Micronesia crash course

Micronesia meaning 'small islands' in Greek, a term proposed by Jules Dumont d'Urville to identify the region in 1831, is a large region of hundreds of tiny islands in the western Pacific mostly north of the equator, southeast of the Philippines, east and northeast of Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and Melanesia, and west of Polynesia. Before this time it was just known as a part of Polynesia.

Micronesia Mythology

Originally the Chamorro who settled in Micronesia, believed in Puntan, the super-god from who the earth came from his breast and the sky came from his back, his eyes became the sun and moon, and his eyebrows came rainbows. People came from an intricate rock formation in southern Guam called Fuuna. The Chamorros believed they were the only people on earth until the European's arrived, which must have made their leaders think twice.

The easy going middle-class Chamorros without having to always work to survive, had time to refine their mythological stories and oral form of literature. They were at a strategic location in the Marianas, and their myths were easily circulated with trade and stepping stone islands to other parts of Micronesia.

In Micronesia, there were no heros trying to help men become mmortal, rather they were resigned to death some day, where their spirit would drift to the north or west to a 'spring board' place where they either went to the island of the dead, skyward or underground.

Micronesian mythology often has three main animals that teach absolutely no lessons. The rat tends to be the bad guy, refusing to share or handing only fouled food the the land crab. The crab waits until they are in a boat together, then the crab chews a hole in the boat, it sinks and the crab walks home across the bottom of the ocean. The rat starts to drown, so an octopus saves him. But in the meantime, the rat eats the octopus's hair off, then makes fun of the bald octopus when they are at shore, and lives happily ever afterwards.

In another tale, the rat was in need of saving again, the turtle took him ashore, then the rat called everyone to make a meal out of the turtle.

Micronesian ogres are characterized as coming in groups of ten, or having ten heads, and are strong but stupid. People can drive them away with a conch honk sound, or lots of noise. If the ogres take over, you may need to abandon your village. A special ogre killing child hero was bred and his fame reached all the Micronesian islands.

Another theme Micronesians like to use is a young girl with wings or fins who comes from the sky or sea wanting to watch men dance or to rob them, then escape. A man got wise to her tricks and hid her wings or fins. She couldn't return home, and the plot thickens, demonstrating Micronesian's love of artistic narrative, and often the explanation of certain food and social taboos. It actually follows a line of mythology that started three thousand years ago in India, and spread across South East Asia and then all over Oceania, the 'swan maiden' type of tale, where a beautiful maiden loses her wings and is forced to stay with her captor, until she escapes, then he comes after her, sometimes she goes back to him, other times she doesn't. Comparative mythologists eat this kind of thing for breakfast!

For more detailed info on Oceania mythology, click on Jane Resture's excellent website

History Overview

Ancient Yap was the only empire to have taken hold in Micronesia.

Not long after the Sapnish arrived in Micronesia, the entire area put up little resistence, fell in love with the material world, and Eurpoean domination took root early. In the late 1800s, the area was divided between three nations. The Americans, after the Spanish American War of 1898, took Guam and Wake Island. Germany controlled Nauru and decided to buy the Northern Marinas Islands, Coaroline Islands and the Marshall Islands. The British settled for the Gilbert Islands (now Kiribati).

During WW1, Germany lost its Pacific holdings who were given mandates into the new League of Nations. Australia took Nauru, and Japan took the rest. Japan's interests were lost after WW11, and Northern Marinas Islands, Coaroline Islands and the Marshall Islands became a United Nations Trusteeship overseen by the USA, called the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands. Today all Micronesian islands except Guam, Wake Island and the Northern Mariana Islands which are under US control, are all independent island states.

Politically, Micronesia is divided into eight nation-states and territories.

Our most qualified Micronesia hotels under $150 (in order and by location)

As mentioned on the main page, the following Micronesia hotels had to qualify to be listed here. They must be independently owned and operated, meet minimum eco-friendly requirements, rise to the top after a series of former guest reviews, and their average nightly double occupancy room rate must be less than US$150 per night.

