An expert expat’s tips for Palau

The expat

Growing up in Dubbo, NSW, was a far cry from the sea for Matthew Wakley. After a career in banking and then running a motel in Dubbo, he was approached by his family to manage their property, the Cove Resort, in the tiny island nation of Palau, where he has now lived since 2019. See coveresortpalau.com

The lagoon-rimmed Seventy Islands are part of the UNESCO heritage-listed Rock Islands.Credit: iStock

See

Come for some of the world’s best scuba diving and snorkelling at the UNESCO heritage-listed Rock Islands, south of the main island of Koror, or the world-famous Blue Corner and the German Channel. Otherwise, there are plenty of historic sites scattered around the island of Peleliu, which saw one of the bloodiest battles of WWII between Japan and the US. There was a major US Navy sea and air base here. You can see tanks, caves and military headquarters being overtaken by the jungle, as well as a WWII memorial museum.

Do

Pelagic fishing is really good in Palau: you can simply go to the fish market or just ask a Palauan to take you fishing. The spearfishing is awesome, with a wide variety of fish species including marlin, sailfish, yellowfin tuna, mahi mahi, wahoo and Spanish mackerel. Whatever you catch, some restaurants will cook your fish for you for a “corkage” fee.

The Blue Corner reef is among the world’s best diving and snorkelling sites.Credit: iStock

Eat

Palau was inhabited by the Japanese before WWII and most restaurants sell fresh sashimi – try Tori Tori restaurant for high quality Palauan-Japanese fusion food. Local delicacies include fruit bat soup, if you’re game. I haven’t tried it myself but you’ll find it at Penthouse Hotel in Koror, and some of the Chinese restaurants offer giant clam sashimi, which isn’t bad. You can buy fresh mud crabs (called mangrove crab here) at King’s Minute Mart on Main Street, Malakal for $US20 ($A30) a kilo and take them to a restaurant and have them cooked for a small fee.

Drink

Palau Pacific Resort: order the Shark Attack cocktail.Credit: Palau Visitors Authority

The majority of restaurants and bars are staffed by employees from the neighbouring Philippines, who can make a good cocktail. The staples are margaritas and mojitos, or ask our bartender Cholito for the Cove Resort’s signature cocktails – the Jelly Fish Shot and Battle of Peleliu shot. Palau Pacific Resort’s Shark Attack cocktail has some serious bite. The best coffee on the island is at Barracuda restaurant, located in the Fish n Fins dive shop in Malakal. See palauppr.com; fishnfins.com

Avoid

Palau is one of the safest places I have lived, and the Palauan people are very polite, welcoming and super friendly. Their culture is built on respect and strong connection to their nation and religious beliefs. Just remember, you are in their country and you should respect their culture and beliefs and you will have an awesome time. Palauan people have a strong connection to the ocean and are very protective of their environment so follow the rules – use reef-safe sunscreen and look but don’t touch the marine animals.

Dubbo-native Matthew Wakley moved to Palau in 2019 to manage the family property, Cove Resort.

Thrive

Karaoke is a bit of a sport in Palau with several local quality artists leading the way. Karaoke bars are scattered around Palau, including Canoe House, which has a great atmosphere and karaoke once or twice a week. It doesn’t matter if you can’t sing – I am tone deaf and the locals love my singing, ha ha! (God help them). See canoehousepalau.com