Page 102 - Micronesia

PELELIU INSERT

PELELIU At the southernmost end of Palau’s huge barrier reef
is the island of Peleliu, which was the location of some of the
WWII Pacific Theatre’s fiercest fighting, as the Allied Forces
routed the Japanese occupiers. Underground forts and caves
were sealed off when the Japanese soldiers refused to surren-
der. Japanese and American memorials are found all over the
island, plus there are old tanks, engines and other war debris
rusting away. Numerous companies, including Palau’s major
dive shops, offer land tours of Peleliu, sometimes between or
after dives. Many of the 100+ local houses look like a makeshift
museum with WWII artifacts in their yards on display. Peleliu
is reached via boat or via small aircraft, which lands at a WWII
Japanese landing strip. This island state is known for fabulous
scuba diving sites.

PHILIPPINE SEA INSERT

SONSORAL ISLAND Up to 500 meters wide by 1.8 km. long,
this islet’s inhabitants number about two dozen. The village
of Dongasoro is the capital of Sonsorol State. Being about 400
miles from the rest of Palau, Sonsoral receives few visitors or
provisions. A state boat comes and goes every other month.
Subsistence farming and fishing sustain the tiny population.