For anyone who’s curious about Micronesia, here are some photos from my trip last month.
For one thing, although the country of Micronesia (or FSM) has its own government, the islands are incredibly diverse and have their own cultures and languages. Throughout Colonia, the capital of Yap State, there seem to be many people from the surrounding islands who come for work. When we went out for snorkeling or other day trips, we always asked the guides about their home life and culture. We found that although most of them were from the state of Yap, they were actually born on different islands. The common language among all the islands is English.
One thing about the Yapese that differentiates them from neighboring islands is their love of dance. Local festivals or ceremonies often incorporate dance performances along with traditional island garb. We didn’t manage to catch any of these dances while we were there, but there’s a big festival every year on March 1st called Yap Day. Maybe next time!
The most well-known feature of Yap is its stone money. These limestone rings originated in Palau hundreds of years ago. The stone was shiny and attractive, so people began bringing it to the island to trade. These days, the giant coins exist all over the island. You can see big ones at the Living Museum and expensive properties, around the island, but even a shack up in the mountains will sometimes have one or two smaller ones. Displaying them is a way to demonstrate wealth and influence.
Finally, I should mention the marine activities. Yap is a paradise for divers. I only went snorkeling, not diving, but the waters there are so clear and beautiful, and the reef is so colorful and vibrant, that I was more than satisfied. I took videos with my phone in a little waterproof bag, but it looks so much better in person.
Go see for yourself! Yap is only a short flight from Guam – an easy trip from Japan.
