Micronesia Blog. We intent to bring you updates on the islands of Micronesia with travel offers provided by various travel partners around the world.
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[Mary's motel Tarawa. ]
There are a few hotels in Tarawa. Accommodation is good but not luxurious. Inexpensive rest houses can be found all over the island. Facilities in the rest houses are limited. Therefore the visitors are advised take with them what they need for the stay. Less than 500 tourists arrive in South Tarawa in a year.
[Tarawa Island ]
Tarawa is an atoll and the capital of the Republic of Kiribati. Tarawa has a large lagoon, 500 square kilometres (193 sq mi) total area, and a wide reef. The lagoon has abundant fish and shellfish of all kinds.
[Gilbert Islands ]
The Gilbert Islands are a chain of sixteen atolls and coral islands in the Pacific Ocean, about halfway between Papua New Guinea and Hawaii. The indigenous people of the Gilberts are Micronesians. The ideal time for traveling is from October to November.
[Kiribati]
Kiribati straddles the equatorial Pacific with its 33 islands scattered across three time zones. It is the least visited Pacific Island nations by tourists. It has much to offer – fishing, diving, surfing and unique battle relics, besides other attractions.
[ Scuba Diving in Kiribati]
Scuba diving on Kiribati Island is available year-round but the best conditions are April through November. An array of diving facilities are available both in the Tarawa Lagoon and in locations just off neighbouring atolls.
Abundance of underwater marine life provides a breathtaking undersea exploration around the waters of the largest coral atoll in the world.
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[Tabuaeran Hotels ]
The Fanning Island Lodge guesthouse, is rustic. There is no running water or electricity. The facilities are shared. There are 5 private local type of houses known as Kia kias, one lodge and 2 shared bathrooms.
Cuisine is inspired by locally available fish and vegetables.
[School children in their school uniform ]
There are three primary schools, one Junior Secondary School and one Senior Secondary school on the island. In 2011 a total of 404 pupils were enrolled in three primary schools. the number consisted of 209 were girls and 195 were boys. The three primary schools have 19 teachers.
[Seaweed farming]
It was only in 1994 seaweed farming was introduced to the islands of Kiritimati (Christmas Is.) and Tabuaeran (Fanning Is.). The seaweed aquaculture from these two islands now comes to about 1000 MT per annum. Seaweed farming now returns over AUS $ 380,000 per annum in farmer payments. By 1997 over 420 people were receiving income from seaweed farming.
On Tabuaeran seaweed has now replaced copra as the main source of income for over 70% of all households. The new seaweed-based economy has also ensured the success of the resettlement policy of the Kiribati Government. This is a good model for aquaculture of seaweed in other atolls in the Pacific region.
[ Christmas Island]
English is the primary language taught in school. It is mandatory for children of ages between 6 and 15 to attend school. Home schooling is still prevalent but parents must apply for permission. The Christmas Island High School provides education up to tenth grade only; students must transfer to the mainland or elsewhere to complete the last two years of high school or university. Australian curriculum is adopted.
[Kiritimati accommodation ]
A small amount of anglers interested in lagoon fishing (for bone fish in particular) or offshore fishing visit the island. Some surfers visit the island in winter. There is some tourism-related infrastructure, such as a small hotel, rental facilities, and food services but not up to the international standards.
