Kwaj Diver returning to Kwajalein

[NewbeeMC9]

And i had just googled Kwaj the other day, not what I thought it meant


Just store the bus, you'll prolly be back before it sells.

Best of luck on your adventure and keep us posted.

[Ray D]

It must be BIG BIG bucks to get you exited to go there, after youv'e allready been there.

Ray D

[Dreamscape]

Bill,

I just saw it on Google Earth, man that place is small. What the heck do you do there for fun and relaxation? Sure is pretty though. I'll bet you see the island in less than a day!

Paul

[Kwajdiver]

Paul,

Less than an hour would be more like it.  It's only three miles long and 1/2 a mile wide.   My living quarters are right in the middle of the island.  My work, is out near the far end of the runway.

I;ve spend 14 total years out there.  You would not believe how active the island is.  The Kwajalein Scuba Club is the most active in the world.  They do 1200 - 1400 dives a month.  Google it, they have a sweet website with lots of photos.   

I've been sooooo, stressed the last couple of days.               This packing everything away is crazy.        Will be soooo glad to get on the plane, and relax....

Bill
In Auburndale, Florida


'

[Dallas]

Kwaj is an interesting place from a WWII history point of view.

It was the first time Allied forces penetrated prewar Japanese holdings, and came as a complete surprise to the Imperial forces that they could be beaten in their own back yard.

The battle of 31-Jan-44 to 03-Feb-44 resulted in an almost total destruction of Japanese forces on the island.

My father was on the Cruiser Pittsburgh that supported the operation and he came home with pictures of that and other battles the ship had been in.

Interestingly, dad's ship was hit a few times during the war by shell fire, bombs and even Kamikaze planes but the worst damage it took was during a typhoon in 1945 which took 104' of the bow off.

The ship limped on to Guam and the bow was towed in. A false Bow was welded in  place and the real bow was reattached in Hawaii.

Here is a link to some more photos:  http://busconversionstuff.com/galleryBCS/thumbnails.php?album=4

[Dreamscape]

My Dad was on the USS Tucker DD-374 on 7 Dec 1941. They survived that attack but was later sunk after engaging a mine field near Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides. He saw lots of action in the South Pacific, may have even been there, I'll have to find out.

Nice diving site Bill, I'll have to drool all over my laptop later, Thanks.

Paul

[Kwajdiver]

Busnuts,

I'm landed safely on Kwajalein, believe my body has caught up to the time zones.  I was tough for a couple of days.  Been working, mostly getting badges, computer passwords etc.  The worst thing, when not at work, I'm on dial-up computers... I had forgotten was ssssslllllooooowwww, was.

Just wanted to drop in and say hello.

Bill
Kwajalein, Republic of the Marshall Islands

[bobofthenorth]

Tech Mobile Anywhere Internet

Plus about $60/month gets you a reasonable facsimile of high speed.  Its not DSL but its a lot better than dialup.

[HighTechRedneck]

Bill, glad to hear things are settling down and you can soon start enjoying your free time there.

[Dallas]

Wow!
I'm impressed, these new fangled internet doodads can even translate the bit or bytes or pixels or whatever into english from them ferign telephones!

[Ed Hackenbruch]

Pretty sure that won't work where he is,......too far to the west by probably a couple of thousand miles or more.

[Dreamscape]

Hey Bill,

Glad you arrived safe and sound! Met any busnuts yet?

Have a great time diving and take lots of pictures!

Take Care,

Paul