Wednesday, May 30, 2018

Guam (23 - 30 May 2018)

Guam is around the same size as Singapore; Singapore is approximately 697 sq km, while Guam is approximately 544 sq km.

My main reason to visit Guam is for the SMS Cormoran and Tokai Maru wrecks after visiting the ADEX 2018. The SMS Cormoran rests 110 ft (34 m) below the surface on her starboard side. She was scuttled at Apra Harbor on 7 April 1917. The Tokai Maru was a Japanese passenger-cargo ship sunk by the USS Snapper on August 27, 1943 during World War I. The dive site is one of the few places where divers can explore a World War I shipwreck next to a ship from World War II.

Guam was also known to have other wrecks such as the Kisugawa Maru and American Tanker, but I did not managed to visit them.

Since my main goal was to visit wreck dives and the Micronesian Divers Association (MDA) did not allocate wreck sites to me, I decided to cancel the 28 May dive. Also, when giving me the quotation, MDA did not inform me of the "5-Star Club". But luckily the staff informed me about this and refunded me USD$48.00.

The total spending for diving was USD$462 (SGD$621)

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Air Itinerary Details

Outbound
Singapore (SIN), SG
Wed, 23 May 2018, 14:30
Terminal: TERMINAL 1
Manila (MNL), PH
Wed, 23 May 2018, 18:30
Terminal: TERMINAL 2
Philippine Airlines
PR 508
Flying Time: 4hr *Free upgrade to Premium Economy due to flight overbooking

Airbus A330-300 (333)

Manila (MNL), PH
Wed, 23 May 2018, 22:55
Terminal: TERMINAL 2
Guam (GUM), GU
Thu, 24 May 2018, 04:45
Philippine Airlines
PR 110
Flying Time: 3hr and 50min*Upgraded to Business Class for USD$200
Airbus A321

Inbound
Guam (GUM), GU
Wed, 30 May 2018, 06:45
Manila (MNL), PH
Wed, 30 May 2018, 08:30
Terminal: TERMINAL 2
Philippine Airlines
PR 111
Flying Time: 3hr and 45min
Airbus A321

Manila (MNL), PH
Wed, 30 May 2018, 09:55
Terminal: TERMINAL 2
Singapore (SIN), SG
Wed, 30 May 2018, 13:40
Terminal: TERMINAL 1
Philippine Airlines
PR 507
Flying Time: 3hr and 45min*Upgraded to Business Class for USD$155
Airbus A330-300 (333)


USD
SGD
Return flight
$525.00
$688.20
Upgrade to Business Class (MNL to GUM)
$200.00
$275.86
Upgrade to Business Class (MNL to SIN)
$155.00
$214.28
Total
$880.00
$1,178.34

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Day 1, 23 May 2018 (Wed)


Lucky that I was early at the airport because I did not know I need to apply for the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) for entry to U.S (USD$80). Also, the check-in counter had issue with their system to process my flight tickets due to the upgrade to Business Class.


First time using the SATS Premier lounge at Terminal 2 using the Priority Pass membership that I've got from the DBS Altitude Credit Card


*Free upgrade to Premium Economy due to flight overbooking - From Singapore to Manila


Hot meals


Arrived at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 2, Manila


The Mabuhay Lounge


Shower included


Business Class seat - From Manila to Guam.


iPad for entertainment. Watched a Filipino romantic comedy film, "Finally Found Someone".


Night view


Food on Business Class

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Day 2, 24 May 2018 (Thur)


Arrived at about 4-plus morning...


Long queue at Nissan Rent-a-car.
Car rental was USD$253.72 (SGD$341.51)
Car insurance was USD$121.71 (SGD$163.82)


Sunrise at about 6am


Guam JAJA Guesthouse USD$462.31 (SGD$642.20)


Living room


Kitchen


Bedroom all to myself


Two Lovers Point, Tamuning, Guam - Admission ticket USD$3

Two Lovers Point, Tamuning, Guam - Spherical Image - RICOH THETA



Love locks


360


Underwater World - Heard that OWSI gets 50% discount for entry


Latte Of Freedom (Latte here refers to the latte stone)


Fish Eye Marine Park, Piti, Guam - Admission ticket: $12





Fish Eye Marine Park, Piti, Guam - Spherical Image - RICOH THETA





The observatory at bottom deck is which is 30 feet underwater


Cetti Bay Overlook


Para I Lalahi Ta Park




Umatac Bay


Merizo Pier


Inarajan Natural Pool




Talofofo Bay


Pago Bay Overlook




Micronesia Mall




Cai fan that cost USD$7.00


CCTV in the toilet?


Crabs!

