The state of Koror, Palau, is a land of inland lakes, secluded islands, landmark museums and the sites of some local legends. Koror is densely populated -- the majority of the population of Palau lives there, many of whom immigrated -- but remains a destination that transcends the typical island-nation attractions such as cookie-cutter beach resorts, and provides visitors opportunities to look deeply into the culture and formation of Pacific island life.
If you're willing to take a short boat trip from Koror city to Mecherchar Island, you can see Jellyfish Lake, the only lake in Palau open to visitors. The lake is relatively small -- only approximately 1,200 feet long, 450 feet wide and 90 feet deep -- but it hosts a plethora of wildlife, including its namesake: countless golden jellyfish. From the mangrove-covered shore, you can spot the jellyfish, who stay relatively close to the surface because of a noxious layer of hydrogen sulfide at the lake's bottom half. No diving is allowed because of the hazardous water conditions, but that shouldn't prevent you from making the trip to swim with the lake's peaceful jellyfish -- peaceful for the most part because they have lost the ability to sting.
In the city of Koror is the Belau National Museum, the national museum of Palau. This museum showcases some of Palau's history, including its native and colonial periods as well as contemporary art. Also on the museum grounds is the thatch-roofed communal meeting center, notable for its wooden carvings that illustrate some of Palau's native legends. There's also a cafe and a picnic area. To get in, you have to pay a small fee in U.S. dollars.
Palauan legend holds that a woman living on the island of Koror in the village of Ngermid became interested in a men's meeting house -- called a bai -- because she had a child but no husband. To look into the bai was forbidden, but one night, she took her child and looked into the meeting house from some nearby bushes. When one of the men detected her, she began to flee, but she and her child turned to stone. This stone still stands outside the bai and is open to visitors who want to learn about some of the lore of Koror. A bonus bit of lore is that some have reported seeing the ghosts of Japanese soldiers killed on the island during World War II in this area.
A trip to a set of Pacific islands wouldn't be complete without a trip to the beach, but in Koror, you don't have to settle for the typical crowded tourist beach. Instead, take a boat ride from Koror city a few miles west to the tiny island of Peleliu. Even during peak travel times, the island isn't usually crowded; Lonely Planet claims you could get away without seeing another soul during your entire visit. White Beach, Bloody Beach and Honeymoon Beach are all known for their fantastic snorkeling opportunities, often affording visitors the chances to see sea turtles, sharks and stunning coral reefs up close.
