stubsadventures

Before getting on The Odyssey, I had an entire day to myself on the island of Weno, that being said, I was somewhat limited in what I could do. I spent some time walking around the resort and swinging in a hammock taking some time to consider what I was about to take on but more importantly, the beauty of my surroundings. Micronesia is beautiful. Reefs everywhere and that colour of the water dreams are made of. Around the resort, there are many structures remaining from war time. Many bunkers and look outs that are fading away into the ocean. You don’t have to spend much time here to realize how important Truk Lagoon was to the Japanese military. Much time and effort was spend developing the defences of the islands.

Even on the shore of the hotel are ship wrecks. Because of their exposure to the sun, there is little left but it was a taste of what was to come. Locals are so nice here. Big smiles all the time and wanting to help as often as possible. A gal could really get used to this.

For breakfast, I ordered a ham and cheese omelette. It needs to be renamed to Spam and Cheese whiz omelette. To appreciate your surroundings is to appreciate how far away you are from virtually everything and the importing of food has it’s challenges, so I enjoyed every bite. After lunch, I enjoyed a $40/hour long massage at the hotel right before a massive rain storm moved in. It was short lived but like a mini typhoon.

In the afternoon, to felt I had really explore my surroundings, so I got an “island tour”. The customs on these islands are, that as a woman, you do not expose your knees in public, you don’t initiate conversation with a man and it is best to avoid eye contact. When I hired the boat to take me around, I didn’t think I would actually leave the boat, so I wore a sundress.

Imagine my surprise when we docked on one of the islands and began a walking tour. I have to admit I was pretty anxious knowing that I was alone with this guide, who spoke very little english and on the first day of my adventure breaking cultural norms. I tried to keep up with him as he pointed out old bunkers and buildings remaining from the Japanese era of the islands. One of the buildings has been converted into a school. Education is paramount on the islands and the schools were as well kept as the churches.

When we would pass a homestead, always several children would come out running. They would walk behind us and the girls would giggle as I looked at them and smiled. At one time, there were about five of them and they were very curious about me. I felt privileged to peek into their world. I would ask them a question and they would giggle and run away. There was one beautiful little girl who stayed closer than the others and at one point, I turned around and asked her if she would like me to take her picture, to which she eagerly nodded yes. I took a picture and then showed her herself in the view finder. She got a massive smile and promptly ran all the way home, haha.

Some moments on the tour were not so touching. At one point, we approached a building which he explained was a hospital during war time. There was a group of about five guys sitting out front eye balling me. There are very few moments in my travels where I am actually scared. This was one that I will always remember. He told me it was an extra $5 to take the tour, which would mean passing the group of men and I smiled and declined wanting nothing more than to be back in the safety of the hotel. The last stop on the tour was the church, which was beautiful, then we boarded the boat and stopped at one more island to view some more bunkers and abandoned buildings. I felt a little better here until I walked by window and from the darkness of the building could see several men peering out, very strung out on something. Luckily, this was a quick stop and in no time, me and my exposed knees were back at the hotel.

Back at the resort, back to the hammock. At 5pm, I met my fellow divers and boarded The Odyssey.

Stubs.

You will notice that I never spell Truk (or Truuk) the same way, that is because no one else does either. The spelling goes back and forth and generally both seem to be accepted.

From Honolulu, I took the “island hopper” to Truk, aka, the milk run. The cab driver in Honolulu had told me about the “cooler people” of Micronesia. This is not in fact a reference to their trendiness but more in relation to the fact that they travel with coolers, as luggage. They pretty much use anything for travel but suitcases. Some use them to carry clothes and supplies and some carry, well fish. And, the coolers smell like it.