Click on any hotel website we provide, and talk to a real person. Avoid misunderstandings caused by a middleman. Before you make your reservation, you can request a multi-night or multi-room, child or senior discount; a quiet room, or a top floor room, or a room with a view; or if you wish to be accommodated close to the pool; if you want extra blankets, towels or pillows; or have them recommend and book a tour or car for you in advance; you can request a romantic bouquet of exotic flowers with a note attached waiting in your room, or a chilled bottle of champagne; or ask questions about the surrounding area, dining, nightlife, laundry services or luggage storage, or a possible early check-in or late check-out. Play one hotel against the other. You can't do any of this when you book through a middleman, and without the middleman's whopping 20% to 40% commission to pay, a hotel has far more flexibility in satisfying your requests! AdventureHotels.travel makes no commission from any reservation, and only charges a small annual fee to list the hotel on our websites.

It costs you nothing to enjoy the fruits of our labor, and the savings and advantages are up to you when you deal directly with the hotel!

The most qualified FSM hotels under $150 (in order)

• Pathways Hotel - Colonia, Yap - For those who don't know, we are a family owned and operated eco hotel, we have 9 individual cottages situated on a hillside in a tropical garden setting overlooking Chamorro bay below. Our hotel offers to the eco adventure travellers the experience of enjoying Yap the island way. Our restaurant serves three meals a day, you can order one of our meal packages, make up your own package, or try our most popular dish called " island dinner ". We are small and flexible and happy to cater to your pallet.

• ESA Bayview Resort - Colonia, Yap - Located in the heart of Colonia, Yap, the ESA Bay View Hotel offers all the amenities a traveling business person needs. Because we are a family owned and operated hotel, we provide personalized services and assistance to all of our guests. Our goal is to make sure that each and every guest has a wonderful experience while staying with us. ESA Bay View Hotel offers car rentals for those guests who need to get around the island or taxi services are easily arranged and very affordable. We provide complementary transfers to and from the airport. You can also enjoy our in-house restaurant and bakery. All Rooms include a mini-refrigerator, color TV with VCR, alarm clock, private bath with hot water, international direct dial phones and air conditioning. Each room also has a private balcony with table and chairs so guests can enjoy our tropical breezes while relaxing and enjoying the scenery. Our 25 rooms consist of 2 King, 9 Queen, 9 Twin, 1 Triple, 3 Handicap accessible and 1 Apartment. The apartment has two bedrooms and cooking facilities. Each bedroom has two twin beds. Car & Room packages are available to Business, Government and Military travelers starting at US$99.00. All prices include applicable taxes and airport transfers are complementary.

• [http://www.kosraenautilus.com Kosrea Nautilus Resort - Kosrae} - Inside each of us there is an island dream. It is cast in quiet images of sunny, unspoiled beaches, caressed by crystal waters and deep blue skies. Vivid green is the color of its tropical landscape and scenic blue is the color of its fragrant refreshing air. Ahhh, the adventures it invites us to find ... if only the dream were real. Dreams CAN come true: in beautiful Kosrae, pleasure calls in the smiles of its gracious people, in the lure of its sea for fishing and play, and most of all in its restful, scenic way of life. Rich in historical sites and ruins, this jewel of Micronesia was a favorite haven of pirate Bully Hayes. Pirate or not, you’ll find adventures aplenty in spectacular Kosrae. At Kosrae Nautilus Resort, your own private beach is our front yard. Our intimate 16-room grounds are located in tropical gardens, staffed by friendly faces ready to attend to your every comfort. Rest easy in our air-conditioned rooms, all with two double beds, 22-channel cable TV, minibar, and tea/coffee making facilities—with daily room service to boot. Venture out from your room into our full restaurant and bar, and take a dip in our swimming pool. At Nautilus, we aim to please: and your pleasure is our uncompromising goal.

