Headed to Palau and Truk/Chuuk. Any suggestions?

[Kevrumbo]

I'm so excited I'm almost literally vibrating. It's going to be a *long* year!

On the plus side, the planning and logistics is at least half the fun.

THANK YOU for all who've given hints and suggestions. Please keep it up.

R.

I haven't looked for diver's insurance yet, but it's on my List Of Things To Do.

Ear drops are *always* in my kit-- I just bought another bottle last week, just to be on the safe side.

I tend towards warm-water diving and usually dive in swim-trunks, neoprene gloves (my fingers do tend to get cold), booties and a turtlefur top (warm AND keeps the bcd comfy- I have a long and short sleeve) or a shorty (depending on conditions). I have a 5mm wetsuit for slightly colder stuff or if I'm doing a penetration, but I'm considering picking up a 3mm for the trip-- I'm trying to decide if the 5mm is overkill and if it's worth it comfort-wise to spring for a 3mm.

If I dove more than two-three trips a year, I'd get an O2 analyzer, but honestly, for the amount Odyssey is charging, they can spring for one. Doing tanks off-peak works fine for me, and I don't think I can justify the price of an analyzer if I'm only going to be able to use it a few times a year.

Thanks!

R.

Buy and bring your own O2 analyzer --otherwise you will be waiting on 8 to 12 fellow Nitrox divers at both Palau Dive Adventures and Truk Odyssey (it's a nice convenience to have your own).

I use a 0.5 mm skinsuit and layer a 2mm hooded vest underneath (that is, consider layering your body trunk & core versus buying a full thickness 3mm wetsuit). 5mm is too thick and will overheat.

 

[Kevrumbo]

If you got time & budget within this year for training, recommend taking at very least Intro to Doubles Tech Diving & Advanced Nitrox/Decompression Procedures (see Boulderjohn here on ScubaBoard, Tech Instructor located in Boulder CO).

The best technical wreck instructors are usually the ones regularly diving these types of wrecks that you're interested in (WWII tropical Indo-Pacific Wrecks). Check out DevonDiver here on SB; or Sam Collett at TechAsia, both holding courses at Subic Bay Philippines.

The best in residence Truk Lagoon Wreck Instructor and most aknowledged Dive Guide (2009 - 2015) is Rob McGann, but he moved back home to Florida last year.

 

[flybigjet]

If you got time & budget within this year for training, recommend taking at very least Intro to Doubles Tech Diving & Advanced Nitrox/Decompression Procedures (see Boulderjohn here on ScubaBoard, Tech Instructor located in Boulder CO).

Budget is well on its way to getting maxed out. As well, I only average being home about ten days a month-- makes logistics tricky.

I have considered those two courses and will certainly reach out to Boulderjohn, but at the moment, I'm living in a Big Metal Box in either Miami or Houston for the next month or so-- and training comes before playtime.

Additionally, my wife would definitely not be interested in doing those courses-- Advanced and Nitrox is pretty much at the limit of her interest. Not entirely certain that it would be worthwhile for me as I'm not going to leave her own devices in the water, and I'm not diving solo at that depth. That would be a quick marriage-ender.

Part of this trip is that we do things *together*-- I'm certain that going off to do tech diving without her would be a Bad Idea.

As in "Screw the couch-- go sleep in the garage!" sort of bad idea.

One of the questions I asked the folks at the Odyssey was whether or not I was wasting my time-- they actually recommended *against* taking any tech/deco classes if I'm not going to continue to do that sort of thing.

So now I have conflicting advice. Great!

R.

 

[Zeagle Eagle]

Glad to hear they have a deco chamber. About time.
Don't forget the time zone change.It's something like 16 hours. With your job I am sure you have dragged your sorry butt through enough time zones and sunsets or was that a sunrise. Leave enough time to get over it.

 

[blahanson]

Is more training better than less? Yes, no question. I didn't use doubles, nor tech or wreck certification. Be a safe diver, one who knows his limits. Be familiar with your computer, does hurt to bring the manual. Be comfortable doing dives in the 100-130' range. I penetrated the wreck only when following guides, and then mostly superstructure. Lots of exit points. Would I have loved to have visited every engine room? Yes. Did I miss out, perhaps. Did I have an amazing time, just the same? YES.

 

[Kevrumbo]

Well, I'm turning 50 this year and my wife finally cleared me in hot to plan the dream dive vacation I've been lusting over for 25 years. I just got the vacation for the proper time period approved from my company, so I'm deep into planning and am looking for suggestions and advice. I've been around the pacific a fair bit, but have never made it to these two particular islands (although I'm sort-of-maybe considering taking a job over there that would allow me to fly between Guam, Truk, Palau, Yap and a bunch of other orphans regularly).

I've had two sets of dive buddies in Truk over the years who were all Air Force pilots and flew either the Island Hopper or non-stop trans-Pacific Route from HNL to GUM: one Pilot/Co-Pilot Team were AF Academy Grads & Iraqi Freedom Fighter Jocks now currently working for United Airlines, while another just retired from Air Mobility Op Wing Hickam/Pearl Harbor. The only other way I know of to get a good civilian Gov't contract job year-to-year out there in Marshall Islands/Micronesia, is the test range at Kwajalein Atoll. Good luck with your potential Job assignment!

To get there: Fly Denver to Narita to Guam. Spend a few hours in Narita waiting for a flight, then layover in Guam.

Sounds like United's widebody 787 Dreamliner (?) non-stop Denver to Narita. Haven't had the chance to fly in one of those yet

So. Advice? War stories? Recommendations on places to stay?
Thanks, all!
R.

Almost forgot: the best spa for your wife and dinner buffet for you both (but steep in price!) is at the Palau Pacific Resort.

FYI --As for the worst case inconvenience of a rare aborted landing due to weather at Weno Int'l Airport in Truk (Chuuk), please read the following thread for contingency planning suggestions if you get stuck in Pohnpei, and for dealing with United Airlines:

Truk and an aborted Trip - Thanks United

 

[flybigjet]

I've had two sets of dive buddies in Truk over the years who were all Air Force pilots and flew either the Island Hopper or non-stop trans-Pacific Route from HNL to GUM: one Pilot/Co-Pilot Team were AF Academy Grads & Iraqi Freedom Fighter Jocks now currently working for United Airlines, while another just retired from Air Mobility Op Wing Hickam/Pearl Harbor. The only other way I know of to get a good civilian Gov't contract job year-to-year out there in Marshall Islands/Micronesia, is the test range at Kwajalein Atoll. Good luck with your potential Job assignment!

Sounds like United's widebody 787 Dreamliner (?) non-stop Denver to Narita. Haven't had the chance to fly in one of those yet

Yup-- I'm all of the above. Flew long-haul C-5 Galaxy's for the AF/AFRES for 26 years. I have a LOT of time between Hawaii, Guam and Japan. And a lot of other places. Been flying for United for almost 19 years as well-- I'm currently in training on the 737 (again)-- which is what they fly as the "Island Hopper" in Guam. Sort of debating taking a bid there when my wife's done with school.

And yes, it's a 787-- the "DreamCrusher", "Sparky", or "The Firebird", if you prefer. It's a neat toy-- the side windows are very big and don't have shades-- they dim electrically. It's pretty trick.

R.

 

[Zeagle Eagle]

Oh yeah, how many cup holders does it have?

 

[flybigjet]

Oh yeah, how many cup holders does it have?

Beats me. I don't drive it.

 

[Zeagle Eagle]

I have several buddies that are currently flying it. They love it. They all said the ground school was the best ever also.