Flying over the islands, I was surprised at the amount of turbulence. Often, there was no service because it wasn’t safe for the attendants to be up and about. The first leg of the milk run was 5.5 hours and landing was a new experience. The runway didn’t appear forever, the water kept getting closer and closer and it wasn’t until the last second that you could see the land. The planes come in very fast and then throw on the brakes jolting everyone forward because the runways are so short. The advantage, the islands are stunning from above and you can see all the beautiful colours and reefs surrounding them. From the first to second island was 1 hour 25 minutes and then to the third island was 56 minutes.

After this island was when I got to chatting to my neighbour, Eileen. She was a native of one of the islands and we had the most amazing conversation about what her life was like and what I could expect during my time in Micronesia. She was a career woman, who worked in mental health and drug counselling on the islands and her goal was to improve services amongst the islands of FSM (Federal States of Micronesia). During one of the stops, she had one of the guys behind us get off the plane to get me some local tangerines. They taste just like the tangerines we’re used to but they are green in colour. I was touched that she had been so thoughtful. She told me that all the islands have their own language but it is all similar enough that they can communicate with each other and most people speak english.

She took the time to warn me about my time in Truk. She said that because I was a white female that I had to be especially careful and it was not wise to venture out on my own. Drinking has had a negative effect on some of the population and she warned me that some men did not handle their liquor well.

Arriving in Truk was different. Everyone stared at me everywhere I went. I was always aware that there were many sets of eyes on me. I just tried to keep my head down and get into the van waiting to take me to my hotel as fast as possible. Everyone was very nice for the most part, more curious than negative in any way. The question from the beginning of this trip was the same until the end, “are you married?” and when I said no, they asked where my father or brother were. It was clear that they don’t come across many folks like me often.

Driving to the hotel, I was struck by the poverty. I wasn’t sure what I thought I was going to see but this is definitely a third world country. The rainy season had just ended and the road was a complete mess. We stopped at a store so I could get a cold drink for the drive and when I entered, it felt like the whole place stopped at what they were doing. I couldn’t get out of there fast enough but not without first grabbing a delicious can of fresh pineapple juice.

Stubs.

My route to Micronesia could have been worse, that’s for sure. I left Calgary, changed planes in Colorado, then had about seven hours and a good nights sleep in Honolulu, Hawaii. Anyone who works with me, knows how much I cherish my airplane naps. Well, of course, on any of the flights to I remember taking off. I did however, wake up just enough to hear the best announcement I have ever heard on a flight. The attendant came over the PA and said the following: excuse me passengers, could you please close the door to the washroom when you are finished using it. This will greatly increase the comfort of those people seated in that area. Amazing.

I had no sooner put down my bags before I was out in a taxi van getting a tour of the island. I had a gent named Harold meet me at my hotel and when he asked me where I wanted to go, I told him away from all the people and buildings. I was very surprised at how big Honolulu was and you could compare that downtown with any other downtown in North America. We went to some amazing view points of the coast and downtown, I saw Waikiki beach and all the major hotels in that area but we spent the most amount of time was in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. Truuk Lagoon diving exists because of WWII and to be able to visit this place and put in perspective the history I was going to emerge myself into was a fantastic opportunity. This is an amazingly peaceful place where you can’t help but reflect on your own lives but mostly the lives lost during these horrific battles. So many people.

Stubs.

Leaving my house in the middle of the night, I am bound for a chain of islands no one has heard of to live on a boat for seven nights.

The boat that I’m going to live on for seven nights is called The Odyssey. The boat is supposed to be amazing and holds 16 divers. Two of the cabins are single cabins and I snagged one of those. Yes, I am going alone! The boat was a cruise ship that was converted into a dive boat. Basically, it moves around the lagoon over the six days and you are constantly diving different wrecks and planes in the shark infested waters. So so badass

/www.trukodyssey.com/

Tomorrow is Denver to Honolulu. I could think of worse places to spend a night than Hawaii.

Let the adventure begin.

Stubs.

This blog will be all about why my family and friends shouldn’t be freaking out! In all seriousness, I have been touched by the conversations I have had with folks over the last few days and the concern and well wishes I have received. It seems like people are all over the map in what they think about my trip. I look at it from a different perspective.

