Palau Tour, Dive & Resort Operators at Duesseldorf
Boat Show 2010 Germany.

We have just received these Photos and article from Dermot Keane who is attending the Boat Show in Germany with other Dive and Resort Operators from Palau Micronesia. At the Palau Booth you find: Operators from Yap with other Palau operators including NECO MARINE, Fish’nFins & Palau Pacific Resort. China Airlines is also offering flights with direct service from Frankfurt to Taipei, with connecting service to Koror, Palau 4 times per week. Starting at 990 EU in economy class.

Sam's Tours participates in the Q Divers stand for the first time. We joined the Quality Divers network at the last BOOT Show and attended the Birmingham Dive Show in late Oct 2009 as our first show with QD. This is our first BOOT.  Traffic at the show was quite good with lots of interested shoppers who seemed serious about traveling and ready to buy.
Sam's Tours is also participating at the Palau - Yap Booth with other Palau operators including NECO MARINE and Palau Pacific Resort.

 

As always, the Stemmer Family is there in full force to support Sam's Tours with Kristina staffing the Palau Booth for Sam's Tours and mom Gisela covering the Quality Divers stand, while dad Bernd attends the BOOT representing China Airlines who offers direct service from Frankfurt to Taipei, with connecting service to Koror, Palau 4 times per week.starting at 990 EU in economy class.
 

 
Dermot Keane GM from Sam’s Tours and Vicktor at the
Sam’s Tours Booth in Germany

Sam's Tours good friend, sculptor Vicktor stopped by the booth. Vicktors granite sculpture of Hans and Lotti Haas will be unveiled at the show this week and then go to Vienna for display. http://www.vuam.net/
Presently Vicktors "Legends of the Sea" collection is on display at GOOGLE'S HQ in Cupertino, CA.
 
Vicktor has dived in Palau with Sam's Tours
His Pioneers and Heroes collection includes Valerie Taylor, Jacques Cousteau, Dr. Sylvia Earle, Stan Waterman
 
http://www.vuam.net/pioners_and_heroes.html
 
http://www.vuam.net/education.html

Vicktor the sculptor  www.VUAM.net  

From the Editor: PalauTours.com

Excerpts from an article published on the Palau Visitors Blog Spot.

Francis Toribiong, a native of Palau, Micronesia, will be inducted into the International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame in January 2010. To date, there are only 54 individuals in the world that have been so honored, including such obvious inductees as Jacques-Yves Cousteau and his son Jean-Michel Cousteau as well actor Lloyd Bridges and Geri Murphy, one of the most published female underwater photojournalist in the world.
Francis was a true pioneer in the industry, developing Palau into the coveted diving destination it is today...read the complete article @ http://visit-palau.blogspot.com/

Happy New Year from Paradise...

A very happy New Year - prost Neujahr - bonne année - onnellista uutta vuotta - gelukkig Nieuwjaar - ath bhliain faoi mhaise - selamat tahun baru - godt nytt år - szczliwego nowego roku - feliz ano novo - gott nytt år manigong bagong taon - sawatdii pimaï - kung hé fat tsoi - xin nian kuai le / xin nian hao - godt nytår - eutichismenos o kainourgios chronos - felice anno nuovo, buon anno - S novim godom - sreno novo leto - Cung Chúc Tân Xuân
yeni yiliniz kutlu olsun

PALAU KIDS SEA CAMP
@ SAM’S TOURS
LET THE FUN BEGIN....


© Gunther Deichmann - discover the magic of Palau

THE PALAU KIDS SEA CAMP has started... just in from Palau; fun and education for Children another first for Palau and Sam’s Tours, locally sponsored by Continental Airlines, Palau Royal Resort and Sea Passion Hotel & of course Sam’s Tours our Partner in the Philippine Micronesia Alliance.

This is another first for Palau the first one being the Shark Sanctuary...not only is Palau a Shark Sanctuary but now contributing to Childrens education... learning about our environment while having real fun.

Special thanks to all the International sponsors: Sport Diver Magazine - PADI Diving Society - PADI Project Aware - SCUBAPRO - Uwatec
UK Underwater Kinetics - Sea Life Camera - DAN Divers Alert Network.

