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Asia travel Bangkok News

2009-06-14T19:15:00.000-07:00

Our friend Jim who has lived in Bangkok for many years is starting a newsletter if you are interested in Asia travel and what is going on in Bangkok and thailand news this is a good resourse fro you to check out.

Please see our other blog Cheap Charlies Hotels Asia Blog

Jim our man in Bangkok news letter
Issue No 2
This is the last

FREE,
Issue of this news letter from Bangkok

Payment details are on the e-mail cover letter.

Right get your self a cup of tea, coffee, cool drink or a beer, and give a little time to read this letter.
Getting in the mood, after reading the first paragraph, close eyes arms hanging down at your side and see in your mind what you have read.

I am sitting having lunch in what is probably the biggest shopping store, or mall. I have ever been in. I am thinking to myself. I am lucky. I have four-days to shop until I drop, then its back to the usual grind of being an air hostess, but for now it's time to shop and shop. Things are so cheap, and the staff is so helpful, I have left bags all over the place, and when I finish I will collect my entire bags jump in a taxi back to the hotel. Now a quick cup of coffee, get the caffeine back up, then it's a charge on, we got in late last night and for sure, I will have an early night tonight.
So now it's about 3 30 p.m. I have collected all my bags, of which there are about 20, and one of the kind staff are assisting me out to the shop and trying to wave down a taxi. I think I remembered reading in someone's newsletter about Bangkok at 4 p.m. the taxis change shifts, we have stopped at least five or six taxis, and none of them want to take me back to the hotel, at last, a taxi that's going my way.
As I shuffle myself and my bags into the taxi. I notice it's getting quite dark, and a cool wind appears on the scene. Suddenly there's a bright flash, followed by large bang and the heavens open up the rain that falls is unbelievable, the windscreen wipers of the taxi having almost no effect at all, traffic is creeping along the road as flashes of lightning and claps of thunder continue, not to worry, I'm dry in a taxi.
We finally arrive in front of my hotel, I'm trying to get out of the taxi and get the bags at the same time, the rain and the wind driving down on me and my shopping. I fumble for my purse which is in my bag the rain is getting in my bag in my purse and in my shopping The taxi has only about two inches of his window open and two fingers sticking out waiting for me to pay him, so quickly. I give him a 100, baht note, window is closed, and he's gone, leaving me standing there with the rain driving down on me and my shopping. What is wrong with my foot, I look down and see, my heal of my shoe is broken, but still attached to the shoe, this must have happened while I was trying to get the bags out of the taxi, dam should have bought more shoes. With this I pick up my bags, I'm wet the shopping is wet, and I hobble into the hotel, leaving little puddles of water wherever I go. Whilst getting my key, the staff is telling me to quickly shower, dry well, or I will get sick. Entering the lift with my bags, leaving little puddles, wherever I go, get out of the lift and along to my room. On entering my room I noticed I was shivering, so dump everything and strip off all my clothes rushing to the bathroom and a hot shower.
The hot shower was really good, and after leaving the bathroom I gaze at the wet clothes wet shopping and think I will attend to this later. As I sit on the bed ,this feels really good maybe I will take a little knap, so off with the towels, and slid under the covers, God what a day, great shopping, good prices and that rain. A small grin is on my face as I drift into sleep, thinking this is almost as good as sex.

Ok if you’re all done let’s get on.

Overview

My fear as mentioned in my last newsletter that Thailand was in a delay mode. This week, the fruit farmers were the first to suffer, not only did they have a bumper harvest with 40% going to the local market and the remaining 60% for export. This unfortunately is not the case, the 60% have not been bought by the exporters, the government has rushed in to offer the farmers a minimum price, which will allow the fruits to go on the market for as little as two baht per kilo. Cassava is also suffering the same fate, and it is low as one baht per kilo. Rice was the next product to be effected and the government has bought some 2,000,000 tons, and stock piled them.
This situation can only get worse as exporters are not buying the products as they intern have no buyers. The government is rushing to borrow money from anywhere, how long can this situation be sustained, even if the West recovers from the downturn. It will still take time for situation to return to normal. So if you are a big fan of Lynches, Mangostine and Rambutan at these prices get over here.

Economy.

