Babeldoab

Babeldoab is the largest island of Palau, and the second largest of Micronesia, after Guam. Sunday we took a field trip and toured Babeldoab to see some of the major cultural sites and gorgeous views. Everywhere on Babeldoab is within 7 km of the coast, so at any higher elevation the sites are just gorgeous. 

Our first stop was a Palauan bai. Bais are traditional communal gathering huts and the most important buildings in Palauan villages. They’re very distinct, and just beautiful. The decoration and symbolism was amazing- every part of it was decorated, and every picture told a story. 

Traditional bai

Every line tells a story

Our next stop was a bombed out building that we actually drive past on our way to the dig site every day. It was the Japanese communication center during WWII, and is just absolutely destroyed. But now the plants have grown through it and it’s eerie. Outside of it they had two tanks, and various guns. Apparently the guns were confiscated when people tried to sneak them out of the country. Nice try.

Tanks 

Guns 

Our next stop was a park with a long pier. Unfortunately, it was pouring. It rains most days, but generally for a short amount of time, and then it clears off. All day Sunday was rainy with gray skies, which didn’t make for the best field trip weather. So sorry the pictures are dreary. But still, the park was pretty and the views were amazing. 

The pier and park

The long pier in the rain

Then we stop at Palau’s Capitol. The US influence was very apparent, with the large buildings and rotunda. There was the main legislative building, then the judiciary and executive buildings were next to it, surrounding a courtyard. Again, the symbols of the country were really interesting. 

The Capitol

Executive building

We stopped at a roadside market and picked up some traditional Palauan foods. I had ice candy, which was a hot pink slushy sort of drink. It was good- really sweet. It almost tasted like frosting.

Then we stopped at a park for lunch. It was high on a hillside and had gorgeous views.  The pictures don’t do it justice at all- it was amazing. The place was called Barulchau and has the largest collection of stone monoliths in Palau. Some of them were clearly the foundation for a bai, and others had faces carved into them. 

The view

Faces!

Likely Bai supports

Then we stopped at the ruins of a bombed out lighthouse. Once again, the views were just incredible. But there was also a lot of twisted metal and stone in the ruins. It was a strange juxtaposition, the destruction and the beauty. 

Another breathtaking view 

What's left of the lighthouse

The next place we stopped was an archaeological site called Ouballang ra Ngerkelalk. The site is terraced. It’s amazing to think about people moving this much land to create these terraces over 1000 years ago. There were also carnivorous plants called pitcher plants that were really cool! 

Terraces 

Pitcher plants

Our last stop was another bai. Apparently in the early 1900s there were over 100 bai, but now there are just three. So we were very lucky to see two of them today. This one we were actually allowed inside, which was awesome. Every crossbeam was decorated with a different story.

Palauan bai

Inside the bai

So it was a long day, but definitely worthwhile! I’m so lucky to be able to see so many of Palau’s wonders!