On Kosrae, travelers can experience a culture that dates back thousands of years.

In addition to visiting archaeological sites like Lelu and Menka, interested visitors may discover traditions and skills still used by friendly Kosraens. Learn weaving techniques from local women, join professional fishermen and blue water hunters on the water, observe boat carvers shaping canoes, paddle mangroves with local guides aboard outrigger canoes, maybe even join a handful of Kosrae men on a hunting expedition.

Accommodations at Kosrae Village, an eco lodge and PADI 5 Star Dive Center, recreate the look of an authentic island town with palm frond roofs, elevated floors, and woven reed walls.

Cottages and buildings were constructed by Kosrean craftsmen using traditional building methods and practices with modern amenities added for the comfort of guests.

A brief history of Kosrae waits in each room, hopefully to inspire your island adventures.

The footprint of other modern civilizations can be found around the island and beneath her waters. Scuba divers can visit the resting places of a 19th century whaler and a ship once captained by notorious pirate Bully Hayes. Bunkers, a beach radio station, and a couple of underwater plane wreckages are reminders of the Japanese occupation during WWII. Start planning your trip through history with a visit to Kosrae.

www.kosraevillage.com

Kosrae Village Accepting Volunteers for 2012 Coral Monitoring Project

KOSRAE, Micronesia- Kosrae Village is beginning to accept volunteer divers for the 2012 Kosrae Coral Monitoring Project. The project will be in its 17th year, and is the longest running program of its kind.

Kosrae Village recently announced dates for the 2012 project, October 6-18, and is inviting volunteers to begin registering. During the two week program, scuba divers from around the world work with local Kosraens to survey the health of some of the world’s last remaining pristine fringing reefs. Volunteers are trained in surveying techniques, taking measurements, and gathering images without damaging the reefs. Last year divers were asked to take digital photos as a new element of the project.

After training and check out dives, a typical day on the project includes two dives: one working and one exploratory. Turtles, tropical fish, rainbow runners, rays, and barracuda will join divers in their explorations. Average water temperature is around 84 F with visibility over 150 ft. In the evenings volunteers gather at Kosrae Village to review the photos, identifying marine species and coral. After discussing the day’s results, the information is uploaded to the Kosrae database. While the information is shared directly with state and regional databases, the data is available to interested parties around the world.

Data from the Coral Monitoring Project has resulted in the creation of protected areas around the island, the declaration of the Bumphead Parrotfish as a protected species, changes in local attitudes about sustainable fishing practices, and the identification of new marine species.

Volunteers are hosted at Kosrae Village, an eco lodge and PADI 5-Star Dive Center, which helped found multiple reef protection projects. Accommodations are thatched beachfront cottages. Local craftsmen constructed Kosrae Village using traditional building practices and sustainable materials. Kosrae Village has a strong commitment to protecting and preserving the local environment and traditions.

To register for the Coral Monitoring Project or for more information about Kosrae Village contact Katrina Adams as Katrina@kosraevillage.com  or visit www.kosraevillage.com.

Now it’s time to extend the blissful newly-wed feeling, on a honeymoon in the South Pacific. As you fly over the vast Pacific Ocean, the appearance of Kosrae with her lush forests, sandy shores, and misty mountain, will seem a wonderful apparition.

Each day you can choose to relax on the crowd-free beaches or try a new island adventure.

From kayaking mangroves and searching for ancient ruins to hiking the rainforest and snorkeling the warm waters, Kosrae has numerous activities for guests.

At Kosrae Village, couples can enjoy thatched, beachfront cottages that resemble an authentic local village, but with added modern amenities.

Imagine falling asleep beneath a palm frond roof, to the rhythmic sounds of crashing waves. Guests can follow candlelit pathways to the island’s top restaurant, Inum, where local produce and fresh fish are used in inspired meals. Kosrae Village is a PADI 5 Star Dive Center, so couples can learn to scuba dive together and explore the rich reefs and underwater coral gardens.

The honeymoon bubble never seems to last long enough, so enjoy your time away from crowds, work, and the web. Internet and phones are available if you need them, but we don’t think you’ll even notice.

www.kosraevillage.com

The two-week long project attracts volunteer divers from around the world. New in the last year volunteer scuba divers will now be asked to take photos of the reefs as a way of detecting changes. Diving conditions typically include 150+ foot visibility with air and water temperatures around 84°F.

Kosrae Village, an eco lodge and PADI 5 Star Dive Center, is very active in the project and helps subsidize costs for volunteers. During the project, volunteers enjoy sleeping beneath the palm fronds of traditional Kosraen cottages and listening to the nearby waves calming crashing. Learn more about the history of the Coral Monitoring Project and other Reef Protection Projects on Kosrae at www.kosraevillage.com

www.kosraevillage.com

A place where you can wander through underwater gardens, race through tropical rainforests in search of hidden ruins, paddle through mysterious mangrove channels and fall asleep in a cottage on the beach?

