Customer Reviews

Papa Mike's Palau Islands Handbook

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3 star:		(2)
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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

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.

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

If only there could be more of these books, finally a book that you can read and that gives honest comments.