TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) joined Palau President Surangel S. Whipps Jr. for a snorkeling tour and encouraged more Taiwanese to visit the Pacific island nation.
Hsiao and her delegation arrived in Palau on Saturday, per CNA. Early Sunday, she joined Whipps on a boat trip to the Big Drop Off diving and snorkeling site in the southern region of Palau's Rock Islands.
Whipps said the itinerary was designed to showcase destinations Hsiao had not visited during her previous trip to Palau 18 years ago, CNA reported. Located off Ngemelis Island, Big Drop Off features an underwater wall that plunges from a shallow reef to a depth of roughly 600 meters and is home to more than 1,500 species of tropical fish, sea turtles, humphead wrasse, sharks, and other marine life.
Whipps welcomed Hsiao and her delegation to Palau and encouraged Taiwanese visitors to take advantage of direct flights to experience Palau firsthand.
Hsiao said she spotted sea turtles, zebra sharks, and blacktip reef sharks, according to CNA. She added that the colorful coral reefs, displaying shades of blue, purple, yellow, and orange, left a lasting impression.
The vice president praised Whipps as a skilled marine guide, saying he could spot wildlife ranging from turtles hidden among rocks to sharks resting on the seafloor. She said his keen eye helped the delegation observe marine life they might otherwise have missed.
The calm seas and abundant marine life made for ideal snorkeling conditions, said Hsiao. She added that the experience helped her understand why visitors are encouraged to spend several days exploring Palau's natural attractions.
The vice president said that Taiwan and Palau are both island nations known for their warm, welcoming people. She encouraged Taiwanese to reward themselves with a tropical island getaway.
She said she was impressed by the country's efforts to balance tourism development with marine conservation, allowing visitors to enjoy the ocean's natural beauty while protecting valuable ecological resources. She described snorkeling alongside Whipps as a rare and memorable experience.
