297 replies to this topic

[WreckWench]

The time differences are so wacky and the lack of internet has made it impossible for people to get online much.

Hopefully we can start eeking out some tidbits now we are in Palau!

p.s. It was FABULOUS!!! In fact it was soooooooooooooo fab that I have not one but two rrips to Truk in April of 2016!

[Buzo Guero]

Until one drops on to one of these wrecks, it is difficult to express the magnitude of what is to be expected. The sheer scale of them can be a bit overwhelming. This definitely is THE premier wreck diving site in the world. And it can be experienced at any level desired. I did 3 deeper penetrations on the trip & every single one was a mind-blowing experience. Being there for the 70th Anniversary of Operation Hailstone was a very special, unexpected treat. Those with more experience & comfort did much DEEPER & frequent penetrations.

IMHO, touring Pearl Harbor, the USS Arizona, Bowfin, Missouri & the aircraft museum are a MUST part of the experience. It really made the trip complete for me, personally. Chuuk & Pearl are intricately connected through history.

The Odyssey was fantastic. JJ & Kim were incredible hosts. The entire guide team was impeccable, eager & made sure everyone was comfortable & ready. Meals were superb! Probably the best bread I've ever had in my life!

As always, Kamala was a true professional. Hopefully, she got that Wreck itch scratched to her satisfaction, even with complete(though involuntary) internet withdrawal.

Special thanks to Bill, who took a fair chunk of his personal dive time to train 5 of us in Solo Diving, as well as some Tech classes.

Great to have some new friends from the site, as well as to see a number of familiar faces. Thanks to all for making this trip a blast!

Chuuk is a MUST destination for all of us nitrogen junkies. I'll be back, someday, sons in tow.

THANK YOU, Kamala!!! Many blessings.

[WreckWench]

Internet is only slightly better here... but hopefully I'll get some pics up soon!

[jesterdiver]

Hey brother! Thrilled you had such a great time and I WILL be on the April 2016 trip if you're ready for round two by then! Glad you had a great and safe trip! />

Until one drops on to one of these wrecks, it is difficult to express the magnitude of what is to be expected. The sheer scale of them can be a bit overwhelming. This definitely is THE premier wreck diving site in the world. And it can be experienced at any level desired. I did 3 deeper penetrations on the trip & every single one was a mind-blowing experience. Being there for the 70th Anniversary of Operation Hailstone was a very special, unexpected treat. Those with more experience & comfort did much DEEPER & frequent penetrations.

IMHO, touring Pearl Harbor, the USS Arizona, Bowfin, Missouri & the aircraft museum are a MUST part of the experience. It really made the trip complete for me, personally. Chuuk & Pearl are intricately connected through history.

The Odyssey was fantastic. JJ & Kim were incredible hosts. The entire guide team was impeccable, eager & made sure everyone was comfortable & ready. Meals were superb! Probably the best bread I've ever had in my life!

As always, Kamala was a true professional. Hopefully, she got that Wreck itch scratched to her satisfaction, even with complete(though involuntary) internet withdrawal.

Special thanks to Bill, who took a fair chunk of his personal dive time to train 5 of us in Solo Diving, as well as some Tech classes.

Great to have some new friends from the site, as well as to see a number of familiar faces. Thanks to all for making this trip a blast!

Chuuk is a MUST destination for all of us nitrogen junkies. I'll be back, someday, sons in tow.

THANK YOU, Kamala!!! Many blessings.

[ScubaTurtle]

I'll second what Tim said and add that although I've said this was a once in a lifetime trip I will be returning to Truk. 2016 Trip is already going on the calendar and I'm going to try to plan to be able to afford it no matter what. When I return I'll hopefully be tech certified and able to dive doubles giving me a little longer dive times. That said however as long as your comfortable managing deco times using a rec computer and can perform some gas calculations Truk is definitely doable if your a more advanced recreational diver.

Absolutely amazing trip.

[Scubatooth]

Kamala - Now that things are a little more stable for me I can start planning for 2016 and be back upto par on my tech diving.

Jerry you going to make a third trip in 2016?

[Jerrymxz]

Kamala - Now that things are a little more stable for me I can start planning for 2016 and be back upto par on my tech diving.

Jerry you going to make a third trip in 2016?

I can't even think about that now, I'm still jet lagged from this trip!!

[Buzo Guero]

If I can get 150 dives under each of my sons' belts, we'll be there.

[Lephenix]

Now I understand why someone would want to go back. To do it better.

I will possibly be back for the deeper wrecks, better prepared, my equipment upgraded and better ajusted.

Now I feel ready for Bikini Atoll.

Thanks to all for an unbelievable experience.

Extra special thanks to Jerry for being my team-mate on deco dives. It was flawless.

Lephenix

[WreckWench]

To all...you have summarized the essence of 'wreck fever'... to do it better! We don't know what we don't know and we can NEVER stay down long enough! Hence the addiction to keep going back and diving these pinnacles of history.

Suffice it to say the trip was even better than the first for me and I am EAGERLY looking forward to 2016. In fact I have worked with the boat and we will have 3 trips...one partnered with a sister dive shop and two that are sd.com only trips. We are even looking at a tech trip option for those primarily wanting to limit the boat to 12 vs 16 divers...those wanting more access to the guides....those wanting to use 02 to off gas faster and those wishing to dive the San Fran more than once or perhaps another deep wreck in addition to the other amazing more shallow wrecks.

So stay tuned...we'll be opening these trips up in the next couple of months to allow our repeat members a little extra time to consider repeating this "Twice in a LifeTime or Thrice in a Lifetime" experience!!!

[Buzo Guero]

Prior to this trip, the largest wreck I'd been on was 110', max. Chuuk has opened up a whole new chapter in my diving career. I'm now obsessed with those ships. YES, diving them better, longer & deeper would be the draw. Plus, exposing my sons to the wrecks as soon as possible.

The reading materials I brought home (THANKS, DIANNE!), along with BOB, have only stoked that interest. I now know why Bob has over 325 dives in Chuuk & returns pretty much every year.

Ironic how Operation Hailstone & the ensuing bombardment rendered an amphibious invasion unnecessary & as a result this place has been lost to history vs. Wake, Midway, Guadalcanal, Tarawa, etc...

Honored to have shared the 70th Anniversary with you all...

[Scubatooth]

Wreck diving for me never gets old, and WW put it very well.

Jerry once you get done with the jet lag hit me up via text or email so we can talk. Things are looking good and by 2016 should be well back into the tech groove and maybe even CCR (will see).

WW which part of 2016? like spring or later in the year?

[WreckWench]

Hey gang...give Jerry some breathing room or I'll have to put him on payroll...lol...and he won't like the pay even if I could put on! LOL!

But seriously...I'll be starting a new thread so you can discuss it and we'll even open up booking in a few months for those who want to be sure they have a spot. But the dates are basically April 2016.

It will be a Truk World Tour with 3 truk trips and 2 sister trips and one week in between for either shore diving in Truk or diving in Guam or 3 days in Yap.

So it will be an extravaganza of a trip!