TRAVELLER Where ships lie
Cousteau’s TV show aired in 1971 and two years later Aisek would revisit the Aikoku Maru and the grave of his friend, lying at more than 50 metres below the surface. Almost simultaneously, Aisek founded his dive shop, Blue Lagoon, still the most popular dive resort on Chuuk.
OUR REGION
Kimiuo Aisek, master diver and man of the sea, passed away in 2001 and was buried on his muchloved home island of Tonoas. There is a museum bearing his name at the resort.
STAYING THERE Divers will more than likely stay at either of the two dedicated resorts, the most famous of which is the The Blue Lagoon Dive Resort on the main island of Weno. The alternative is the Truk Stop Hotel. Several other hotels and inns are near the airport. For all options, see visit-chuuk.com/index. php/hotels-accommodations.
TOURING THERE AND GETTING AROUND No formal tour operators exist on Chuuk, although your hotel will be able to arrange a vehicle and driver to take you to see sites on shore. Hire cars and ad hoc taxis are also available. Most tourism is centred around diving based at either of the two dive resorts, but a quality liveaboard vessel also operates
Witness to War, by Dianne M. Strong, tells the story of Kimiuo Aisek and the wrecks of Truk Lagoon, and can be purchased at Blue Lagoon Dive Shop or online. See bluelagoondiveresort.com.
within the lagoon. See Odyssey Adventures, trukodyssey.com. EATING THERE Most restaurants are located within the hotels, but there are options for Asian cuisine, including Japanese and Korean. MORE INFORMATION Chuuk Visitors Bureau, phone +691 330 4133, see visit-chuuk.com
Air Niugini flies between Port Moresby and Chuuk every Wednesday and Saturday. See airniugini.com.pg.
48 Paradise – Air Niugini’s in-flight magazine