Good luck to all Kids and adults who
have joined this fun trip to Palau...
have lots of fun and be good.

We try to update you in the coming days on all of the activities from one of Natures best kept secrets...PALAU.

EXECUTIVE BRIEFING - FINAL

Kids Sea Camp – Palau:
November 22 – 28, 2009, Koror, Palau

Local Sponsors:
Sam’s Tours
Palau Royal Resort
Sea Passion Hotel
Continental Airlines

International Sponsors:

Sport Diver Magazine
PADI Diving Society
PADI Project Aware
SCUBAPRO - Uwatec
UK Underwater Kinetics
Sea Life Camera
DAN Divers Alert Network

About Kids Sea Camp: www.kidsseacamp.com

Kids Sea Camp was founded in 2001 by Ms. Margo Peyton, a scuba diver and mother of two children. Kids Sea Camp now visits over 8 countries around the world and is a two time Emmy Award winning prestigious program coveted by top diving destinations. Kids Sea Camps are hosted by PADI 5-Star Dive Centers in exotic destinations that include Bahamas, Bonaire, Belize, Costa Rica, Fiji, Grand Cayman, Galapagos, and now Palau!

Kids Sea Camp is a fun-filled vacation for families who love the ocean and promotes greater awareness of the marine environment with a strong focus on conservation. During Kids Sea Camp, students enjoy multiple educational activities teaching them new and fun things about the oceans in both classroom environment and hands-on programs.

There are approximately twenty families attending Kids Sea Camp Palau, mostly from the United States. All participants will stay at the Palau Royal Resort hotel while educational activities and evening programs will take place at Sea Passion Hotel.

Dermot Keane GM from Sam’s Tours during the welcome Ceremony

Sam Scott and Son during the welcome ceremony

The Kids have arrived...

Children will attend daily marine educational programs, based on their age groups, which include learning to snorkel and scuba dive. Dive certified adults and teens will enjoy snorkeling and diving on Palau’s world renowned outer reefs. SEEDS OF PROMISE, a Palau non-profit group, will conduct the educational activities and programs for children. Evenings will be spent together as families with themed entertainment following dinner.

Sam’s Tours is very pleased to have secured this much sought-after event for Palau with over twenty families attending the very first Kids Sea Camp to be held this side of the globe. We are also happy to report that we have secured Kids Sea Camp for Palau again in 2010, and expect more than fifty families to participate in an expanded program.

Kids Sea Camp - Principals & VIPS

EXECUTIVE BRIEFING UPDATED EFFECTIVE 11/22/09 – FINAL

Kids Sea Camp – VIP Attendee List

Margo Peyton: Founder Kids Sea Camp

Margo, who began diving in 1989 and is a PADI Dive Master with thousands of logged dives, founded Kids Sea Camp in 2001. She is also a photographer and an artist who works with local schools providing marine oriented educational presentations. Margo contributes to Oceans for Youth, Ocean Pals, Sea of Tomorrow, Ocean Wishes and many other charities, donating, proceeds, trips and art work for silent Auctions where proceeds go to her favorite charities. She has won two Emmy Awards for her educational programming.

In 2009, Margo was inducted into the prestigious Women Divers Hall of Fame, an international not-for-profit organization established to recognize the elite and outstanding women divers whose achievements have enriched the worldwide scuba diving community. Margo resides in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida after moving from the Cayman Islands.

First snorkel at the Jelly Fish lake

Ron G. Steven “Rogest”: Marine Artist

Ron Stevens is a renowned marine artist, dive instructor, and North American Group representative for Mike Ball Expeditions Australia. Ron has worked with Kids Sea Camp since 2003, sharing his interests in painting, poetry, song and dance with kids and adults alike. Ron’s work has been featured in many diving and marine environment magazines.
For more information visit: www.rogest.com

Ms. Carolyn Pascal: Publisher, Bonnier Corp www.sportdiver.com
Sport Diver Magazine
Scuba Diving Magazine

Mr. Jerry Beatty Associate Publisher
Dive Training Magazine

Natures Kaleidoscope below and above the waves. Exclusive Travel Report from Palau Micronesia! Photographs... The Pearls of the Pacific...


