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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