The second site is the Ngarchelong Todai, or Japanese Lighthouse. The ruins look out over the blue lagoon. Again, it was built during the Japanese occupation, but not much more than that is known about the site.
Cultural Immersion Experiences: On Air
One of the most exciting ways to see all Palau has to offer is from the air. Aerial tours can be booked through two agencies, Smile Air or Pacific Mission Aviation. It is also said that stargazing in Palau at night is something incredible to behold.
You may even be privy to shooting stars or meteor showers! The final experience you should check out is the Ngermeskang Bird Sanctuary. This public bird sanctuary supports resident and migratory birds while educating audiences about the environment. If you’re interested to know more, check out their brochure.
Say Hello to the Pristine Islands
Palau has so much to offer to someone looking for an adventure, a relaxing place to tan, or both! While you’re there, you will be surrounded by so much culture and heritage.
You’ll also meet many friendly people of Palau encouraging you to learn more about them and their traditions, which makes it all the more exciting. The only thing you’ve got to worry about now is how you’ll get this vacation underway.
Well, that’s what ALLMYNE is for. We can connect you with local guides who will work with you to create personalized itineraries matching exactly what kind of mood you’re searching for in a perfect getaway. So, don’t hesitate! Check out ALLMYNE and begin planning your trip to the Pristine Islands.
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