"Palau" Palau by bijel

Tourists are usually considered a nuisance, leaving trails of destruction in the name of 'seeing new places'. I guess I've always felt for the contradictions of being a tourist. On the one hand, I wanted to enjoy the environment - on the other, I knew that just by being there, I was using up resources, adding to the commercialization of a place, reducing the concentration of its 'ethnic' feel...but welcome. Welcome into this world, where much beauty still remains.

Hardly Bond but 'tis James

James, who gave interesting introductions to the local sights and customs. He's Taiwanese, and dark for one, but they call him the equivalent of 'Snow White' here in Palau.

Friendly Roomies

Meow, my friendly colleague, whom I roomed with, is Catherine to the others - well, at least she WAS 'Catherine' until 'Meow' caught on. We'd much fun taking pictures in the room, hanging out at the unbelievable buffets at breakfast and dinner, and just talking before bedtime. Actually, we were talking at bedtime. So much so that it was almost wake time by the time we were done.

• Pros:What's good about the sun, sand, and the sea? You tell me.
• Cons:What's bad about the sun, sand, and the sea? Tell me again.
• In a nutshell:I'll be back for the diving!