| | State of Kosrae: Jewel of Micronesia
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The island state of the Sleeping Lady is a single island made up of a series of rugged peaks that rise 2,000 feet above the island's surrounding reefs and lagoons. It is their distinctive shape that gives Kosrae this ancient epithet.
Isolated by more than 300 nautical miles from its nearest neighbor, Kosrae stands alone virtually unmarked by modern development and industry. It has been described as the unblemished jewel of Micronesia. A garden of vibrant, perfumed flowers, tall hardwood trees, palms and fruit trees, it is home to a wealth of endemic flora and fauna. Its lush jungle is crossed by rugged trails that lead to tumbling waterfalls, scenic panoramas, hidden WWII artifacts, and the mysterious ruins of Lelu and the mountain temples at Menke.
About Kosrae: Kosrae is a diver's and modern eco-tourist's delight. White sand beaches and mangrove forests surround the shoreline looking out to fringing reefs where coral gardens are home to a diverse variety of marine life and vast schools of vibrant tropical fish. Shallow gardens of hard coral cover the eastern side of the island and give way in the west to steep drop-offs and walls where shark, tuna, and barracuda school. Eagle rays regularly school at many of the 50 established dive sites in waters with a visibility of 100 feet or more.
Above the water the jungle and the mangroves offer a diversity of life that will delight birdwatchers and biologists alike. Rarely disturbed by local hunters or fisherman these rich ecosystems can be explored under the supervision of local guides. Visitors can choose between short hikes and day or overnight trips in the rugged interior, or an overnight stay at the Utwa-Walung Marine Park with guided tours through the mangrove canals by canoe and kayak.
The people of Kosrae are considered to be one of the most peaceful and gracious communities on this planet. Traditionally a spiritual people, they embraced the beliefs of the early Christian missionaries who followed closely in the wake of the decadence and disease brought by pirate and whaling ships in the 1800s. Community life is centered around its church and earlier chanting traditions and skills have bred choral singers without peer. One of Kosrae's most endearing charms is the Sunday church meetings and brightly costumed choirs of all ages.
The traditional skills of fine weaving from hibiscus, pandanus and coconut palm have not been lost and are handed down through the generations. Wood carving, traditional canoe and cottage construction, fishing, farming and cooking skills are also regularly practiced as they have been for hundreds of years.
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Inside each of us there is an island dream. At Kosrae Nautilus Resort, we have a friendly staff and comfortable surroundings just a stone's throw from your own private beach. Simply...
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