• Kosrae Village Resort - Kosrae - Our ecolodge and 5-star PADI dive center are located on the Jewel of Micronesia, Kosrae Island. Combine the relaxation and rejuvenation at Kosrae Village Ecolodge & Dive Resort, the natural Pacific island beauty of the rainforest, mangroves and mountains with the amazing sea life on our stunning, pristine Micronesian coral reefs for an experience of a life time! Dive, snorkel, hike, climb, canoe and kayak, exploring the incredible Pacific island ecosystems found on Kosrae, Micronesia. Our PADI trained dive guides will take you underwater to visit the dazzling marine life common to Micronesia, such as butterfly fish, sharks, barracuda, manta rays, clown fish (anemone fish), billions of fairy basslets and the glorious colors of the corals. Topside adventures? How about surfing, bird watching, rain forest and cloud forest hiking, exploring ruins, fishing or kayaking? Join experienced Kosraean guides who will introduce you to their world. Our island accommodations are traditional Micronesian style cottages situated under the shade of mangrove, pandanus and coconut trees at the ocean's edge and connected by paths of naturally hard packed sand. Strategically placed torches provide night lighting along the paths. Traditionally, the construction of a Kosraean lohm or house begins by burying four huge corner posts six feet or more in the ground. These posts give the house its strength. As additional framing is added the entire structure is held together by strong coconut fiber twine woven in intricate knots around the timbers. The floor is raised above the ground to allow the easy flow of cooling tropical breezes. The peak of the steeply pitched thatch roof is 20 feet off the ground, easily shedding rain and encouraging cooling air currents.

The most qualified Marshall Islands hotels under $150 (in order)

• Hotel Robert Reimers - Majuro - The Hotel Robert Reimers is family owned and operated with a traditional Marshallese flavor. All our rooms are equipped with modern amenities to ensure that our guests have the most comfortable stay when visiting the Marshall Islands. Don't forget to ask our front desk about the many fun activities you can enjoy during your visit. The Tide Table Restaurant and Lounge located in the Hotel Robert Reimers is renowned for its breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as its bar to enjoy a few cocktails as you watch the Marshall Islands' pictorial sunsets. In the vicinity, you will find supermarkets for groceries, retail/gift shops, Ace Hardware, various ethnic restaurants, open-air island markets for local vegetables and fish, Post Office, Bank of the Marshall Islands, Western Union Money Transfer, Alele Museum and Library, Court House, Nuclear Claims Tribunal offices, and several local government offices. The famous shoreline, a transportation hub for yachts, picnickers, divers, and fishermen is right next door to the hotel. United Church of Christ (Protestant Church), Catholic Church and schools, and the College of the Marshall Islands are within walking distance. The Hotel management and staff prides itself on its warm hospitality and top class rooms which range from efficiency rooms, lanai rooms, to tropical bungalows. Whether you're visiting for business or leisure, you can be assured that you will be treated like family when staying with us.

The most qualified Palau hotels under $150 (in order)

• West Plaza Hotels - Koror - West Plaza Hotels offers 134 rooms at 5 separate hotel locations and 134 rooms throughout Koror to serve you. All Hotels Offer: Air Conditioned Rooms, Private Bath, Tub & Shower, Full Bath Amenities, Telephone and Fax Services, Cable TV, Refrigerator, Complimentary Coffee, Laundry & Dry Cleaning Services, Airport Transfers, Complimentary Beach Towels

• Airai Hotel - Airai View Hotel is located in the best eyesight of Airai state in Palau. You can enjoy the passion of tropics and limpid seawater with the wiggly coco and visit the secret island. Try to sunbathe on the beautiful beach, swim with the colorful tropical fish, look for the mystery of sea world. You can taste this wonderful experience if you want to do. Airai View Hotel invites you to enjoy the enthusiasm and surprise of Palau. Short of jointing the journey of sea and land, Airai View Hotel also has many installations to help you to forget any vexations. Swimming in the standard Olympic swimming pool, play waterside volleyball, drink a glass of coconut milk at pool bar, or joint the diving class. All the services and installations only want to let you have a unforgettable memory in Palau. Airai View Hotel is surrounded by mountains and faces the dark blue sea. Our special european architecture provides you with independent, confidential, quiet ,and confortable space. Airai View Hotel has diverse rooms ; for example, deluxe suite, ocean view suite, executive suite, honeymoon suite ,and presidential suite. Enjoy your free and leisure time. Crossing the lobby and come to our exotic restaurant and bar. You can savor the local food of Palau and enjoy the perfect view near the French windows. Chef will cook the exotic food meticulously, no matter order dishes or dinner. We also provide various beverages and kind service to enrich your activity.

The most qualified Northern Marianas hotels under $150 (in order)

Saipan's accommodation options are concentrated towards giant package hotels. Rack rates are often ludicrous but heavy discounts are available, especially outside the Japanese holiday seasons. Cheap motels are few, hostels are nonexistent, and camping is not recommended due to security concerns. Options are even more limited on Tinian and Rota.

