Anybody been to Chuuk?

[deepdiver47]

Looking for info for a possible January trip. Thinking about staying/diving with the Truk Stop.

[ScubaToys Larry]

It's been about 4 years.. but yea... Awesome diving. Now, I'd tell you to do a live aboard. I was on the Aggressor there and it was great. And since you're in the tropics - you get all these quick heavy rain falls all the time. I remember sitting under the canopy, nibbling some snacks, and here comes an open boat with a bunch of divers squinting from the rain pelting them, they hook on to our tag line to do the dive, then after - off they go back to shore.

And then we had to spend one night on shore at a motel before the flight the next day. So we asked, what is there to do, what should we go see... and they told us - "Do not go out after dark around here - you'll get mugged". I told them, there are a dozen of us, and we're pretty big guys, he said, "Doesn't matter - do not leave the property after dark..."

Made me glad we only had one night on the island.

Now maybe things have changed, or maybe that was exaggerated, but that's what happened when I went... But the diving was amazing!

[Travelnsj]

I was there about 5 years ago...I would not stay at the Truk Stop...stay at the Blue Lagoon...Truk reminds me of a poor mans Jamacia....unless you are 100% into wrecks....go to Palau....been there 8 times...plenty of wrecks....and the diving is the best overall i've encountered....need any info let me know.

[Krakenn]

LOL, We aussies walk off into the night and later the guy from the hotel drives up and tells us we have better get home before we get into trouble. noone ever says that. - you know dumb Aussies everyone is a friend until they start shooting at you. Well we had no trouble but there was alot of drug and alcohol abuse on the island. If you get up to the Truk Stop bar over the bar you will see an US dollar stapled there by my mates and i along with a few others. Its right over the centre bar just look up. Im told its still there, I would love to hear back from you if you see it. It will say Kenn John and Shane and a few other words.... sigh

Well being an Aussie Id rather die on my feet than on my knees dude so I reckon youll have fun and there is more to offer at Truk Stop and besides Blue Lagoon is on the other side of the Island and it costs alot to get a Taxi - Hehehehe wait till you see the Taxis. Fasten your seat belt smiles.

Divemaster Dan is a Yank that, well he has been too deep for too long but we really liked him. His knowledge of the wrecks is second to none. The local boys take you out on the boats and these guys are unbelievable divers, their boyancy control and knowledge of where the wrecks are is just well wowww. But if Cptn Dan (We all ended up calling him that) invites you over for a dinner/bbq at his place, um just ask, innocently like, what meat is cooking ok as the delicacy on the Island is Pig followed by Dog. Pigs are really expensive.

I stayed at Truk Stop and enjoyed it though i must agree the Island is like a tipsite which is disappointing. We wouldnt stay at Blue Lagoon as a few years ago a new Wreck was found and the chatter was that the bell was taken by a local. You may have seen the programme on TV about the expedition. They also found a second ship 90m in length but wouldnt reveal its location after the bell was taken from the first ship they found.

Lol I remember going out to the 'Nightclub' - Smiles double storied place sort of mexican villa stlye of thing, there everyone is spitting this red crap around blood nut or something and you go down stairs to the toilets and there is a generator going full bore with no ventillation. I remember thinking dont pass out here dude or theyll take you home in a bag.

If you stay on the island do the gun emplacement tour it is amazing to see all these caves and gun emplacements in the island. One of the things to remember is that your dive guide will only take you to islands that he has relatives on as there are very close family territories in Chuuk.

You'll love the Shark Dive - Just hold your position!

Upon re-reading this, it may seem a little off putting but can I assure you that the diving is amazing and this is a spot you JUST have to dive one day.

So to answer your question, yes I would stay at Truk Stop again, though please recognise that it isnt as modern as Blue Lagoon.

Oh if you decide to give the boys a tip at the end of the week take it out to them personally on your last dive. We gave all our left over duty free booze to Cptn Dan.

You'll like Truk Stop im sure, but if any aussies read this the beer is um different it tastes like they have watered it down and they dont have lemonade its this funny yellowy stuff- urggg - Take a few bottles of scotch or Jacks.

All the best see you down there

Krakenn

[chinacat46]

I really enjoyed Truk even though I'm not that much into wrecks. Was amazing diving and the guides really knew the wrecks. I dove with Aggressor which is no longer there. If I had to stay on land I'd probably go someplace Truk is the pit of Micronesia. Makes Yap look like a paradise.

[deepdiver47]

easy, I like Yap. It is small and quiet. Been there twice and would go again.

[Travelnsj]

Originally Posted by deepdiver47

easy, I like Yap. It is small and quiet. Been there twice and would go again.

Have you ever been to Palau?

[chinacat46]

Originally Posted by deepdiver47

easy, I like Yap. It is small and quiet. Been there twice and would go again.

I never said I didn't like Yap just that Truk makes Yap look like a paradise. But face it the island of Yap is pretty dirty with garbage along the side of the road, etc... If I'm gonna go that far I prefer Palau.

[Travelnsj]

Originally Posted by chinacat46

I never said I didn't like Yap just that Truk makes Yap look like a paradise. But face it the island of Yap is pretty dirty with garbage along the side of the road, etc... If I'm gonna go that far I prefer Palau.

Chuck being I am not doing my annual trek to Palau in March....thinking of Palau and the Philippines in the fall of 2008...and I am hoping Keith with PalauDive will join me....interested?

[chinacat46]

Yeah that sounds good keep me in the loop. Maybe we could stay at the Truk Stop and do a layover in Yap :-)