I hardly read Islas Marshall World War II, the Pacific Ocean, the United States and Caribbean landscapes come to mind. Is that so? Well yes, all that has to do with these islands that belong to the region of Micronesia.
The Marshall Islands today are a republic, but they have been under the domination of different countries throughout their history. If you like islands like the ones in the photograph and you want to jump to some most exotic destination or little known, today I propose you this journey of discovery.
Islas Marshall
It's a island country what is near the equator line, on the waters of Pacific Ocean. As I said above, it is part of Micronesia and in the last census the data showed a population of almost 60 thousand people.
The country is made up of a group of coral atolls and the capital is in Majuro. History tells us that the first settlers arrived in canoes around the second millennium BC and that Europeans did so in the XNUMXth century, Spanish and Portuguese. However, the name Marshall was taken from John Marshall, who visited them in the late XNUMXs.
The Spanish stayed with the islands for a long time, but later sold them to the German Empire in the late XNUMXth century. In World War I the Japanese invaded them and in the Second War they were displaced by the Americans with the campaign of '44. The atomic bomb tests were carried out not far away, after the conflict. And so time went by. the islands, like others in the Pacific in foreign hands, were gaining a certain independence.
Today the Marshall Islands are a parliamentary republic with a president, and is associated with the United States. This country provides them with defense, subsidies and access to the postal service, for example. So, there is two official languages: the Marshallese, and the English, and a motley population of Americans, Chinese, Filipinos, and so on.
Tourism in the Marshall Islands
The origin of the islands is volcanic. They are found on old semi-submerged volcanoes halfway between Hawaii and Australia. The atolls form two groups: Ratak and Ralik (sunrise and sunset, respectively). The two chains of islands run more or less parallel along almost 2 million square kilometers, of which only 180 are land. Each group has between 15 and 18 islands and atolls, so the country has a total of 29 atolls and five islands.
Of them there are 24 that are inhabited and there are also some islands within this group. The rest is empty, either because it rains little or there is nuclear contamination, as is the case of Bikini Atoll. How's the weather? There is a dry season that goes from December to April and one of Rain between May and November. There are typhoons and if the sea level rises the islands are in danger.
The capital of the Marshall Islands is the Majuro Atoll, a large atoll with almost 10 square kilometers of surface and a beautiful lagoon. It has a port, the international airport, hotels and a commercial district. The capital city is Delap-Uliga-Djarrit and it is inhabited by around 20 thousand people. While it is the gateway, the true beauties of the Marshall Islands are on the outer islands.
What does the tourist come to do? Well, the kings of tourism are the diving and snorkeling. Without a doubt, the islands are a great diving destination and the best is rongelap. This is where you can dive between submerged remains of WWII ships and aircraft. Another popular destination is the Bikini Island where many nuclear devices were detonated, in the air and underwater. Today there are guided tours that explore precisely this past of the nuclear tests. In fact, UNESCO has declared Bikini a World Heritage Site.
In terms of accommodation, the islands offer from cheap accommodations but also hotels at full throttle y guest houses. The bars and restaurants, yes, you find them only in the most luxurious hotels. You can too make camp, in Majuro and other islands. To find out where it is best to always contact the Marshall Islands Visitors Authority. How do we get around the Marshall Islands?
By airThere are internal flights between the atolls and the islands and also charter flights, although not very reliable. There are roads, you drive on the right, and many of them are paved. Therefore, you can rent a car, vans or minivans. Even Japanese cars. Taxis are another option, cheap and paid per seat, so sharing is common. There's also rental boats They are hired to jump from island to island or go on excursions.
What are the main attractions in the Marshall Islands? As we said, the bikini atoll with its nuclear history, the Alele Museum with local history, the capital city itself with its beaches and shops, and the destinations of scuba diving and snorkelling related to the coral and subsidence of WWII. The fishing excursions They are also popular with most hotels offering these trips, adding to Marshall's Billfish Club.
Another popular destination is Laura, a very laid back community, residential, with a beautiful white sand beach protected with corals. Is also Maloelap and Mili Atoll, usual day walks, Day Trips, where you snorkel to see sunken ships, see historic buildings, and eat local food.
Another day trip is the Eneko Island, near the Majuro lagoon, accessible by a 40-minute boat ride from Majuro. Eneko is private and has small bungalows. Its beach is spectacular. As you can see, the Marshall Islands are a beautiful but simple and limited destination. You also have to name jaluit, a remote atoll that is great for snorkelling.
Is there night life? Can I shower after a day of diving and sun and go out to bars? Yes, in Majuro and in Ebeye there are nightclubs, and there are also hotels that have a disco. Not much else, but it works. To this are added restaurants Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, Korean and Western food. Of course, on some islands the consumption of alcohol is prohibited. The good thing is that it is not used to leave a tip.
As we can see, the islands do not have a great tourist infrastructure but that they are a remote destination I think is something in favor. you dare?