Completed a dream journey after only 24 years

As you probably know, diving in the ocean, sharks, ship wrecks and their history is one of my great passions.

In 1991, we travelled from South-Africa to Guam and Truk Lagoon, also known as Chuuk Lagoon, located within the Federated States of Micronesia. Some describe Truk Lagoon, considered the most formidable stronghold in the Pacific during WWII, as the Japanese Pearl Harbour.

We explored 20 of 47 recorded ship wrecks, attacked and destroyed in operation Hailstone, back in February 17, 1944. Our deepest dive was on  the Aikoku Maru at 60m. My favourite dive was on the Sankisan Maru, still holding ammunition, trucks, airplane engines, medicine bottles, and patrolled by white-tipped reef sharks. 

Here are a few scans of photos we took, many, many years ago.

   

In December, 24 years later, we finally completed the journey, travelling to Pearl Harbour. “Aloha”!

It was another trip back in time, to December 7th 1941, when the Japanese attacked Pearl harbour without warning. The Pearl Harbour park and especially the USS Arizona memorial is an interesting experience. A mix of awe, remembering and reflecting, while smelling and watching oil still bubbling to the surface. 

Hawai’i is stunningly beautiful and we will definitely be back.

Meeting up with Chuck and family, and enjoying a Loco Moco breakfast together, was very special

Comments

• Anonymous
  January 05, 2016
  Wow. '24 years later' inspired me to look forward for more in life.