Ocean surrounding Palau !

by Kazu

It may be much cheaper to enjoy scuba diving in Palau than other countries. It was a pity that I could not enjoy that because it was a business jaunt for me.

But we must learn about Palau including its competitiveness in the tourism industry on this globe, I think. I will be back to the country.  

Thanks to the fine weather during our visit, we could achieve our goals in this mission and enjoy enough the beautiful nature and the special relationship between Hokkaido and Palau.

 

Explore to the ocean !

by Kazu

Our visit to the Palau Aquarium was so nice for me to learn the ropes to dive into the ocean around the islands. I was really convinced of the necessity to protect the beautiful environment and the nature in Palau.    

The researcher and the curator of the aquarium kindly and precisely explained on the nature and the creatures in Palau to the delegation members.

The islands of Palau may be small but the national area of the country is very large including the ocean. We have to protect these treasure from the greed and egoism. 

 

Palau Aquarium !

by Kazu

We visited Palau Aquarium and were given the quality briefing on the ecology of the islands on that day. I can not believe now we could do that as a special envoy delegation.  

The aquarium was not so huge but collected good samples of the ocean creatures in the building. As a diver, the ocean around these islands was the real attractive aquarium for me.

It may be difficult to spend a day in the aquarium but the creatures inhabited around the facility must have entertained us a week or more. I am eager to take my wife to the islands.

 

Ocean Park in Koror, Palau !

by Kazu

Based on the special relationship between Hokkaido and Palau, we visited there to attend the memorial service for the deceased in World War Ⅱ. 

I was very happy to participate to the important ritual to ease the pain of the soldiers of Japanese Army. We have to bring back the bones of them to Japan and their hometown.

In a sense, all of the islands in Palau can be called "the Ocean Park" but a designated ocean park was near my hotel. The entry point to the ocean was so close to my hotel. So I could dive into the ocean after the jogging.

 

The Southern Coast of Koror !

by Kazu

We were to visit Pereliu Island where many Japanese soldiers from Hokkaido died in the war. The ocean between the islands of Palau seemed to be so calm on that day. 

"German Channel" is very popular and famous place for us divers to see the sharks and rays including Manta rays. I was so excited in the morning.

It was so fine on that day and our tour to the other islands and the ocean must be so nice as well. Actually, we really enjoyed the treasure of Palau.

 

Koror early in the morning!

by Kazu

On my way to the southern end of Koror Island, I found some joint research facilities affiliated by the central government of Japan and other countries.

Water purification plant was the joint project of Taiwan and Palau. They were very close each other. The State of Koror seemed to be good at inviting such international joint research.  

It was very calm around the southern end of Koror Island early in the morning on that day. I imagined to live in the island.

 

Koror Night!

 

by Kazu

We had special dinner in Japanese restaurant in Koror, the capital city of Palau. The  grilled fish may be parrotfish or grouper.  

Japanese spirits distilled in Okinawa Prefecture was served to our delegation. Sliced raw tuna followed the toast. Soy sauce was imported from Japan.

Some private rooms were available in the restaurant on that day but we preferred the table and chairs. Japanese taste and style filled up the restaurant. 

The sushi counter had a very nice showcase but it  may be difficult to order to make in Palau. The showcase made of clear sheet glasses and the quality materials must have been necessary. 

Palau High School !

by Kazu

The Delegation from the Hokkaido Legislative Assembly and the Prefectural Government of Hokkaido visited Palau High School. The Minister of Education Mr. Sinton Soalablai attended the meeting.

Some people in Palau have the name like Japanese such as "Nobuo", Tarou" and "Jirou". Most of them do not have the gene of Japanese but such names give the impression that the persons with Japanese name are reliable, believable.     

They were considered as if they have some kind of relationship with Japan or Japanese people or have educational background in Japan. Japanese names work wonder in Palau.   

 

Suwa Shrine in Sapporo !

by Kazu

We took a good walk to the premises of Hokkaido University. The University Festival was held for the first time after the pandemic of covid-19. 

The students, particularly the international ones must have been eager to set up the pop-up vendors on the main street recent three years. After pop by the pop-up eateries on the premises we headed to Suwa Shrine in Sapporo.

Suwa Shrine is headquartered in Nagano Prefecture and has special rough festival every five years. They change the pillar in front of the shrine. The new pillar made of cedar trunks are carried through the slope on the way from the mountain to the shrine. The carriers ride on the trunk when the pillars slide down the slope. Sometimes some riders  lose their lives.