Yap and Palau

One additonal liveaboard option is the SS Thorfinn, which operates out
of Chuuk (Truk). Once or twice a year they do a "Pan Micronesian" trip
which goes from Chuuk to Yap and Palau and islands in between. It
would be a FANTASTIC trip. (I've only dived with them in Chuuk,
however). The Thorfinn is a great dive op and a nice stable boat
(it's 170 feet long!).


Rocky Grove wrote:
> In message <rlqrk21sf5om0daqbpq3igju9s5o3k7hdf@4ax.com>
> Dan Bracuk <bracuk@pathcom.com> wrote:
>
> > "Veem" <ginmill01@cox.net> pounded away at his keyboard resulting in:
> >:We are thinking Yap and Palau.
> >:Has anyone been?
> >:Best dive operators?
> >:Best hotel?
> >:Is the only way to get there on Continental via Hawaii, Guam?
> >:Any suggestions?
> >
> > I've been to Palau twice, Yap never. Neither trip was recent.
> >
> > The first trip, we stayed in a hotel and dove with Fish and Fins.
> > They were good. When you stay on land, you are faced with long boat
> > rides to get to the dive sites. By long, I mean one or two hours
> > depending on where you go.
> >
> > The second time we stayed on a liveaboard. Were I to go back, I'd
> > take the liveaboard route again.
> >
> I agree with Dan, liveaboard is the best options to save long boat
> rides. I was on the Agressor in August this year. had a good time.
>
> You can fly Continental or another airline which flies via Dacos both
> both from Manila in the Philippines
>
> Rocky
>
> --
> The Earth Is One Country and Mankind its Citizens
> (from the Baha'i writings)
> Surely The Global Superhighway is evidence of this?
> Rocky@mercia.demon.co.uk Phone 01926 312342
> (fax 08700560296)

One additonal liveaboard option is the SS Thorfinn, which operates out
of Chuuk (Truk). Once or twice a year they do a "Pan Micronesian" trip
which goes from Chuuk to Yap and Palau and islands in between. It
would be a FANTASTIC trip. (I've only dived with them in Chuuk,
however). The Thorfinn is a great dive op and a nice stable boat
(it's 170 feet long!).


Rocky Grove wrote:
> In message <rlqrk21sf5om0daqbpq3igju9s5o3k7hdf@4ax.com>
> Dan Bracuk <bracuk@pathcom.com> wrote:
>
> > "Veem" <ginmill01@cox.net> pounded away at his keyboard resulting in:
> >:We are thinking Yap and Palau.
> >:Has anyone been?
> >:Best dive operators?
> >:Best hotel?
> >:Is the only way to get there on Continental via Hawaii, Guam?
> >:Any suggestions?
> >
> > I've been to Palau twice, Yap never. Neither trip was recent.
> >
> > The first trip, we stayed in a hotel and dove with Fish and Fins.
> > They were good. When you stay on land, you are faced with long boat
> > rides to get to the dive sites. By long, I mean one or two hours
> > depending on where you go.
> >
> > The second time we stayed on a liveaboard. Were I to go back, I'd
> > take the liveaboard route again.
> >
> I agree with Dan, liveaboard is the best options to save long boat
> rides. I was on the Agressor in August this year. had a good time.
>
> You can fly Continental or another airline which flies via Dacos both
> both from Manila in the Philippines
>
> Rocky
>
> --
> The Earth Is One Country and Mankind its Citizens
> (from the Baha'i writings)
> Surely The Global Superhighway is evidence of this?
> Rocky@mercia.demon.co.uk Phone 01926 312342
> (fax 08700560296)

One additonal liveaboard option is the SS Thorfinn, which operates out
of Chuuk (Truk). Once or twice a year they do a "Pan Micronesian" trip
which goes from Chuuk to Yap and Palau and islands in between. It
would be a FANTASTIC trip. (I've only dived with them in Chuuk,
however). The Thorfinn is a great dive op and a nice stable boat
(it's 170 feet long!).


