Here we go again. Back in Palau. Or should we
say back in diving paradise? Palau is a small island country in the middle of
Pacific. They used to be US territory and got the independence only in 1994.
Still feels a lot like US – shops, money (official currency is US dollar), US
army… But also feels like the time stopped some time ago – a lot like Cuba. But
people are friendly and diving is… well… exquisite…
To be fair, we were scared that after all this
time we imagined how good it was. That we travelled all that way for just a
memory. But luckily not the case. Palau still has it. Still gives you that warm
and exhilarating feeling when you jump in. When you share crystal clear waters
of Pacific ocean with amazing underwater creatures (if you were even wondering
– both sharks and mantas were there). Well, for the first four days anyway. And
then typhoon Bopha arrived. Well, to be perfectly accurate it passed very
closely, brushed really. But that was enough.
If you haven't heard about it yet, Bopha was
the typhoon that brought destruction mainly to Philippines, but passed Palau as
well. Now, to give you a better picture, last big typhoon to hit this island
state was years ago, some even said in 1967! And again now, when we were there –
our luck at its best... At first we didn't take it that seriously, but when
people started raiding shops and talking of power and water shortages they were
getting our attention. And then the tragedy struck - no diving for two full
days! Well, guess worst things have happened (thou this one was pretty bad).
So, we got to it. Charged our devices, bought some water and food, got some
candles and filled buckets with water (and if you are wondering – yes, in that
order) and… well… got ready. The capital was like a war zone – all windows
covered with wooden planks (German embassy was the first one – ahead of
schedule if we may say), sirens going on from time to time, no people on the
roads really, and that general feeling that something bad is going to happen –
nervous waiting in the air…
And then it came. We decided to stay in the
room during the full blast (somehow didn’t think that getting smacked with a
big log or flying fence was not the best way to spice up this holiday), so our
experience mainly consisted of listening to rain and wind. In the dark! Power
was cut off to prevent further damage, but at least the water was still there.
The next morning we went for a walk. And got some really weird looks from the
local police. Destruction was not so bad in Koror, but we still saw some really
weird stuff – like a tree branch on the power lines. But people were manly glad
that all was over and it was not so bad. Unfortunately that cannot be said for
the southern island Peleliu. There everyone was evacuated to natural caves. But
the destruction was pretty big Even when we left, power and water were still
not available.
Now, back to main topic – diving. Visibility
was badly affected by the typhoon. Currents were crazy and for a few days after
the main blast stronger than usual, but
fish life was abundant. Even more than usual! Fish were schooling and sharks
hunting – sight not to be forgotten soon. Blue Corner really has it – hard to
decide where to look, it is just so much happening around. Napoleons were as
funny as usual, coming behind your back and coming so close you could touch
then and just looking at you with those giant, funny eyes, Visibility was
really affecting German Channel and when we lost all our hope to see mantas
feeding it happened. We saw six beautiful gentle giants making those magic
circles over and over again. We were mesmerised by this show of pure elegance.
As magic as it was, we still feel we were not fair on some other places we have
been (and this would mainly be Tubbataha reef in Philippines). So after a long
and tiring discussion we have decided to promote few other places to join the
main spot with Palau. Hopefully, there will be more to add…
Again, we left with some unbelievable memories
of Palau. Are we going to back? You betcha!
Here are some more pictures from Palau.
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