- Information
- Traveler Advice
- Forums
48HourVisit.com
Planning a short visit? Check out 48HourVisit.com, your online guide for short stays and weekend getaways. Ad
Yap Travel Guide
Labeled as Micronesia's "Land of Stone Money," Yap is an island steeped in legends, ancient traditions and copious coral formations. Diving in Yap is frequently advertised as one of the best in the world as it is one of the Earth's best places to see giant manta rays up close all the year round. Also known as Wa'ab among the locals, this island state in the Caroline Islands of the western Pacific is mostly covered in rolling hills and dense vegetation. Enclosed by lagoons, barrier reefs and mangrove swamps, Yap is also famous for its clear waters where schools of tuna, dolphins and reef fish are found in abundance. For its Eden-like setting, Yap is one of the places underscored in the hit television franchise, Survivor: Micronesia.Yap has unique cultures and traditions that are still strong in comparison to those found in neighboring islands. The Yapese are the most renowned navigators of the Pacific. You will only stand and marvel when you hear that they traveled phenomenal distances in outrigger canoes without the aid of compass, just with the help of stars and ocean wave patterns. Locals used to build their seaside houses with bare hands. Legends are handed down, history is recorded, and entertainment is formed through dance, a special Yapese tradition mastered by every resident while young. Women are clad in grass skirts while men are garbed in thu'us, a type of loincloth, as they go about in their usual pursuits such fishing, sailing and weaving. The ethnics are shy but warm, and soon enough, they become willing to share a chore with visitors such as launching a canoe or weaving a basket to carry coconuts. Apart from manta rays, what's big in Yap are its ancient, doughnut-shaped stone money discs or rai, which were historically valued because the quarried stone looks like a shimmering quartz. These disks that span up to eight feet in height took 20 men to move them through wind-powered canoes to places as far away as Papua New Guinea. Today, no more disks are produced or imported, and their number is fixed at about 6,800, sprinkled all over the island. The disks still function either as a good hiking or mountain biking trail, or as payment for marriage or damages.
Yap photography
Layap Children , Bhutan Tours by druk123
User blogs:
Cheaper galactic spaceliner unveiled
News from http://news.ph.msn.com/top-stories/article.aspx?cp-documentid=3737940 Richard Branson unveiled Monday a commercial spaceliner offering tourists a cheaper chance to experience the thrill of weightlessness and view the splendor of the Earth from space. The British billionaire hopes to offer tickets aboard his spacecraft at a cost of 200,000 dollars each, giving adventurous ... Read full Blog post
Indonesia Eco Tourism
Tour Itenaray Day 01 BALI - LABUAN BAJO – RINCA ISLAND – KOMODO ISLAND (L.D) Pick up from your hotel in Bali and transfer to the airport, for flight to Labuan Bajo (West Flores) for approximately one and half hours. On arrival in Labuan Bajo airport, will be welcomed and met with our local representative or tour guide. Than transfer to the harbour to catch a boat cross to Rinca ... Read full Blog post
San Gimignano and San Pellegrino
Night falls on the flourishing and industrious San Gimignano, its 72 towers stand on the low roofs of the houses lit by the moon. This is not a luxury travel spot but is something you don't see every day. In the distance the clatter of hooves echoed tired in the Via Francigena. The hand of the blacksmith stops beating, the frame of the weaver becomes silent, the streets of the tank only a concert ... Read full Blog post
An Aerial fiesta in Clark Pampanga
Its a party in the sky as multi colored hot air balloons piloted ny different pilots from various partso of the world participated in this annual gathering. As early as 5am, the 2,500 hectare aviation complex at Clar Economic Zone in Pampanga was already crammedi with excitement. Clusters of hot air balloon participants busily prepare their own balloons for liftoff as they need to take advantage of ... Read full Blog post
In our Magazine
Summer Destination to Avoid: Gulf of Mexico
EPA is failing to do their job monitoring the air and reporting factual data. The people need to be made aware that their lives and long term livelihood are at stake because of the air quality in Gulf of Mexico.
How to Avoid Traveling Troubles
Traveling to a certain destination might not become memorable if there are too many troubles along the way. Remember that even the best trips are usually not trouble-free. Follow these tips that help lessen the hassles.
Unique Toys from Japan
Japan is known for its fascinating, and sometimes, eccentric culture. From anime, karaoke, to advanced technology, the Land of the Rising Sun always has something unique to offer.
