Instant Reader Report
on Fish N Fins / Palau Pacific Resort in
Micronesia: Palau, Truk, Bikini Atoll and Marshall Islands / Koror on
2001/09
by
Elissa and Jody Thompson , CA, USA
Report Number 020825204556527

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Send an email to the author of this report

 Freeport and Bimini Bahamas, Cozumel, Jamaica, Papua New Guinea, California
Channel Islands 

Dive Conditions

common sense  

We used every available outlet in our hotel room for battery chargers and
the like.  Outlets are as in the US.  

The Fish N Fins dive shop has a classroom with some outlets available.

The small boat we were on held 6 people comfortably, but left little room
to change batteries in camera and video housings.  Not to mention the
humidity and salt air being factors.  Our solution was to change
batteries, tapes and digital media cards each morning at the hotel before
we went to the dive shop.

There are limited camera repair facilities in Palau.  Bring backups of
everything you might need replaced

At the Fish N Fins dock there are two very nice rinse tanks,  one
dedicated to cameras only.  

Overall Rating

This was our first trip to the Pacific.  We were unprepared for the amount
of diversity of life on the reefs. Snorkeling in Jellyfish lake, and night
diving were spectacular as was diving on the many WWII wrecks. The 5 or so
wrecks we dove afforded spectacular wide angle photo and video
opportunities.  Black and white photography seems to impart a historical
feel to the image.

Diving here means drift diving for experienced divers.  Though floating
along with the current is relaxing and enjoyable, one must keep an eye on
depth as most of the dives were along walls that dropped into the abyss.  
Some dives involved dropping into blue holes which eventually lead out to
open water.  This is simply beautiful as you look up to the sky. Again,
not for the faint of heart.  Additionaly, at the famed Blue Corner and a
number of other strong current sites, we hooked onto dead coral with reef
hooks and sat suspended as the pelagics rose from the abyss all around us.
 With a signal from the DM, we unhook and drifted away under a dive float,
which the boat followed to pick us up.

Our dives averaged 1- 1/2 hours long.  For lunch we would pull up to one
of the white sand surrounded rock islands.  Snorkeling here revealed more
creatures not seen in the open ocean.

We encountered so many kinds of life that species ID books available on
Micronesian Reef Fishes and Invertebrates were indispensable.

At Fish N Fins, our main divemasters John and Wilson, were very friendly,
competent, skilled, and enjoyed pointing out creatures we might have
missed.  Soloman runs Fish N Fins Barracuda Bar.  Make sure you try the
falafel!  We were picked up every morning either by van or at the dock,
with our gear already onboard.

Being vegetarians, we are often at a loss in finding places to eat.  Tova,
one of the owners of Fish N Fins gave us several recommendations, our
favorite is the Sea House Restaurant which has outstanding Indian Food.

We stayed at the Palau Pacific Resort in an ocean front room.  It doesn't
get better than this.  The room was not only clean, it was immaculate.  We
had the King and Queen Dinner (special order vegetarian) for my Birthday. 
It was 5 star!!

FYI- Palau uses US currency and the US postal system, but you can buy
stamps issued in Palau, which make great souvenirs.

One regret- we spent all of our time diving, almost 10 days, with only one
day to tour the island.  Next time we will have to see more of the
country.

Visit our website at www.descentline.com for a photo gallery of images
from our trip.  An extensive trip report will also be posted there soon.


 

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