Based on the Super-sized World Atlas, there are more than 1,225 tiny islands spread over 29 separate atolls making the Marshall Islands a gem with lots of facets. I’ve read a bit about the history of the Marshallese and it is steeped in culture that lives literally on the ocean. Doing so meant that navigation skills were prized and passed down through the centuries through families and teachers. Pristine coral reefs teeming with life are a way of life for the Marshallese people.

All water sports are available and pursued with passion – especially scuba diving, boating and fishing. Bikini and Rongelap Atolls provide diverse diving and salt water fishing activities and draw sportsmen from around the world. Majuro, the capital of the Marshall Islands, is a mix of island tradition and modern culture. I’m feeling as if I need to save up a few more points and just ‘go.’ Even if it’s a photo-adventure, it sounds worthy of an expedition. And worthy while I’m relatively young – so I can enjoy the adventure. Marshall oneth

A friend sent me an email recently and asked if I was traveling to the Marshall Islands this year. No was my answer – but I said I’m headed back to Hawaii in May for a couple of weeks. Then I began thinking of Marshall and opened up my Super-sized World Atlas to look a little closer.

The Marshall Islands is unique because it’s one of only four totally Atoll Nations in the world. Basically that means islands are strewn over a wide area (of the Pacific). When I say wide area we’re talking an area covering 750,000 square miles of crystal clear Pacific Ocean. Can I get an “Ahhhh.”  If not, look at the photo and give me an ahh.

Somewhere the bulbs were flashing – telling the seasoned traveler to go west young man. Further, farther, go-west and keep going. Just a long damn way from Hawaii is Micronesia. Yay. Far out there. But not really.

I recommend that we travel to Pohnpei, the oldest and tallest (whatever) island in the Federated States of Micronesia.

This Gem is lush and beautiful. The waterfalls are numerous and range from pleasant to spectacular, creating a refreshing and breathtaking experience for those venturing to the base of the falls. There are even camping areas at some sites for those who want to hear the tumble of the water as they sleep under the tropical sky. The streams are great for cooling off after a hike in the hills.

Somewhere out there, a few folks had a great day (yesterday – since it’s on the other side of the international dateline) at the Nikko. Located on the east coast of Malakal Island in Koror State, the doors of Palau Royal Resort opened to leisure travelers and eco-tourism enthusiasts on June 28, 2005. Palau Royal Resort is a five-star international resort hotel developed and owned by Royal Hotel Group and operated by Nikko Hotels International.

Palau Royal Resort is the first of its class in the Republic of Palau, famous for its diving and most amazing array of marine life. It boasts of top of the class amenities for the travelers looking for leisure and relaxation.

Palau Royal Resort is about 25 minutes drive from the Palau International Airport and few minutes to the city center of Koror. I suggest you bring a) lots of cash, b) a credit card with ample room for rooms, and c) SPF30. Should you need to learn more, here’s the link. Nikko-my-body.

Amnesia — that’s what you want when you visit the region. To forget the world behind you and start life on a new path with mostly sunny days, sandy white beaches and delicious meals every day. Vacations interrupt our lives with mostly “good” consequences and with very few “bad” consequences. The anticipation of vacation is good – and traveling to the destination is generally good if your flights are on-time and the luggage doesn’t detour to Idaho when you’re on an island in Oceania.

The region is so large that it’s “interpreted” around some of the edges (particularly in west Melanesia). Your view of the world is what you make it and if you’ve cross-referenced all points in the region and disputed the provisos, you might find yourself immersed in what millions of people call paradise. Even Hawai’i is part of the “Polynesian triangle” and thus a member of Oceania. Settled in the sixth century by Polynesian people who migrated from Tahiti, it’s peeps are within the triangle.

Captain Cook had no idea that his presence in the 18th century would alter the official position of Hawaii within Oceania but it did. Many historians will agree that Captain Cook and his men’s presence there would later impact the world’s view of Hawaii and thus its “position” within Oceania. I suspect a thesis is hiding somewhere on a bookshelf about this very topic. (Great beach fodder!)

My trip to the region (later this year) will be full of beach fodder. I anticipate ample time to study, photograph and learn more about the region. And specifically Hawai’i. Aloha.

Nestled between several nutrient-rich ocean currents, Micronesia houses an abundance of colorful marine life below the surface. This region is luscious and to the eye, it’s emerald green. The islands are grouped within a turquoise lagoon and bordered by a protective barrier reef, which keeps out the roaring, churning breaks of the Pacific Ocean. To the avid traveler, the trip, a lengthy three-stopover journey away. If you want to camp – bring it. If you love gazing at stars – ready yourself to “look it.” If you seek remote beaches, then just beach it. With calm waters, you can kayak through historical army relics left over from World War II or scuba diving at Blue Corner, arguably one of the world’s greatest sites. Overall, Micronesia scores high in the books of any adventurous spirit.

With more than 2,000 islands scattered across the Western Pacific, Micronesia’s possibilities for diving adventures, beach going experiences, water adventure and just relaxation without a population to bump up against are … well … limitless. From mysterious wrecks and rainbow-hued reefs to fascinating marine life encounters ancient ancestral traditions and seductive tropical beaches … if you’ve got the time, Micronesia has an answer. My plane departs at 8AM.

The Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) is a grouping of 607 small islands in the Western Pacific about 2,500 miles southwest of Hawaii, lying just above the Equator. Generally speaking, FSM comprises what is known as the Eastern and Western Caroline Islands. While the country’s total land area amounts to only 270.8 square miles, it occupies more than one million square miles of the Pacific Ocean, and ranges 1,700 miles from East (Kosrae) to West (Yap). Each of the four States centers around one or more “high islands,” and all but Kosrae include numerous atolls. Link over to the site: Federated States of Micronesia to learn more.

Jacques Cousteau, guru of the underworld, hailed this tiny country in Micronesia as having some of the best diving in the world. I don’t dive, but fortunately, I didn’t need to–there are 1,400 species of shallow-water fish. Hawaii boasts 570.

Palau is a water destination and more. Travelers can kayak to WWII sites and secluded beaches, hike through jungles and waterfalls and swim with dolphins at the Dolphins Pacific center. And if you do scuba, there are 70 official dive sites.

Made up of 300 islands, Palau has 20,000 residents, and in terms of population and land mass, is one of the smallest countries in the world. Yet this epicenter of biodiversity has attracted divers since the 1980s. Tourism, however, is slow and steady, which suits Palauans just fine. New hotels, roads, bridges and hordes of travelers can be harmful to the coral and sea life, so there’s a concerted effort to grow at an environmentally sustainable pace. This unique combination makes it a must-visit location and one that will surely allow for true relaxation. Until you have to leave.

This little gem is located deep in the south Pacific – way deep. Calalin Island is far away from anything we can imagine but mentally close because of its picturesque beauty. “I’ll take two helpings please.” I have a reason for such a statement: Calalin Island (specifically the Calalin Channel) is dubbed shark alley. I have a couple of colleagues that need to visit this location and carry some bleeding fish on their “persons.”

Seriously, the area has some of the prettiest white sand beaches on the planet and no matter what time of year they are not crowded. Divers who are “in the know” recognize that the warm water temperatures, and cloudless days make for wetsuit-free diving and relaxing evenings. The most complex angle to the the Marshall Islands is the fact that the majority of people who visit the Islands – have to return to their homes after visiting. This thought creates a lot of angst within my body. I believe I’ll stick with Hawaii for now. Unless of course the PowerBall numbers tumble my way this Saturday. More later.