Stone Money
Stone Money
4.5
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4.5
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HospitalityPros
Tennessee344 contributions
No visit to YAP is complete until you have a chance to see the Stone Money Banks located throughout the island. Massive pieces of Stone Money line a stone pathway in the villages displaying the wealth of the village. Here, size does not matter as each piece has a value based on where it came from and how it was made.
Family friendly, great photo opportunities and a nice day trip. Check with your hotel or tour operator for tour details.
Family friendly, great photo opportunities and a nice day trip. Check with your hotel or tour operator for tour details.
Written 26 May 2009
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Melissa G
Tampa, FL21 contributions
Dec 2015 • Couples
Interesting to see a unique and significant piece of the island's culture. They money is still being used today. As a woman be sure to cover your thighs in order to respect their culture. Also, carry something in your hand, such as a branch to show you are a friendly visitor. The "tombstones" near the banks and community houses are actually backrests, so do not be alarmed.
Written 5 January 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
2006TravelBug
Vancouver, Canada367 contributions
Nov 2019 • Solo
More than likely, unless you are just here for diving, then you have come to witness the fascinating stone money of Yap. I was surprised to see so much of it scattered around the entire island. I was just expecting a couple of money banks, but these fascinating stone money pieces are everywhere. Rent a car or arrange a driver to take you around. A driver is smarter as you need permission to access private land throughout Yap. Some of the money banks are immense, with some really grand money pieces. Do your homework and read up about the money and it’s importance.
Written 28 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Grant B
Maui, HI26 contributions
Oct 2014
Interesting cultural experience, saw stone money & stone money bank, was part of a tour including visiting the men's houses
Written 17 February 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jctokyo
Hong Kong, China224 contributions
Dec 2019 • Family
Worth doing some reading in advance and making time to do a guided tour of the island and the various stone money locations.
Written 22 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MGM
Kona, Hawaii165 contributions
Apr 2019 • Couples
Well, it's maybe not so mysterious as it's been studied quite a bit at this point but it is a must see. The small stone discs are everywhere, even in town, so at first I thought they weren't real. But then we drove around the island(four linked together I believe) and the discs were everywhere. Some were very old, some newer, and we learned how to tell the difference. The village with the most photographed row of discs was somewhat remote and mysterious us because we were the only people there at the time. There is a beautiful Men's ceremonial house nearby on the coast and it is also very beautiful to visit.
Written 12 May 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hansen_0000
Albany, NY41 contributions
Jul 2018
I would say that the one thing most people may know about Yap is from history class and the idea of money and how Yap's stone money is an early and unique example of money. Seeing them in person and hearing about the history from a local guide is a historic experience.
Written 29 August 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kenkurtis
Los Angeles, CA52 contributions
Jun 2018 • Friends
. . . and wanted to go to Yap to see it, which I did for the first time in 2002. I've been back about a dozen times since (I'm a diver) and I still find the story of Stone Money, let alone the fact that stone can be used as a currency, to be fascinating. Many nice Stone Money Banks in Yap. Bonus will be if you get to see a ceremonial Stone Money Carriage where they actually transport it. (Pix is from June 2018 ceremony.)
Written 25 June 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mathyew
Lake Geneva, WI422 contributions
Jul 2017 • Solo
If you come to Yap, you will see stone money almost everywhere. I was surprised by just how much there is. Even though that's true, I would still recommend a tour outside Kolonia to see the stone money banks in the villages. Oceania Hotel arranged a tour for me which included these visits--definitely a highlight of the trip.
Written 27 July 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mmlosey1119
Houston, TX1,267 contributions
Feb 2016 • Friends
If you visit Yap, you'd be hard pressed not to see stone money at least somewhere on the island. To truly appreciate it, you need to know the history and purpose. I've posted a photo of a picture with the story. I found it most interesting to learn through the locals that the stone money is actually still used today for some transactions like weddings, land purchases, or we were told to get out of jail! It is worth getting out and finding or being taken to a stone money bank to see what that is all about instead of just a single piece that may be at a hotel or restaurant as decoration. If you do venture on your own, make sure you understand and are respectful of the local's traditions and property ownership as that is very important.
