Activities
There
are facilities available for shore, reef and deep sea fishing,
hiking, windsurfing, kayaking, tennis, canoeing, football,
basketball, volleyball and baseball. White sandy beaches are
also a visitor favorite. But
by far the most popular activity is scuba
diving the wrecks of Truk Lagoon.
Music
and Dance
The Chuukese have a strong tradition of music and dance. Performances
are regularly held for visitors and during local festivals
featuring the traditional chants, dances and music of Chuuk.
Shopping
Fefan are known for its wood carvers who craft the love sticks,
masks, storyboards and marine animals that are the major handicrafts
of Chuuk. The lovesticks are carved dagger-shaped rods that
once played a major role in Chuukese courting rituals. The
Chuukese masks are carved in two styles, one as spirit masks
traditionally used as a talisman and the other as finely carved
busts of Chuukese warriors. A variety of handicrafts and artwork
are available from the hotels and stores on Weno. A visit
to Fefan can also be a very rewarding experience.
Chuuk
Attractions
The
Tonotan Guns and Caves
Japanese forces fortified many natural caves on Weno and the
other major islands of Chuuk. On Fefan and Tonoas, they enlarged
the caves to install massive naval guns and rails for the
transportation of munitions and stores. The Tonotan installations,
which are located in Neauo, Weno, are typical of those built
throughout Chuuk.
Nefo
Cave
Another fortified cave it is just 50 meters from the Governor’s
residence on Weno. It is about 10 feet wide, 6 feet high and
78 feet long. The cave contains a 6-inch Vickers gun used
by Japanese to guard entry to the north pass and was also
used as a barracks by the soldiers.
Sapuk
Lighthouse
Built by the Japanese in the early 1930s, it has a commanding
a panoramic view of the strategic Northeast Passage. In the
jungle below the lighthouse are huge guns and caves used to
prevent American ships from entering the lagoon. The walls
of the building are pockmarked with the scars of bullets and
bombs from American aircraft.
Japanese
WWII Communications Center
This is the principal structure in the complex that now comprises
Xavier High School. Built of reinforced concrete with walls
three to four feet thick the massive building sustained little
damage despite direct hits from US bombers. The property belonged
to the Catholic Church before the war and when it was reclaimed
the structure was used as the nucleus for the Jesuit high
school. Today the complex includes classroom buildings, chapel,
living quarters and offices, study hall, gymnasium, workshop,
mess facilities and a student dormitory.
Mt.
Tonachau
This is Weno’s highest peak and the fourth largest in
Chuuk. Standing almost 900 feet above the lagoon, the mountain
is the legendary home of the god Souworiras and his divine
son. Local legend has it that Mt. Tonachau is the head of
an octopus whose tentacles stretch across the vast expanse
of the lagoon. The road leading to the summit passes the former
US Air Force Civil Action Team headquarters and Pattiw Islands
enclave. The view from this vantage point is spectacular.
Wichon
Men's Meeting House and Wichon Waterfall
Wichon Men’s Meeting House is the site where Weno chiefs
are said to have met with Poomey, eldest of the six brothers
who were the first chiefs of Chuuk. It is a scenic location
beside the Wichon Falls and a shallow pool that is still used
for bathing and sport as it was in earlier days. Numerous
petroglyphs are etched in the exposed basalt above the falls.
Nemwes
and Fouman Rocks
These historic cultural sites located at Tunuk and Wonip,
on Udot Island, and are associated with ancient rivalries
between Chuuk and Yap. Legend tells of Nemwes, the daughter
of a Yapese high chief, who disobeyed her father's wishes
and came to Udot by walking across the sea. The priests of
Udot destroyed her power to walk on water and Nemwes died
of grief.
Etten
Airfield
The Japanese Officers’ Quarters on Etten Island were
heavily damaged during the war. The damage to these reinforced
concrete structures was much greater than at other sites on
the islands. A visit to Etten Island also offers a chance
to see the extensive modifications made by the Japanese to
create the largest of several airfields in Chuuk. There are
also batteries of anti-aircraft guns, other assorted artifacts
and a Zero fighter plane in shallow water at the end of the
runway suitable for snorkeling.
Tonoas
(Dublon) Island
The Japanese based their fleet HQ and support facilities here
before and during the war. These included supply and munitions
storage, a fish cannery, a vast naval dockyard, hospitals,
seaplane and submarine base. It was supported by a large Japanese
community, businesses, stores, restaurants and geisha houses.
These were heavily bombed by US forces and today the jungle
has swallowed up much of the remains of these places. The
hospital is easy to locate, as are Japanese signposts and
the collapsed water and fuel storage tanks. Many caves and
tunnels are rumored to exist in the cliffs filled with supplies,
war materials and ammunition. Other caves containing hidden
coastal defense and AA guns are popular tourist attractions.
Desert
Island’ Stays
Jeep Island is the best known of a number of tiny, sand spit
islands that offer facilities for BBQs and overnight stays.
It has native style accommodation, coconut trees and a small
lagoon with its own generator, water, catering facilities
and staff. Guests can book it for several days at a time and
arrange for regular pickup by boat for diving, fishing and
sightseeing. Other islands also available for day or overnight
trips include Fanos, Fenamu, Pisar Island and Ferit Islands.
These are real “desert island” experiences and are
not to be missed if one has the chance.
Outer
Islands
Chuuk's outer islands, composed of the Mortlocks, Halls and
Western island groups, are small, lowlying coral atolls. The
Chuukese on these islands lead very traditional subsistence
lifestyles and visitors are rare. The islands can be reached
by boat, chartered aircraft and scheduled aircraft services.
Restaurants
Happy
Landing Restaurant
P. 0, Box 96
Weno, Chuuk, FSM 96942
Tel: (691) 330 2780
Takarajima Restaurant
P.O. Box 657
Weno, Chuuk FM 96942
Phone: (691) 330-4142
N & U Restaurant
P.O. Box 81
Weno, Chuuk FM 96942
Phone: (691) 330-2452
Sunset View
P.O. Box 788
Weno, Chuuk FM 96942
Phone: (691) 330-2501
Stop N' Shop Restaurant
P.O. Box 37
Weno, Chuuk FM 96942
Phone: (691) 330-2652
Wiraras
P.O. Box 96
Weno, Chuuk FM 96942
SASS
P.O. Box 147
Weno, Chuuk FM 96942
Phone: (691) 330-2445
Circle KP Restaurant
P.O. Box 727
Weno, Chuuk FM 96942
Phone: (691) 330-2511
Oshiro's
P.O. Box 235
Weno, Chuuk FM 96942
Phone: (691) 330-2375/4287
