SAILING DESTINATIONS
By Dermot Keane
W
ith a huge protected lagoon, generally light air,
Crime is minimal. The police are pleasant & helpful. It’s
and a million places to explore or disappear,
an easy place to arrive, fit in and feel at home. For those
the island of Palau feels like paradise.
who like to remain active, there is a soccer league, Hash
Pleasant weather, friendly people and world class diving
House Harriers, track and field, several gyms, an
and fishing: What’s not to love?
outrigger canoe club, aqua-fitness kayaking and more.
Conveniently, civilization is just around the corner for
Yet, minutes away from the “city life” is a most
those so inclined. The “city” of Koror is nothing to write
incredible natural paradise ... stunning corals, incredible
home about, but offers all the comforts of home: large,
marine lakes, lots of fish, world-class diving, white,
well-stocked grocery stores, banks, ATMs, internet cafes,
sandy beaches ... and not too many visitors. 2004
great restaurants for all budgets, good taxi service, etc.
recorded the highest number of visitors ever in Palau -
Currency is U.S. dollar, and everyone speaks English.
90,000. This pales in comparison to most places that
Americans are warmly welcomed and all visitors are
offer half of what Palau does.
treated in a casual, friendly manner. continued on page 10
LIVING THE DREAM • JEFF BOWEN
continued from page 1
When our 43-foot sailboat Seven @ Sea pulls into an
anchorage, it is not too surprising to find a crew of seven
aboard. What is unique is the fact that only two are over
ten years old (the parents).
Working together
Usually, our two oldest boys, seven and eight, are the
first to be seen on the foredeck, setting the anchor. Our
From left to right, Phinehas (8), Caleb (7) Jeff and Mary
daughter, age six, appears spreading out her towel and
(undisclosed), Noah (2 months), Morgan (6) and Elijah
applying suntan lotion in the cockpit, and our four-year- (4), on a mooring in Hope Town.
old son starts swinging in the bosun’s chair attached to
the spinnaker halyard.
fingers drop and wagging heads disappear down their
companionways after confirming to themselves that the
Just as the fingers from nearby boats start counting, my
parents of this tiny crew must be crazy.
wife shows up on deck holding our two month old. The continued on page 4
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