MICRONESIA
A day trip to privately owned Black Coral
Island in the lagoon is the perfect way to
safely snorkel the reef and, for a family day,
visit Langer island with its simple cottages
where visitors can stay overnight.
In Kolonia you can see the Spanish
Wall, built in 1889 as a boundary for
Fort Alphonso XII. Nearby is the Catholic
Mission Bell Tower, all that remains of
the old German church torn down by the
Japanese during WWII.
Also take a stroll into the Polynesian
village and watch the craftsmen whittle
ornaments from locally grown ivory
seed. Most tours operate from Kolonia,
and many of the waterfalls and areas of
historical and ecological importance can
only be reached by guided tour.
Accommodation is in both traditional
Pohnpeian thatched roofed bungalows
with garden showers, and Western-style
hotels. There is no public transport, only
taxis and rental cars, but most hotels offer
shuttle services. Tourist facilities are clean
and the service is friendly.
A visit to the Pohnpeian cultural centres is
a must for anyone wishing to experience
traditional Pohnpeian life. Each centre has
a distinctive program and performances
include traditional dancing, singing, music,
ceremonial sakau making, handicraft arts,
and food preparation.
The village shops specialise in handicrafts
and popular items include carvings of
sharks, fish, dolphins and canoes.
When it comes to relaxing, try sakau,
the numbing local drink which is used in
ceremonies and also sold in bars.
