Island Tour Gone Bad

OK, my turn to tell about this EPIC vacation for a little bit.  This place has surpassed all my expectations and I've learned a years worth in 10 days time.  First of all let me say that it takes a looooong time to get here!  We've had a wonderful week and we're ready to come home and see our children, work hard and start football season! However, we're not looking forward to the, I don't know. . . . 15 hours of traveling time on a plane that it takes to get there.  Oh well, we'll do what we have to do. I'll stop complaining now and tell you some of the great things I've learned on this trip.  Unlike my talented and VERY adorable husband, I am not a technical diver but I have learned to adapt to my environment despite my fears of going past 130 feet deep in the ocean, claustrophobia and a big fear of being eaten by a shark.  I am proud to report that I have faced those fears this week and I was successful.  However I found out that I am a kleptomaniac.  It's very difficult for me to resist picking up one WWII bullet out of a thousand lying around and not want to pack it away in my suitcase.  I mean, really, whose going to miss it?  Ok it might be a federal offense to take ammunition in your luggage so I threw it back in the lagoon and moved on to other possibilities. Like this great little brown glass medicine bottle that was about 2 inches tall.  I could have packed it away without anyone knowing, right?  My conscience got the best of me.  There are signs posted everywhere here saying No pillaging and plundering.  So I put the cute little bottle back that would have looked so great sitting on my shelf.  I found this little bottle on my last and most comfortable dive.  100 feet down into a ship called the Kansho Maru.  We went through a massive hole on her port side (I've learned some good nautical terms too).  Swam into a storage area with oxygen cylinders and took a turn into the engine room.  Went around some torn and twisted catwalks and swam through silty passageways where we came into a cargo hold with boxes, batteries, bicycles, more cylinders, artillery shells, as always, the ever present saki bottles that were everywhere on every wreck we entered, and the brown glass medicine bottles sitting beneath the thick silt that layers everything.  Through another doorway into more passageways with some twists and turns I see the sole of a shoe, not the first one I've seen and a grim reminder of the war-torn graveyard we are swimming through.  I see a little box and rusty metal strewn here and there. One more turn takes me into the ship's galley with a white tiled floor, sinks and a stove.  Amazing!  I swim out and over the railing of the bridge toward the stern to take a look at her propeller.  Time is getting short and it's time to head back to the deck and get one last look at the beautiful marine life that has made the Kansho their home.  

Everyone is back on board the dive boat and excited to go to the island of Dublon, also known as Tonoas.  Our dive master Nick is going to lead us on a tour of his home island which we can see from our resort on the island of Moen.  A short boat ride and we are off the boat and walking into the jungle.  We walk past the poorest living conditions I've ever witnessed.  There is a man lying on the floor of a house with no walls in his loin cloth.  We walk up the hill admiring the beautiful foliage of the bread fruit trees, mango trees and banana trees.  There is a group of men sitting, watching us as we pass.  We are fish in a fish bowl.  There are crude Japanese monuments.  Down the road we are met by the men of the village and up walk the teenagers with their machetes in hand.  Yikes!!!!  We are feeling very uncomfortable as they walk along with us.  We arrive at what we came to see which is a tunnel system that the Japanese used during the war.  We take pictures while these people stare us down and then we go into the tunnel, just a few steps.  One of the men approaches and tells us that we are expected to pay $2 per person because we are on his family's land.  Ok, clearly we are not welcome here and this is an unexpected surprise.  We look at our guide and he is of no help.  We reluctantly pay the $8 and leave.  Instead of heading back to the boat like we should have, we turn away and go down a causeway.  There is thick jungle on either side of us and we come to a bridge where we are again met by the machete wielding teenagers.  We take some pictures while these boys are obviously mocking in their native language of Chuukese.  Our guide talks to them and then we headed back to the boat.  Only this time, these guys are right on Steve's heals.  I'm completely freaked out and Steve's just waiting for an ambush and getting more angry by the minute.  He stops about every 10 steps and looks at them square in the eye but they don't back down.  He asks out guide if they want trouble and he says no but we are feeling very threatened.  Pretty soon, the punks leave and we get back on the boat.  I had been holding my breath for like a mile just waiting for the situation to escalate and get out of hand.  I knew Steve had a plan and was ready to bring them down along with Jeff.  Holy Cow!!  We are so naive and think everyone is as nice and welcoming as we are in our country.  It was a good lesson to learn.  Later, back at the resort, I find out that it is offensive for women to show their thighs and should wear skirts!  Well if someone would have let me in on that little bit of information, that would have been helpful as I was wearing boardshorts!  We went straight from diving to the "island tour" so I just threw on something that would be quick drying and comfortable in the oppressive heat and humidity.  I think that the problem was a little more than me dawning my thighs but I'm sure it was part of the issue.  I was so happy that we said our prayers that morning and felt that we were definitely protected!  

