Palau land activities

[dgrauman]

I am going with family in a couple of weeks. We all dive, but want to get in some shore based activities as well. I understand the typhoon may well have altered what is open/available, but suggestions for other activities, particularly ones that include walks, hikes, or physical activity would be appreciated. If Pelileu has recovered sufficiently, any suggestions for the best experience there?

 

[volvorules]

My girlfriend and I were in Palau back in October. We enjoyed heading up to Ngardmau Waterfall, where you can hike down to the waterfall and then back up. It was a nice way to spend a few hours, the taxi ride up there was expensive however, since it is quite a ways away from Koror. We visited the prison and purchased a nice storyboard, and also enjoyed the Epitson Museum, which had a very thorough history of Palau.

We were on a liveaboard, so did a short tour of Pelileu while we were diving down that way, which was very interesting. A sad event in history for sure.

Overall, Palau was amazing, what a beautiful place! Definitely paradise

 

[dgrauman]

Thanks

 

[Kevrumbo]

Palau Visitors Authority

 

[robint]

Absolutely go to the PRISON to buy a storyboard. Have cash, as that is all they take. Worth every penny.

prices range from around $75 to $500 and up. Save room in your luggage for a nice piece, too.

robin

 

[jake11]

We rented a car that Sam's tours arranged. It was pretty cheap! We then went on the tours by ourselves and saved a ton of money. We went to the waterfall on our own and other places as well. The tour to Peleliu is a MUST!

 

[dgrauman]

We just got back. Pelileu full day tour was well worth the time, even at the loss of a day's diving. The operator mentioned they are starting a "jungle tour" which might have been great given all that we saw during the regular excursion to the WWII battle sites.

 

[Kevrumbo]

How bad was the damage on Peleliu from Typhoon Bopha?

 

[dgrauman]

There was fairly extensive damage on land. Lots of huge trees down, power still out in places (like the museum), obvious damage to houses, boats washed up on shore. Considerable crop damage. The trail up Bloody Nose Ridge was open, but with a lot of debris around. I can't speak to the dive sites south of Ngedebus, but Ngedebus and north were OK as noted. Anguar also got hard hit, but did not visit there. The roads and historical monuments were open. Our guide said they were cleared within a few days. Not surprising, due to the importance of tourism.

 

[Woodiver]

We were at Pelelui last week. A large number of downed trees and damaged houses but the largest issue is the storm surge flooded most of the taro crops and destroyed all of the banana and papaya's. A large amount of sand has been move around on the reefs, exposing old bombs. The jungle will quickly recover and the people believe with aid and the remaining taro crops, things will be fine.

The damage along the shoreline near the Capital on the largest island from the storm surge appeared to be much worse, many houses lost with almost no houses remaining on the ocean side of the road.