Something most people don’t know, is that I aborted my first dive ever. Crazy, eh? I was so excited, it was something I had always dreamed of doing (I was 18), and I got in the water and it just didn’t feel right. For me, I can tell in my stomach when I’m not supposed to dive. After that, over the last 17 years, I have aborted two more. I have always made the right decision when it had to be made. My philosophy is that I have a lot more dives that I want to do, so it is in my best interest to make sure I take the high road and at the end of the day, only do it when it feel right. So far, so good.

The other thing people have been asking me about, is if I’m excited. It’s weird. A trip of this length and this depth gets taken care of one step at a time for me. For right now, I’m concerned about getting everything checked and double checked, packed and that I haven’t missed anything. Thursday, I will be concerned with my flights to Dallas and Honolulu and then I’ll take it from there.

This blog has taken on a life of itself. I am always surprised by the amount of people who take time out of their day to check in on me and my adventures. I will publish all of my updates through here, so I encourage people to “follow” the blog, and that way, you will get an email update as soon as a new blog/pictures are published.

Stubs.

Ten day count down is on. Almost everything is ready to go and I’m about 95% packed. All the waivers are signed and sent off, bought a new dive computer and a new mask, just so I had a nice fresh one. I have never owned a dive computer before, so I am excited to figure that out over the next week.

To stay busy this week, I had a day of snowboarding with The Spocker which was awesome. We hit up Sunshine in Banff and it was the first time I didn’t fall! I am improving a lot over the last few weeks and it was good to finally feel like I wasn’t terrified all the time. Didn’t take too many pictures that day because I was concentrating too hard to take pictures.

Also included are some pictures from the day I went Jeeping with some guys from work. I wasn’t really sure what to expect and I was happy to find out how responsible they are when doing it in the backcountry I was reassured with the fact they are using pre-existing trails and really care careful to stick to them. Although I couldn’t imagine doing it all the time, it was a nice way to spend a beautifully sunny day in the mountains.

Stubs.

As my trip to Micronesia approaches, it comes with many emotions. Usually, there is just sheer excitement for me on a trip but the stakes on this one are higher. Preparation is usually my favorite part of any adventure but this one is approached with more of an expedition mentality. The more I learn, the more I realize the prep that is required. This is not getting on an airplane and heading to the beach, this is going into remote territory, away from cell phones and internet into a part of the world that isn’t always welcoming to outsiders.

Any time I research a location, I take the information with a grain of salt. No matter where you go in the world, there is good and bad people and depending on what your personal experience and expectations are, you will determine ones react to a different culture. Although it is key to understand and prepare yourself for new cultural norms, you can’t make your mind up until you get there yourself.

Cultural differences aside, the danger in this trip lies in the diving itself. Since I started diving at the age of 18, I have learned how important it is to have a healthy fear of diving. Not being afraid to dive but being aware and respectful of the danger you take on every time you splash. I have spent the last few years learning about diving and the hazards involved but more importantly trying to understand why and how people die diving. As morbid as it sounds, one of the most important tools available to you as a diver is the information that comes from the death of those doing the same dives. Learning and trying to prevent the same outcome is paramount in my opinion.

I approach this trip cautiously but overall very excited and humbled to be able to dive a location like this. Other divers dream of a trip to Truk Lagoon and I am lucky enough to dive it at a relatively young age. I will take it all in, respect those who have lost their lives there (around 3,000 souls) and enjoy the moments as they come. With no phone or internet availability until I get back to the island of Weno, my friends and family will have a long seven nights of to hear confirmation of my safe return and see my pictures from the deep depths of the ocean. 🙂

Stubs

Driving the Icefields Parkway from Banff to Jasper has to be one of the most beautiful drives in the world and for someone like me who loves glaciers, you get your fill on this drive. The conditions are never great on this highway in the winter time but if you go slow and enjoy the views, it’s usually manageable.

