Yap Attractions |
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YAP ATTRACTIONS Nature The four adjoining islands that make up Yap Proper have a distinct landscape of rolling hills and lowlands covered in dense vegetation with coastal areas made up of mangrove, white sand beaches and offshore reefs, quite distinct from the outer islands which are classic coral atolls with a single fringing reef. Yap is covered with rain forest and has tropical flowers in bloom year round, from sweet-smelling plumeria to vivid red and pink hibiscus to delicate spider lilies, Yap is a botanical treasure-trove. For the active person, there's plenty to do on land and in the ocean. The visitor can expect to go mountain biking, hike on an ancient stone path or try some deep sea fishing as part of the yap experience. Or, just take a nap under a coconut tree on one of Yap's unspoiled beaches. Sea kayaking through the natural and man-made canals of the surrounding mangroves is one of the best ways to experience the islands' natural beauty. There are also a number of World War II wrecks and gun emplacements to be discovered at various sites on Yap Proper. Sport Fishing Fishing doesn't get any better than on Yap and locals are proud of their prolific waters and fishing traditions. Schools of tuna, mahi, waho and reef fish abound offering great sport. You may enojy bottom fishing, trolling, casting or deep jigging. Just follow the local rules and the operator's advice since all of the water in Yap is privately owned. Ask for permission before dropping a line from the shore, too. Yap's majestic lagoons and kaleidoscope-colored coral reefs in aquamarine waters offer a fantastic chance for snorkeling. Snorkelers can be taken by boat to swim among the mantas in the channels where they regularly play in shallow surface water enjoying the extra attention. Exploring the villages and ancient paths by foot or mountain bike is a popular pastime for visitors. Yap's rolling hills, lush vegetation and unspoiled beaches are home to a wealth of wildlife and provide spectacular views and photo opportunities. Travelling through Yap's thick jungle canopy transports you through time as if by magic. The lush vegetation, with its fantastic flora and fauna seems to wrap around you, a warm, friendly embrace that welcomes you. Surfing Because of its wide fringing reef, all surfing spots in Yap are located far from land with the only access being by boat. The wave and break conditions vary depending on the season, weather and winds. Always seek advice from the local experienced surfers and go with a local surf guide. The glistening white sand beaches and the turquoise-blue waters invite you to step into another world where untouched coral reefs, strife with colorful, exotic marine life proliferate. The rolling hills and unending green lowlands hide Yap's dark and violent past which is only betrayed by the rusting and decaying steel hulks that dot the island. Yap is indeed a land that time forgot, preserving not only its natural beauty but also its inhabitants' culture and tradition for us to see, enjoy and hopefully, learn from. Diving Yap is famous for its clear waters where schools of tuna, dolphins and reef fish are found in abundance. Observing the greatly varied marine life on the reefs and in the channels has become a must for divers around the world. Imagine yourself nestled in a patch of sand on a coral ridge thirty feet beneath the surface of a deep water channel, just a quarter mile from the open sea. A school of two hundred Bigeye Trevally (jacks), alarmed by your presence, steam quickly by like silent sentinels guarding the palace gate of a fantastic underwater empire. Then, from the west comes a half dozen giant Manta Rays - undisputed rulers of a magical kingdom under the sea. Twisting and turning in great formations, they move their massive wings to the beat of an ancient rhythm. Unafraid of their human guests, the mantas pass almost close enough to touch, and stare curiously at you. Then, with a final passing nod, the majestic mantas soar back out into the deep of the channel, disappearing as mysteriously as they first arrived. Yap exceeds the four primary criteria for a successful diving destination, namely warm water, clear water, diverse marine life and living coral reefs. Varieties of dive sites are available including sharp reef drop offs, gentle slopes, channel drifts or the protected confines of the harbor to satisfy novice to experienced divers with giant manta rays, sharks, turtles, a wide variety of fish, crustaceans, mollusks, sunken ships and planes. While clear waters and sheer dropoffs certainly describe Yap's diving, one fact stands above the rest. Yap is the world's foremost destination for seeing manta rays up close and personal. There is no other place on earth where they can be seen on such a consistent basis year 'round. This fact has catapulted Yap to the top on all lists of the finest diving attractions in the world. The manta rays of Yap have become as famous as the World War II wrecks of Truk Lagoon and attract increasing number of divers from across the world each year. The huge variety of marine life, clear waters and deep drop-offs also provide plenty of big fish and shark action to stir a diver's adrenaline and keep photographers busy. Besisdes mantas, other aquatic creatures include sea turtles, harmless reef sharks, giant clams, barracudas, giant bumphead parrot fish, octopuses, moray eels and sting rays. Inside the panoply of multicolored coral you might spot the tiny paisley paster Mandarin fish, bizarre but beautiful. Stunning, crystal-clear waters, miles of prism colored coral reefs and limitless variety of sea life thriving among the eerily haunting remnants of man's folly for power. This is what makes Yap one of the truly awe-inspiring and finest dive destinations in the world. Yap's immaculately preserved underwater habitat is a testament to the Yapese which indirectly benefits mankind. It is our duty to pass this on for future generations to enjoy. Traditional Meeting Houses In every village in Yap, there are two types of community meeting places called P'eebaey and Faeluw. A P'eebaey is open to all men, women and children. A Faeluw is a fisheries building similar to a P'eebaey in construction but only open to the male population and usually built on the shore. Without using nails, large wooden poles and beams are tied up with the coconut fiber ropes which give the structure strength, flexibility and decoration. P'eebaey and Faeluw are built on large stone platforms, which can also serve as a meeting place or a clssroom where young people are taught the traditional way of life, local folklore and the prevalent customs. There used to be a Dapael for the female population where mothers would give birth and girls would learn about women's roles and chores in the village. The Dapael no longer exists as it did in traditional times. Stone Money Raay/Feaq, or what is called stone money, is a round piece of limestone with a hole in the middle that was quarried a long time ago in Palau or some place in Guam and transported to Yap by canoes and rafts. The sizes vary from 5 cm (2 inches) to 2.5 m (8 feet) diameter. The value of each depends on the presentation and how good a talker you are. The stories told of the open sea would help increase its value. By exchanging it, individuals or villages would confirm their ties and it is still practiced today in some traditional occasions. Village Footpaths Narrow footpaths, called Kanaawoq, used to connect the villages in Yap providing an island-wide network. Many parts of the paths were paved by small rocks for mud-free walking on rainy days. Some of the footpaths were later bulldozed and widened to invite cars, some abandoned, while others are still well-maintained and still in use today. Island Skills Making flower leis, weaving coconut leaves to make baskets, mats or other useful items and making coconut fiber ropes are still important practices in daily life. More importantly, all items will degrade into the soil and nourish plants without leaving any long lasting trash on the island like plastics. Traditional Dances Traditional dancing, called Churuq is a highly developed and complex art form in Yap. Dances and the charts which accompany them were taught with great care. Some of the dances still practiced today are so ancient that the present generation can not translate their meaning but the chants and the movements are the same as in the past. All dancers are beautifully decorated, colored and ornamented. Eventhough the decoration is generally uniform, each dancer adds to it according to his/her own taste, forming thus a stunning group. There are several dance forms: sitting dances and standing dances originated from Yap and were always performed by men and women separately. Stick dances were introduced from the other islands east of Yap and marching dances were formed in Palau, then brought to Yap during the Japanese time. The latter two may be performed by young men and women together. |
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