By guest writer Hillary Bloom, a New York City human resources professional who is also an avid diver and watersports fan.

Yap Anyone?

I flew over 17 hours on Continental Airlines from Newark, NJ to scuba dive in Yap's warm Pacific waters in search of the giant manta rays that frequent the area. Yap, a lush tropical island, is one of four islands of the Federated States of Micronesia, and offers the traveler ancient traditions, fascinating legends, and one of the most distinctive cultures in Micronesia.

Rai - Stone Money ©Hillary Bloom, 2005

Yap is probably best known among non-divers as the Land of Stone Money. Massive stone discs, called Rai, measure up to 12 feet in diameter and are the largest coins in the world. While the US dollar is the common currency in Yap, the locals still use stone money for major transactions like dowry payments or land purchases. When a Rai is spent for a land transaction or a wedding, the locals know that that particular piece has a new owner, even though it may be too large and heavy to physically move.

During my 10 day visit to Yap, I stayed at the 28 room Manta Ray Bay Hotel. Manta Ray Bay is located alongside a lagoon with a view of the mangroves and the Pacific Ocean and features its own stone money collection on its front lawn.

According to owner Bill Acker, he's adding 10 guest rooms, an infinity swimming pool, a new dive shop and guest lobby. He is also starting a hydroponics farm to grow vegetables and herbs for the hotel's restaurant that is located on the main deck of the SV Mnuw. The SV Mnuw is a 100 year-old South Seas Schooner docked behind the hotel.