Truk Lagoon 2020 : RZ

THE SCUBA PLACE
WHERE TO DIVE :
TRUK LAGOON


TRUK LAGOON
In 1969, French oceanographer Jacques Cousteau and his team explored Truk Lagoon. Following Cousteau’s 1971 television documentary about the lagoon and its ghostly remains, the place became a scuba diving paradise, drawing wreck diving enthusiasts from around the world to see its numerous, virtually intact sunken ships. The shipwrecks and remains are sometimes referred to as the “Ghost Fleet of Truk Lagoon”.
During World War II, Truk Lagoon was the Empire of Japan’s main base in the South Pacific theatre. Truk was a heavily fortified base for Japanese operations against Allied forces in New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, serving as the forward anchorage for the Japanese Imperial Fleet.
Truk Lagoon was considered the most formidable of all Japanese strongholds in the Pacific. On the various islands, the Japanese Civil Engineering Department and Naval Construction Department had built roads, trenches, bunkers and caves. Five airstrips, seaplane bases, a torpedo boat station, submarine repair shops, a communications centre and a radar station were constructed during the war. Protecting these various facilities were coastal defence guns and mortar emplacements. Due to its heavy fortifications, both natural and manmade, the base at Truk was known to Allied forces as “the Gibraltar of the Pacific.”
A significant portion of the Japanese fleet was based at Truk, with its administrative centre on Tonoas (south of Weno). At anchor in the lagoon, were the Imperial Japanese Navy’s battleships, aircraft carriers, cruisers, destroyers, tankers, cargo ships, tugboats, gunboats, minesweepers, landing craft, and submarines. Some have described Truk as Japan’s equivalent of the Americans’ Pearl Harbour.
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In 1944, Truk’s capacity as a naval base was destroyed through naval air attack. Forewarned by intelligence a week before the US raid, the Japanese had withdrawn their larger warships (heavy cruisers and larger vessels) to Palau. Once the American forces captured the Marshall Islands, they used them as a base from which to launch an early morning attack on February 17, 1944 against Truk Lagoon. Operation Hailstone lasted for three days, as American carrier-based planes sank twelve smaller Japanese warships (light cruisers, destroyers, and auxiliaries) and thirty-two merchant ships, while destroying 275 aircraft, mainly on the ground. The consequences of the attack made “Truk lagoon the biggest graveyard of ships in the world.”
The attacks for the most part ended Truk as a major threat to Allied operations in the central Pacific. The Japanese garrison on Eniwetok was denied any realistic hope of reinforcement and support during the invasion that began on February 18, 1944, greatly assisting U.S. forces in their conquest of that island. Truk was isolated by Allied (primarily U.S.) forces, as they continued their advance towards Japan, by invading other Pacific islands, such as Guam, Saipan, Palau, and Iwo Jima. It was attacked again from 12 to 16 June 1945 by part of the British Pacific Fleet during Operation Inmate. Cut off, the Japanese forces on Truk and other central Pacific islands ran low on food and faced starvation before Japan surrendered in August 1945.
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BLUE LAGOON RESORT
At the Blue Lagoon Resort your comfort is not measured in square metres. The Blue Lagoon Resort has large and comfortably furnished rooms. Every room has a private balcony and a beautiful view. And the views from the dining room are truly picturesque. The natural scenery of the resort makes it easy to relax and take in the beauty of the Pacific.
Blue Lagoon is located at the centre of "Operation Hailstone,” the U.S. Navy Attack on Truk Lagoon that took place in February 1944. Many WWII relics left the the Imperial Japanese Navy remain on the resort premises, including defensive “pillboxes.”
The Blue Lagoon Dive Shop is a complete dive centre that offers air, nitrous and mixed gas. Multiple dive boats allow for smaller groups and greater flexibility.And for snorkelers there are two coral reef sanctuaries - Fonomu Island and Jeep Island.
[email protected] | 020 7644 8252 | www.comedivewithus.co.uk


MV ODYSSEY
The Odyssey boasts nine large, luxurious staterooms en suite and all fully carpeted with air conditioning controls, windows or large portholes. Seven of the staterooms are equipped to easily accommodate two single travellers in twin beds or a couple in a spacious king size bed. Also available are two staterooms for single travellers only – they have all the features of the double staterooms and easily accommodate the single traveller in a twin bed.
A day aboard Odyssey begins after a 7:00 a.m. hot breakfast with the first dive briefing around 7:45. You will be able to do two dives before lunch. During lunch the Odyssey will usually move to a new site. After lunch you have the option to either do another dive, or relax on the either of the sundecks or in the privacy of your own stateroom. A late afternoon dive is also offered. Around 6:30 p.m. a sumptuous dinner will be waiting for you. After dinner you may choose to do a night dive. At night guests usually gather in the entertainment lounge to enjoy a movie, or review what was captured that day in video. The best part about diving aboard Odyssey is that we don't require everyone to dive at the same time. So it is not unusual for you and your buddy to be the only divers on a 500' wreck.
[email protected] | 020 7644 8252 | www.comedivewithus.co.uk


