By Nazario Rodriguez Jr.
Horizon news staff

Some 14 American "oldies but goodies" who belonged to the Elderhostel under the Pacific Islands Institute based at the Hawaii Pacific University are currently in town to enjoy the nation’s natural beauty and savor whatever Palau can offer them.
"We’re just here for pleasure," thus said 70-year old Amy Taniguchi, who is serving as the group’s leader.
By chance interview on Wednesday March 14 at the Penthouse Hotel where they are staying, Taniguchi said that there is no specific mission or any business interest for their trip except that they just wanted to learn the culture and enjoy the fun.
In fact, they are scheduled for snorkeling in the Rock Islands today before visiting Peleliu.
Taniguchi said that they are all first timers to Palau.
She said that they are all retirees from their different professions and they came from different places in the US and have joined the tour by personal choice and spent their money from their own pocket.
Taniguchi, who is from Hawaii, said that members of Elderhostel must be at least 55. The youngest in the group is 64 and the eldest is 85.
Last night, the retirees were fortunate to have Koror State Ranger Chief Adalbert Eledui as their guest speaker at the Penthouse’s Conference Room.
Taniguchi said that Eledui was to give them some conservation program inputs.
Before that, they met Kathy Kesolei, who talked about Palau in general.
"The Palauan culture opened a lot of eyes," Taniguchi said.
"So far, we are learning about the culture of Palau, We are learning about the WWII history in Palau and how it has affected our country," she said.
She also said that they are beginning to discover the underwater world.
Palau is the fifth place that the group has visited for this trip of the Micronesian Region.
They first went o Guam for two nights, spent four days in Yap, one day in Saipan and two days in Tinian before planing in to Palau on Tuesday March 13.
"We are longer here in Palau because there are many things to study," she said.
They will depart on March 18 for their five-day tour in Palau.
From Palau they will go Pohnpei before theier trip back to Hawaii.