© Gunther Deichmann - ... Palau Airport

Palau the hidden Crown Jewel in the Pacific…never heard about it? About time we introduce you to one of the most charming places on Earth… some call it… the forgotten Paradise or the Pearls of the Pacific.
No words can describe Palau... even before you land the view from the arriving aircraft will take your Breath away.

© Gunther Deichmann - aerial View of the Rock Islands

© Gunther Deichmann - The mysterious Milky Way

I have been traveling to Palau the past 15 years and I still cant get enough of its beauty above and below the waves. Quoted as one, if not the Best Dive destination in the world.
Like a child in a candy shop, I am like that every time I travel to Palau, discovering new things all the time…it is just awesome. It is one of those places one should visit at least once in their lifetime.

© Gunther Deichmann - Soft coral Arch Palau


© Gunther Deichmann - Eagle Ray at Blue Corner


© Gunther Deichmann - meet the BIG ones at
Blue Corner & Dive with Sam’s Tours

The information below is courtesy of Palautours.com containing information how to get there and a very brief inside of this truly remarkable place. For all our Camera enthusiast we highly recommend Sam’s Tour’s Digital Photo Center which is fully equipped with iMac Computers and state of the art Software like Aperture.

© Gunther Deichmann - The Nautilus our “living fossil”

There are many ways to get to Palau and flying direct is not always the most economical or timely method. Many guests that fly in from the states catch a flight out of L.A. or San Francisco to Japan and then catch a flight from Japan to Guam (there are multiple flights a day from Japan flying into Guam) and then Guam to Palau. The use of frequent flyer miles is also available, remember to book early or have a great travel agent if you are trying to go that route.
Continental Micronesia is the major airline of Micronesia and flies into Palau 6 days a week: 2 times a day on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays; and once a day on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. (Please note: these schedules are subject to change it is advisable to check with your airlines first)
They have service from Guam 6 days a week, with connections to and from Yap on Wednesdays and Sundays. There is service to and from Palau from Manila, Philippines (this seems to be the best way to travel to Palau from Asia or Europe); twice a week on Wednesdays and Saturdays. There is service to and from Kaoshiung and Taipei, Taiwan on Tuesdays and Saturdays; and service to and from Taipei, Taiwan on Thursdays and Sundays on Far Eastern Air Transport (or FAT Airline). Japan Airlines (JAL) has flights to and from Palau twice a month.

Palau offers you the world's most beautiful tropical paradise. Famous for it’s diving, Palau is rated as one of the world's best diving destinations by scuba aficionados. And why not...Palau has unspoiled reefs, caves, and walls with the most amazing array of marine life you can ever imagine.

© Gunther Deichmann - Napoleon Wrasse, get close to Marine life.

Palau beckons to you with some of the world's most
awesome natural wonders.

Imagine the whitest beaches you will ever see, gardens of coral just beneath the clearest waters, lakes filled to the brim with "sting less" jellyfish. Forests, waterfalls and caves that have never been ravaged by man, and hundreds of islands of the purest beauty abound all along our pristine archipelago.

© Gunther Deichmann - swim with jelly fish and not getting stung.

Palau beckons to you with some of the world's most awesome natural wonders. Imagine the whitest beaches you will ever see, gardens of coral just beneath the clearest waters, lakes filled to the brim with "sting less" jellyfish.

© Gunther Deichmann - ... awesome Palau Waterfall

Palau. To many the name conjures up images of lush jungles atop mushroom-shaped limestone islands surrounded by turquoise waters so abundant with life that it is nearly impossible to ingest it all. With magnificent reefs that contain over 1300 species of fish and 400 species of coral, it is no surprise that it is recognized as one of the best and most consistent places to see a huge diversity and abundance of both small tropical fish and large pelagic predators.

