(EMAILWIRE.COM, February 24, 2011 ) KOSRAE ISLAND, Micronesia-This tiny Micronesian island offers a wealth of history, local culture, and adventures (land and sea-based) to those savvy enough to travel here.
Dive Deep: Kosrae Village, a local eco-lodge and dive shop, helps co-host the islandÂ’s annual coral monitoring project which brings volunteer divers from around the world to collect data on the health of the islandÂ’s coral and marine population. October will be the 16th Anniversary of the project! For those who canÂ’t make it, skin and scuba divers will still find plenty to explore beneath the the waves, including sunken ships, plane wrecks, and passing sharks and turtles. Even snorkeling near the surface there are rainbows of hard coral, eagle rays, and tropical fish to be found.
Travel back in time: Used by the Japanese during WWII, remnants of their stay can still be found, including a bunker and beach radio station. History buffs wanting to go back a bit further can spend the day searching the rainforest for Menka ruins, believed to be an ancient religious site for the Goddess Sinaku. Follow the hand-made causeway way from the mainland to KosraeÂ’s most famous historical site: the nearly entirely man-made island of Lelu. Earlier islanders lived by a feudal system and Lelu is where the royal family and high chiefs once resided in walled compounds.
Local Fare: Kosrae Island was originally populated by people sailing ocean-going canoes across the Pacific. Carving and sailing canoes are still part of the local culture and are displayed during ceremonial events and daily fishing excursions. Other pieces of life on the island not to be missed include blue water hunting with local fishermen and viewing local weavers using pandanus and coconut leaves to create hats and baskets. Make sure to taste traditional cuisine at Inum Restaurant, a favorite eatery amongst locals.
Feel like a local beneath the palm fronds of your traditionally constructed lohm at Kosrae Village which is currently offering 6-day, 7-night packages for under $1000, some include diving, mangrove kayaking, and archaeological treks. Owners Bruce, Katrina, and Madison celebrated its “soft opening” 15 years ago and have enjoyed the kind faces and recommendations of international tourists ever since. To get here: Continental Airlines offers a Visit Micronesia fare which has daily flights to Kosrae leaving from both Guam and Hawaii.
Media Contact: Amy Shadell, 970-568-7423, Amy@adventuremedianews.com, www.kosraevillage.com, Photos available. Click here for media kit.
