I thought that since we’ve spent so much time here, I should do a post or two about Koror. And since my “party cam” has finally started working again (Hooray! A working camera for the first time during our service!!!) I thought maybe I would do a “photo essay” of sorts.
Before we get started, here are a few facts about Koror …
- It is the population center of Palau.
- It is located on its own island, connected to Malakal and the main island, Babeldoab, by bridges.
- It was the capital city, but they recently built a new capital building in the state of Melekeok.
Wikipedia - Koror, Palau
Ladies and gentlemen, without further ado, I know present my amateur photo essay ...
KOROR, PALAU
Palau National Post Office: 96940
The "happy place" for Peace Corps Volunteers who pick up flat-rate USPS boxes jam packed full of love from back home.
The Bank
A not-so-happy place for Peace Corps Volunteers ... because we're VOLUNTEERS.
Palau Community College (PCC)
Yes, Virginia, there IS higher education in Palau. It's fully-accredited -- wait not-fully accredited, no it's fully-accredited, oh, hold on, they're reviewing that decision -- final answer: a fully accredited institution.
Palau Public Library
A surprisingly large collection of Palauan and Japanese reading materials.
The Public Gym
Home of the Palau National Olympic Committee who puts together the Belau Games every year and organizes the delegation that competes in the Micronesian Games. They also come out to the schools upon request to do basketball or volleyball workshops with the kids. Great organization!
Bem Ermii Burger Hut
This place smells like America. It's hands-down the best burger shack in the country. Reportedly, it's owner is a former McDonald's store manager. I believe it because I can taste it. And I can talk about it, because I've tasted it. That's their catchy tag line: "You can't talk about it ... until you've tasted it."
Topside Mobile Ice Cream
The best ice cream in town is at the Mobile gas station by Scott's house. Nothing like a midnight ice cream fix. (And the vanilla tastes like cake!)
Gas Prices
Most days I hate the fact that we aren't allowed to drive in Peace Corps. Other days, I look at the gas station marquee and think ... Thank God I can't drive on a Peace Corps budget.
Mural Arts Project: Palau
Check it out, Philly! Along the main road, there's a nice mural of an endangered giant clam in the Rock Islands. This one is on a building at Palau High School.
Palau High School
The only public high school in the country draws 700 teenagers into the city to (allegedly) go to school every day. You can see them leaking out of the fenced in campus wearing their bright Palauan-blue polo shirt uniforms.
Rock Island Cafe
Or "R.I.C." for those in the know ... or "Poor Man's Denny's" for those in the peanut gallery. Breakfast anytime, really good pizzas, excellent brownie sundaes, and Filipino special menus when Pacquiao is boxing.
Extravagant Menu
Catch of the day: Yellow Fin Tuna, Opaka, Black Jack
Specials: Boneless milkfish (grilled, fried or "salt and oil") served with rice and salad for $11.50 (ouch)
Koror Time = Beer Time
Living on a dry campus means our only opportunity to have sit back and enjoy a beer is while we're in Koror. And we savor every mediocre drop.
Drop Off
A quiet, laid-back, outdoor bar with great wait staff, located at one of the dive shops.
Yes, Virginia, there IS higher education in Palau. It's fully-accredited -- wait not-fully accredited, no it's fully-accredited, oh, hold on, they're reviewing that decision -- final answer: a fully accredited institution.
Bethlehem Park
Grab a bento for lunch, attend a cultural event, or just sit in one of these "summer houses" and chew betel nut all afternoon.
Palau Public Library
Home of the Palau National Olympic Committee who puts together the Belau Games every year and organizes the delegation that competes in the Micronesian Games. They also come out to the schools upon request to do basketball or volleyball workshops with the kids. Great organization!
This place smells like America. It's hands-down the best burger shack in the country. Reportedly, it's owner is a former McDonald's store manager. I believe it because I can taste it. And I can talk about it, because I've tasted it. That's their catchy tag line: "You can't talk about it ... until you've tasted it."
The best ice cream in town is at the Mobile gas station by Scott's house. Nothing like a midnight ice cream fix. (And the vanilla tastes like cake!)
Gas Prices
Most days I hate the fact that we aren't allowed to drive in Peace Corps. Other days, I look at the gas station marquee and think ... Thank God I can't drive on a Peace Corps budget.
Check it out, Philly! Along the main road, there's a nice mural of an endangered giant clam in the Rock Islands. This one is on a building at Palau High School.
The only public high school in the country draws 700 teenagers into the city to (allegedly) go to school every day. You can see them leaking out of the fenced in campus wearing their bright Palauan-blue polo shirt uniforms.
Or "R.I.C." for those in the know ... or "Poor Man's Denny's" for those in the peanut gallery. Breakfast anytime, really good pizzas, excellent brownie sundaes, and Filipino special menus when Pacquiao is boxing.
Catch of the day: Yellow Fin Tuna, Opaka, Black Jack
Specials: Boneless milkfish (grilled, fried or "salt and oil") served with rice and salad for $11.50 (ouch)
Living on a dry campus means our only opportunity to have sit back and enjoy a beer is while we're in Koror. And we savor every mediocre drop.
A quiet, laid-back, outdoor bar with great wait staff, located at one of the dive shops.
1 comments:
Hi Ingrid and Nick...I enjoyed your photos and explanations!...isn't it amazing that you have less than a year to go? Where did the time go? ( :
Post a Comment