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These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Federated States of Micronesia.
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For many travellers, Nan Madol is the highlight of their Micronesian odyssey. An important political, social and religious centre built during the Saudeleur dynasty, Nan Madol was a place for ritual activity and the homes of royalty and servants. Comprising 92 artificial islets it's built on the tidal flats and reef off the southeastern side of Pohnpei.
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Yap Proper's main island, Yap Island features the tiny capital, Colonia, which wraps around Chamorro Bay, offering sea views most everywhere. Walk to the stone-money bank in the nearby village of Balabat, or visit the Ethnic Art Village, which does a great job of celebrating and preserving indigenous art.
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Lelu Island, connected to the larger island of Kosrae by a causeway, is where a massive walled city was built between the 13th and 14th centuries for Kosraean royalty. Lelu's ruins, including burial mounds and dwellings, are hidden behind thick tropical vegetation, in the kind of isolated setting you might imagine trekking hours through dense jungle to find.
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Yap's capital Colonia does a great job of celebrating and preserving indigenous art. Here, village elders have been invited to teach their craftsmanship and techniques to younger artists; research is conducted to determine the exact form of original idols and to uncover what natural pigments were used before Western contact.
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The walk to Balabat is lined with traditional men's houses and rai (stone money). You'll pass Madrich, once a Spanish trading station, and continue to the Rull municipal office, where the road is lined with rai. Eventually you will come upon a seaside faluw (meeting house).