Nondescript diving in Yap except that I saw my first Manta in dark dusty waters and a special dusk mandarin fish dive where we saw mating mandarin fish, active sea cucumbers and a crocodile fish.
The only culture we experienced was the stone money on the river banks and betel nuts which were eaten by Yapese men and women every few minutes. Raw green betel nuts are prised open, a sprinkling of lime powder added together with a piece of peppermint leaf. This is then put whole in the mouth (about the size of a huge gobstopper). They chew this and it produces a red juice which they then spit. The red juice colours the mouth, lips and teeth. All Yapese people had red mouths and red discoloured teeth. All Yapese people carry handbags with the betel nut ingredients. All gas stations and supermarkets sell the betel nuts and peppermint leaves at the front of the store. It was fun to watch but won't be kissing a Yapese in a hurry!!