Written 15 January 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Karen, here is more about Yap.
Fauna & Flora.
The island of Yap is a true botanical treasure trove of tropical flowers that bloom throughout the year as the bright red hibiscus, Spider Lily or sweet smelling plumerias. But you will also find numerous tropical fruits that are colorful and inviting to be tasted. Otherwise, are mostly covered by Yap with rain, some places are still well preserved stone surfaces where residents crossing the jungle.
The good vegetation prevailing in Yap has many animals a good habitat. It is to marvel at the beautiful birds in the Pacific Ocean, a paradise for bird enthusiasts. For example you can watch herons and even the natives Yap birds. At most hotels you get detailed information about a good guide that will take you to experience nature with flora and fauna, marvel at all the splendor that are to take part in Yap.
Of the South Seas many fruit trees is hardly anything more associated with this romanticized region than the coconut palm. As a long-handled dusters stands the majestic slender trees everywhere along the beaches and bow down to the sea. The nut, which is not really a nut, but a large fruit, can survive a long time floating in salt water.
Of coconut palm leaves are used on include roofing, walls and braided rugs. Of the thin sheets nerves do brooms to sweep their home with.
The famous Devil rays returning to the same place every day, their natural surroundings accept the presence of divers who swim with these giants that have a span of 3 to 6 meters and a weight of 500 kilos. Mating season is from November to March, a dramatic time when the females piruetterar and stampeding through the water, the head of a flock of fifteen or more males, this is a captivating spectacle.
Betel nuts (Buu).
You will notice that the locals "Yapesen" always have something to chew on. They have red teeth and spits out these bites here and there. Some people had so much in your mouth that looked as if they chewed chewing tobacco. It is betel coming from a subspecies of the coconut palm.
It is commonly called the betel nut is actually the fleshy fruit of arekapalmen (betel palm), a tropical tree growing in the Pacific and South East Asia. The name comes from the unrelated betel pepper plant. Betelnötstuggare wrap a piece arekafrukt and a little hydrated lime in a betel pepper leaves. The lime helps to release stimulating alkaloids. Some also blend in spices, tobacco, or sweeteners to enhance the flavor. This composition stimulates the secretion of saliva, which are stained crimson. Those who chew betel nut spitting often - even through the car windows, to the chagrin of passers-by!
The reason for this betel nut combination is so interesting not only because of its symbolic meaning in Yapese rituals but also because it is a psychoactive drug. In small quantities, has the effect of a coffee would normally have. But since Yapese mixes tobacco with betel it quickly becomes addictive.
"Faluw" The men's house on Yap Island.
When you are on holiday in Yap, you will face a building with a large thatched roof that serves as a meeting place and a hall only for men. These imponeranden "Faluw" called the man's house. Among the locals are these houses the most important building in the village. Faluw served as a place for the ruling and seats are assigned according to rank and title. There are no partitions, no furniture, and with only two open fires to burn in. It's vast natural polished wooden floors and the large hall was worthy housed.
"Faluw" called, and as the name suggests, only houses where men can live. Every village on Yap has such men's house, and they serve as a venue for telling stories. The local officers according to legend, the night in this house to spend, such as if they have to go fishing the next day. In these buildings, teach the older their knowledge to young people, ranging from craft to art to be able to fish and to sail.
The buildings were often (but not always) built around the large stone platforms that served as outdoor venues. Some of these platforms have several large thin stones sticking out of the ground. These stones were basically sitting area (back) for weary travelers or anyone who wanted to relax. All women (with one exception) were forbidden to enter the Faluw. The only exception was "Mispil" whose
job was to keep Faluw clean and prepare food for the men who used the house. This young woman was earlier mostly looted in war and exploited sexually and ministered to the young men in their faluw.
There are areas for women only (so-called Dapals) where men were forbidden to enter, but most of these sites have long been lost.
Written 27 April 2016
I'm primarily interested in seeing how the Yap people live, their culture. We love Beaches but that would be secondary to the experience of interacting with local people. I just don't know how to get started .