Rocky Grove wrote:
> In message <rlqrk21sf5om0daqbpq3igju9s5o3k7hdf@4ax.com>
> Dan Bracuk <bracuk@pathcom.com> wrote:
>
> > "Veem" <ginmill01@cox.net> pounded away at his keyboard resulting in:
> >:We are thinking Yap and Palau.
> >:Has anyone been?
> >:Best dive operators?
> >:Best hotel?
> >:Is the only way to get there on Continental via Hawaii, Guam?
> >:Any suggestions?
> >
> > I've been to Palau twice, Yap never. Neither trip was recent.
> >
> > The first trip, we stayed in a hotel and dove with Fish and Fins.
> > They were good. When you stay on land, you are faced with long boat
> > rides to get to the dive sites. By long, I mean one or two hours
> > depending on where you go.
> >
> > The second time we stayed on a liveaboard. Were I to go back, I'd
> > take the liveaboard route again.
> >
> I agree with Dan, liveaboard is the best options to save long boat
> rides. I was on the Agressor in August this year. had a good time.
>
> You can fly Continental or another airline which flies via Dacos both
> both from Manila in the Philippines
>
> Rocky
>
> --
> The Earth Is One Country and Mankind its Citizens
> (from the Baha'i writings)
> Surely The Global Superhighway is evidence of this?
> Rocky@mercia.demon.co.uk Phone 01926 312342
> (fax 08700560296)

One additonal liveaboard option is the SS Thorfinn, which operates out
of Chuuk (Truk). Once or twice a year they do a "Pan Micronesian" trip
which goes from Chuuk to Yap and Palau and islands in between. It
would be a FANTASTIC trip. (I've only dived with them in Chuuk,
however). The Thorfinn is a great dive op and a nice stable boat
(it's 170 feet long!).


Rocky Grove wrote:
> In message <rlqrk21sf5om0daqbpq3igju9s5o3k7hdf@4ax.com>
> Dan Bracuk <bracuk@pathcom.com> wrote:
>
> > "Veem" <ginmill01@cox.net> pounded away at his keyboard resulting in:
> >:We are thinking Yap and Palau.
> >:Has anyone been?
> >:Best dive operators?
> >:Best hotel?
> >:Is the only way to get there on Continental via Hawaii, Guam?
> >:Any suggestions?
> >
> > I've been to Palau twice, Yap never. Neither trip was recent.
> >
> > The first trip, we stayed in a hotel and dove with Fish and Fins.
> > They were good. When you stay on land, you are faced with long boat
> > rides to get to the dive sites. By long, I mean one or two hours
> > depending on where you go.
> >
> > The second time we stayed on a liveaboard. Were I to go back, I'd
> > take the liveaboard route again.
> >
> I agree with Dan, liveaboard is the best options to save long boat
> rides. I was on the Agressor in August this year. had a good time.
>
> You can fly Continental or another airline which flies via Dacos both
> both from Manila in the Philippines
>
> Rocky
>
> --
> The Earth Is One Country and Mankind its Citizens
> (from the Baha'i writings)
> Surely The Global Superhighway is evidence of this?
> Rocky@mercia.demon.co.uk Phone 01926 312342
> (fax 08700560296)

On Mon, 6 Nov 2006 11:16:52 -0800, "Greg Mossman" <mossman@qnet.com> wrote:

>"Veem" <ginmill01@cox.net> wrote in message
>news:1g33h.1046$Hc2.364@newsfe11.phx...
>> We are thinking Yap and Palau.
>
>Good.
>
>> Has anyone been?
>
>Of course.
>
>> Best dive operators?

>As for Palau, you have a choice of three or so land based operations (Sam's,
>NECO, and Fish&Fins) and a few liveaboards (Aggressor, Ocean Hunter I & II,
>and I think a Japanese boat as well if they're still running). Sam's is the
>most popular and is outfitted for trimix and rebreathers, but the other two
>are also quality dive ops and might not have the crowds that Sam's attracts.

I'm doing Sam's in February. I'm taking the "Blue Corner" PADI specialty course and
a few of the other spots. A total of about 15 logged dives + Kayaking and Jellyfish Lake.

The only thing is, I hear that Sam's "Jellyfish Lake" tour is not the "classic" Jellyfish Lake but their own
private version. I think I want to see the "real" one.

>> Best hotel?

>The PPR (Palau Pacific Resort) is the luxury hotel on Yap.

You mean Koror, Palau, right? That's where I'm booked, actually.

>> Is the only way to get there on Continental via Hawaii, Guam?
>
>Swimming? Continental Micronesia (formerly Air Micronesia) is the only game
>in town unless/until Palau Air gets off the ground. You can avoid Hawaii by
>flying into Guam from the west (Japan or Bali) but you can't avoid going
>through Guam as it's the hub airport.

Or Hong Kong as well. That's what I'm doing. CO 99 EWR---> HKG and then CS flights through to GUM--->ROR and
back the same way to HKG for CO 98 Home.



____________________________________________
Regards,

MAG3


Visit my Travel Website: http://www.mag3.biz/travel_photos/home_page.html

On Mon, 6 Nov 2006 11:16:52 -0800, "Greg Mossman" <mossman@qnet.com> wrote:

>"Veem" <ginmill01@cox.net> wrote in message
>news:1g33h.1046$Hc2.364@newsfe11.phx...
>> We are thinking Yap and Palau.
>
>Good.
>
>> Has anyone been?
>
>Of course.
>
>> Best dive operators?