© Gunther Deichmann - The Natural Arch, Palau


© Gunther Deichmann - Explore amazing Palau by Kayaks


© Gunther Deichmann - Kayaking through the Mangroves

There are several reasons for Palau's diversity of life, particularly the marine life, with some of the major factors being the variety of habitats and reef structures as well as its location. Between the coastal mangroves of Babeldaob and the outer reef walls of the Ngemelis and Pelelui, exists an extensive shallow and deep water lagoon containing limestone islands, sheltered marine lakes, and narrow passages that provide a mixture of different habitats that support a variety of fish and coral. Further, the ranges of reef structures, from sheer vertical walls to underwater caves provide numerous places for species to live. If the diversity of habitats in Palau is poised to accommodate a terrific amount of marine life, its location is the reason that much of the marine life made it here in the first place. Palau resides just outside of the ‘Coral Triangle' an area recognized as the center of marine biodiversity and has three major bodies of water converge on the island. To the East is the Pacific Ocean, to the West the Philippine Sea, and to the South, the Celebes Sea.

© Gunther Deichmann - paradise is waiting for YOU.

As the Pacific Ocean, the Philippine and Celebes Seas circulate, the potential to bring larva of coral, fish, and invertebrates to Palau from different parts of the Indo-Pacific region is very high.

© Gunther Deichmann- have your own Island

Terrestrially, Palau has one of the most diverse assemblages of flora and fauna in Micronesia The different geology, predominantly the limestone Rock Islands and the large volcanic main island of Babeldaob provide excellent substrate for a diverse number of trees, plants, birds, and reptiles. There are over 1250 species of plants, 140 species of birds (including 8 endemic species), and 50 species of amphibians and reptiles (including the largest reptile, the Saltwater Crocodile, (Crocodylus porosus ). With all of the diversity in Palau , both above and below the water, it will amaze even the most seasoned naturalist.

© Gunther Deichmann - Sunset in the Rock Islands


© Gunther Deichmann - enjoy the Spa at the Palau Pacific Resort.


© Gunther Deichmann - see You soon in Palau Micronesia.

See pages after pages with stunning images and information on Palau @ http://www.palautours.com/
You can Check also with the Palau Visitors Authority (PVA) for more local information once you have arrived in Palau.
For a Birds-eye view of Palau check out Palau Helicopters @ http://www.palautours.com/palauheli-other.html

For more information please contact the Palau Visitors Authority & click this LINK for all Tour Operator Listing and other activities

Or check the Palau Blog spot

Above: The most comprehensive Pocket Guide Book on Palau and Environs, available at all leading Dive Centers, General Stores, Hotels and Resorts.

For more Photos on Palau please click this LINK there you find three seperate Galleries on Palau

Latest NEWS...

Associated Press
Palau cites human rights in resettling detainees
Associated Press, 06.11.09, 12:44 AM EDT
WELLINGTON, New Zealand -- Palau's president says his tiny Pacific island state considered human rights - and not China's reaction - when it agreed to take in 17 Chinese Muslim separatists detained at Guantanamo Bay.

Palau President Johnson Toribiong says his country has agreed to a U.S. request to resettle the detainees out of humanitarian concerns and because their imprisonment is unlawful...more at;
http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap

More links to this breaking story you find at the following links.

cites human rights in resettling detainees
Forbes - NY,USA
AP , 06.11.09, 12:44 AM EDT WELLINGTON, New Zealand --Palau's president says his tiny Pacific island state considered human rights - and not China's...
See all stories on this topic
agrees to take Uighurs held in Guantanamo
Ynetnews - Israel
The tropical Pacific island nation ofPalau said on Wednesday that it had agreed to temporarily take in 17 Chinese Muslims held at the US detention center...


United Press International - USA
WASHINGTON, June 10 (UPI) -- The Pacific island nation ofPalau has agreed to take 17 Chinese Muslims detained at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, US officials said...

Palau to Take Uighur Gitmo Detainees
FOXNews - USA
Two US officials reportedly said that the US was prepared to givePalau up to $200 million in development, budget support and other assistance in return for...

Palau

Palau

UPI NewsTrack TopNews

US Money May Have Swayed

© Gunther Deichmann - next time you come across an Octopus remember that they have been around for million of years.

