From Malakal, we headed out for a tour of the enchanting Rock Islands or Chelbacheb, as the Palauans call this incredible UNESCO World Heritage site.
At Malakal, we were joined by our two guides - Leiner, a Palauan and Micheal, a British who had relocated to Palau and we were piloted by another Palauan, Siksei...
Our fellow tourists came from United States, Guam, Japan, Britain and Norway...
And in no time we sped away deep into this massive marine reserve...
As we sped, we pass by small and large rock islands...
The Rock Islands were formed when limestone or coral, relics of ancient coral reefs, rise, as a result of tectonic activity. After their rise, millions of years ago, these islands have been weathered by the waves eroding their base, giving them a unique mushroom-like look.
Speeding on...
The Rock Islands lie between Koror and Peleliu, and now form a part of Koror State, scattered within southern lagoon protected by a barrier reef. The marine site covers 100,200 hectares and is home by coral reefs and a diversity of other marine habitats.
There are estimated to be about 450 islands in the Rock Islands group. The highest rock island goes up to a height of 207 metres. The islands have been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2012.
The Rock Islands have the highest concentration of marine lakes in the world, with unique species are still being discovered and identified. These islands are lush with rugged terrain and support numerous endemic and endangered species.
Although presently uninhabited, the Rock Islands were once home to ethnic Palauan settlements, and Palauans continue to use the area and its resources for cultural and recreational purposes, in a regulated fashion - the rules are determined by a Palauan tradition system emphasizing on harmony with the environment.
The Rock Islands have cultural remains that date back over 5000 years. Significant archaeological remains and rock art sites are found in two island clusters - Ulong and Negmelis, and on three islands - Ngeruktabel, Ngeanges and Chomedokl.
These remains - rock art and burial areas, point to the use of marine ecosystem. Some permanent stone villages on a few islands were occupied for several centuries before being abandoned nearly 300 years back, when their population moved to larger islands, primarily Koror and Babeldoab. These sites have remains of walls, terraces and house platforms.
The descendants of the people who moved from the Rock Islands to the main islands of Palau identify with their ancestral islands through oral traditions that record in legends, myths, dances, and proverbs, and traditional place names the land- and seascape of their former homes.
That's our guide, Leiner...
Remains of a downed Japanese military plane that lies on the seabed...
The water is crystal clear...
A giant manta ray in the water, as pass through the German Channel...
A typical rock island...
And finally we reach the Milky Way...
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