Another slow event less sail, we reach the well marked pass (for once!) in broad daylight into Kolonia harbor, Yap state. We're the only yacht present. Entry formalities are done sitting on the ground of an outdoor veranda, the officials more curios than anything and pushing us to chew a bit of betel nut. A few shuffling of papers later we're all ashore back into 'civilization' (at this point for us defined as a place with a fridge and a telephone) heading straight for the cold drinks section of the supermarket. While in other islands women might be conscious of being bare breasted in front of westerners, in Yap ladies of all ages (and all sizes!) walk around unconcerned from store to store, while a much larger majority of men is traditionally dresses at all times. Kolonia is barely a village, more of a trading post with basic necessities (post, telecommunications, supermarket, government offices etc.) and a few venues dedicated to diving tourism. If the atmosphere is Micronesia is generally slow and relaxed, Yap seems more comatose, with baskets for spitting the red betel juice everywhere (a definite improvement compared to the Solomons where red spit stains every wall and sidewalk). However, the crew gets to tour around and have fun, while on the boat a bit of quiet returns. We say goodbye to our friends Andrew and Nobina and after a hell of a lot of sashimi and trips to the supermarket we leave Yap, nice, but not very interesting place except for seasoned divers, WWII remnants and 'stone money'.
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