Written 23 February 2016
I've been fascinated about Yap for decades and even had a student one year that came from yap. When she interviewed for my program she was pleasantly shocked that I knew anything about Yap. She even made mooned of those necklaces . I wish I still had contact info for her but our tech center burned down. Anyway, no one ok now has ever traveled here. It's on my BucketList and I'm ready to plan to go now. Can you please point me in the right direction and provide any great tips? Thanks! Karen
Written 23 February 2016
Karen, here are more of Yap.
Fauna & Flora.
The island of Yap is a true botanical treasure trove of tropical flowers that bloom throughout the year as the bright red hibiscus, Spider Lily or sweet smelling plumerias. But you will also find numerous tropical fruits that are colorful and inviting to be tasted. Otherwise, are mostly covered by Yap with rain, some places are still well preserved stone surfaces where residents crossing the jungle.
The good vegetation prevailing in Yap has many animals a good habitat. It is to marvel at the beautiful birds in the Pacific Ocean, a paradise for bird enthusiasts. For example you can watch herons and even the natives Yap birds. At most hotels you get detailed information about a good guide that will take you to experience nature with flora and fauna, marvel at all the splendor that are to take part in Yap.
Of the South Seas many fruit trees is hardly anything more associated with this romanticized region than the coconut palm. As a long-handled dusters stands the majestic slender trees everywhere along the beaches and bow down to the sea. The nut, which is not really a nut, but a large fruit, can survive a long time floating in salt water.
Of coconut palm leaves are used on include roofing, walls and braided rugs. Of the thin sheets nerves do brooms to sweep their home with.
The famous Devil rays returning to the same place every day, their natural surroundings accept the presence of divers who swim with these giants that have a span of 3 to 6 meters and a weight of 500 kilos. Mating season is from November to March, a dramatic time when the females piruetterar and stampeding through the water, the head of a flock of fifteen or more males, this is a captivating spectacle.
Betel nuts (Buu).
You will notice that the locals "Yapesen" always have something to chew on. They have red teeth and spits out these bites here and there. Some people had so much in your mouth that looked as if they chewed chewing tobacco. It is betel coming from a subspecies of the coconut palm.
It is commonly called the betel nut is actually the fleshy fruit of arekapalmen (betel palm), a tropical tree growing in the Pacific and South East Asia. The name comes from the unrelated betel pepper plant. Betelnötstuggare wrap a piece arekafrukt and a little hydrated lime in a betel pepper leaves. The lime helps to release stimulating alkaloids. Some also blend in spices, tobacco, or sweeteners to enhance the flavor. This composition stimulates the secretion of saliva, which are stained crimson. Those who chew betel nut spitting often - even through the car windows, to the chagrin of passers-by!
The reason for this betel nut combination is so interesting not only because of its symbolic meaning in Yapese rituals but also because it is a psychoactive drug. In small quantities, has the effect of a coffee would normally have. But since Yapese mixes tobacco with betel it quickly becomes addictive.
"Faluw" The men's house on Yap Island.
When you are on holiday in Yap, you will face a building with a large thatched roof that serves as a meeting place and a hall only for men. These imponeranden "Faluw" called the man's house. Among the locals are these houses the most important building in the village. Faluw served as a place for the ruling and seats are assigned according to rank and title. There are no partitions, no furniture, and with only two open fires to burn in. It's vast natural polished wooden floors and the large hall was worthy housed.
"Faluw" called, and as the name suggests, only houses where men can live. Every village on Yap has such men's house, and they serve as a venue for telling stories. The local officers according to legend, the night in this house to spend, such as if they have to go fishing the next day. In these buildings, teach the older their knowledge to young people, ranging from craft to art to be able to fish and to sail.
The buildings were often (but not always) built around the large stone platforms that served as outdoor venues. Some of these platforms have several large thin stones sticking out of the ground. These stones were basically sitting area (back) for weary travelers or anyone who wanted to relax. All women (with one exception) were forbidden to enter the Faluw. The only exception was "Mispil" whose
job was to keep Faluw clean and prepare food for the men who used the house. This young woman was earlier mostly looted in war and exploited sexually and ministered to the young men in their faluw.
There are areas for women only (so-called Dapals) where men were forbidden to enter, but most of these sites have long been lost.
Written 27 April 2016
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