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minutes away. It's a full day boat tour
which includes a visit to the spectacular
Keprohi Waterfall and snorkelling in
the lagoon.
A 20–minute ride out of Kolonia takes
you to the Nanpil River where further
along are the spectacular Liduduhniap
Twin Waterfalls, complete with
thatched huts where you can picnic in
a jungle setting. 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
W WII.
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.
