Rediscovering Micronesia

[Pelagic]

Next year I plan to revisit as many of the islands and Atolls between Palau and Pohnpei as I can, over an extended period.
Last time I visited those places was between 1982 to 1995.
Does anyone have updated Links to cruising info/Blogs/ island protocol and good contacts that they care to share?
Thanks....Nick

[Tetepare]

I can't answer your specific nautical questions, but can lend some thoughts.

Pohnpei still rains constantly. I picked up a book on Pohnpei off Amazon, printed in the 1980s IIRC, which covers many old stories. I was able to surprise many on Pohnpei with old-style words and stories. Next time I'm there I will be certain to spend several days exploring Nan Madol.

Chuuk is the internet porn capital of the Pacific. It's become epidemic that locals post sex videos of themselves on the internet.

I'd love to visit Ulithi.

Kayangel is a marine preserve (with internet, phone, and cable TV). It offers great fishing and diving, and a big warf that's usually empty. Between Kayangel and Babelthaub is the reef; it's a much shorter route inside than outside if you're headed to Koror and generally safe once you get inside the breakers. If you've been to Palau you know the Rock Islands are a must see. Sharks are now protected throughout the country. They are currently experiencing a serious drought and water shortage.

I've pinged FSMTC concerning internet access on the smaller atolls. Certainly they have internet and phone on Chuuk, Yap, and Pohnpei.

Palau has internet on Peleliu and Anguar (as well as the mainland). As I said, there is internet on Kayangel, but no kiosk, you'd have to beg it from a local.

My suggestion to travelers is to absorb as much as you can find about the history of each place you'll visit. Artifacts and people are so much more interesting when there is background.

[pbmaise]

Best window to visit Is Jan to May.

Mog Mog was hit badly last year. Remember to get permission first. A small book was written by Australian family that rebuilt their damaged cat.

Mokil is really nice but you need someone to stay aboard while you go ashore. very good taro bread. Their lagoon is like Gilligan's Island. Streets immaculate but sad to see missing middle population. They all moved away to highschool on Phonpei and from there States.

Oroluk has just 4 people or sometimes 8. I made two visits. Use South Western inlet. I can give you Anchorage points. They need a solar radio with USB stick and tunes. say hello from me.

stay clear of Chuuk (Truk), you really risk your vessel going there from officialdom.

Excellent reports were made about Kapingarminga (Sp? ) the big problem is getting there in time before your stamp runs out. You must check in Phonpei and then check out of Phonpei.

[Pelagic]

Thanks Pbmaise
A friend sent me this great compendium which I found very interesting compared to my travels there in the 80's and 90‘s

here's the link to the Palau sailing compendium: http://svsoggypaws.com/files/Microne...%20v2016.3.pdf

Too true about Truck/Chuck

We will not go there as it is too dangerous and the Trukese are very aggressive

Orluk was one of my favorite places and that SW corner a great dive spot to see Silver Tip sharks

[pbmaise]

Randy on Swinging on a Star wrote a lot of blogs.

Sample Swingin' on a Star

Of course Valhalla wrote excellent blogs too. I frequently lament that all I do is follow in their wake.

Sample: yachtvalhalla.net/signals/Sig9903.html

I learned yesterday the special permit I thought I could get to operate my US vessel in the Philippines came with a hefty fee. 300,000 peso per month of operation. That is like a $6,600 per month tax.

I might be interested in tagging along with you. If that is, it is possible to find crew interested in this most rarity of experiences.

nice news article on the emptying of the remote islands.

Micronesia's beautiful empty islands - CNN.com


I wish I could recall name of one atoll I stopped at. I was aboard Infinity at the time and wasn't keeping record. It was midway to Chuuk. For most children it was first time they saw a sailboat.

Glad you been to Oroluk too.

I brought them a large jar of chili hot sauce that didn't need refrigeration and reading glasses. They wanted books... but only to use the paper for cigarettes that they made themselves using homegrown tobacco.

I was amazed at the coral, how brilliant the colors were and irredescent purple and green. What I didn't know at the time is that is a sign of coral bleaching. Water was so hot in parts of the lagoon it was like a hot bath. I am curious if these corals survive and are more temperature tolerant then other corals.

I had a map of the world on the wall. Amazingly it showed Oroluk lagoon despite having just 4 inhabitants. Have an action movie on board to show the guys. Besides tunes they always are in need of diving masks and rubber hosing. I left behind some battens to use for radio.

I was told on Mokil they would entertain a proposal to use/rent one of their remote islands. Problem again is no place to anchor.

It has been an extremely quite typhoon season so far.

[pbmaise]

Nick, I am preparing to head out to Micronesia as follows:

August 2016 finish repainting
October 2016 pop down to Borneo for fuel and sail in storage.
November 2016 Pickup recut sail from Hyde Sail and spars from Andy.
Small runs within Philippines before heading out to Palau.
Christmas and SCUBA diving in Palau.
Crossing to Yap and Ulithi January 2017
Guam February 2017
Then some radical. Back track to Taipei
South Korea and Japan for Spring 2017
Summer crossing Hawaii with or without stop in Phonpei.
Early Fall crossing to Canada or straight to Panama Canal.
BVI and Intercoastal Winter 2018
Spring 2018 St Lawrence Seaway
Summer 2018 Chicago to Mackinac Race

If you know of someone who wants to tag along I have 6 empty berths.

Philip

[Pelagic]

I will mention it to some good sailors I know , who would be reliable shipmates.

My own plans are behind you as i am selling my house in Subic.

I will local cruise Philippines then be in Micronesia for March when the small fish aggregates, come out of the Lagoons and the diving is very electric with many pelagics waiting at the passes