On our way home, one of our flights stops in Guam Where we spend the night.  Sitting in front of us on the flight is the Mission President and his wife, President and Sister Dowdle.     They were cute as we visited with them for quite some time.  They told us that they have missionaries on the same island that we felt threatened on.  Those missionaries are there for 2 years and most live without electricity.  Watch out Jordon!HAHA

 Well, we are in Guam and will be home in 24 hours Yeah!  See you all soon

Diving the living time capsules

Every morning I have woken up at 4:00 am in anticipation of the day of diving.  I feel like it is Christmas Eve every night I go to bed on the Island of Truk.  We have been eager to dive as many wrecks as possible.  Every night we stay up and research out the next days dive.  Rhonda found the best book that tells the history of each ship it's purpose in the war,  it's contents ie:  tanks, guns, cargo holds ect... and of course it's condition today.  most ships have torpedo holes big enough to drive a truck through.  Usually that is the way we gain entrance into the interior of these massive giants of twisted steel.  We have bright LED and HID flash lights that illuminate our way.  Most of the time there are bright glowing green windows of light shining through to help with visibility.  I feel like we have literally taken a time capsule back in time and have visualized the war and what it might have been like during the bombing.  On a dive yesterday we dove 175 feet to the San Francisco and as we landed on the deck we were greeted by hundreds of Jelly Fish ready to attack us!  It reminded me of ww2 photos of anti aircraft artillery being shot at our American Fighter Planes.  I will post the photo at http://gallery.me.com/stevenlfrost  The Jelly fish were so annoying I finally had to start punching them to stun them and then they fall away from us!haha

Anyways this particular wreck carried bull dozers old cars and lots of bombs.  Check out the old 1940ish looking trucks and cars.  Very vintage!  After a 15 minute bottom time we make our way back to the ascent line and start our long Deco time on the line.  As we move up the line slowly beneath us swarm 7 white tip reef sharks that look very hungry.  Fortunately they weren't more than a visual threat. As we ascend our bodies rid themselves of built up nitrogen accumulated while diving.  It takes 30 minutes of hanging on the lines to do the trick.  Right before getting on the boat a school of baby squid come to hang out with me!  Very fun.  Well, that was half of my day.  A 2 hour surface interval and we are ready to go back in the water.  This time it is off to the Betty Bomber.  A downed plane a half mile from the Eten Field Airport 1946.  It is a lot like our b-52 bomber.  Of course at depth it is a mess although the fuselage is pretty much still intact.  Once back on top of the water we head back to the Blue Lagoon for a dinner of Rice and some sort of Stir Fry Beef.  Not too bad.  

Well, tomorrow is the last day of this Journey.  I can't wait to get back and share all of our pictures.  Diving has only been part of this adventure.  I have learned a lot about Truk and World War 2 and my own version of the Discovery Channel Steve Frost Style...

Wreck Divers Heaven

Chuuk Lagoon is a wreck divers paradise.  It is home to over 60 WW2 sunken war, cargo and other ships.  Diving these wrecks is much much more than going through cargo holds and engine rooms.  I had no idea the beauty and serenity that would await us as we arrived in Truk pronounced (Chuuk)  thanks to the Germans pronunciation of the TR sound CH.  Immaculate oasis type grounds with an almost 360 degree view of the lagoon from the resort.  Palm trees are of course the foreground for the view to the South Pacific.  

Early in the 1900's the Japanese Army came and built many Army strongholds, airfields and bunker fortifications.  The native Chuukese people were employed and greatful to have them on the ISLANDS.  But when WW2 started to escalate the Japanese enslaved the people and took their food and Truk lagoon became a supply stronghold for the Japanese.  

Operation Hailstorm Feb 17 & 18 1946 caught the Japanese off gaurd and the American bombers took aim for two days and sunk over 60 vessels.  In speaking with the people here they say it was a very scary time but many of the them including the founder of the resort Kimiuo Aisek came out of his bunker protection to witness the bombing and sinking of the ships.  He was 17 years old.  Several years later in the early 60's he was employed as a skin diver to help wipe out a star fish infestation.  As he traveled to different parts of the lagoon he noticed oil floating to the surface.  he stopped his boat and dawned his early scuba equipment and dove one of the Japanese wrecks.  Soon he was mapping these dive sites and recovering different artifacts.  

In 2001 Kimiuo passed away a huge legend and employer of  hundreds of family and friends on his resort.

His picture is all over the resort and it is not hard to tell that he was loved.