Saipan

• Saipan Grand Hotel - Relax and unwind as you soak up the sun on one of Saipan’s best beaches. At the Saipan Grand Hotel, get ready to experience something Grand, something exciting, and something utterly delightful…… So whether its soaking up the sun by the beach, lounging by the pool or enjoying one of that many activities designed specifically to satisfy your hearts desires, its all here at the Saipan Grand Hotel. Experience the Grand Excitement…. Where each day brings on wonderful new experiences. Experience, the Saipan Grand Hotel. With 224 rooms in our resort, relaxation and rest is best achieved in one of our tropically themed rooms specifically designed with your comfort in mind. Each room displays the picturesque views of the Ocean, enabling you to view the beautiful sunset of Saipan.

The most qualified Nauru hotels under $150 (in order)

There is a very limited selection on the island.

• Menen Hotel - The Menen Hotel has for many years been a place where both locals and guests meet for business and pleasure. Recently extended and stylishly refurbished, it now offers facilities of international standard, along with warm island hospitality. The bars and restaurants offer breathtaking ocean views. Anibare Restaurant serves international cuisine, specialising in seafood and the Oriental Restaurant offers Thai, Chinese and Indian dishes. Indoor and outdoor recreation areas including a gaming room, a swimming pool and all-weather tennis courts, barbecues and gift shops are available. Guests also have access to Nauru's nine hole golf course, deep sea fishing, snorkelling, scuba diving on the reef and island tours of the mined areas. Conference facilities are available up to 200 people. Courtesy transport from the airport, rental cars, laundry service, secretarial, facsimile and photocopying services can be arranged.

• bergstadens Hotel - 78 Rooms -Swimming Pool -Sauna -Bar -Night Club -Dance nightly To Orchestra. Pets Welcome -Room Service -Olav Mine 8km -the Old Mining Town 100mt -Roeros Church 200mt.

The most qualified Kiribati hotels under $150 (in order)

• Mary's Motel - Tarawa is situated at the Government Administrative Centre, Bairiki, on South Tarawa, about 30 minutes ride by taxi, west of the airport. Facilities include restaurant and bar. A 10% government tax is added to hotel bills. Contact: Manager, Mary's Hotel PO Box 12, Bairiki, Tarawa, Republic of Kiribati Tel: (686) 21 164/21 362

• Otintaai Hotel - Tarawa - The Hotel is located on the edge of the peacful Tarawa lagoon. The facilities include 40 air-conditioned rooms with restaurant, lounge and bar. Once you landed at Bonriki International Airport, You take a bus to Otintaai Hotel for may be 15 minute.First of all when you arrive you will book your name at the Reception in the front. Rates: A$70.00 per night single east wing, A$80.00 per night double east wing, A$80.00 per night single west wing, A$90.00 per night single west wing with continental breakfat inclusive of room rate. Government tax is 10%. The hotel also provides a barbecue every Saturday with prices ranging from A$6.00 - A$13.00. Every Friday and sometimes Saturday evening the Otintaai Hotel has a dance at the Sunrise Hall start from 7pm until 2am. Everyone is accepted to join including people from the villages. It not accepted to take your beer or spirit from outside. You can buy your beer or spirit at the Sunrise hall.

• Lagoon Breeze Lodge - Tarawa - Located beside the lagoon in rustic and quiet surroundings. 8 double/twin ensuite rooms and 4 single ensuite rooms, including a self-contained chalet.

Comfortable rooms with fans and air-conditioning, fridge, table and chairs. A well-equipped kitchen/dining room with tea/coffee maker, gas cooker and microwave oven. Self-catering by guests or served meals. Facilities include IDD telephone and fax, internet, computer and laundry.

• Sweet Coconut Lodge - Tarawa - The motel is set right in the middle with direct access to both the lagoon and ocean shores. The main features of Sweet Coconut Motel are the coconut palms and the overlooking of the mighty South Pacific Ocean just a few from where you sleep. Sweet Coconut Motel also offers competitive rates covering full kitchen facilities, bathroom and singles, doubles or air-conditioned room services.

