The lunar eclipse in Kwaj; beautiful night was very enjoyable. There was only a slight wind, perfect temperatures, the sound of the surf hitting the reef, all the stars brightly shining. We even saw some shooting stars and a couple of satellites tracking across the night sky.

In full eclipse; the moon looked red.

Had to wait for the moon to rise above the clouds.

Headed to watch the lunar eclipse.

Right before the eclipse there was a double rainbow--this is the Reef BQ.

The guest of "honor" last night at the Kwajalein Scuba Club Xmas party:
Not much, but can you figure out which Bachelor's Quarters room I have:

Cowries cover the outside of the shell with a flexible type skin and then pull back inside. Here is a nice size one which has not pulled completely back inside.

Fresh from the ocean.

Everyone was there for the lighting of our “Christmas tree”. The tree was over 30’ tall and nice and green (on top). The aroma coming off the tree was not what I remembered but then I have not been to many events in December dressed in T-shirt and shorts and the girls danced the hula.
It is rather skinny for a Christmas tree but it is the tropics.

A before shot the big lighting took place.

We had a good turn-out.

Chris Lewis (Okie), Dan Gooch, Kyle Smith, Greg "Tree" McCarty & Owen Haley.

Lots of folks here--everyone rides a bike here.

Wesel, the best varmint killing dog that I have ever seen had an encounter with a bobcat in the backyard at home. After a $400 visit to the vet, here is what she looked like:

On the return trip to Kwajalein had a nice double rainbow!

The SR-001 took us back as the cat did not run on Sunday.

Coming back from Meck Island on my 58th birthday, still chasing rainbows and refusing to grow up!

The view from the gate/guard shack, the ocean about 100 yards away.

Not bad patrolling on the area on bike; can't show you most of the area but it is a nice ride!

The runway is fenced in the middle now; only copters can land.

Get to Patrol on the bike, usually good weather and great views!

While checking the area sometimes shells get in the way and jump into you pocket!

Some great very private beaches!

I got away from the desk for a day and found two new-born turtles walking down the street that morning. They hatch out during the night and are in the water before morning light usually. I got to help them get to the ocean, ahead of the other critters out here getting them.

Kosrae

I stayed at the Nautilus Resort, air conditioned, clean and offered other things to do. You could not drink the tap water, only the rain water. Oh, they took my tube of toothpaste in Pohnpei-almost empty but too big a tube. A can of pop was $1.75! Their minimum wage was $1.50 while Pohnpei it was $1.35 an hour. Their TV was two weeks behind—I don’t get much TV but was hearing things on their news that I knew I had heard before.

I was the only diver there and used the resort next door to dive (still by myself). Got close to both eagle and sting rays but the best were the colorful “Christmas trees” which pop back into their hole when you scare them.

Went on a sunset cruise, met some world sailors and saw their sailboats, a couple of missionaries, and some government employees, even a lady from Collinsville!

The Island is called the "Sleeping Lady", can you see why?

Really big swells this day.

Thought this was a small plane landing stip at first...
The Lelu Ruins (older than the Nan Madol)

Pohnpei (1 of 3 Posts)

I stayed at the Village Hotel, a little over 5 miles from the airport. It is on the top of a hill which overlooks the Lagoon and Ocean. It has an open restaurant/bar facing the water and guest huts around it; all are thatch roofs. The only real water access is where the dive boats are parked. The rooms have thick jungle growth so each unit is hidden from the next. Screen on three sides, waterbeds, which they have a canopy over, to reduce the bugs and spiders sleeping with you. Did you know that thatch roofs drop some sort of sawdust-sand which dusts everything constantly and the ends have large open areas? The birds can really get you up in the morning, starting around 0430. The food was expensive, the service very slow, and really nothing to do after your dives. I did see some large fruit bats that were impressive and the small bananas left hanging by the office were great! Very few people at either resort but they were having an international fishing conference (who can take how many tons—boring) and did had dives with a lady from Green Peace, a couple from the state dept (ours) and a Japanese tourist (who had dived many places).

I saw a full grown hawk-bill turtle; even the divemaster was surprised to see one that size. The mantas are there to eat the plankton so the water is not as clear. I saw a group of over 30 sharks come by with another group just out of sight. I saw the largest “school” of large barracudas that I have ever seen. Had the best time when we stopped to snorkel with some mantas on the way to Nan Madol. I did catch a taxi into the “town” and walked those streets and alleys. Wish that I had brought some extra shoes, the craftsmen really wanted to barter instead of cash.

Netting over the waterbed to try and keep out the critters!
The wall of fish was at least 30'down and 15' wide:
Follow and the mantas will be there, all eating the plankton.

Follow the wall of fish and meet these guys, coming and going!
They would fly past, circle around and come back!

Very exciting to have fly past you; as you snorkel along.

Most unusal anemone that I have ever seen, the flexible "globe" at it's base!

After one of the dives we took a "short cut" threw the mangrove channel!

By one of the corners of Nan Madol--the place of many spaces
After walking through, took the kayak and toured the area

The ocean is in the background:

Across the ocean in front and back through the mangrove channels.

Had to go to at least one waterfall: Kepirohi

Doubt if I can pronounce it correctly and it’s not on most maps but I am going to Pohnpei and Kosrae for a visit. I AM NOW OFF THE GRID!

Dan borrowed a side-scan radar and marked some possible locations. We went out today to check on one he had marked on GPS. The marker spun out, not hitting bottom (about 200’ of line) and was too deep to dive. Did another dive instead; the rain and wind came up and we headed in. The wall of rain coming toward us was dense. It blew us into the shallow water along the west reef, in the almost zero visibility.

Been doing more snorkeling lately but got in three dives the last couple of days. Went out reefing last night and I got some small jelly fish stings on my feet but got some great Cowreys! I don’t care for this rainy season but guess it’s better than snow and cold. Had a boat scheduled this afternoon but got rained out (at least the folks I was going with).

Fun Guys to watch.

No idea what this one is?

Or these (I thought it was a steel spring at first).

Four in a row.