Papa Mike's Palau Islands Handbook [Paperback]

Mike Hollywood (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 12, 2006

The Republic of Palau is the westernmost archipelago in Oceania; it is renowned for it’s pristine lagoons and immense marine diversity. Palau’s marine community features over 800 varieties of hard and soft corals, over 1,500 fish species and over 100 varieties of sponges. Its waters feature two species of endangered turtle the green and hawksbill turtles as well as the most endangered marine mammal, the dugong. There are over 800 islands within its territory with over 50 marine lakes within those islands, each supporting its own diverse marine microclimate. The skies above Palau teem with over 140 varieties of birds representing 41 families and 16 endemic bird species. Palau natural wonders are world-renowned and it’s clear waters host an assortment of dive sites that are considered by experts to be among the finest on the planet. This guidebook is written in a relaxed style, full of helpful information, presented with a touch of humor and the author’s personal opinions. You will enjoy the lighter side of this well researched guidebook as you discover the natural beauty of these islands.

• The only guidebook devoted entirely to Palau, allowing more in depth coverage than other titles encompassing all of Micronesia.
• The most extensive and up to date listing of accommodations of any guidebook of the region, including photos, Website listings and E-mail addresses.
• Complete Inter-Island flight schedules and island ferry boat schedules.
• Extensive coverage of activities on each island. Diving, Fishing, Snorkeling, Kayaking, Surfing, Tours and Cultural Events.
• Over 40 maps and pictures.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Mike Hollywood is the author of two previous guidebooks. The West Indies on $50.00 a Day was published in 2001 and Papa Mike’s Cook Islands Handbook was published in 2003. Mike spent two months in the spring of 2005 traveling and researching his third guidebook on Palau. This book represents his third title with iUniverse. Mike resides in Emigrant, Montana.

Contact the author at: Post Office Box 21, Emigrant, MT 59027
E-mail: [e-mail]
Website: www.mikehollywood.com

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: iUniverse, Inc. (January 12, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 059537607X
• ISBN-13: 978-0595376070
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.8 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #459,589 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #11 in Books > Travel > Australia & South Pacific > South Pacific

More About the Author

I always pictured someone else writing my biography. I checked my website and the back of my most recent guidebook and didn't think either one were adaptable for a biographical sketch, so here goes with a brief dissertation on my life.

Believe it or not I was born in Hollywood, California in 1946. Grew up in the greater Los Angeles area until my parents moved to Santa Barbara, California in 1959. I graduated from San Marcos High School in 1964 and attended Santa Barbara City College for two years, un-successfully majoring in draft evasion, prior to being drafted into the Army in 1967. In high school my abilities as a golfer far exceeded my scholastic accomplishments and I ended up in Army Special Services running a golf course in Germany. I played tournament golf in England, Europe and South Africa before returning to America where I served as an assistant golf professional in upstate New York. I married and had two wonderful children while working in Syracuse and returned to Santa Barbara in 1974. To that point in my life writing and islands had not appeared on the horizon, it was a period of hard work for me, having taken over my father's Ceramic Tile Contracting business. I was a workaholic, type "A" to the bone, having little time for my family, seeking my father's accolades and acceptance, fulfilling none of my needs.

Then I went to my first Jimmy Buffett concert. A light went off in my head and a new persona emerged. Papa Mike was born and frozen concoctions and swaying palm trees replaced tile countertops in my dreams. I started listening to my inner thoughts and realized that I wanted to travel and write. Why not combine the two and become a travel writer? The trouble with inner thoughts, is that they are not totally rational and the frozen concoctions only succeed in further blurring reality. Why not? Well for one you don't know how to write. So there was a troubling period in my life while I managed to get divorced (twice), piss off my business partners and generally run amok, while I learned the basics of writing. Eventually I learned to balance the two careers, made friends with both ex-wives and retained some understanding friends and business partners.

Perseverance and a lot of luck have led to the three island guidebooks I have published. They are not perfect, but I do not apologize for the books. They are factual and help people discover the magic that exists on the tiny places that are tropical islands. My contracting company has completed the tile and marble in a dozen stores for Nordstrom, but it is a far greater thrill that I feel, when a reader compliments me on one of my books. I think I have found that balance in my life. Thanks Jimmy and hope to see you all down island.

Mike Hollywood
Islamorada, Florida Keys
June 25, 2007

UPDATE November 2009

My fourth guidebook was published in November 2008, The second edition of Papa Mike's Cook Islands Handbook is available worldwide through Amazon and other Internet bookstores. I am still summering in Montana and wintering in the islands, it's a tough job, but someone has to do it.

Papa Mike
Emigrant, Montana
October 6, 2009

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Do you really need a guide for Palau?, December 5, 2008

By 

Allan M. Gathercoal "fdoamerica" (Norcross, GA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Papa Mike's Palau Islands Handbook (Paperback)

Normally I buy a guide for everywhere I go... thus, I bought 'Papa Mike's for my journey to Palau. Once I was here I found that Palau is a lot like going to a very small town USA... think Mayberry (Andy_Griffith_Show). There is not much that you can't find on your own or by asking anyone in Palau. The population of Palau is about 21,000, of whom 70% are native Palauans and there is one principle road going through Koror (no stop lights! Think Mayberry) where it is hard to get lost. However, if you really want a guide then Papa Mike's is the best out (actually it is the only current guide out - kinda reduces the field eh?). Mike's writing is more like talking with someone who knows the islands over a cup of Java. His recommendations for lodging are good and his restaurant reviews are reliable (though much in this guide is dated - pre 2006 and some of the restaurants listed have closed). The easiest way to get a grip on Palau is using the webpage Tripadvisor. Though the guide can be useful it has a great need of better layout, much better maps (to help locate recommended hotels and restaurants) and updated information. That said, Papa Mike's is a worthwhile guide if you really need one, but then again, in Palau you can find out about anything by just asking Aunt Bee or Barney. For divers highly recommended is Lonely Planet Palau: Diving & Snorkeling

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A humorous yet useful approach to travel, July 11, 2007

By 

Jose Truda Palazzo Jr. "JTPalazzo" (Brazil) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Papa Mike's Palau Islands Handbook (Paperback)

I found this guide to be a great introduction to palau and useful in my wanderings around the islands. Too bad the author is a redneck old guy without much of an interest in marine exploits, or he would have expanded much better on the best side of Palau, which is scuba diving. Also the maps are confusing as the keys to places are kind of mixed-up in the black and white reproductions. But I would nevertheless recommend the book to anyone going to Palau as a very good reference.

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Papa Mike's Palau Islands Handbook, July 9, 2006

By 

JUDY Flayderman (Fort Lauderdale, FL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Papa Mike's Palau Islands Handbook (Paperback)

Very helpful in planning our trip. The book even gave details on the outer island besides the main island of Koror. Books on Palau do not exist if you want info buy this book