Chuuk, Micronesia

                                                                             

                                           Notice the ship in the background!

Mel had been working on a snorkeling tour in Chuuk since the beginning of the cruise. He had 3 full boats and a few going with a different company, 25 in all! It is supposed to be one of the best dive sites for sunken ships and planes from WWII. We were to tender in so we told everyone to try to get on the first tender. We were in line shortly before 11:30, arrival time was noon. Just before noon the Capt.  announced that we would be able to dock, meaning we would be exiting aft rather than forward. Our group headed down the length of the ship to find an already long line. Oh well, it moves fast when we just have to walk off. 

We walked off into the pouring rain. Not exactly great snorkeling weather. We found our boats and got on. They had shade covers which did nothing to keep the rain out. We started out and the rain kept getting worse. Then the waves were becoming quite big making it seem pretty dangerous. The ship's Rabbi and wife were on our boat. She kept saying "This doesn't feel safe!" I finally asked the driver to take us to the Blue Lagoon Resort where their dive shop is. The Rabbi, his wife, another lady and I got off. We were soaked to the skin. Our bags had been in a compartment on the boat so hopefully my watch, camera, etc, were safe and dry. The 4 of us walked over to the resort. It was pretty primitive but looked nice. I had picked up shells in Majuro and one had a crab inside. I kept it happy for 2 days and was able to release it at the resort. (We are now missing our little friend!) They had a small gift shop, that was about it. We went out front to find a taxi. The guys who worked there said they don't have that type of service. Fortunately some folks from our ship arrived in a taxi and we were able to take that one back to the pier. (By taxi I mean an old car with a piece of cardboard on the dash that said TAXI.) We had been told that the road is bumpy. That was an understatement! It was one pot hole after another with some construction added in. Took us some time to get back. But we were able to see a lot of the island. There were many abandoned buildings and run down homes. It looked very poor. The one nice building was a Mormon church. 

Once at the ship I changed and headed out again. I was hoping to find some handicrafts. Everyone I asked said there was nothing to see.....and they were right! I headed to the left first. The road was bumper to bumper with cars and trucks trying to avoid people and holes in the road. Some places were down to one lane so there were police directing traffic. Someone mentioned later that it could have been because everyone was in town to see the ship! I found a couple of stores with not much merchandise. Went into a hotel to see if they had a gift shop, no. I even went into the airport thinking they might, again no. A man in a truck asked if I was from the ship. We talked for a few minutes. He had lived in Dublin, CA which is not far from us, as well as in several other towns in CA. He offered to drive me around but since I was alone I declined. Walked back to the ship then headed in the other direction. I did finally find a gift shop in another hotel with a few handicrafts. I also found a store with a lot of clothing. I bought 2 tops. Thought about a Chuukenese dress but they are more frufru than the ones from Majuro so figured the tops might get more wear. I was taking pictures from the hotel when Mel's boat went by so got a picture of that! Good timing. Went back to the ship around 4:30, once again pretty soaked with very muddy feet. Not a great stop. 

In the meantime, Mel had a great experience. They made 3 different stops, first to see a Japanese Zero plane. It was upside down but in such shallow water that he was able to dive down and touch it. Next was a mine sweeper, then to an area with a lot of colorful corral. He came back totally soaked but very happy with the experience. Too bad it was raining and stormy all day. The movies he took under water are very muted colors. Everyone on the ship agreed that there was little to see in Chuuk. Because of the diving Mel had mentioned it would be a good place to go back to for a week. I don't think so!!!

Today at sea it was still rainy. The ship is rocking a bit for the first time this trip. I actually enjoy the motion. I started walking on deck and it was windy and wet. I figured that was the windy side, it would be calmer on the other side. Wrong! The rain was blowing thru the railing onto the deck. The wind was gusting and propelling me a bit in the right direction. I was the only person out there for the 30 minutes that I walked. One couple did walk half way around before going in. I only did 2 miles and could feel the different muscles I'd had to use to stay upright! I sure hope the storm has passed by tomorrow when we will reach Guam.