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Yap, Island of Stone Money
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by Barbara McPherson | March 1, 2008 at 01:24 pm
2407 views | 1 Recommendation | 12 comments
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Yap State, located within the Federated States of Micronesia
We were looking for a place inthe sun that was away from brash commercialism. We found it in Yap. We took two days to get there, but it was worth enduring the new reality of economy air travel. This island state is located in the western south Pacific. They had only a few thousand visitors last year, most of them there for the diving. The people we encountered were unfailingly helpful and friendly. We were greeted at the airport with flowers by a young woman in traditional dress. Check out their web site at visityap.com for comprhensive information about Yap.
We stayed for two weeks at a small hotel consisting of nine cottages, run by a local family(Pathways), but there is a range of accommodation and prices to choose from. We snorkeled, walked and toured the islands but mostly read the paperbacks we had brought, drank cold beer on the balcony and watched the lizards eat the ripe papayas -- no TV, no ATMs, no newspapers.
The stone money of Yap is unique to this group of islands. In the past, men would sail the open ocean to Palau or Guam(1.5 hours by plane) to chisel out limestone disks which they rafted home. The stories that told of the hardship and danger associated with their transport conferred value and status. These large disks are found in many places around the islands.
It wasn't until we got back to TV Land that we found out that this year's Survivor is set in Micronesia. Yes, it truly is as beautiful as it looks on TV! These amazing islands are in danger of flooding from rising sea levels.
The indigenous culture of Yap is robust and dealing well with the incursions of modern life. Traditional dance, architecture, and sailing are being preserved and learned by the younger generation. This was truly a once in a lifetime holiday.
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Barbara McPherson
Nanaimo, Canada
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Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (12)
at 14:00 on March 1st, 2008
Barbara, if you don't post some photos, I'm gonna be really upset.
at 14:03 on March 1st, 2008
Sweet! I knew you wouldn't let the team down.
at 14:17 on March 1st, 2008
Wow, I've never heard of Yap, but it looks and sounds amazing. I really want to go right now!
at 10:29 on August 14th, 2008
Wheck the heck is Yap? Man I been wondering what is it like in Yap?
at 11:20 on August 14th, 2008
Yap is a member of the Federated States of Micronesia. They are south west of Guam in the Pacific and north of Darwin in Australia. They lie about 10 degrees south of the equator. Most tourists go to Yap for the amazing diving or snorkeling. Their coral reefs are healthy and they are taking pains to keep them that way. The chief money crop is betel nut exportation. Currency is US dollars. When we were there, there were no ATMs so take cash. Some businesses accept major credit cards. The usual language spoken to tourists is English. Yap consists of four main islands and numerous uninhabited ones. We found the people there to be unfailingly friendly and polite. The people, while somewhat westernized, retain much of their culture. Their big cultural festival is at the end of February, beginning of March -- Yap days. We just missed it. There are no fast food restaurants or other strip mall trappings on Yap. Continental Airlines flies to Yap from Hawaii via Guam twice a week. If you go, check out their web site. It has prices for hotels, etc. Hope this helps. Good travelling!
at 13:45 on January 2nd, 2009
Me and my family stayed on Yap Island in the year 2002 for 6 months. I really enjoyed it and we had a fun time, my dad had lived there with his parents when he was going through high school. So they decided to go back and see old friends.
at 14:20 on January 8th, 2009
Glad you had a good time. It's not for everyone, but we sure enjoyed it. Cheers.
at 11:12 on February 6th, 2009
Hey!!
I am from Yap Island. Glad to hear someone out there did enjoyed our unspoiled island and culture. I wish can visit someday as my last visit was in June 1989. Currently serving over in Iraq now and am looking forward to a trip there upon completion of my tour here.
Untouched culture, friendly people, and preserved environments, visitng the Yap Island would be a well worth trip for anyone!!!
john
at 15:47 on February 7th, 2009
Good to hear from someone who has lived there. Stay safe in Iraq. Your homeland is beautiful to look at and made more so by the hospitable people.
at 03:57 on March 11th, 2009
Thank you for posting! I was happy again to see pictures of this incredible place,
I see you went to the BANK...
I love Yap.
Christopher
at 07:42 on April 28th, 2009
Yap Island is awesome...not only in sceneries but in bountiful food resources. This island has abundance in all kinds of food like taros(golden and silver taros), different varieties of yams, sweet potatoes, different sizes of breadfruit, coconuts, pineapples, oranges, a unique kind of lemon, papayas, mangoes, jack fruits, chestnuts, sugarcanes, passion fruits and of course betel nut trees grow wild on the island like weeds. The island is lush with greenery and flowering trees. The sea is teeming with lots of reef fish, clams and all kinds of sea food.
The people are very courteous and respectful of others and very friendly. It is a peaceful island.
at 09:39 on April 28th, 2009
You are right. More people should know about this place. The diving industry has taken great care to preserve the beautiful coral in the area. The manta rays are legendary. N. Americans can book via Continental Airlines.