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Day 3, 25 May 2018 (Fri)

Dive #1
Location: Blue & White
Max depth: 26.2m
Average Depth: 13.5m
Bottom time: 56min (0939 - 1035)

Dive #2
Location: Gab Gab II
Max depth: 17.8m
Average Depth: 13.1m
Bottom time: 53min (1127 - 1220)


MDA's Dive boat




Wreck


Port


First Dive






Tender for Atlantis Submarines Guam at Gab Gab II






Feeding station




Atlantis Submarine


Dinner - canned tuna

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Day 4, 26 May 2018 (Sat)


Dive #3
Location: Coco West
Max depth: 27.0m
Average Depth: 11.6m
Bottom time: 56min (0927 - 1023)

Dive #4
Location: Pete's Reef
Max depth: 25.0m
Average Depth: 12.5m
Bottom time: 53min (1119 - 1212)

Dive #5
Location: Tarzan Cave
Max depth: 20.5m
Average Depth: 13.1m
Bottom time: 49min (1431 - 1520)

Dive #6
Location: Haps Reef
Max depth: 16.0m
Average Depth: 10.8m
Bottom time: 60min (1615 - 1715)


Departing the Agat Harbour




Bubbles








Pete's Reef






Self-reliant diver with a pony bottle


Newspaper article on Guam beaches polluted


Tarzan's cave


Rocks and boulders












Sea cucumber






Dolphins


Sunset


Shopping at Pay-less supermarket


cooking


Dinner - Crab and chicken thigh

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Day 5, 27 May 2018 (Sun)

Dive #7
Location: Nathan's Den
Max depth: 22.2m
Average Depth: 15.1m
Bottom time: 38min (0848 - 0926)

Dive #8
Location: Pete's Reef
Max depth: 21.1m
Average Depth: 13.3m
Bottom time: 37min (1028 - 1105)

*The above dives were from Agat Marina and while the follow dives were at Apra harbour which departs from Cabras Marina

Dive #9
Location: SMS Cormoran & Tokai Maru
Max depth: 28.2m
Average Depth: 18.6m
Bottom time: 46min (1414 - 1500)
*Nitrox 32%

Dive #10
Location: SMS Cormoran & Tokai Maru
Max depth: 30.3m
Average Depth: 19.6m
Bottom time: 40min (1549 - 1629)
*Nitrox 32%





Dolphins


Dolphin watching boats


Nemo


Nitrox recommended for the SMS Cormoran and Tokai Maru wreck dive. Went back to MDA shop to pick up the Nitrox tanks


Off to the SMS Cormoran and Tokai Maru wreck


Source: U.S National Park Service, Submerged Cultural Resources Unit






Anchor


Touching the wrecks from two different World War






Bubbles








The cargo hold is large enough to enter


The funnel






MDA


Agat Mango Festival


Coconut crab


Piglet


Food stalls


Biggest Mango


Mango testing


Mango donuts


Fun fair - Ferris wheel


Performance


Local dance




Cooked dinner

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Day 6, 28 May 2018 (Mon)


The place the Japanese soldier, Sergeant Shoichi Yokoi, hid for 28 years


360 of Talofofo Falls, Inarajan, Guam - Admission ticket: $12

Talofofo Falls, Inarajan, Guam - Spherical Image - RICOH THETA



Hiking


Tarzan Falls


Jeff's Pirate Cove


Lunch at Jeff's Pirate Cove - USD$23.10 (SGD$31.09)








The trek to Sigua Falls is quite tough. I couldn't even make it to the American tank




Trek through "One Thousand Steps" to Fadi'an Point, Mangilao, Guam


Strong waves




360 at Fadi'an Point

Fadi'an Point, Mangilao, Guam - Spherical Image - RICOH THETA




Abandoned car


Arcade game machine

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Day 7, 29 May 2018 (Tue)


Route to the Marbo cave, Mangilao - Bumpy road.


Inside the Marbo cave


Fresh water cave



Marbo Cave, Mangilao, Guam - Spherical Image - RICOH THETA

Marbo Cave, Mangilao, Guam


Marbo cliff







Marbo Cliffside, Mangilao, Guam - Spherical Image - RICOH THETA

Marbo Cliffside, Mangilao, Guam


Ritidian Point, Yigo, Guam


360





Ritidian Point, Yigo, Guam - Spherical Image - RICOH THETA



Shallow patch that I can walk so far out


Guam Beach Bar


Hotel Nikko Guam


Crystal Chapel (within Hotel Nikko)


Tamuning, Guam


Guam-zilla




School buses


The Rainbow Chapel at Pacific Islands Club Guam






Sunset at Hotel Nikko Guam


Dinner at Poki-Fry House, Hagåtña, Guam - S20.40


Crab


Tagada Amusement Park



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Day 8, 30 May 2018 (Wed)


Mural - Underwater World, at Antonio B. Won Pat International Airport


Antonio B. Won Pat International Airport. Had much issue again with the check-in due to the Business Class upgrade. The counter was unable to print the boarding pass from Manila back to Singapore. I was also at the risk of having to re-check-in my luggage at Manila airport which would not be possible. But luckily, the luggage was able to be sent directly to Singapore.


View over Apra Harbour


Business Class seat - From Manila to Singapore


View over Manila


Meal on Business Class (this appetizer looks the same)


Souvenirs - magnets and cookies


Expenses tracking using Handtrip app

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More pictures: Guam (23 - 30 May 2018)

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