Bill’s Update #24 – What Just Happened & What’s Around the Corner
What Just Happened
2025 has lit Yap’s proverbial bottom on fire, with the first 6-day Yap Day Event (February 22nd – March 3rd, 2025), marking the beginning of the island’s renewed sense of ‘island warmth’ by showcasing its cultural heritage and unique history to the world.
Visitors to the island not only experienced demonstrations of Yap’s culture but also got to enjoy amazing diving adventures during their stay. The manta mating season proved to be ever so majestic during this period with sightings of Yap’s renowned manta trains that were only magnified by the beautiful tropical weather.
There were days of choppy seas, but that didn’t stop the Yap Divers crew from showing our friends a good time. Overall, the past few months has reminded all of us of what makes Yap a special place, but then again, why take my word for it….come see for yourself!
I have always told our guests that if you spot a new manta during your visit, you have the privilege of naming it. The lucky winner this year for this privilege was, Evgeny originally from Russia but is now based in Thailand. Evgeny was able to capture still photos and videos of two new mantas – a new female manta and a new baby male manta. Thanks to Julie Hartup, founder of the Manta Trust, and our very own manta database guru, we were able to share the good news with Evgeny of his findings.
The new female manta has been affectionately named “Marisha” after Evgeny’s wife, and the new male was named “Francis” as a tribute to our Dive Ops Manager as Evgeny enjoyed their shared moments during his visit.
Lureen Ferretti, a many times repeat guest and avid MantaFest goer, joined us this Yap Day and was successful in capturing these amazing creatures on her camera. This time around, she was able to photo a baby male manta, which she named “Borah” after her dive guide who was with her when she took the picture. Laureen has had wonderful underwater shots that have earned her recognition during our annual MantaFest event, and which she has also graciously allowed us to use in our guest galleries on our website.
What’s Around the Corner
Summer In Yap
Summer always brings calmer weather to the island, allowing the possibility of diving all around the island. The season also proves to be a great time for snorkeling and any marine activity.
With the success of Yap Day, we can only look forward to the upcoming events of the year – the Micronesian Expo (July 19th – 26th, 2025) and the annual MantaFest event (August 23rd – September 7th, 2025).
4th Annual Micronesia Expo
Yap, Micronesia, July 21-25, 2025
Micronesia Expo
This year the season is highlighted with the Micronesian Expo as it will provide visitors a chance to get to see the cultures that make up the Federated States of Micronesia, while enjoying the beauty of Yap’s waters.
18th Annual MantaFest Photography School & Contest
Yap, Micronesia, August 23 – September 7, 2025
MantaFest Photo School
The fall season brings about our annual event, MantaFest Photo School, where our photo pros excitedly share their knowledge with guests during the two-week event. Our Photo School is a rare opportunity for divers to have practical learning experiences in photography taught by some of the world’s elite photographers and the exceptional opportunity of practicing these skills with the pros during their dive adventures with Yap Divers.
Please visit our website at: mantafest.com to see what we have to offer for our event.
Parting Shot
Nymphomaniac Conversation
I boarded my flight to Boston and took my seat. As I settled in, I glanced up and saw the most beautiful woman boarding the plane, and she was heading straight towards me. As fate would have it, she took the seat right beside mine.
Eager to strike up a conversation, I asked. “Business trip or pleasure?”
She turned, smiled and said, “Business. I’m going to the Annual Nympho-maniacs of America Convention in Boston .”
Damn, I thought, here is the most gorgeous woman I’ve ever seen sitting next to me, and she’s going to a meeting of nymphomaniacs.
Struggling to maintain my composure, I calmly asked, “What’s your business role at this convention?”
“Lecturer,” she responded, “I use information that I have learned from my personal experiences to debunk some of the popular myths about sexuality.”
“Really?” I said. “And what kind of myths are there?”
“Well,” she explained, “One popular myth is that African-American men are the most well-endowed of all men, when in fact it is the Native American Indian who is most likely to possess that trait.”
“Another popular myth is that Frenchmen are the best lovers, when actually it is men of Jewish descent who are the best.”
“I have also discovered that the lover with absolutely the best stamina is the Southern Redneck.”
Suddenly the woman became a little uncomfortable and blushed. “I’m sorry,” she said, “I shouldn’t really be discussing all of this with you. I don’t even know your name…”
“Tonto,” I said,
“Tonto Goldstein, but my friends call me Bubba.”