Knowing and understanding Fossils this discovery really amazes me, very rare indeed since Octopuses don’t have any hard shell like Ammonites, Belemnites and other species in the this family group.
Read below excerpts from the science report, for the complete story and Photos go to the LINK below.


Rare Fossil Octopuses Found
By Live Science Staff
posted: 18 March 2009 10:32 am ET

It's hard enough to find fossils of hard things like dinosaur bones. Now scientists have found evidence of 95 million-year-old octopuses, among the rarest and unlikeliest of fossils, complete with ink and suckers.
The body of an octopus is composed almost entirely of muscle and skin. When an octopus dies, it quickly decays and liquefies into a slimy blob. After just a few days there will be nothing left at all. And that assumes that the fresh carcass is not consumed almost immediately by scavengers.
The result is that preservation of an octopus as a fossil is about as unlikely as finding a fossil sneeze, and none of the 200 to 300 species of octopus known today had ever been found in fossilized form, said Dirk Fuchs of the Freie University Berlin, lead author of the report.
Fuchs and his colleagues now have identified three new species of octopuses (Styletoctopus annae, Keuppia hyperbolaris and Keuppia levante) based on five specimens discovered in Cretaceous Period rocks in Lebanon. The specimens, described in the January 2009 issue of the journal Palaeontology, preserve the octopuses' eight arms with traces of muscles and rows of suckers. Even traces of the ink and internal gills are present in some specimens.
"The luck was that the corpse landed untouched on the sea floor," Fuchs told LiveScience. "The sea floor was free of oxygen and therefore free of scavengers. Both the anoxy [absence of oxygen] and a rapid sedimentation rate prevented decay."
Prior to this discovery only a single fossil species was known, and from fewer specimens than octopuses have legs, Fuchs said...
More @ http://www.livescience.com/animals/090318-fossil-octopus.html

Did You Know?

Fish fossil clue to origin of sex
By Paul Rincon
Science reporter, BBC News

A fossil fish from Australia was one of the earliest known vertebrates to reproduce sexually, a study suggests. Nature journal says the ancient fish was carrying a 5cm-long embryo.
The fertilisation of eggs by sperm outside the mother's body - external fertilisation - is thought to have evolved before sex.
The fossil suggests sexual reproduction - the fertilisation of eggs inside the female's body - evolved sooner than previously thought.

"These (fish) show some of the earliest evidence for internal reproduction," Zerina Johanson, curator of fossil fish at London's Natural History Museum (NHM), told BBC News.
Evidence of reproductive biology is extremely rare in the fossil record
Zerina Johanson, Natural History Museum

"We expected that these early fishes would show a more primitive type of reproduction, where sperm and eggs combine in the water and embryos develop outside the fish."

According to Dr Johanson, the 365 million-year-old specimen shows that "the type of advanced fertilisation, taking place inside the mother, was more common among early fishes than previously thought.

"This discovery is incredibly important because evidence of reproductive biology is extremely rare in the fossil record," she said…read more, watch the Video and view the images: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7909984.stm

Great attendance at the TTE...reporting in almost real Time from the venue at the Mall of Asia SMX


Mall of Asia SMX Travel & Tour Expo

The second day at the Travel&Tour Expo in Manila has been another success for the Palau Visitors Authority and participating Operators.
Of course with the support of Continental Airlines and their special packages from as low as US$ 495. - for 3 days. (for more info see the previous Blog from Friday)
Tomorrow is the last day of the Show, so you better hurry up and book your next vacation at Continental Airlines or Visit the PVA Palau Visitors Authority Booth at the Travel and Trade Expo Mall of Asia complex SMX for your Dream Vacation above and below the waves.
Thinking of getting Married? Then you have to check out the Palau Pacific Resort, they can make all the arrangement for you’re wedding and an unforgettable Honeymoon in Paradise.

Smiling faces at the PVA Booth: visit-palau.com
Left: representative from Fish n’Fins & Ocean Hunter, Carol Ngiraidis Vice President/CFO Dolphins Pacific, Darin d Leon General Manager and CEO Palau Visitors Authority (PVA), Adela M. Balangkig Accounting Manager Sam,’s Tours, Loreen Sugiyama Marketing Palau Pacific Resort (PPR) and Lutchie Jorge PVA Sales and Marketing Representative.

