Kategorie: News
The diversity of the Yap Islands
Yap is one of four states belonging to the Federated States of Micronesia. Located in the western Pacific Ocean, the South Sea archipelago is characterized by a great diversity of species, underwater as well as above water. There are eight island groups in the territory of Micronesia: Guam, Palau, Marianas, Pohnpei, Chuuk the Marshall Islands, Kosrae and Yap.
The main island of Yap is separated from the open sea by a reef more than 100 kilometers long, and the lagoon, due to its protected location, serves as a favorite place for numerous fish and marine mammals.
Hanspeter Gsell, is probably the only Swiss who counts the islands as his 2nd home. For more than 20 years, the 69-year-old has been overwhelmed by the diversity of languages, cultures and ethnicities spread across several islands.
"My wife and I had read an ad in a magazine and that's how we became aware of the islands. It all worked out so that over time we kept going back. Such charming peoples and a great atmosphere on YAP."
South Seas again and again
The Swiss has now written six books on the subject, the latest: "South Seas over and over again". A book that he calls neither a travel nor a diving guide. "It is rather a travel-RAVISH guide with real experiences and stories of adventurous expeditions through the outer islands of the Southern Sea, divided into five sections," says Hanspeter.
The First section of the book is called PANMIKE.
A voyage with Captain Lance Higgs on the S.S.Thorfinn, through the outer islands of Yap-State (FSM): Sorol, Ifalik, Lamotrek, Satawal.
The second section is called, IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TYPHOON.
On the S.S.Thorfinn from Kolonia (Pohnpei), through Nan Madol, the Ant Atoll, Pasa, the Pakin Atoll, the Oroluk Atoll, the Minto Reef to Chuuk.
Next is the section DWARFS AND GIANTS.
From Micronesia to Melanesia: Palau, Ngulu, Vanimo, Madang, Tufi, Bodulan, Pavuvu, Honiara.
The fourth section is called THE ULITHI ATOLL. "These islands do not exist". And deals with ghost houses, thunder makers, wave mages and missionaries. A chapter about islands and people far from any civilization.
The last section is called PITCAIRN.
A journey to the mutineers of the Bounty. Tahiti, Moorea, Anaa, Amanu, Adamstown (Pitcairn), Mangareva, Aukena, Tubuai, Rapa Iti, Raivavae.
"It's all little stories for in between that read relatively quickly," he explains. "It's not an ordinary book. Once per page, however, you should have to smile anyway!" he adds.
Meanwhile, Hanspeter Gsell was the first Swiss to be elected to the seven-member board of directors of the Yap State Tourism Authority. Especially for very small, unknown islands, tourism is an important, if not existential, source of income. Due to the current situation with Corona and the subsequent travel restrictions, all entries to Yap have been stopped.
"Once a month, a plane is allowed to land. People are allowed to leave but not to enter, not even the locals. The whole tourism budget was frozen. Everything is reserved for the locals. But you want to be ready for when tourism starts up again," he says.
Yap is so much more....
Hanspeter Gsell's heart's desire is to make the Yap Islands better known in Europe and to inspire people to make a long-distance trip worthwhile.
"On the Maldives you can dive great.... But that's about it, in my opinion. On Yap, you have much more. The islands offer an incredible amount culturally. You can feel the life." And especially for divers, the Yap Islands have a lot to offer in addition.
"Yap is very specifically known for diving with manta rays. Normally, they are not loyal to the location, but here I have never seen divers leave and say they didn't see anything..." he explains.
A speedboat takes you to several dive sites, including so-called cleaning stations where the manta rays clean themselves. "But that's far from all, of course. There are lots of reef sharks to amaze. Lots and lots of mandarin fish. I don't know any place where there are so many of these to observe. Many divers, but also fascinate the drift dives." said Hanspeter.
"We have very well equipped dive centers here. Everything available, in good quality." He adds.
The easiest way from Germany to Stone Money Island is via Tokyo, Taipei or Manila to Guam and from there with United Airlines to Yap. The flight time is 18 hours.
The paradisiacal islands have more to offer for a vacation than many other destinations. They are something special, exactly what Hanspeter wants to bring us close in his book. "It is very difficult to describe these islands, but once you've been there, you always want to come back" Hanspeter Gsell sums up.
More Informationen:
Mikronesia on Taucher.Net
Book Immer wieder Südsee (South Seas again and again)