PARADISE

TRAVELLER
Waterfalls, legends and surf
OUR REGION
another boat are 100 to 1,”
Malfitani says.
Unlike neighbouring Chuuk,
Pohnpei doesn’t have any wreck
diving; however, the remnants of
war can be seen on land where
the Japanese left behind tanks and
anti-aircraft guns.
One of Pohnpei’s landmarks is
Sokeh Mountain, visible from the
concrete footpath I’m walking
along in Kolonia. Up there, you
can see the abandoned artillery,
slowly rusting and being overtaken
by the jungle. There’s even a tank
outside the tourist office, in one of
Kolonia’s main streets.
Walking along, I see a bottle
sakau for sale, for $US5. This
concoction is wildly popular in
Pohnpei for its mild narcotic effect.
It’s made from the root of the
pepper plant by pounding it on a
flat stone. The pulp is squeezed
through hibiscus bark and it is
drunk from a shared coconut shell.
But rather than buy a bottle in
town, it’s more authentic to go to
one of the many night-time sakau
gatherings with locals to share
the coconut cup, conversation and
experience of it being made.
And does it taste good?
No way.
Air Niugini flies between Port Moresby and Pohnpei every
Wednesday and Saturday. See airniugini.com.pg.
Jungle juice … islanders in traditional costumes making sakau (top);
Pohnpei landmark Sokeh Mountain (left).
STAYING THERE
Most hotels are in Kolonia,
the largest town on Pohnpei
and also where the airport is
located. Hotels are generally
of three-star standard, and
rooms start from about $US60
a night.
One of the best, and newest,
is the Mangrove Bay Hotel.
The air-conditioned double
rooms (from $US120 a night)
have balconies over the water.
There’s an adjacent sushi
restaurant and an open-air
bamboo bar. Pohnpei Surf
Club boats leave from here for
surfing and diving trips. See
mangrovebaypohnpei.com.
Also, consider The Cliff
Rainbow Hotel (deluxe rooms
from about $US100 a night,
cliffrainbow.com), the 7 Stars
(double rooms from about
$US90, 7starsinn.fm), the
Oceanview Westwing (double
rooms from about $US85), and
the Joy Hotel (double rooms
from about $US100).
VILLAGE STAYS
Live with the locals from
$US50 a day, including
breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Contact Pohnpei Tourism at
pnitourism@gmail.com for
details.
SURFING & DIVING
The Pohnpei Surf Club has
surf packages from about
$US199 a night based on
double occupancy and dive
packages from $US210. See
pohnpeisurfclub.com.
EATING
Thanks to colonisation,
Japanese food is high on the
menu in Pohnpei. Try sushi
at the Mangrove Bay Hotel,
or the Joy Hotel’s Japanese
lunch special. Sei restaurant
has $US5 chicken or pork
curry, said to be the best on
the island.
GETTING AROUND
Hire cars are available from
about $US45 a day, or $US15
an hour. Hire companies
are located at the airport,
or you can arrange through
your hotel. Most taxi trips
are $US1. There is no public
transport on the island, except
for school buses.
TOURING
Tour operators are listed at
visitpohnpei.com, or arrange
tours through your hotel.
MORE INFORMATION Visit the Pohnpei Tourism Office on Facebook, or email pnitourism@gmail.com.
Also, visitpohnpei.com.
38 Paradise – Air Niugini’s in-flight magazine