Survivor Returns to Palau

The American television series Survivor has returned to Palau to film its next series. When I first heard back in May that they might be returning it was hard to believe as they had so recently filmed in Palau. But, the rumors picked up speed over the summer and it was confirmed in the local newspapers in August.

The crew began arriving last week to begin preparations. It appears they will once again be heavily relying on Neco Marine as they have the taken over the empty lot next door. The Drop Off Bar at Neco was built specifically for the Survivor crew the first time around and it should be popular again. Right now it is just the advance crew and filming won't begin until late September or early October. Filming will be in the Rock Islands again.

The rumor is that it will be another All-Star version of the show. They have previously had an All-Star version and returned to a location where they had already filmed with the idea being the focus of the show is more about the returning cast members and less about the locale. It is not surprising they picked Palau because besides the photogenic natural beauty, the crew reportedly had an excellent time filming here. The locales were very welcoming and Palau has far more creature comforts than many of the little islands they typically film on.

I'll be here for only beginning of it, but it will be great for Palau. The crew will spend money at local businesses and hopefully there should be a little tourist bump. I look forward to watching it when it premieres early next year and be able to recognize where they are filming. I have watched parts of the first Survivor in Palau since I have arrived and recognize most of the locations they used last time.