This seems pretty normal and as yet there seems to be very little change, apart from some products, as mentioned above, being very cheap at a large cost to the government. The government announced this week; they would give to unemployed people. Some 50,000 baht to start their own business, I don't know of any business in Bangkok that you could start for 50,000 baht, the rents are so high and what product or service would you offer that is not already in the market. The government also removed subsidies on gasoline and diesel stating that they no longer have the budget to support this. As oil prices have risen as and when this filters into the market we can expect a price rise in transport, which will then affect prices, taxis seem to be a little bit more expensive than before.

Political

The Prime Minister was on radio and TV and has asked that all politicians remain available in Bangkok from the 15 to 25 June. There are some very big changes that I think the Parliament will have to deal with, and if it concerns changing laws or the Constitution, they will have to have a full Parliament present. Unfortunately, we will not know the answers to this until after 25 June, so this will be in my newsletter of 1 July. I feel sure the red T-shirts are planning something. Between 15 and 25 June, I hope there is not too much disruption in the city of Bangkok.

Tourism

This has not changed from my last letter; In fact it has got worse. Now the rainy season is here traditionally tourist arrivals would be down, coupled with the fact that the airlines have not reduced the cost of tickets, we can expect very few arrivals. I think most hotels are discounting their rates and offering all sorts of bonuses to those who say there. I will have further information on the outlying districts as a friend of mine will be visiting Thailand, next week and plans trips to both Udontani and
Pattaya. This will give us feedback from those who live in those areas as to how bad the situation is, most outlying districts of suffering badly do to lack of tourists and also the fact locals are not traveling, to those Districts. More on that in my next news letter

What’s on offer and discounts

There is a full international Jazz Festival that will take place on 12 15 of June at the beach resort of Hua Hin. This festival is to celebrate the 60th year of his Royal highness the Kings attainment to the thrown. There is no charge for the public to attend this festival. It should be a very good weekend by the sea.

Everywhere in Bangkok is now advertising, grand Thailand sale, every item, whether it be brand-name or made in Thailand is offered at between 20% to 80% discount.
Now, it's a paradise, for shopping on any item you can think of. Remember as a tourist, you can also get 7% VAT cash back on all items that cost more than 5000 baht. There are still good deals on many resorts all over the country. This is being done to encourage tourists and locals alike to spend money. I saw silver jewelry on a market stall local made but well known brand will not turn black after a while 5-10 baht a piece

Traffic.

This is much the same as I mentioned in my previous letter. Only with one more ingredient added to the chaos that already exists, the rainy season has arrived.
This unfortunately, will be the sad case for the next four months, as that's how long the rainy season is expected to last. If you are planning to visit Thailand in the next few months bring your umbrella and carry a pair of flip-flops. So that if you are caught in a flash flood, you can change from good shoe to flip-flop and before you leave, you can throw the flip-flop away.

Transport

The free buses are still going, for how long I do not know as the government has just decided to buy 4000 new buses that are fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly. The sky train has now officially opened the section that crosses the river at Taksin Bridge and goes on to one station the other side. The cost to take this is FREE for the next three months, it's a way of getting the people to try it and if they like it, to pay for it after three months. The river taxi has complained bitterly to the governor of Bangkok. They have lost some 20,000 passengers a day, which no longer use their services and use the sky train; instead, you win some you lose some.

Prices

They are falling all the time and on so many items hotels, shopping, resorts, to many to list here. I think the food prices; will also come down in the domestic market with domestic products, a little bit of dumping could well be on the cards, if you can not export the products, what are you going to do with it. I mentioned above about the fruits and I feel many more products will also get the same treatment, what choice has the government. There are no exporters buying they in turn have no buyers to export to.
Booze in the pubs and clubs is not as cheap as before and the customers are also not there as in the past. I have noticed that a music pub that had 2-3 bands a night is now only running 1 band with breaks; they are also feeling the pinch
Some pool bars have closed and I think a few more to come as they were everywhere.

Where to go and Holidays.

I have put these two together as they about the same.

This time of the year with the rains upon us ,places like Phuket in the south is not a place to be, most venders close up and what is there is very poor compared to the high season. The Andaman Sea is very dangerous at this time of the year and only a few days ago a visitor drowned.
It is a good time to see the north of Thailand, garden of Thailand as its known everything is growing at full pace you can get deals on resorts in the hills. The climate is also not as harsh as Bangkok. Clean air for a start, good fresh food cool nights and spectacular storms lightening thunder the whole nine yards.