>As for Palau, you have a choice of three or so land based operations (Sam's,
>NECO, and Fish&Fins) and a few liveaboards (Aggressor, Ocean Hunter I & II,
>and I think a Japanese boat as well if they're still running). Sam's is the
>most popular and is outfitted for trimix and rebreathers, but the other two
>are also quality dive ops and might not have the crowds that Sam's attracts.

I'm doing Sam's in February. I'm taking the "Blue Corner" PADI specialty course and
a few of the other spots. A total of about 15 logged dives + Kayaking and Jellyfish Lake.

The only thing is, I hear that Sam's "Jellyfish Lake" tour is not the "classic" Jellyfish Lake but their own
private version. I think I want to see the "real" one.

>> Best hotel?

>The PPR (Palau Pacific Resort) is the luxury hotel on Yap.

You mean Koror, Palau, right? That's where I'm booked, actually.

>> Is the only way to get there on Continental via Hawaii, Guam?
>
>Swimming? Continental Micronesia (formerly Air Micronesia) is the only game
>in town unless/until Palau Air gets off the ground. You can avoid Hawaii by
>flying into Guam from the west (Japan or Bali) but you can't avoid going
>through Guam as it's the hub airport.

Or Hong Kong as well. That's what I'm doing. CO 99 EWR---> HKG and then CS flights through to GUM--->ROR and
back the same way to HKG for CO 98 Home.



____________________________________________
Regards,

MAG3


Visit my Travel Website: http://www.mag3.biz/travel_photos/home_page.html

On Mon, 6 Nov 2006 11:16:52 -0800, "Greg Mossman" <mossman@qnet.com> wrote:

>"Veem" <ginmill01@cox.net> wrote in message
>news:1g33h.1046$Hc2.364@newsfe11.phx...
>> We are thinking Yap and Palau.
>
>Good.
>
>> Has anyone been?
>
>Of course.
>
>> Best dive operators?

>As for Palau, you have a choice of three or so land based operations (Sam's,
>NECO, and Fish&Fins) and a few liveaboards (Aggressor, Ocean Hunter I & II,
>and I think a Japanese boat as well if they're still running). Sam's is the
>most popular and is outfitted for trimix and rebreathers, but the other two
>are also quality dive ops and might not have the crowds that Sam's attracts.

I'm doing Sam's in February. I'm taking the "Blue Corner" PADI specialty course and
a few of the other spots. A total of about 15 logged dives + Kayaking and Jellyfish Lake.

The only thing is, I hear that Sam's "Jellyfish Lake" tour is not the "classic" Jellyfish Lake but their own
private version. I think I want to see the "real" one.

>> Best hotel?

>The PPR (Palau Pacific Resort) is the luxury hotel on Yap.

You mean Koror, Palau, right? That's where I'm booked, actually.

>> Is the only way to get there on Continental via Hawaii, Guam?
>
>Swimming? Continental Micronesia (formerly Air Micronesia) is the only game
>in town unless/until Palau Air gets off the ground. You can avoid Hawaii by
>flying into Guam from the west (Japan or Bali) but you can't avoid going
>through Guam as it's the hub airport.

Or Hong Kong as well. That's what I'm doing. CO 99 EWR---> HKG and then CS flights through to GUM--->ROR and
back the same way to HKG for CO 98 Home.



____________________________________________
Regards,

MAG3


Visit my Travel Website: http://www.mag3.biz/travel_photos/home_page.html

On Mon, 6 Nov 2006 11:16:52 -0800, "Greg Mossman" <mossman@qnet.com> wrote:

>"Veem" <ginmill01@cox.net> wrote in message
>news:1g33h.1046$Hc2.364@newsfe11.phx...
>> We are thinking Yap and Palau.
>
>Good.
>
>> Has anyone been?
>
>Of course.
>
>> Best dive operators?

>As for Palau, you have a choice of three or so land based operations (Sam's,
>NECO, and Fish&Fins) and a few liveaboards (Aggressor, Ocean Hunter I & II,
>and I think a Japanese boat as well if they're still running). Sam's is the
>most popular and is outfitted for trimix and rebreathers, but the other two
>are also quality dive ops and might not have the crowds that Sam's attracts.

I'm doing Sam's in February. I'm taking the "Blue Corner" PADI specialty course and
a few of the other spots. A total of about 15 logged dives + Kayaking and Jellyfish Lake.

