Living in an Inside Cabin

It’s not very big on the globe so you have to really search for Yap.  One of the first things I noticed is that the island next to Yap is named Maap.  Really?  Who names these places?

Yap, Micronesia is comprised of the main island atoll of Yap with Maap and Gagil connected by road and Rumung, commonly referred to as “The Forbidden Island”, is accessible by boat but still within the reef. Outside the reef, Yap extends towards Chuuk (FKA Truuk) and has many outer islands and atolls; some of which are accessible by plane.  We docked here but I had a life raft drill in the morning so I couldn’t rush off.  The biggest disappointment  for me was that I could not dive here since I couldn’t get off early.  It’s known for its manta rays and I heard the diving and even snorkeling was great.  Yap is also know for its stone money, traditionally traded for goods.

Cultural Center with the stone money in front

Always have a plan B.  Michael and I headed through town and up the hill looking for views and interesting spots to photograph.  Being a tropical island it is, of course, hot and humid and all

day it rained in short bursts.  Poked around down some back streets and found some views but no one to talk to, unlike New Guinea where the residents were walking, rather than driving.  We did find some interesting stone steps that I just had to climb and the stone path led us uphill through the jungle to a sparsely populated residential neighborhood.  

Next stop was the bar on the schooner at the Manta Bay Resort.  What a great spot at the bar

Watering Hole

out of the sun for fish tacos and local beer appropriately named Manta.  The crew of any cruise ship is very adept in finding the good watering hole, especially if it has wifi so we found many friends there.  It’s well known that the crew usually spend more money ashore than the guests so we are usually extended a nice welcome.

We stopped by the open historical museum on the way bak to the ship and saw some local craftsmen building a boat and offering items made in Yap.  The museum provided a show of dancers prior to sail away and a good lot of the ship was at hand for the event.  We were told we were the largest ship ever to stop in Yap.  Hopefully we were good for the economy and both guests and residents enjoyed the day.