ITINERARY
TRIP SUMMARY
THE GHOST FLEET OF TRUK LAGOON 2020 11 NIGHT ITINERARY: 3 November 2020 departure
- Return airfare London Heathrow to Truk Lagoon on Korean Air/United Airlines
- Overnight accommodation in Guam before ight to Chukk
- 1 night at Blue Lagoon Resort on Chuuk on bed & breakfast basis
- 7 nights aboard the Odyssey with all inclusive board basis
- 1 night at Blue Lagoon Resort after liveaboard
- All transfers and taxes
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PRICING : 16 SPACES ONLY
£4750 per person based on double occupancy
£750 non-refundable deposit per person to reserve space
balance due 12 weeks prior to departure Please review Booking Conditions here
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FLIGHT DETAILS : for reference only - ight will be published 11 months before departure Tuesday 3 November 2020 : Korean Airlines 908/111
departing : LHR - London Heathrow at 18:50
arriving : ICN - Seoul at 14:45 (GMT+9 / next day)
departing : ICN - Seoul at 19.35 (GMT+9)
arriving : GUM - Guam at 00:50 (GMT+10 / next day) on Thursday 5 November 2020 details : economy seating, 23kg checked baggage plus 12kg hand baggage, second bag $130USD
Friday 6 November 2020 : United Airlines 155
departing : GUM - Guam at 09:20 (GMT+10)
arriving : TKK - Chukk at 11:08 (GMT+10)
details : economy seating, 23kg checked baggage plus size restricted hand baggage and one personal item, second bag $50USD
Sunday 15 November 2020 : United Airlines 154
departing : TKK - Chukk at 16:20 (GMT+10)
arriving : GUM - Guam at 17:55 (GMT+10)
details : economy seating, 23kg checked baggage plus size restricted hand baggage and one personal item, second bag $50USD
Monday 16 November 2020 : Korean Airlines112/907 departing : GUM - Guam at 02:30 (GMT+10) arriving : ICN - Seoul at 06:15 (GMT+9) departing : ICN - Seoul at 13:00 (GMT+9) arriving : LHR - London Heathrow 16:30
details : economy seating, 23kg checked baggage plus 12kg hand baggage, second bag $130USD
[email protected] | 020 7644 8252 | www.comedivewithus.co.uk


ITINERARY
ACCOMMODATION DETAILS
Hilton Guam Resort & Spa : Guam, Micronesia
check in : Thursday 5 November 2020
check out : Friday 6 November 2020
details : twin or double room, continental breakfast included. As we will be arriving in the very
early morning hours, this is e ectively a two-night stay.
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ACCOMMODATION DETAILS
Blue Lagoon Resort : Truk Lagoon
check in : Friday 6 November 2020
check out : Saturday 7 November 2020
details : twin room, bed & breakfast board
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LIVEABOARD DETAILS
MV Odyssey : Truk Lagoon
check in : Saturday 7 November 2020 check out : Saturday 14 November 2020 details : twin cabin, all inclusive board
DIVING DETAILS
Odyssey Adventures : Truk Lagoon
details : 6 days diving with up to 5 dives per day, free NITROX for certi ed divers (please have
certi cation card available)
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ACCOMMODATION DETAILS
Blue Lagoon Resort : Truk Lagoon
check in : Saturday 14 November 2020
check out : Sunday 15 November 2020
details : twin room, bed & breakfast board
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NOT INCLUDED:
airline upgrades : we can arrange for higher class seating and/or extra baggage, please contact us for up to date pricing
Hilton and Blue Lagoon extras : extra meals and drinks
single supplement for entire trip : available at an additional charge of £680
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[email protected] | 020 7644 8252 | www.comedivewithus.co.uk


ITINERARY
BOOKING DETAILS:
To book this trip please contact us 020 7644 8252 or at [email protected]
Any change in pricing due to ight availability or other circumstances will be disclosed and discussed
Tickets and full travel documentation for group travel will be issued to all passengers 2 weeks prior to departure. All passengers will receive con rmation of their booking and receipt for deposit or any payment immediately after processing along with an ATOL certi cate.
Passenger names as listed on passport, together with passport number and expiry date, date of birth and nationality is required for each passenger travelling before nal documents can be distributed.
Travel and Diving Insurance are mandatory.
This brochure is intended for marketing purposes only. You will have been alerted to the conditions of your booking at the time of booking and as soon as we issue our con rmation invoice, a contract will exist between you and The Holiday Place Plc. Please check your con rmation invoice carefully and contact us immediately if any details are not correct. The contract is made on the terms of our booking conditions, which are governed by English Law, and the jurisdiction of the English Courts.
Please review all Booking Conditions here Thank you!
[email protected] | 020 7644 8252 | www.comedivewithus.co.uk


TRUK LAGOON GALLERY
© Tim Rock (FSM Visitors Board) © Bonnie Pelnar, Under Watercolours (Odyssey Adventures)