When we arrived I noticed a nice looking Chuukese man in the background as we checked in.  He resembled the pictures of Kimiou.  Could he be a relative?  The next day he was walking past our table at dinner time and we stopped him and asked him who he was.  Sure enought he was Kimiuo's son who now runs the resort.  We asked if he would join us for dinner some time and he was really nice and agreed.  We spent and hour with Bradford out at the point of the lagoon with the the most beautiful sunset I have ever witnessed.  He spoke freely about his dad and his people.  His smile is broad and very comforting.  At 48 years old he has hosted many dignataries including a month with JFK jr.  John Mccain has been here three times with wife Cindy.  Bradfoed said that each time John McCain would come he brought many doctors and health care to his people on the Island.  He was very impressed with the McCains.  Lets hope he gets elected President!  We discussed the war, freedom, and of course diving.  In 1984 the Japanese Government came in and salvaged as many of the remains as possible.  He told us he was personally involved in the effort.  In the Akikou he witnessed 480 skulls removed.  Amazing!   He now employs mostly family in Uncles Cousins ect...

As you walk around the grounds it's easy to see that these people take pride in their unique part of the world.  It's immaculate and perfectly clean and manicured.  The only part that is hard for us is that we are a day ahead and sleep is hard to come by.  I am wide awake at 4:00 am truk time every morning.  

Well, we have had a blast and if it weren't for a job and children we would definitely stay here for a long time.haha  It is truly one of the most peaceful places I have ever been.  So now you know my story...  What an adventure.  Oh yeah today we dove the SanFrancisco freighter.  200 feet with lots of cool stuff on deck like 3 tanks 4 truks bombs and lots more bombs.   Steve

Tuesday August 26? I think!??

I have no idea what the date is.  I know it's Tuesday but I am so confused haha.  We had a great day today.  Got to see Sharks, Tanks Trucks Clown fish Dolphins ect...  It was awesome.  Here is the right web site to view the pics  http://gallery.me.com/stevenlfrost  Let me know if that isn't right!  Enjoy the pics from halfway around the world!  Isn't technology awesome!  We miss everyone!  Steve and Rhonda

We finally made it!

Our adventure started out Thursday morning The 21st of August.  As always it is a whirl wind of activities to "get it all together" before heading to the airport.  This time was no different.  Wed night was a lot of fun with the office staff and friends at the D backs game.  After the game it took until midnight to get packed and ready.  3:00 am came early and irritating kinda like the sand paper in my eyes.  My eyes are very sensitive to lack of sleep.  Thank goodness for my new blue eye  spray drops.  Just ask Kim from the office!

After spending 2 hours on the runway in Phoenix we were off to the races.  When we landed in Huoston we sat for 30 minutes on the runway waiting for a gate.  Our connection to Honolulu was due to leave in 5 minutes.  We had to run and caught our connection with a minute to spare. The next plane was a 2 3 2 seater.   It was unbelievably packed.  7 and a half hours later we were in Honolulu and headed for Wikiki beach.  It is now 7:30pm Arizona time.  Wikiki is a cross between SanFrancisco and the beach.  I couldn't believe how crowded it was.  Tawna would have been proud of us as we went to Cheesecake Factory for dinner.  Because of our flight delay we only had a small amount of airplane yucky food, so we were starving!  Yes I got the double bacon cheese burger, and Rhonda got her usual Baja Chicken tacos.  

We stayed right on the beach and got to sleep at 1:00 am Arizona time.  Our next flight was at 6:00 am.  When they printed out our boarding passes there were 5 of them?!  What was up with that.  Then I realized we had 4 stops at tiny islands before reaching Truk.  Ouch!  Luckily our first 5 hour leg we were in the exit row.  Uneventful!  Right before we landed in Majuro we crossed the international Date line.  So now it was Sat Morning Friday Evening in Arizona!  Confused yet?  Me too!  So we were 3 hours ahead of Honolulu but the next day.  wierd...

As we descended to Majuro we could only see a tiny island with the most narrow landing strip I have ever seen.  Uneventful landing.  On the runway looking to the right you could see water, looking to the left you could see yep water.  The runway was several hundred yards wide with water on both sides!  Amazing!  

The next flight we crossed another time zone change and landed at a U.S. military base called Kwajalein.  No pictures and de-boarding were allowed?!  The next flight 45 minutes long was to Pohnpei.  This Island was lush green and very tropical with huge Volcanic mountains.  It reminded me a lot of the landscape of Lost the TV show, or Kuawii.  Oh yeah we crossed another time zone.  Well, needless to say we finally made it in Truk at 4:00 Sat afternoon or 11:00 pm Friday night Arizona time.  Crazy!  On the way to the Blue Lagoon Hotel we stopped at a grocery store and ran into the Elders.  Rhonda freaked out and really enjoyed the visit.  it was really nice as we have been missing Steven lately.  The Blue lagoon is Awesome.  Not the greatest rooms but very comfortable.  A/C but a view to die for.  The Lagoon is right outside our balcony.  Well, I will have to post more later.  To see pictures so far visit www.me.com/gallery/#10019  enjoy and send us a reply or comment  It's Tuesday  Morning...