Palau
These are my photographs from Palau, from 23rd February 2002 to 2nd March 2002.
So where and what is Palau, you would like to know? It's a group of islands in the pacific, East of the Philippines and South of Guam, with a population around 10,000 to 20,000 depending on which source you believe. It is an independent republic "in free association with the USA". Read that as a pseudo American colony, fuelled by generous handouts from the American government (US$450 million over 30 years). It's main claim to fame is the excellent diving and snorkelling.
The photos are categorised under the following headings:
Pictures of the Koror Rock Islands and what lies beneath the waves. There are several sheer cliff faces under the water in Palau - the best known being the "Big Drop-off" where water depth increases from 2m to over 300m with a practically vertical rock face between.
Particular species of fish - can anyone help identify them for me?
This is the largest island in the group, with two waterfalls visited by tourists (Ngatpang - the small one, and Ngardmau - the large one). Ngardmau is hard to find because the local state wants to charge you $5 just to see it and makes you go to a remote office to pay for this privilege - even more for photo permits (look at the sign...yes, it does say $50 for a video permit). I was also asked $15 to take photos at the Airai Bai (meeting house) pictured - whether this was official or a local trying a scam, I do not know. Either way, it seemed a bit steep.
These jellyfish inhabit a marine lake - a mixture of salt and freshwater. Having no natural predators in the lake, they have lost the ability to sting. They survive in symbiosis with microorganisms which live within them, photosynthesising nutrients.