Outdoor thrill-seekers should start saving for a trip to the newest and perhaps largest eco-theme park in the world. The Palau Eco Theme Park in Micronesia takes muscle-powered activities to the extreme with an over-the-waterfall zipline course shore-side story telling about the mythical eels rumored to live in the Ngardmau River. The 340 meter zipline adventure is one of the longest in the world. World-class diving excursions around Rock Island and Jellyfish Lake also await brave-hearted visitors.
The high-flying zipline course soars above massive rock formations and the waterfall, offering a view of the wilderness yet untouched by commercialism and modern structures. Palau has long been noted as a premiere destination for underwater thrills, but the opening of the $2.2 million eco-theme park adds a sky-high gem in the region's ecotourism crown.
Local storytellers share the mystical tale of a magical eel which transformed into a river. As the legend goes, the eel's head metamorphosed into the Taki Waterfall, standing tall above the trees guarding the forest. An Asian myth about a one-winged bird is also a favorite with hikers and divers who choose to rest for a minute in the shade and soak up some local culture.
A visit to Palau should be on the bucket list of every eco-adventurer. If you fall in love with the western section of Micronesia, skip house hunting and take advantage of the robust live aboard boating communities scattered about the 587 islands that comprise the region. You may have done scuba diving before, but have you lowered yourself into a waterway which is home to 1,450 species of fish and more than 500 species of coral?
Kayaking along the waterways introduces visitors to the undisturbed beauty not often found outside of the most remote areas on the globe. Leave your cell phone and laptop at home, you won't want to waste a minute sitting in a chair, even if service was reachable.
Even those less athletically included can experience the beauty of Palau first hand with the park's mono-rail ride. The inconspicuous and quiet mono-rail train offers those with physical impairments and senior citizens a chance to get off the beaten path and explore the forest too.
It doesn't matter what time of year you plan a trip to Palau, pleasant 80 degree temperatures will great you each day. The two-day Palau SHELL Rainbow Challenge is held each December. Plan on training for the event well in advance, even watching the triathlon athletes sometimes causes exhaustion through osmosis.
A run over wicked terrain is followed by an open-ocean swim on the first day and cycling over the Babeldoab Compact Road consumes the entire second day of the event. A huge tropical party near the waterfront offers a chance to commune with other muscle-powered sports fans.
Although the official language is Palauan, ecotourism operators and lodging staff typically speak English as well. A $15 "Green Fee" collected upon departure from the island paradise aids in the conservation of natural habitats and resources.
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