Geologically, Yap is of continental origin, a tectonic plate that drifted away from the Asian continent. The state of Yap consists of three islands interconnected by bridges: Yap, Gagil-Tomil and Maap. The fourth island, Rumung, is separated from Maap by a narrow passage. A single fringing reef encompasses all four islands.
Totalling a meagre seven square miles in area, fifteen inhabited outer islands are scattered over a 625-mile stretch of water. All the outer islands are atolls except for Fais, which is a raised atoll (Levy 131).
Continental Airlines flies from Honolulu to all the FSM states. That is the good news. Due to lack of competition, the bad news is not unexpected. Continental enjoys one of the highest price per mile rates in the world. It is often cheaper and more comfortable to fly from North America to Manila and then hop over to Yap than it is to go from Honolulu. Tokyo is another convenient gateway to Micronesia. Saipan and Guam are both within ninety minutes of Yap. There are nine return flights a day between Saipan and Guam so it doesn't matter which one you choose. Once you leave Guam, the frequency is drastically reduced and the cost per mile drastically increased.
Due to infrequency of service to most of the islands of Micronesia, it is imperative to plan ahead. Leave extra time to make connections. That means not just making sure that you have an extra hour; it most likely means that you should make sure that you have an extra day and on occasion even an extra week.
Travel
Going from Guam to Yap, as far as culture, pace and ambience is concerned, is a big step. Be prepared for a dose of culture shock. However be warned that when you return home you will probably have to go through the process all over again. You just might take to the Yap lifestyle and be in for a rude period of adjustment upon your return home. For one reason or another, some people never do manage to find their way home again.
A colorful character by the name of David "His Majesty" O'Keefe, a ship-wrecked American of Irish extraction, who washed ashore awhile back, is a good example. O'Keefe, who wanted to set himself up as a trader, recognized the value of the local stone money. In 1871, he managed to procure a junk from Hong Kong in order to bring from Palau a plentiful supply of the money stone. It was his first step on the road to riches or so he thought.
Yap
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