I arrived in Jasper and was excited to stay at the Fairmont Jasper Lodge. The Fairmont’s are known world wide as some of the most luxurious hotels around, the service and beauty of the hotels never disappoint.  In Banff, the Fairmont is basically a castle that you could spend days walking around and see not see everything. The detail and the size of the building is out of a fairy tale. The Jasper Lodge on the other hand, is just many different shapes and sizes of cabins spread out between lakes and rivers in a part of Jasper away from the little town. The elk roam the grounds and the food is amazing.

Managed to squeeze in a hike in Maligne Canyon. This steep canyon carved by the river is beautiful in the summer time and a death defying hike in the winter. The normally well groomed path that takes you up and down the canyon, over bridges is ice slicked and steep. All the stairs are snowed over and if it weren’t for the railings, I would have been a goner more than once.

Stubs

For me, as always, this year was filled with peaks and valleys. To remember a year properly, you have to remember them both. The low points make you appreciate when it’s good and when it’s good, we have to realize how lucky we are.  If no one else, this is for me… as the blog was always intended. A year look back, in no particular order of the crazy events of my life in 2012:

1.  I turned 30 on New Years Eve of 2011 with two of my best friends, at one of my favorite places in the world in Sooke, BC
2. Made it home to NS to build a beautiful retaining wall and landscape at the cottage
3. Got to meet several new very cute babies this year
4. Was in Toronto twice, visiting my family there and watching my cousin navigate his new life after a spinal injury
5. Experienced the raw beauty of Iceland and everything it and its amazing people have to offer
6. Got my motorcycle license
7. Gave a speech in front of more than 1,000 people
8. Went to Tofino, BC for the first time
9. Learned how to snowboard (losely use the word learned)
10. Experienced my first work place fatality
11. Baked banana bread for the first time
12. Did the coldest dive of my life during my dry suit certification at 1c bottom temp
13. Crossed the Arctic Circle for the second time to see one of the most amazing puffin colonies up close
14. Moved from Drumheller, my home of almost three years
15. Survived another harsh northern winter working by Conklin, AB and seeing -40 temps more than a few times
16. Visited Niagara Falls for the second time
17. Encountered “Europe’s Most Powerful Waterall” in Iceland
18. Ate lamb for the first time
19. Purchased my dream home in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains
20. My first year boarding, I went to three different mountains in a month
21. Hugged on of BC’s Canada’s trees on Vancouver Island
22. Went to Cape Breton to visit my grandparents and stayed in a new part of Cape Breton Island
23. Painted (with help) the entire main area and two rooms in my new house
24. Rang in the end of the year on Galiano Island, BC
25. Came two feet away from an enormous black bear in EC Manning Provincial Park, BC
26. Saw humpback whales in Iceland
27. Canoed a ton: down the Red Deer River, though Canadian Badlands, in the mountains a couple of times, on the west coast, in the ocean.
28. Kayaked three times in the majestic Christina Lake, Alberta
29. Spent a week getting all my recertifications for work: H2S Alive, First Aid, Confined Space Entry, blah blah blah
30. Drove to Saskatchewan to check out a ghost town
31. Poncho came to visit twice
32. I started blogging

Stubs

I have a dear friend who asked me if I would help with her sons school project. They had to draw themselves, and then they give the little guy to friends and family who take pictures of their “flat” selves doing all kinds of cool things. Apparently, someone thinks I do cool things!

I was more than happy to take Flat Cohen and so far we have been on a few adventures. I took him up to site with me and got some cool pictures of him doing the kinds of things that go on there. Unfortunately because of the nature of our business, I can only take pictures of him doing really generic things, as I could get in trouble for posting the wrong pictures of our facitlity. Security reasons, I’m sure you understand.

Here are some pictures of my adventures with Flat Cohen so far.

Stubs