Unique Places in Palau

Palau has activities for the non-scuba divers and snorkellers. Peleliu, an island located downsouth of Koror, 2 hours boat ride from Sams Tours jetty, has a historical record of having to fight the bloodiest battle in Palau.

The tour lasted about 2.5 hours and places of interest generallly include visitations to Japanese and American soldiers' memorial sites, the museum, airstrip, tanks, caves used by Japanese as a base to hide from bombings/attacks and beaches where many Japanese troops fought and died during the battle.

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Have you ever thought about owning your own beach. Now you can imagine one for your very own. Their are many to choose from for the day. Be sure to get a permit & pack your lunch, snacks, drinks, beach gear, etc. Don't leave anyone behind when you sail off.

The Odalmelech Stone Faces (OSF) are in Melekeok Municipality in Melekeok State on Babeldaob Island. The OSF are one of Palau's older sites being dated to around 895 A.D.. The OSF are believed to represent Odalmelech and his 5 councilmen. There might possibly a seventh stone face in the area. In the area there is a sign saying in detail about a bit of the history and tells about the legend of Odalmelech. I wouldn't make this a trip on it's own but it is good to include as a stop on a road trip especially if visiting the new capital building because the road that goes in front of the capital will take you very close to the stone faces.

In Ngaremlengui State there is an old Imeung Traditional Village. There is not too much left of it expect for the stone pathways and other basic rock formations. It is though set in a beautiful well kept area and is nice to stroll around. As we were walking around we met a lady and her young daughter from the surround village as they were going to their grandmother's grave to visit here. The lady was quite nice and the young girl was full of energy. To get here from Koror take the left route on the ring road that goes around Babeldaob. At around 23 km take the road that goes off to the left and follow that road.

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Aimeliik Bai is replica bai that was built fairly recently. It is quite nice with it's decorations both inside and outside of it. It is less tourist travelled area as I only saw about 3 vehicles pass by when I was in the area. It is in Aimeliik State on Babeldaob Island. Coming from Koror onto Babeldaob take the left route on the ring road. At 9.3 km or so there will be a road going off to the left. Take and follow signs that point towards Malsol's Tomb because it is along the same path but well before it.

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In Ngaremlengui State there are two World War 2 era Japanese cannons that are in good condition. To get here drive to Babeldaob island from Koror and take the left route on the island ring road. At around 23 km there will be a road off to the left. Take the road and follow it past the Traditional Imeung Village. Before you get to town there will be a red coloured road on the right hand side that goes upward. Follow it up as it will take you around a bend then to a flat area. Keep on going a few more meters and you will come across them. There are two of them. One is more out in the open while the other is close to the tree line. This area gives you some decent views.

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Malsol was known as the bravest warrior in Ngeremlengui and one day he made enemies with a women known as Dirrengulbai (Dirr). He either murdered her brother or just insulted his corpse which made Dirr made and she wanted revenge. She married a chief then refused to sleep with him. When the chief inquired why and she told him of Malsol. From there the chief got a warrior from a village by the name of Bekeu el Bechab (BB) to bring Malsol back for punishment. BB took off to find Malsol and eventually found him near a lagoon. The 2 men began fighting in BB's canoe from which Malsol jumped out so he would have a better chance. Malsol was winning the fight when BB pulled out a shark tooth weapon bracelet and seriously wounded Malsol in the stomach. He took Malsol back to Dirr in which she spat in his face and had the women of the village stone him to death. Those stones now make Malsol's Tomb.

It is a bit annoying getting here because there is not too many signs and the road forks a bit. It is located in Aimeliik State on Babeldaob. From the main ring road coming from Koror, go the left route. In 9.3km take the road that goes to the left. Follow it and it should come to another road with a sign. It goes past the Aimeliik Bai and some terraces. There will a bit of a bend in the road and from there is a smaller road that goes a head with a house near the intersection. Walk up the road and in less than a kilometre there will be stairs going up the right. It will lead you to a building and Malsol's tomb is next to it.

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Almost right across the street from the Ngiwal State Office is a museum of sorts. The have sculptures of some of the legends of the area. They also have some caged animals which don't look the happiest, but I have seen much worse. It is a nice area to stroll around. It is outside right on the coast so you have a nice sea breeze and the sound of waves lapping against the shore. I forget the cost because I was talking with the caretaker for a while and he didn't charge us full admission. I paid US $5 total and that was giving an extra dollar. They do have a charge for using a camera but he didn't charge anything. He was really quite friendly and invited us to the State Office for lunch and lunch was quite nice indeed.