Heard it on the grape vine

There was a comment on the news a Prof, of high respect wants Thailand to go back to the old name of SIAM. He stated that Thailand was not a legal name but Siam is I am not sure why this would be good for the country. Thai airways, is thinking of canceling the order for A380 air craft, no money I think. The Swine Flu has hit Pattaya with over 40 cases confirmed that will not help the resort attract tourists.
Again the government is buying palm oil, tapioca and corn in the hope that at least farmers will have money back from this year's harvest. How long can they keep this up, because they need to borrow money from the markets and banks? This coming week, as mentioned before, all politicians have been asked to stay in Bangkok and not to leave the country, their votes are going to be needed. It will be interesting to find out what the Government proposes from the 15th to 25 June. They have also increased the danger money for government and education workers in the south of Thailand to 2500 baht extra per month.

Where do we go from here?

Sales, this is the key word; I think it's time to look outside the box. The days of opening a shop stocking it and hoping people will come have past. If the people won’t come to the shop, then take the shop to the people. Let's face it; if you have a shop, you have stocked it and that's money invested so to invest small additional money for transport should not be overly expensive. Now you are able to take your stock to the people. There are many reasons that people will not come to a shop and buy such as no time, transport not easy and expensive, the weather, to hot to cold raining, can not carry very much, you taking your shop to the people, you have overcome at least 99% of the reasons for the people not to shop.

This is certainly a good time for anyone outside of Thailand, who is thinking of importing to their country, to come and have a very careful look at what's on offer in Thailand and see if this is a viable proposition. The export promotions department of Thailand are bending over backwards to help and assist any interested party, that is looking to export from Thailand. If this appeals, to you and you would like to visit Thailand do not forget to take out travel medical insurance as swine flu is everywhere,
Hospitals in Bangkok are very good and also very expensive. If you're looking for a good hotel with a 50% discount on the room rate then contact me
This wraps up this edition of the newsletter. I hope you have enjoyed it and found it useful. Remember follow the instructions on the cover e-mail. So you can continue to receive this newsletter twice a month for the following year

Thanks

JIM.

Asia diving adventures whales!

2009-04-06T16:22:00.000-07:00

This is Masa ( I am from Japan and live in Perth )

I am operating these 3 company in Perth Western Australia like below
I have been living and operationg company in Perth for more than 21 years

These are our company
West Australia Travel and Dive Centre
West Australia Dive Centre
Dive & Safari Australia
http://www.watravelanddive.com/english/index.php

Today I wish to send our dive brouchers for Humback Whale Swim in Tonga
http://www.watravelanddive.com/english/daw/whale_1.php

I hope I can arrrange your trip to tonga with my experiences

Best Regard

Masa Takashima
World Dive Cordinator from Japan and Perth

7 Night 8 Days Humpback Whale Swim in Tonga
Mounu Island Photo
　　
Tuesday 19:25 Depart Perth
Wednesday 05:45 Arrive Auckland
07:15 Depart Auckland
11:05 Arrive Tonga (Tapu)
14:50 Depart Tonga (Tapu)
15:20 Arrive Vavau
1st Night Stay Twin View
Thursday Free Day Optional Tour 2nd Night Stay Twin View
Friday Free Day Optional Tour 3rd Night Stay Twin View
Saturday Whale Swimming (Endangered Encounter ) 4th Night Stay Twin View
Sunday Whale Swimming 5th Night Stay Twin View
Monday　　 Whale Swimming 6th Night Stay Twin View
Tuesday 08:20 Depart Vavau
09:10 Arrive Tonga (Tapu)
15:05 Depart Tonga (Tapu)
17:05 Arrive Auckland
Wednesday 14:25 Depart Auckland
18:10 Arrive Perth

Please see our other blog Cheap Charlies Hotels Asia Blog

More dive pictures in Asia

Make your own wind? Eco Asia Diving Camp!

2009-03-25T08:27:00.000-07:00

I get into these periods where I think about something for a while and lately it has been on the idea of making your own wind power using recycled electrical parts. Cambodia has a lot of used alternators and generators and I am throwing this out to the blog sphere is there someone that really knows how to rewire these old generators so that they can be used to create wind generators?

