More about President Tommy Rememgesau

Hobnobbing with

You can listen to President Tommy Remengesau addressing the United Nations at the 69th UN General Assembly on September 25.  The topic is climate change and he's an eloquent spokesman.  The link, posted on his Facebook page, is here.

And here's an interview with the Huffington Post a few days later.

Photos Re-Posted

PhotosFromPalau (again)

Jellyfish Lake

More Corals and Sealife

Diving Deeper

On the Ground

Last Days on the Water

The links above should now connect to some of the wonderful photos taken during our trip, mostly by Carl Lobue, Trina Leberer and Connie Prickett.  A few teaser images below . . .

Photos from Palau, snorkeling and meeting in a green conference room

Thoughts

The opportunity is ripe in Palau.  This is a country that has the political support, the cultural inclination and deep connection to an older generation which understands the natural world as an essential part of the community's well being and way of life.  The Conservancy has worked here for nearly 25 years, and is in a strong position to support policy and direction, and to provide scientific, strategic and technical advice where needed.  At the same time, there are significant economic pressures on this tiny country: funding from the US is declining; prices are rising; there is a need to strengthen the private sector to be the dominant employer; tourism is poised to grow rapidly (six hotels in construction now); fish stocks are declining and the community is searching for a sustainable solution.  

If Palau can get this right, it will be a model for small developing island nations across Micronesia and beyond.  Similarly, if the Conservancy can't get this right here, where will we get it right?

Two notes to the Palau travelers:  Simplify and explain.  Everyone wants a pony.

Last Dive

We were so fortunate -- Fish N' Fins, the wonderful dive company that's been showing us around, found a boat to take us out on short notice, the sun came out and we had a glorious morning.  It was low tide so Kent took us to Lost Lake, which we had to enter swimming through an opening in the rock.  The shelf was near the surface, so the corals were so close we had to be cautious not to scrape ourselves.  The colors were vivid, and in some places huge sponges covered the surfaces with psychedelic purples and blues.  Kent then took us to two more spots in Neco Bay for short snorkels.  On the way back the clouds came out, the wind picked up and the temperature dropped.  No sooner did we get off the boat than the rain started to fall, and continued for the next two hours.  But by that time we were nestled into the dockside cafe with cappuccinos. 

Off to shower, pack and talk about business planning. 

Last morning in Palau

The time has gone so quickly here.  Everyone hopes the weather will hold today so that we can go out on the water one more time.  We have some important wrap up to do, and Jack, Dietmar, Trina and Kevin really want to take advantage of the time together to review their business plan.  It would be nice to see the local museum and aquarium. But the coral beckons. Who knows is we'll ever be back to this far away place?  Or if when we do come back whether it will be as simple and relatively unspoiled as it is now.

Palau is at a juncture, it seems to many of us.  Foreign companies are purchasing more hotels, including the one we're staying in,and the pressure to increase the tourism economy is very, very strong.  Can they do it without putting so much pressure on the natural resources they depend on, and that bring people here?  Palau has an opportunity to get this right. We want to help.