Chuuk Caves

Chuuk, meaning mountain in the Chuukese language, is known for diving but the land is every bit as beautiful as the rest of Micronesia. The main island of Moen is mountainous and covered in tropical jungle and grasslands. If you don't get off the boat or leave the resort, you're selling yourself short.

Since the land is privately owned by the Chuukese people, guides are a necessity and 

a sign of respect to the local inhabitants. Nestean and Garypo were our guides…

…and we picked up another boy along the way.

The land is not plotted out like a well planned city. There are no roads or even driveways to most homes. 

A well worn path through the jungle is the daily commute for many a family.

    

    

Our guides told us we were taking a ten minutes walk up the hill. We returned two hours later, 

after climbing a mountain trail through the jungle and across the grasslands! Lost in translation?!

 Our view from the first rest stop.

     

On we went!

Taking another breather.

Exploring the first cave. Chuuk, like most of Micronesia, is marked by WWII. These caves were left behind by the Japanese.

Looking outside from inside the cave.

There were two large guns each situated in the openings of a labyrinth of tunnels and pointed at the lagoon.

According to Wikipedia:
During World War II, Truk Lagoon was the Empire of Japan's main base in the South Pacific theatre. Truk was a heavily fortified base for Japanese operations against Allied forces in New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, serving as the forward anchorage for the Japanese Imperial Fleet.

Truk Lagoon was considered the most formidable of all Japanese strongholds in the Pacific. On the various islands, the Japanese Civil Engineering Department and Naval Construction Department had built roads, trenches, bunkers and caves. Five airstrips, seaplane bases, a torpedo boat station, submarine repair shops, a communications center and a radar station were constructed during the war. Protecting these various facilities were coastal defense guns and mortar emplacements. 

There were Martins nesting in the caves, along with bats. 

Garypo caught two birds and carried them down in his pockets.

He also climbed this palm tree to pick coconuts for us to drink.

He hung by his feet to reach them.

We had the advantage of staying with longtime residents so local guides were easy to come by.

For those staying at Blue Lagoon, they do offer island tours. Truk Stop may offer similar tours.