Nauru is one of the worlds smallest nations. Floating like a flat pancake in the Pacific Ocean, many people associate Nauru with refugees and do know much more. Well let us broaden your mind as we educate you on some of the most fascinating facts of this micronation.
1. Did you know that Nauru used to be governed by Germany in the late 1800’s followed by the UK, Australia and then New Zealand? And that the island was originally called ‘Pleasant Island’ because it was deemed to be so pleasant? What about the fact that it was captured by the Japanese in WWII in 1942? Whilst the island is exposed the to elements and very little, if any European heritage remains, many of the Japanese WWII war relics still rust away on the island.
2. Nauru is littered with secret caves, bunkers and army tanks – you can still find ammunition on the ground in some of the denser jungle reaches and its all accessible for you to explore on foot. Grab a local and they will show you their favourite hidden places.
3. Did you know that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has been here? That’s right – in 1982. Nauru is part of the Commonwealth.
4. Only 200 travellers a year visit Nauru – that is less than 0.0002% of the world’s population!
5. It is the worlds third smallest country after Monaco and Vatican City.
6. Nauru has a railway line! It is only 3.9km long and it is now abandoned as part of the former phosphate mine, but there is still a railway! (And only 30km of road).
7. In the 1960’s, Nauru was the worlds wealthiest country per capita, thanks to its phosphorus mines. Now, it is one of the poorest per capita, with the 2nd lowest GDP in the world following Tuvalu. In 2016, the country was almost bankrupt.
8. The abandoned phosphate mines have left incredible towers of well, phosphate remnants, which make for a unique lunar like landscape. Some of them pierce out of the water and make for great photos – especially at sunset!
9. Nauru is ringed by a stunning coral reef which is why it does not have a port. The reef makes for great snorkelling away from the phosphate sites.
10. Many of the refugees on the island live openly in the active community. They run the barber shops, restaurants and supermarkets. They are not locked away in the processing centre as the media often portrays. Most can speak English and have the most incredible stories to share with those willing to listen.
11. There are a handful of refugees who were settled from Nauru into the US and have requested to come back to Nauru to live as US life is too hard.
12. The countries runway forms part of their 30km road network so part of the road gets closed each time a plane lands (which isn’t very often).
Interested in exploring Nauru? Join our small group tour or contact our team for more details!
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This category of tours involves light trekking, walking, cycling, rafting or kayaking for a few hours each day with a small amount of inclines and declines. You will require a reasonable level of fitness and good health to participate. It is important to note that due to the nature of some of our trips, they may take place in remote areas (with basic facilities) and can involve long travelling days on various modes of transport.
Suggested preparation : At least 3 months prior to departure, it is recommended that you undertake aerobic exercise (this may include jogging, cycling or fast walking) for 30 minutes, three times a week. It is also advised to walk on variable terrain and in variable weather conditions. For a cycling adventure, road cycling twice a week is recommended and for adventures which involve paddling and kayaking, it is important to gain confidence and rhythm rather than speed prior to departure.
This category of tours involve trekking, kayaking and cycling for period of 6 to 8 hours a day at a fairly consistent pace. Ideal for people looking to slightly increase the heart rate. For our moderately rated tours, you must have a good level of fitness and also be in good health. It is also important to be prepared for variable weather conditions. Altitude may also come into play. This category of tours may involve visiting remote areas where facilities can be quite basic. Accommodation may also involve camping, homestays or basic accommodation where facilities may not be considered of western standards. To enjoy this style of travel, it is suggested for travellers to have a reasonable level of fitness and health, a positive attitude, as well as a fairly active lifestyle. An open mind is also required.
Suggested preparation: At least 3 months prior to departure, it is recommended that you undertake 45mins – 1 hour of aerobic exercise, three to four times a week. Some potential exercises that could be beneficial include hill walking with a backpack on over variable terrain and weather conditions, as well as running and cycling dependent on the activity you plan on undertaking.
This category of tours involves trekking, kayaking, cycling or other adventure activities in remote areas for up to 8 to 10 hours a day. It is important to note that with the remoteness of some regions comes a variety of other challenges such as variable weather conditions, accommodation as well as facilities. You must have an excellent level of fitness and good health to be able to partake in this category of tour. You must have confidence in your own ability and be in good physical condition. Includes extended periods of endurance.
Suggested preparation: At least 3 to 4 months of strenuous exercise, four times a week. When preparing for treks it would be beneficial to participate in hill walks with a weighted day pack (approximately 5-8 kg) once a week for aerobic fitness and strengthening of leg muscles. It is also important to do this on variable terrain to prepare for challenging adventures. When preparing for cycling adventures, regular bike riding (at least 4 to 5 times a week for 1-4 hours is essential). It is also important to cycle on uneven surfaces or even participate in other aerobic exercises such as running or swimming to build up strength and stamina. Altitude may also be a factor in these tours.
This category of tour often involves extreme trekking, cycling or other extreme adventure activities. It is important to expect remote and poorly defined tracks and to be prepared for variable weather conditions for 10 to 12 hours per day (may sometimes be more depending on weather and altitude). These adventures are suitable for travellers who have prior experience in strenuous travel and activities, are extremely fit and have excellent health. It is also important to note that some of the terrain on these adventures will involve trekking in snow, at high attitude levels and may require technical equipment.
Suggested preparation: It is important to note that physical fitness should be an ongoing activity, commencing around 5-6 months prior to departure, or even before if you have no prior fitness. Exercise should focus on building maximum endurance and stamina. Four to five hard sessions of 40-60 mins per week should be completed and can include exercises such as going to the gym, running, swimming or cycling to focus on building aerobic stamina. It could also be beneficial to prepare by hiking on rough terrain, in extreme weather conditions or partake in altitude training.
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