The most qualified Guam hotels under $150 (in order)

The main tourist area is around Tumon Bay, which has a number of high-rise hotels and can be compared to a smaller version of Waikiki even more heavily geared towards Japanese tourists. Cheaper accommodations exist near the airport, especially around the village of Harmon. Be aware that Harmon hotels tend to be on the seedier side since Harmon is a mixed industrial/residential neighborhood. Many of the flights scheduled through Guam to other locations (especially in Asia) often require an overnight layover, so plan ahead. Some hotels offer airport pickup, as taxis can be quite expensive.

Tumon hotels

• Castle Imperial Suites Resort - Appropriately named, Imperial Suites Hotel makes you feel grand the moment you walk in. This 142-room all-suite hotel welcomes vacationers and business travelers alike who want comfort and easy access to Guam’s tropical and cosmopolitan pleasures. Recently revitalized from top to bottom, Imperial Suites Hotel accommodations and amenities are better than ever. But don’t worry, you’ll still find this Guam hotel in the same fabulous location in Tumon, just a few minutes from the airport and close to the excitement of the tourism and business districts. Take a short walk down the road where Ypao Beach awaits your footprints and Tumon Bay begs you to swim. Here, temptations also come in the form of signature brand shopping, restaurants and nightlife. Toward the north end of Tumon Bay, the tourist Mecca, is the legendary Two Lovers Point.

• Royal Orchid Hotel - The Royal Orchid Hotel provides each guest with amenities, services and friendly service that is sure to make each guest’s stay a memorable experience. Each of the 205 spacious guest rooms and suites feature classic traditional décor and furnishings, which provide the perfect setting for a relaxing Guam vacation. Whether its business or pleasure brings you to Guam, the Royal Orchid Guam’s facilities offer something for everyone.

• Fiesta Resort - Contemporary Style in a Tropical Island Paradise Fiesta Resort Guam, located directly on Tumon Bay, features an ideal location for any vacation. In the tropical islands of Micronesia, as in many countries around the world, the word “fiesta” represents fun, celebration and a warm cultural tradition. This is the focus of the Fiesta Resort Guam. Carefully designed to offer a memorable vacation experience, guests will discover the warm hospitality and culture of the islands through modern tropical design. The new rooms feature nature’s colors of the sand and sea, inviting guests to relax in fresh contemporary surroundings unlike any others in Micronesia.

• Tumon Bay Capital Hotel - Great central location, and rated as great value for thr money, starting at around $60 per night.

Tamuning hotels

• Hotel Santa Fe - Hotel Santa Fe is Guam's premier art deco hotel. Reflecting Guam's warm and inviting Spanish heritage, Hotel Santa Fe is ideally located on beautiful Agana Bay in Central Guam and is perfect for business or pleasure. Guests can enjoy magnificent tropical sunsets over the tranquil Philippine Sea while using our state-of-the-art broadband wireless WiFi access in all rooms and public areas.

• Hotel Nikko Guam - Hotel Nikko Guam is the only hotel with all ocean view rooms and the scenery seen from each rooms are particularly beautiful. Rooms with various styles can satisfy any customers from single customers to families, and even newlyweds. Restaurants in our hotel will provide the best of Japanese, European, and Chinese dishes. You can enjoy abundant taste of Chinese dishes at "Toh-Lee", the light taste of Japanese dishes at "BenKay", tropical dishes at "Magellan", enjoy luxurious sea food with beautiful evening sun at "Evening Dew". Location of the beach seems like it is just for our guests. Enjoy the feeling of private beach and pool.

Agat hotels

• Inn on the Bay Hotel - Situated on the sands of beautiful Agat Bay, the Inn on the Bay is within walking distance of restaurants, grocery stores, shops, historical sites and parks, it is secluded from the hustle of downtown Agana, and yet only 15 minutes away. Our 70 air-conditioned rooms include your choice of studios, one and two bedroom suites. All are distinctly furnished and each has a delightful view of the Philippine Sea. Features include: kitchenette in every room, private balconies, daily maid service, valet dry cleaning, cable TV, video player rentals, coin operated laundromat and vending machines, long distance direct dialing from all rooms, fax service, room for those with disabilities, picnic tables, beach barbecue grills, Chamorro hut, shuttle bus service, tours by arrangement, and a playground for the children.