Once I get to the point where they were generating energy there are thousands in the Asia region that could use power that is off the grid. For instance besides the obvious of TV and Karaoke machines there is a ton of agricultural uses like running water pumps for rice fields.

One of the reasons that I have been thing about it is the idea of a eco Asia scuba diving camp that would be on a island that would be off the grid. At a minimum there will be a need for some trail lights and for cooking and for running fans for keeping mosquitoes off of you at night when you are sleeping.

Please see our other blog Cheap Charlies Hotels Asia Blog

Dive Asia

2009-03-12T08:38:00.000-07:00

Dear All,

We would like to thank you for your condolences and good wishes as well as your continuous support in this trying times.

We specifically would like to thank Joerg and Andreas from Deep Blue, Ben from the SSS Chamber and Matthew from Pro Tech Dive College for their unbelievable help in searching and recovering the victims from inside the wreck at a depth of around 70 meters . Tomorrow, on Friday we will continue to search for our still missing Thai Cook .

We will contact you all in a few days and let you know when we resume operations again.

Our heartfelt thanks to all of you

Juergen, Benno and the whole dive Asia Team

Please see our other blog Cheap Charlies Hotels Asia Blog

Dive Asia

2009-03-09T03:41:00.000-07:00

Very Sad News !

out thoughts and prayers for the missing divers!

Dear All,

with great sadness we have to inform you that our MV Dive Asia I sunk last night the 8th of March at around 11pm on the way back from Similan to Phuket.

To our knowledge most of our guest and crew were able to get into the life raft and where picked up by a fishing boat around noon. Right now this people are being transferred to a Thai Police Vessel and are on the way to shore and should arrive soon.

6 People are still missing and a search in the area is underway. Your support is greatly appreciated.

At this moment we do not know the reason for the accident and we will keep you posted.

Best Regards,

Benno and Juergen

Please see our other blog Cheap Charlies Hotels Asia Blog

Freelance Divers PADI SSI & dive certification agencies

2009-03-05T06:53:00.000-08:00

A very interesting concept a network of freelance divers that offer their services outside of the regular network of dive certification agencies such as PADI, SSI, SDS, YMCA, BSAC and the others, but you have to wonder that if there marketing is as poor as this is what kind of perception will the diving public have of them.

I know that when I started EcoSea Dive in Cambodia that having the PADI affiliation was important to many of the folks that came to dive with us and we could say that there were certain minimums concerning safety and the way that the dive course and the dive trips that give people a measure of safety knowing that there is some oversight from outside the provider.

When EcoSea was approached from SSI one of the things that convinced me to offer the SSI and PADI was that all SSI instructors had to work under a dive shop and that there was a 3 way checks and balances as the dive shop watch the instructors and the customers, the instructors watch the dive shops and the customers, and the customers watch the dive shops and the instructors.

I never was comfortable with the PADI dictatorial process which as a shop owner puts you under a lot of stress as there is no real grievance process when there is a conflict between the dive shop and PADI, and they can yank your PADI shop licenses and then you are in deep trouble and all of your investment can be flushed overnight. To be fair to PADI they do give warning of their actions and there is a process but it is far away and everything is in writing.

There was one time that we had a QA on a minor problem that had nothing to do with safety or diving. We were sent 2 email's and we never got the email and then they shut us off and would not let up process online cert’s as we were on a administration hold, well you could imagine the turmoil that the company went through all because the email was not getting to us because of a bad connection due to a massive computer virus outbreak in Cambodia. I always felt that they should have given a courtesy call and say hey do you plan on answering the QA before they put the company on administrator hold?

Something PADI might consider is to have a group of PADI Master Instructors act as a final review board that PADI and the Dive Shop or instructor can apply to before a final lifting of licenses.

Fred Tittle PADI MSDT the writer of this blog is no longer associated in anyway with EcoSea Dive in Cambodia which he sold in 2007 and the opinion expressed above are those of Fred Tittle only who owns the URL www.ecosea.com .

Everything below has nothing to do with either EcoSea.com or EcoSea Dive in Cambodia.

