Vistor Notes:

Subject: 'An Interesting and Different Kind of People'
Posted by Chia on: Tuesday, May 23, 2006 at 10:21 AM PST

Yap Proper is made of four small nearby islands built on reefs, with 3 connected by bridges, all surrounded by mangroves (plants). It is famous for Manta Rays sightings in the channels out to the deep waters of the sea. A paradise for divers but not much of a place for snorkelers (unless you go out with a boat beyond the mangrove). Yap Proper is blessed with much natural beauty and incredible views of the ocean. The locals are a funny bunch. They don't go out of their way to greet you, but if you ask someone for assistance or a car ride, they will happily oblige, and even take you further. Yap has been colonized by foreign countries, and so the people speak some English and deals in American dollars (whereas their ancestors used stone money, which you can see placed around the islands). The locals like to chew betel nuts constantly, and their mouths are stained with betel nut red juices. In terms of food, probably there are NO local vegetarians (maybe outsiders who come and live here) nor vegetarian restaurants. However, you can still find a couple menu items at the restaurants that are veg. Or you can politely explain your diet and ask for special accommodation. The markets stock canned and processed foods as well as some imported vegetables and locally produced foods like bananas, papayas, taros, potatoes, yams, and some greens.