Continental Airlines, located right next to
the Palau Visitors Authority Booth, PVA

Saturdays huge Crowd

FOR MOR INFO AND PRESS RELEASES GO TO:
http://www.ptaatraveltourexpo.com.ph/

Super Special from Continental Airlines at the Manila 16th TRAVEL TOUR EXPO
Travel Period: January 21-march,2009
Dive Palau! -2 for as low as
US$ 495.- for 3 days...
Palau is only 2.1/2 hours away from Manila.

Including roundtrip economy class airfare to Palau,two (2) nights hotel accommodation,daily hotel breakfast and roundtrip airport transfers. For more information and reservation, please call Continental Airlines at; 818-8701 or 032 -233-7533 in Cebu City. Or contact your local Travel Agent.

The Continental Airline Booth is right next to Palau
Visitors Authority.

Palau Visitors Booth (PVA) Darin de Leon from PVA
and representatives from the Tour and Resort Operators.
http://www.visit-palau.com/

Palau Visitors Authority participation in the 16th TravelTour Expo 2009 in Manila, held at February 6 to 8 at Halls 2, 3 & 4 of SMX Convention Center, Pasay City. Participating Tour and Resort Operators from Palau: Dolphins Pacific, Palau Pacific Resort (PPR) Fish‘n Fins, Ocean Hunter & Sam’s Tours had all their representatives in the PVA Booth.

The TravelTour Expo was conceptualized by PTAA in 1994 to showcase the products and services of its members. Since then, the show has evolved into a much awaited annual industry event, covering practically all segments of the travel business.
After its successful move to SMX Convention Center this year, preparations are again underway for the 16th TravelTour Expo 2009 which will take place on February 6 to 8 at Halls 2, 3 & 4 of SMX Convention Center, Pasay City.
With the theme “Travel in Style” , the event features two new segments – lifestyle (which will cover travel accessories, health and wellness products and services, culinary schools, car rentals and the like) and food sellers with lounge areas.
PLEASE STAY TUNED FOR ANOTHER MORE IN DEPTHS UPDAYE SHORTLY, DIRECT FROM THE TRAVEL EXPO IN MANILA.

We have received this image from Sam Scott from Sam’s Tours...the first glance at the Boot Show in Duesseldorf and PVA’s Booth.
Thanks to Sam for sending the image. Other participants are: Neco Marine, Palau Pacific Resort the Island of Yap in Micronesia & many others.

We have just received this information from the Duesseldorf Boot Show in Germany, attended by the Palau Visitors Authority PVA and other major Operators like Palau Pacific Resort, Sam’s Tours and many others.
SUPER NEWS!!!!!!!!!!! China Air just released the following information: FRANKFURT - TAIPEI - KOROR Roundtrip only EU 1,076 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
OUTBOUND: Monday:  Depart Frankfurt        11:20   CI062 Tuesday: Arrive Taipei        06:05 Non-stop Depart Taipei       07:00 CI7908 Arrive Koror        12:05   Non-Stop (noon)
RETURN:Tuesday Depart Koror       13:05 CI7907 Arrive Taipei        15:55 Non-stop Depart Taipei       23:55 CI061 Wednesday: Arrive Frankfurt   06:40 Non-stop GENEROUS BAGGAGE ALLOWANCE: Economy:        2 x 23kg each Business:         2 x 32kg each Non overnights. Baggage checked all the way thru. Includes Trainfare to Frankfurt More info:  info@china-airlines.de Tel: 069-297-0580 www.china-airlines.de RESTRICTIONS: Cannot be booked on-line at China Air (yet..not in system) Must call China Air or book through Travel Agent. Must originate in Frankfurt

What a great Christmas Gift...Palau scores high in the latest Readers' Choice Survey SCUBA DIVING MAGAZINE

Here are the results of SCUBA DIVING MAGAZINE Readers' Choice Survey:
SCUBA Diving Magazine Top 100 Readers' Choice Survey Jan/Feb 2009 Issue

Pacific & Indian Oceans

TOP DIVE DESTINATIONS:
1. Palau
TOP WALL DIVING:
1. Palau
TOP UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHY:
1. Palau
TOP MARINE ENVIRONMENT:
2. Palau
TOP MARINE LIFE:
2. Palau
TOP VISIBILITY:
2. Palau
TOP WRECK DIVE:
3. Palau
TOP BIG ANIMAL ENCOUNTERS:
4. Palau
TOP MACRO LIFE:
5. Palau

Congratulation to the Management and staff at
Sam,’s Tours in Palau Micronesia for achieving
this outstanding Award!