Please, meet the “ The Freelance Divers Red Sea ”
The office of “ The Freelance divers Red Sea ” is a network of Egyptian dive-masters, dive-instructors, with an international certification.
They offer their professional services for all dive-activities in the Red Sea (Egypt)
Who are you ?
- A Diving Center in need of dive-staff.
- A dive club that wants to realize his specific dive trips.
- A tourist office that likes to answer to the needs of their diver-customers.
- An individual who wants a dive guide, dive instructor.
- Some one who likes to inform others that we are there to guide divers trough the beauty of the Red Sea in a save and pleasant way.
Everybody is welcome to join us for a dive in the Red Sea !
Who are we ?
- Egyptian professional dive masters => dive instructors
- We know every dive spot of the Red Sea, from Sharm El Sheik to Marsa Alam.
- We are a network of freelance (we work on independent base) professional divers.
- We are very flexible in time and place, what means in a short time we can provide you with a small or big team of professional divers.
- Depending what you are going to do, we provide equipment, we rent boats, contact local diving centers, to cooperate with them etc...We tell you what’s still possible.
We want to give you very save and pleasant dive moments !
What are we doing ?
- Our dive instructors give all dive-courses ex PADI (Scuba diver, Open Water diver) etc…
- We guide individuals or groups during daily dives , we come pick you up in your hotel or apartment and bring you to the marine for a daily dive trip on the boat or we can even do a beach dive or night dive.
- For more experienced divers we plan dive safari’s to more extended places (ex. The Brothers Islands, The Thistlegorm wreck )
Ask us and we make you your diveprogram !
Contact : Hesham a el said (network manager )
+20 12 0359482
info@aaaaahdiveredsea.com
www.Aaaaahdiveredsea.com
What’s our price ?
- We offer price quality.
- We handle the common market prices (low season – high season – group prices – 10% discount by booking online)
- Download our pricelist
- We offer flexible programs for the best price
Contact us and we answer you as soon as possible.

Hopefully we’ll meet you soon !
The Freelance Divers Red Sea

Please see our other blog Cheap Charlies Hotels Asia Blog

Asia Scuba Diving Indonesia Liveaboard

2009-02-24T01:48:00.000-08:00

I have a freind in Indonesia Recardo that has a boat as well contct me and I will get you the details, this is a good one for a comparison. I would think that there would be more dive than this with this Asia scuba Diving trip

I would like to introduce our boat the Phinisi Ambasi (see attachment or www.divingcruisesambasi.com). We already have more than ten years experience with live-aboard diving in Indonesia (throughout the whole eastern Indonesian archipelago, NTB, NTT, Maluku, Sulawesi and Papua).
The boat is a 22 m long and 6 m wide boat with 4 (3 DBL + 1 TWN) airconditioned cabins (each cabin has its private toilet and shower).
The boat is for maximum 8 persons, so special for small groups (family or a group of diving friends).

We offer totally NETT 3.500 euro for 7d/6n cruise for max. 8 persons
Included: 3 meals, snacks, coffee, tea, transfer in/out in Labuhanbajo, mineral water, dive-compressor, dive-tanks, weights and belts, dive-guide and 15 dives.
Excluded: flight-tickets, travel-insurances, land-tours, entrance-fees, donations, beer, soft-drinks, laundry, conservation-fee in Komodo (U$ 15,= per pax), gratuities.

If you are interested in our standard cruises, and wants to know more about our operations, please visit our web-site or contact me at this above e-mail address or at info@divingcruisesambasi.com.
Thank you for your attention and looking forward hearing from you very soon.

Best Regards,
Benny/Ambasi

Please see our other blog Cheap Charlies Hotels Asia Blog

Butterfly fish in indonesia tons of variety

Nudibranchs are also very common on dives in Bali Indonesia and lots of variety

Promote Asia Cheapest Travel

2009-02-20T06:05:00.000-08:00

I recieved the following from one of the diving news groups that I belong to and I certainly believe that if we are going to get out of this economic mess we need to believe that times are going to be good again, and to see where the opertunities are, rather than where the problems are. Your enthusiasim towards scuba diving and adventure travel in Asia will make a difference to people that are still going to need to unwind. Make the decission easy for them by crafting packages that offer great value in Asia Cheap Travel is a great way for people to get a vacation in. If you stress the benefit of the benifit to them talk about how taking time out will refocus and give time for contemplation of new projects and to sit back and let the mind come up with new solutions to old problems for me the silent mediatation of a nice long dive often times rewards me with insights that I don't see when I am in the trees.

Optimism and Enthusiasm Sweeps through the Dive Industry

PADI Survival Training 2009 attendees tune out bad news and tune in to more business.