Kosrae Village in the South Pacific has an adventure for everyone after stepping off the plane.

Underwater Playgrounds- Ever wonder what it would be like to swim with Nemo? Scuba dive or snorkel at sites like Hiroshi Point or Walung Coral Gardens and watch colorful fish and invertebrates play. Keep a look out for turtles, rays, urchins, and anemones.

Diving classes and all gear are available with Sleeping Lady Divers.

Mangroves Paddle outrigger canoes or kayaks through Kosrae’s mangroves where trees appear to be walking through water. A local guide can show you the way, and maybe the next day you can strike out on your own.
Ancient Ruins Search for signs of ancient civilizations on the island.

When hiking through the rainforest, watch for ancient ceremonial sites or artifacts.

You can even visit a manmade island, which was once home to Kosraen royalty. Modern historical relics are also sprinkled around the island. Take a trip to a WW II bunker or search for a Japanese radio.

All of these adventures and others such as beachcombing, surfing, fishing, weaving, and tidepooling can be found on Kosrae. Kosrae Village’s Family Fun package includes 6 nights and 7 days for less than $550 per person. Kids under 12 stay free.
www.kosraevillage.com

Travel on the Micronesia Airpass can commence from any Star Alliance destination in Japan, as well as from Cairns, Guam, Hong Kong, Manila, Nadi, Palau or Saipan and is available only in conjunction with an international Star Alliance flight into any of these destinations.

Micronesia consists of more than 2,000 islands scattered across the North Pacific and is an ideal location for many types of water sports, such as scuba diving, surfing, kayaking or fishing.

Star Alliance member carriers Continental Airlines and United offer the most comprehensive airline network in Micronesia.

In addition to Guam, customers can choose to travel to: Chuuk, Kosrae, Pohnpei, and Yap in the Federated States of Micronesia; Kwajalein Atoll and Majuro in the Marshall Islands; Rota and Saipan in the Northern Mariana Islands as well as Palau.

For more information, visit www.staralliance.com

Just below the Pacific’s cerulean surface, tropical fish, pristine hard coral reefs, turtles, rays, even friendly sharks are ready to show their colors.

Novice divers can watch for octopi, shrimp, and reef fish amongst the Walung Coral Gardens.

Nearby the Walung Drop Off showcases resident schools of rainbow runners and barracuda with surprises hidden between the coral heads.

World class snorkeling is to the east at Hiroshi Point where schools of parrotfish and eagle rays swim amidst the large hard corals. Technical divers are invited to help with a 150 ft. deep island circumnavigation goal and discover new wonders. Divers interested in a bit of history can explore plane, whaler, and pirate ship wrecks in Utwe and Lelu Harbors.

On the island Kosrae Village, a local eco-lodge and dive shop, offers a Divers Delight package.

The package includes 6-nights, 7-days accommodations, 4 days diving- including 1 night day, and Nitrox (training included if needed) for under $1000! For those new to diving, the dive shop also provides PADI certification.

This fall experience the colors and adventures of the South Pacific and Kosrae Village.

www.kosraevillage.com   Read the Jetsetters Magazine feature about diving in Kosrae.

Lovebirds can take advantage of their many packages including the 6-day 7-night honeymoon delight deal for under $1000. Adventurous couples can snorkel stunning coral reefs, wreck dive sunken ships or trek the rainforest in search of ancient Menka and Lelu ruins. Couples wanting to give back are invited to volunteer during the annual coral monitoring project in October. In more of a laid-back relax in the sun mood? The beaches promise days full of sun, surf and relaxation, minus the crowds found in the Caribbean. This is just a taste of the beauty and adventure waiting for guests at Kosrae Village.

Don’t let the distance deter, Continental Airlines offers a special Visit Micronesia fare which commences from Hawaii and Guam. For instructions on finding this fare, stop by the Kosrae Village website or email Katrina at katrinakvr@gmail.com . Fall in love all over again at Kosrae Village.

www.kosraevillage.com

Like entering an island village, the museum features a traditionally peaked building and lush sculpture garden with native South Pacific plants.

A mural (by Long Beach native Art Mortimer) recreates a traditional Men’s House from the Island of Yap on the building’s exterior; while inside sculptures, textiles, paintings, wooden tools, jewelry and carvings from across the Pacific showcase the arts of the Marshall, Samoa, Guam, Fiji and Tongan islands.

Nationalities represented include Micronesian, Hawaiian, Ni-Vanuatu, Maori, Polynesian, Melanesian, Palauan, and the I-Kiribati.

Permanent and rotating exhibits as well as continually commissioned new works will be enhanced with traditional dance performances, interactive cultural demonstrations and learning programs.

PieAM was created by the late Dr. Robert Gumbiner, who died in January 2009, and includes his personal collection of Pacific Island ethnic art.

PieAM also is available for small-sized meetings and banquets.

www.pieam.org