T88YL.Yukiko Maki, 7K4TKB will be active as T88YL from Koror Island, IOTA OC - 009, Palau, 28 - 31 January 2026.
T88YL call used before.
Previous activity:
Tatsuko, JJ1BDT will be active as T88YL from Koror Island, IOTA OC - 009, Palau, 22 - 27 June 2018.
She will operate on 40, 17, 15m SSB.
QSL via JR1FKR.
Ads for direct QSL:
Chusuke Moriya, 3-21-2 Higashiome Ome, TOKYO, 198-0042, Japan.
Features and attractions of Palau
It is the Maldives that almost every inexperienced tourist associates with the concept of paradise on earth. However, they are far from the only place that can boast beautiful clean beaches and warm ocean waters inhabited by amazing and colorful creatures.
But if you want to not only enjoy a wonderful beach vacation and get a thrill from interacting with underwater creatures, but also visit a picturesque place where there are still oases of untouched nature, the Palau Islands can give you all this, leaving an indelible mark on the memory of everyone who visits them.
The Republic of Palau, consisting of more than 300 islands and islets surrounded by the warm waters of the Philippine Sea, is one of those paradisiacal corners of the world that, once visited, will forever remain in your heart. These islands in the Pacific Ocean have both inhabited areas and natural areas untouched by human civilization. To some extent, this country can even be called boundless, as it still has no clear borders.
History of Palau
Europeans learned about the existence of the Palau archipelago, also known as the “Black Islands,” in 1543. It was then that Spanish navigator Ruy López de Villalobos and his crew found themselves in these parts. They encountered aborigines already living on some of the islands of the archipelago—their ancestors had begun to settle in this paradise long ago.
According to various sources, the first human settlements appeared on the islands of the archipelago around 1,000-2,500 BC. It is believed that the first settlers arrived here from the territory of present-day Pilipinas, but the language spoken by the current descendants of the first inhabitants of Palau gives scientists reason to believe that their ancestors came from Kapuloan Sund.
In the 18th century, English merchants began to frequently visit the Palau archipelago, even though the area had been declared the property of the Spanish crown. However, Spain only owned them nominally, making no effort to consolidate its power in these territories.
Subsequently, after losing the war to the United States, Spain sold a significant part of the archipelago to Germany, which ceded Palau to Japan on the eve of World War I. The Republic of Palau became independent from the United States in early October 1994.
Traditions and modernity in Palau
The population of Palau often uses the former name of both the people and the state - Belau. The islands were Spanish, German, and Japanese colonies, and after World War II, they remained under the influence of the United States. Western culture has deeply penetrated the traditional way of life. Today, young people often leave to study in the United States and, upon returning, reinforce external influences. Nevertheless, the president coexists with the chief of the southern territories, and the parliament coexists with the official Council of Chiefs.
Cities, islands, and attractions
The large islands near the international airport are connected by bridges. Therefore, it is most convenient to start your journey by renting a car. A few kilometers and only one large bridge separate the air harbor from Koror Island and the city of the same name, the former capital of Palau. It is the largest city with a population of over 12,000. It has retained its capital city spirit, as well as its old buildings and the skeletons of sunken ships visible from the shore. You can learn about them at the Belau National Museum. There is a dolphinarium next to the museum.
The next bridge leads to Malakal Island and the main port of Palau. These are the most accessible and fish-rich places with the possibility of renting a boat. Even beginners can be lucky.
To fully immerse yourself in the beauty of the sea and greenery, you can go to Babeldaob, the largest island. The capital is located here, which is actually a complex of several administrative buildings. The island is home to the largest lake, Ngardok, the Ngardma waterfall, and basalt monoliths reminiscent of the volcanic origin of the islands.
On the southernmost island of the archipelago, Angaur, there is a cemetery of military aircraft from World War II.
Divers will enjoy the island of Ngemelis with its reef right up to the shore and the opportunity to see many species of sharks, many of which are threatened with extinction.
Weather on the islands of Palau
The Palau archipelago consists of 328 islands and has a total area of 458 square kilometers. The islands are small atolls located above the peaks of underwater volcanoes.
Angaur is an oceanic island, and the other three are located north of it, within the boundaries of a single barrier reef.
Two-thirds of the Republic's population lives on Koror Island, and one-third is evenly distributed among the other islands. The archipelago includes about two hundred uninhabited small islands located in its western part.
The temperature difference between day and night is small: from +30 to +25 and back. These figures are relevant all year round. The sea never gets colder than +27. It usually rains at night, but there is significantly less rain between October and May. The wettest period lasts from June to September.
The weather is stable, so tickets are consistently expensive at any time. Most of the tourists are Japanese, so it is worth checking their holiday calendar. During the New Year, at the end of April - beginning of May, and in August, both prices and the number of Japanese tourists increase. It is better to avoid these periods.
Safety in Palau
Palau is a completely safe country. The precautions here are the same as for any trip. Do not leave your personal belongings unattended, and take only enough money for the day. It is advisable to drink bottled water from the nearest supermarket and, of course, wash your hands. It is recommended to be vaccinated against hepatitis A and B.
Experienced divers should do their first trial dives with an instructor, and beginners must be under professional supervision.