Backpacking Australia & New Zealand
The Federated States of Micronesia are both large and small at the same time. Actual area is said to be some three million square kilometers in the Pacific Ocean, but the land mass of its 2,000 islands is a mere 721 square miles. That means there are more than 2.9 million square kilometers of diving sites, coral gardens, and wildlife under the sea.
Micronesia is divided into four areas, the most famous being Palau. This 400 mile long island is all about the water. Here you can see some 1500 species of fish, including reef sharks, Manta Rays, and Green Turtles. Palau's coral gardens are famous the world over, making this one of the best diving spots in the world.
The Marshall Islands, is most known for its Plumeria and Hibiscus flowers. The capital city of Majuro is charming, and only a short distance to peaceful papaya plantations.
This succulent fruit isn't the only thing good to eat around here. Try some locally grown sweet potatoes, and its seafood is the freshest anywehere.
It's all about the quiet on the Northern Mariana Islands, a Commonwealth of the United States. Not only can you go wreck diving, but go exploring around its many caves or trek its mountains.
This is the place to be if you want peace and quiet--the remote beaches and atolls see to that.
Much of Micronesia is remote, so getting around can be a bit difficult over unpaved roads. However, taxis are cheap in most towns--and while infrequent, ferries are available. Besides, most of the islands are small so walking is the easiest.
Language isn't an issue in Micronesia, as English and Japanese are spoken all over the islands. Hot is hot no matter what you speak, so remember that when you're here between November and April, which is both the Wet Season and its most humid.
It's so much cooler from May to October, but not cold enough to stoip anyone from fishing or any other watersport under the sun. A nice drink is just what anyone needs after a day of beach-going--so try some fresh lime with water. A beer would work, you just can't do it on the island of Chuuk--alcohol is banned. Save it for all the other islands that offer cocktail lounges and nightclubs.
But, with all the diving, who has time to hit up a nightclub?