I’m off again for an adventure. Circa 2024.
With the US and Europe in complete chaos. With economics, politics, media, legal and healthcare all in a downward spiral. It's time to travel the planet while still permitted. I am grateful for that privilege every day. Always in search of the Secret.
After a long transfer to Hawaii, and a few days in Honolulu to rest-up… I travel to Chuuk, Micronesia. Better known as Truc Lagoon.
But the trip to Micronesia was an event all in-itself. A crazy 5 island hop. With 3 stops in the Marshall Islands, and 2 more in Micronesia,, I finally arrive in Truc. 5 boarding passes…another 12 hour flight. Phewww..
Is stepping off the plane in the Marshalls… another ‘country’ ? - or maybe not,, are US territories considered countries ? 😊
Ahh, but finally arriving in Chuuk was wonderful. I have a gorgeous view from my hotel – The Blue Lagoon. Tropical paradise. I schedule some down-time before and after a live aboard here in Micronesia. Slow travel is my 2024 theme,, Time to recover from the long transfers. This year’s adventure starts with a challenge. I need to rally my energy – I’ll need it for diving.
For this destination,, it’s all about diving Truc Lagoon. I’m aboard the Taka, a live aboard dive boat – second time for me. I was aboard this ship in the Soloman Islands a few years back. It’s a great fit for my travel style.
I upgraded to a private cabin – great plan.
The diving in Truc is serious stuff. Deep water diving. 21 dives, all over 30m… (100ft).. Several at 45m (145ft)… that’s some deep diving. Not my favorite part of diving, but this trip is about the Wrecks. WWII Japanese wrecks.
Every dive is a time-management task. Check that air supply. Stay alert… find your way back to the Taka. Not for the faint of heart. Stay calm and dive!!
Watching NDL (no deco limit), making the proper selection of PO2 and Nitrox percent choices … watching your MOD (maximum operating depth)… The tech divers talk of gradients and gas mixtures… the cave divers all with double tanks. Serious divers surround me. This is some big-time diving – Geeks only please … I fit right in.
Truc Lagoon is a famous WWII battle site. The US discovered the remaining Japanese Navy there.. Two days of constant arial attacks, sank 70 Japanese ships in the Lagoon.. A wreck diving heaven. It is often called the revenge of Peral Harbor.
Most of the wrecks are Maru’s. Cargo vessels. Filled with war supplies. Outfitted with anti-aircraft guns. After 70+ years.. they are overgrown with Coral – with many now fully reclaimed by the Sea’s.
We penetrate deep into the wrecks each day. Intense diving. No time for mistakes. Tora.Tora.Tora.
I dove these wrecks. Grave yards.
- Yamagiri
- Klyosumi
- Hoki
- Fujikawa
- Nippo
- Betty Bomber
- Emily
- Heian
- Kenso
- Amagisan
- Sankisan
- Rio
- Shinkoko
Photography is very difficult for me under these conditions. Often the viz was poor, and at 30m, most of the sun light is gone. Still, the vibe of Truc Lagoon made this a world-class adventure.
The islands of Chuuk are tiny.. scattered… and very poor. Chuuk is pronounced like your saying 'juke' ... but Chuuk. The roads and housing here remind me of Honduras. Small wood-frame homes, with tin roofs.
At the finish of my visit to FSM (Federated States of Micronesia) – two days of rain arrive. All the roads were washed out… mud puddles. Absolutely no water management in these villages. Yet… at the same time.. In the streets of Weno - the children play and jump in the mud puddles… walk in the rain. And don’t even seem put-off by the weather. Amazing to see. Refreshing in an odd way.
Chuuk is the center of the Federation of Micronesia. An independent country.. but fully reliant on US support. Only one flight in or out. It feels as far away from the world as possible.
With my diving in Micronesia complete.. Time to repack and prep for another jump.
I fly to Guam next – for just a short transit… then onto my next adventure. Guam, like the Marshall’s is a US territory.. Not-sure that counts as a country either 😊 Guam is 100% the opposite of Chuuk… Guam is a modern, Western place.. A huge airport, TSA,,double security. A first line of defense for the US. A giant military base..along with bases in the Marshalls. Hard fought territory from WWII.
Back on a plane. My 9th flight already in 2024.. and it's not even Febuary ..
Holy Holy. It’s going to be a busy year. Palau here I come.
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