Palau Islands

Palau is a group of around 200 islands in Micronesia, lying South-East to Phillipines in the Pacific. With Melekeok as its capital, Palau attracts tourists for its pristine clear waters and stretches of ocean with groups of islands in between.
A very small country, Palau got independence on 1st October 1994 before which it was under the administration of the US. You still see US naval ships anchored in its waters.
The beautiful country is filled with small islands and they give it its characteristic look.
It has a Compact of Free Association with the United States, that means US provides financial assistance over a period of several years.

mushroom islands

The islands in Palau made of limestone are subjected to lashings of water, thus etching away part of the islands at their base giving them the shape of a mushroom.

An artificial beach made by the hotel

 The seat of Government of Palau at Melekok

The routanda in Melekok where Ministers gather for lunch

a day out into the clear blue waters

caught a fish!

water too tempting to resist a swim

I want to swim

safe on mamma's back

enjoying an afternoon drink

Largest living bivalve and the most endangered clam species . They are huge and can weigh more than 200 kilograms. They are a protected species and it is not permitted to take them out of country. Though I wonder how would a person lift those huge heavy clams!

An open giant clam

They open their mouth in the sunlight to let in algae and light, apertures open to feed. No wonder, they need to be protected. Getting to that size must be taking a long time.

Living in an island has its own challenges but at the same time, envy to most of us.