Micronesia holidays

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• Overview
• Country info
• Holiday ideas

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Destinations » Australasia and Pacific holidays » Micronesia holidays

Stone money is still used in the Micronesian state of Yap. Known as rai, the largest stones are 3 metres wide and 5 tons in weight and – unsurprisingly – are never moved, even when their ownership changes

Taken from The Traveller's Handbook.

Micronesia holiday experts at WEXAS will tailor-make all aspects of your itinerary to create a Micronesia holiday, personal to you.

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Micronesia tailor-made holiday highlights

Truk Lagoon
An especially noteworthy dive site is accessible in the state of Chuuk. The Truk Lagoon contains the twisted remains of an entire Japanese fleet, sunk during World War II. Even if you have no formal dive qualifications, some of the shallower wrecks are also suitable for snorkellers.


Palikir
Situated on the island of Pohnpei, the Micronesian capital sits on the site of a Japanese World War II airfield. Its building roofs are designed like ancestral Kosrean homes, the beams incorporating Yap and Chuuk styles.


Yap
Embrace traditional life in the state of Yap, where some people still wear brightly-coloured loincloths and everyone has a bulge of betel nut in their cheek. The villages are connected via centuries-old stone footpaths and a traditional system of stone money, called rai, survives. Yap is also known for its feasts, known as mitmits.


Sokehs mass grave
Marks the spot where, in 1911, 17 native Pohnpeians were 
executed by firing squad for resisting the German administration.


Diving
Warm water and stunning underwater scenery attract scuba enthusiasts to this widespread island group. Kosrae alone has more than 50 dive sites to explore, each marked with a buoy to prevent improper anchoring. The coral close to the shore is superb, so diving is possible as a walk-in activity, as well as from boats. The marine life on display is quite amazing; Yap is known for schools of manta rays, while tuna, dolphins and reef fish are also abundant in the waters.


People & place

Micronesia facts

Capital: Palikir (Pohnpei Island).

Language: English (official), Trukese, Pohnpeian, Yapese, Kosrean, Ulithian, Woleaian, Nukuoro, Kapingamarangi.
People: Chuukese (48.8%), Pohnpeian (24.2%), Kosraen, Yapese.
Religion: Roman Catholic (50%), Protestant (47%).
Size (sq km): 702.

Population: 107,665.
Population density/sq km: 153.3.

Etiquette

There are considerable variations of custom and belief. The majority of Kosreans are Congregationalists, for whom Sunday is a rest day. Pre-European influences exist to a greater extent in some of the other island groups. In Yap, for instance, use of paths, beaches and islands may require prior permission. In general, visitors who demonstrate a desire to be courteous should be fine. But it is still best to check beforehand. Ask permission before taking photos of people or their property

Shopping

Love sticks and war clubs, grass shirts, lava-lavas woven from hibiscus bark, woven baby cradles, betel-nut pouches, stone money, model canoes.


Food & drink

Local specialities include breadfruit, sweet potatoes, pork, coconut and thin slices of raw fish dipped in peppery sauce. Sakau (known as kava in the rest of Polynesia) is made from the root of a shrub which yields a mildly narcotic substance when squeezed through hibiscus bark, and is served at numerous bars.

International Airports

Pohnpei (PNI) 5 km from Kolonia and Yap (YAP).

Internal travel

Flights connect main islands. Chuuk has a weekday system of commuter boats. Private speedboats operate on most islands. Most roads are unpaved. Pohnpei has private taxis and Chuuk has shared taxis. Car hire available in larger towns.

Red tape

Visas

None.

Vaccinations

BCG, Hep. A, Hep. B, Malaria, Typhoid

Driving requirements

International Driving Permit or national licence.

Reps in UK/US

UK: n/a. US: 1725 N Street, NW, Washington, DC 20036, tel (202) 223 4383, fax (202) 223 4391, email firstsecretary@fsmembassydc.org.


UK/US reps in Micronesia

UK: British Embassy in Manila deals with enquiries (see Philippines). 
US: PO Box 1286, Kolonia, Pohnpei FSM 96941, tel 320 2187, fax 320 2186, email USEmbassy@mail.fm.

Currency

US dollar (US$).

Finance

Credit cards and traveller's cheques are accepted on those islands with tourist facilities.

Business hours

0800-1200 and 1300-1700 Mon-Friday.

Safety & life expectancy

Safety information

Safe.

Life expectancy

Life expectancy: M 68.79, F 72.61.

Useful websites for travel

www.fsmembassydc.org/, http://kolonia.usembassy.gov/, www.visit-fsm.org.

Local media

Pacific Daily News is the main newspaper, The Island Tribune is printed weekly.

Tourist boards

n/a.

Micronesia tailor-made holiday ideas

Truk Lagoon
An especially noteworthy dive site is accessible in the state of Chuuk. The Truk Lagoon contains the twisted remains of an entire Japanese fleet, sunk during World War II. Even if you have no formal dive qualifications, some of the shallower wrecks are also suitable for snorkellers.


Palikir
Situated on the island of Pohnpei, the Micronesian capital sits on the site of a Japanese World War II airfield. Its building roofs are designed like ancestral Kosrean homes, the beams incorporating Yap and Chuuk styles.


Yap
Embrace traditional life in the state of Yap, where some people still wear brightly-coloured loincloths and everyone has a bulge of betel nut in their cheek. The villages are connected via centuries-old stone footpaths and a traditional system of stone money, called rai, survives. Yap is also known for its feasts, known as mitmits.


Sokehs mass grave
Marks the spot where, in 1911, 17 native Pohnpeians were 
executed by firing squad for resisting the German administration.


Diving
Warm water and stunning underwater scenery attract scuba enthusiasts to this widespread island group. Kosrae alone has more than 50 dive sites to explore, each marked with a buoy to prevent improper anchoring. The coral close to the shore is superb, so diving is possible as a walk-in activity, as well as from boats. The marine life on display is quite amazing; Yap is known for schools of manta rays, while tuna, dolphins and reef fish are also abundant in the waters.