The only thing is, I hear that Sam's "Jellyfish Lake" tour is not the "classic" Jellyfish Lake but their own
private version. I think I want to see the "real" one.

>> Best hotel?

>The PPR (Palau Pacific Resort) is the luxury hotel on Yap.

You mean Koror, Palau, right? That's where I'm booked, actually.

>> Is the only way to get there on Continental via Hawaii, Guam?
>
>Swimming? Continental Micronesia (formerly Air Micronesia) is the only game
>in town unless/until Palau Air gets off the ground. You can avoid Hawaii by
>flying into Guam from the west (Japan or Bali) but you can't avoid going
>through Guam as it's the hub airport.

Or Hong Kong as well. That's what I'm doing. CO 99 EWR---> HKG and then CS flights through to GUM--->ROR and
back the same way to HKG for CO 98 Home.



____________________________________________
Regards,

MAG3


Visit my Travel Website: http://www.mag3.biz/travel_photos/home_page.html

"mag3" <zmpmag3-plongee@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:qrvhl2ta3k0ieem3jhff3lpinmj5emv0lc@4ax.com...

> I'm doing Sam's in February. I'm taking the "Blue Corner" PADI specialty
> course and
> a few of the other spots. A total of about 15 logged dives + Kayaking and
> Jellyfish Lake.

I'm not sure how they can make a specialty course out of Blue Corner, but if
you're willing to spend the money . . . Otherwise, a two-minute explanation
of how to use a reef hook should suffice on top of the regular site
briefing.

> The only thing is, I hear that Sam's "Jellyfish Lake" tour is not the
> "classic" Jellyfish Lake but their own
> private version. I think I want to see the "real" one.

I've heard that there are really four Jellyfish Lakes. I'm not sure how
many of them are open to tourists. I do know that the jellyfish population
fluctuates dramatically: the lake will have a die-off, presumably when the
population exceeds the available nutrients, then will slowly come back to
normal populations. The one we snorkeled was accessed via a steep rocky
path lined by a rope railing. Signs pointed out deadly poison trees and the
presence of deadly monitor lizards and salt-water crocs, making the
jellyfish seem even more benign in comparison.

Is there a Jellyfish Lake specialty course?

>>The PPR (Palau Pacific Resort) is the luxury hotel on Yap.
>
> You mean Koror, Palau, right? That's where I'm booked, actually.

Ooops. That should read luxury hotel on Palau. Sorry. You'll have a good
time there wherever it is.

> Or Hong Kong as well. That's what I'm doing. CO 99 EWR---> HKG and then
> CS flights through to GUM--->ROR and
> back the same way to HKG for CO 98 Home.

I didn't know CO did Hong Kong. I had considered going L.A. to Narita, then
Narita to Guam someday. It's always nice to know the alternatives.

"mag3" <zmpmag3-plongee@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:qrvhl2ta3k0ieem3jhff3lpinmj5emv0lc@4ax.com...

> I'm doing Sam's in February. I'm taking the "Blue Corner" PADI specialty
> course and
> a few of the other spots. A total of about 15 logged dives + Kayaking and
> Jellyfish Lake.

I'm not sure how they can make a specialty course out of Blue Corner, but if
you're willing to spend the money . . . Otherwise, a two-minute explanation
of how to use a reef hook should suffice on top of the regular site
briefing.

> The only thing is, I hear that Sam's "Jellyfish Lake" tour is not the
> "classic" Jellyfish Lake but their own
> private version. I think I want to see the "real" one.

I've heard that there are really four Jellyfish Lakes. I'm not sure how
many of them are open to tourists. I do know that the jellyfish population
fluctuates dramatically: the lake will have a die-off, presumably when the
population exceeds the available nutrients, then will slowly come back to
normal populations. The one we snorkeled was accessed via a steep rocky
path lined by a rope railing. Signs pointed out deadly poison trees and the
presence of deadly monitor lizards and salt-water crocs, making the
jellyfish seem even more benign in comparison.

Is there a Jellyfish Lake specialty course?

>>The PPR (Palau Pacific Resort) is the luxury hotel on Yap.
>
> You mean Koror, Palau, right? That's where I'm booked, actually.

Ooops. That should read luxury hotel on Palau. Sorry. You'll have a good
time there wherever it is.

> Or Hong Kong as well. That's what I'm doing. CO 99 EWR---> HKG and then
> CS flights through to GUM--->ROR and
> back the same way to HKG for CO 98 Home.

I didn't know CO did Hong Kong. I had considered going L.A. to Narita, then
Narita to Guam someday. It's always nice to know the alternatives.