Sam’s Tours location in Palau Micronesia

It's official.......Sam's Tours wins PVA's
Tour Operator of the Year Award!



Sam's Tours - TOUR OPERATOR OF THE YEAR!

The Palau Visitors Authority (PVA), Palau's official tourism board, announced their selection of Sam's Tours as "TOUR OPERATOR OF THE YEAR" for 2008. The announcement and award presentation took place during the Annual Christmas Gala of the Belau Tourism Association (BTA), Palau's private sector tourism industry association, recently held at the Palau Pacific Resort.
Awarding winning is not new to Sam’s Tours which has been consistently recognized over the years not only by government and industry bodies for their commitment to development of sustainable tourism in Palau but also by their customers for consistent service excellence. In 2007 Sam's Tours received a Top 10 Sponsor Award from PVA for "their continual support and sponsorship" and in 2006 the private sector Belau Tourism Association recognized Sam's Tours with their Outstanding Member Award for their "dedication, support and commitment over the years to Belau Tourism Association and its objectives.”
The readers of a leading international dive magazine have recognized Sam’s Tours more than any other dive center in Palau or Micronesia with seven “Readers Choice Awards” since 1997 including a Gold List Award for top dive center, top staff, and top value.
Sam’s Tours is the first and only dive center in Palau to receive the Palau Conservation Society “Ten Year Partner in Conservation Award” and is a Corporate Sponsor of the Palau Shark Sanctuary, a shark conservation organization founded in 2001 by Sam’s Tours General Manager, Dermot Keane, to help bring an end to the destructive practice of shark-finning by foreign fishing fleets operating in Palau’s waters. The Palau Shark Sanctuary received a PATA (Pacific Asia Travel Association) Environmental Education Gold Award for their work.
“Sam’s Tours has consistently demonstrated their long standing commitment to responsible tourism development, environmental preservation, and excellence in customer service and while recognition is not what drives us to excel, we sincerely appreciate the acknowledgment of our efforts by our industry peers and our valued customers alike” said Dermot Keane, General Manager, Sam’s Tours.

PRESS RELEASE FROM PALAU, MICRONESIA!

For Immediate Release from the
Balau Royal Yacht Club
EARTHRACE returns to Palau, Micronesia.

What is earthrace?
The goal of Earthrace is to set a new world record for a powerboat to circumnavigate the globe, running 100% renewable biodiesel fuel, and with a net zero carbon footprint. The amazing Earthrace boat will make the attempt starting from Sagunto in Spain. Earthrace is also undertaking a two year promotional tour, visiting 100 great cities around the globe. The crew meet local people, talk about their experiences, and most of all connect with people about the need to get renewable fuels into our energy mix and to inspire them to do something themselves to minimise their impact on the environment.

KOROR, PALAU, May 29, 2008:

Earthrace, the world’s fastest eco-boat returns to Palau on its second attempt to break the Round-The-World record set by the vessel Cable and Wireless back in 1998. The 24,000 nautical mile journey began in Spain and has included crossing the Atlantic Ocean, transiting the Panama Canal, and crossing the Eastern Pacific enroute to Hawaii. The current leg of the journey now underway took EARTHRACE from Hawaii to Majuro, Marshall Islands with Palau as the next refueling stop before heading for Singapore.

The complete round-the-world itinerary includes Sagunto (Spain) – Horta (Azores) – San Juan (Puerto Rico) – Colon (Panama Canal, Panama) – Manzanillo (Mexico) – San Diego (USA) – Maalaea Harbor, Maui (Hawaii) – Majuro (Marshall Islands) – Koror (Palau) – Singapore – Kochi/Cochin (India) – Salalah (Oman) – Port Said (Suez Canal, Egypt) – Sagunto (Spain).

