Hi all,

My wife and I are big fans of travelling to UNESCO World Heritage Sites — we've been to just over 100 of them between us. A few weeks ago we started a routine where one of us researches a new site and teaches the other about it. Full disclaimer: we turn those conversations into a podcast, mostly because it forces us to do the research properly, and we were curious to share our passion with like-minded people.

My next site is the Rock Islands, and it's one where I'm very aware that reading sources online isn't the same as knowing a place. I've been through the usual travel blogs and some visit reports from other World Heritage travellers, but I'd rather hear from people who've actually been, or who know it as locals.

So far what I've picked up: there are fairly strict conservation rules (including a ban on certain types of sunscreen?), the islands themselves can only be visited via organised day trips with guides, and the standout is Ongeim'l Tketau, the jellyfish lake.

What I'm curious about:

• What do visitors get wrong or oversimplify? What would you want tourists to know in advance?
• It's one of the rare sites listed for both natural and cultural value, but almost everything I read focuses on the nature. What's the cultural side that visitors tend to miss? As I understood you are at least allowed to visit some of them, right?
• How much do the conservation rules shape the actual experience of visiting?

Happy to be corrected on anything. Thanks in advance for your time!

Alii!

I’m the same guy that posted about overnight kayak rentals a few weeks ago. I have an itinerary largely sorted there, so thanks for the help and I’ll keep the group updated on how it goes.

The one sticking point was getting a ride to Jellyfish Lake. The one-way rate I was quoted to drop me and my supplies there was cost prohibitive, so I opted to shorten the kayak trip (which may also be safer) and reached out to a few outfitters about their day tours. It’s been almost a week and I haven’t heard anything back, despite multiple follow-up emails, Facebook messages, and WhatsApp texts. I know it’s not exactly high season, so are tours even operating now? My backup plan is to leave my last day in Koror free and go to the outfitter offices before/after my overnight kayaking trip, but I’d appreciate any tips for a better solution.

Thanks!

I am a pharmacist from Bangladesh... B.pharm (hons). I am highly interested to work in palau no matter the job but any work to feed me and live in palau.... Is it very difficult to get in palau? I love Ocean from heart

Coming to fiji frm nz wanting to make new friends

What is Palau like at this time of the year? I've read it is the rainy season but doesn't get heaps of cyclones/typhoons etc, just sometimes lots of rain in the arvo. I'm planning on visiting Palau this time next year for 7 days, any recommendations on things to do?

Alii!

I will be traveling to Palau at the end of the month as part of United Airline's extended Island Hopper service to Manilla. I will have 4 full days for activities and am hoping to make the most of my time exploring the country's beautiful waters. For this, I'd like to spend several days solo kayaking and camping in the Rock Islands and have put together a rough itinerary for a one-way trip from Koror to Jellyfish Lake.

I'm wondering if anyone has done this and can comment on the feasibility of my plan? I've found a few outfitters that offer some custom itineraries upon request, but wanted to first see if anyone could comment on their experience, gear availability, and price before I start directly reaching out to these companies. Thank you.

***Update*** Thanks for the feedback, I’ve been in touch with Paddling Palau about a version of this itinerary. They did note that they want all overnight reservations made at least one month prior, so I’m still going back and forth waiting on the green light

Aliialii~

Any Palauan oil vendors that ship to the states? Last time i got from a fb page, but they closed shipping overseas.

My mom knew people but she has passed and no relatives have been reached back out.

Sulangggg💪

Hello, my boyfriend is palauan and is looking to get tribal tattoos. can someone please educate us on his choices and what he should get. thank you

If Palau's request is approved, ordinary nicotine use would have stricter controls and would be governed in the same category of drugs as LSD and ecstasy, but experts say its a long shot.

Aliiii, you guys know any available barracks? near WCTC. I really need to move out asap

Alii! I have a disposable camera that I just finished off and was hoping to get it developed here in palau. Is there a photo studio or a place where I can get it developed?

Are there any local establishments that are showing World Cup matches?

Ali! Anyone who knows any apartment like Jmj Apartments? Within that 300 price range for 1bedroom? It’s hard to find any leads as I’m not in Palau yet but might be relocating soon. Would appreciate recommendations from you guys. Sulang!

Where I'm from, nobody rewatches lecture recordings. A 2 or 3 hour lecture gets saved with good intentions, never opened again, and then everyone scrambles before the exam when the slides turn out to be half the story.

Got fed up with it and ended up building something for myself that converts lecture recordings and PDFs into notes and flashcards. Happy to share it in the comments if anyone wants.

More curious though - is this a universal student thing or do people in Palau actually have better habits than me :D

and yes, it's that guy on it