Six unique experiences only to be found in Yap
Yap is perhaps the one of the best kept secrets in all of the Pacific. One of the four island states that make up the Federated States of Micronesia, this tropical destination located is off the beaten path and offers the experiential traveller and adventurer several unique experiences. These are top six:
1. Discover the World’s Largest Currency
Yap’s Stone Money (Rai or Fei) date back almost two millennia and are found nowhere else in the world. These doughnut-shaped giant stone discs made of limestone can weigh several tons and are found in outdoor “stone money banks”. While the US Dollar is legal tender, Rai are still hold strong social and ceremonial value
2. Dive with Magnificent Mantas
Yap is home to one of the few Manta Ray Sanctuaries in the world and you can consistently encounter these majestic creatures all year-round. Dive alongside these gentle giants and observe them being groomed by fish at their cleaning stations or witness the manta train during mating season.
3. Witness a Traditional Churu (Dance)
Dance is Yap’s most highly developed art form, often telling stories of canoes, conquest, & religious events. There are four main types of dance – Sitting, Standing, Marching and Bamboo. Dancers wear colourful costumes and ornamental head-dresses with their bodies covered with flowers, coconut oil & turmeric powder.
4. Discover Authentic Cuisine
Yapese cuisine is a delicious blend of flavors influenced by its Pacific location. Savor local delicacies made from taro, breadfruit, fresh seafood and tropical fruits. Make sure to try the local ceviche and sashimi which have a spicy twist, and drink the tuba, the locally fermented alcohol made from coconut flowers.
5. Relax in Unspoilt Nature
Yap’s largely untouched natural beauty will leave you in awe. Hike the Tamilyog or Malway Trails, walk ancient stone paths, kayak through verdant mangrove forests, go birdwatching to witness Yap’s large number endemic and migratory species, or just relax on one of the many secluded beach parks.
6. Learn About Our WW11 History
Strategically located between the Philippines and Guam, Japanese-occupied Yap was targeted almost daily by American aircraft from mid-1944 to August 1945. The result is several historical sites and wreckage on land and in the water. Numerous historical marker signs dot the island identifying plane wreckages, gun batteries, bunkers, tunnels and memorials to fallen soldiers and airmen.