EARTHRACE powered in to Hawaii well ahead of the record time however she suffered a fuel line failure shortly after departure that reduced her to one engine, slowing her progress from Hawaii to the Marshall Islands where repairs were made to get her back in the race. Even on one engine, EARTHRACE manages 16 knots so despite the delays, she remains very much in the race.

Skipper Peter Bethune said: “The progress we’ve made so far is nothing short of outstanding, but it’s nervous times. There are so many possible situations that can slow
you down when you take on a challenge as ambitious as this, but the team has so far managed to overcome every obstacle that’s been thrown at us. “We’ve conquered the Atlantic and most of the Pacific, at an average speed of 20 knots. The engine problem is a setback but we have overcome challenges all the way through the race so far.”

Earthrace is already beyond the half-way point on its historic round-the-world record attempt to circumnavigate the globe in a vessel powered by renewable bio-diesel, a fuel created from plants and waste materials. Given diminishing fossil fuel reserves worldwide as highlighted by rapidly escalating gasoline costs, EARTHRACES goal to focus attention on the need to develop renewable sources of energy makes more and more sense.

EARTHRACE is crewed by skipper Peter Bethune, New Zealand; Robert Drewett, Britian; Mark Russel, Britian; and Adam Carlson, Sweden. The Royal Belau Yacht Club bestowed Lifetime Honorary Membership on Skipper, Peter Bethune during his last visit to Palau, recognizing him for his outstanding accomplishments and contributions to the art of circumnavigation.

EARTHRACE is scheduled to arrive in Koror, Palau late Saturday evening, May 31. The public is invited to join the Royal Belau Yacht Club in giving EARTHRACE and her crew a warm welcome to Palau at the Royal Belau Yacht Club, located at Sam’s Tours in Malakal, immediately following port clearance and refueling, Saturday evening.

On Sunday, EARTHRACE is open to the public for a unique opportunity to get a close up view of this radical wave-piercing high speed craft.

EARTHRACE is scheduled to depart late Sunday, June 1 or early Monday, June 2.

For more information, please contact the Royal Belau Yacht Club at 488-4382 or contact Sam’s Tours at 488-7267.

EARTHRACE on-line: www.earthrace.net

Tags: EARTHRACE, Environment, Conservation, Marine, History, biodiesel

© Gunther Deichmann - in the Dawn of Time
Palau Micronesia, for more on Palau click on
the image or the link below:
http://www.palautours.com/

3,000 year old small body humans
in Palau, Micronesia

Watching National Geographic on TV the other
day I was very fascinated by this amazing story,
only to read about it later on the Net again.
See below some excerpts from this truly
fascinating story.
For all the details and photos see the
link below the article.


© Gunther Deichmann - the Rock Islands of Palau Micronesia,
for more on Palau click on the image or the link below:
http://www.palautours.com/

PLoS One completely surprised me today by releasing this paper,
“Small-Bodied Humans from Palau, Micronesia.”
The research comes from South African and American
researchers, and the paper was edited by John Hawks,
who apparently can really keep a secret it seems. I had
no idea about this study and find it a really remarkable
find since fossils of another small bodied human, Homo
floresiensis, were found about 1,000 miles south of
these new findings.

So how were these bones found? Lead author, Lee Berger, writes to National Geographic
News that he was kayaking around rocky islands about 370 miles east of the Philippines,
when he found the bones in a pair of caves in 2006.
Crazy story! I wish I would find something like that while vacationing.
He reports that the, “the [Ucheliungs and Omedokel] caves were littered with bones that had
been dislodged by waves and piled like driftwood. Others had remained buried deep in the
sandy floor, and more, including several skulls, were cemented to the cave walls.”
http://anthropology.net/2008/03/10/3000-year-old-
small-body-humans-in-palau-micronesia/

Tags: FOSSILS,, MICRONESIA,NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC,, Culture,, Discovery,