Rancho Santa Margarita, CA – 18 February 2009 – Just days after PADI Americas launched Survival Training 2009: Business of Diving for the 21st Century, PADI Members are taking action -and taking control of their future. Turning their backs on televisions and internet sites spouting negative messages, Survival Training attendees are tuning in to their business with renewed energy, optimism and enthusiasm.

“You know, in today’s climate, you’re beaten down by everything you hear in the news media,” said Kevin Guthrie of Adventure Scuba in Dallas, Texas, USA. “Survival Training was like a breath of fresh air.”

“I was very impressed,” shared Michele Day, owner and operator of Underwater Phantaseas South in Greenwood Village, Colorado, USA. “Everyone is talking negative right now; [Survival Training] was upbeat. It reminded you of why you got into diving to begin with.”

Rod Althaus, owner of New Wave Scuba in Port Clinton, Ohio, USA added, “I’m glad I went. It was well worth the time ... just the kick in the butt I needed to get jump started!”

Taking the message to the streets, “You can’t change the circumstances of the world … but, you CAN change your attitude and response,” PADI Americas executives and regional managers are challenging PADI Members to improve their business results by adopting a positive attitude and perspective about the future. Delivering a message of hope and optimism, along with a back to business basics approach, Survival Training 2009 is already making a difference for many attendees.

“I was really energized when I got back,” Day added. “The following day, I received a phone call from a couple interested in lessons. I must have spent over an hour with them on the phone. We got them into a private [Discover Scuba Diving program] that afternoon … they ended up purchasing two full sets of snorkeling gear and signed up for class, pool and open water dives.”

Bob Hathaway, owner of Odyssey Scuba and Travel in Waynesville, Missouri, USA challenged his staff to be proactive rather than reactive. “When diving comes up in conversation with people, and it always does, don’t just talk about it, hand them the little gold coin [from the PADI Marketing Kit] and invite them to try it. Don’t just wait for people to walk in the store, or see an ad, or hear something on the radio, give them a personal invitation to come into the store. The personal touch goes much farther.”

Patti Stewart, owner and operator of International Scuba in Carrollton, Texas, USA agrees, “As Gordon said, there’s no magic, silver bullet. You have to take what you have and go forward. The seminar gave us ideas on how to tweak things that we already do, as well as new ideas that made us think, hmmm, I wonder if that will work. We’re going to try.”

There’s an old saying in the news business that no news is good news and bad news is great news. At least, that’s how many newscasters look at it, which is why the airwaves and cyber space are cluttered with the news blues. But, PADI Members are finding that good news is infectious and a positive attitude along with some solid business advice is just what they need to reenergize and reinvigorate their businesses.

Are you looking for a breath of fresh air? You can still attend Survival Training 2009 at cities throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico. Do your peers recommend it?

“Definitely. Next year, I’m going to make sure my wife and staff attend, too. It does help.”

Please see our other blog Cheap Charlies Hotels Asia Blog

Cambodia PADI Pro Divers Fourms

2009-02-09T05:45:00.000-08:00

Padi Forums coming up still wondering why there isn't one in Cambodia yet, seems that there are enough pro divers there to warrent one ? Maybe next year. The updates at ADEX seem to be the way to go if you are in Cambodia but the problem there is they allways schedule the darn things real close to Songkrand and Khmer New Year which makes finding Asia cheapest travel a real tough road to go doewn as everything is full and the lines are long.

Dear Fred,

We would like to take this opportunity to inform you about the upcoming 2009 PADI Member Forums in Asia Pacific starting in March 2009 – please refer to the table below for the Member Forums nearest you. All PADI Members and staff at PADI Dive Centres/Resorts are welcome to attend – tea and coffee will be available. Your PADI Regional Manager Hans Ullrich will be presenting all Member Forums. All Member Forums are in English unless otherwise specified.

No RSVP is necessary.

Please note that all Member Forums dates and venues are updated regularly on the PADI Pros website at www.padimembers.com in the Members News section.

We look forward to seeing you at your local Member Forum. For a full list of all Member Forums in Asia Pacific, please visit the PADI Pros Site in the Members News section.

For further information contact:

Clare Smith
Internal Field Services Administrator
PADI Asia Pacific
Tel: +61 2 9454 2827
Fax: +61 2 9454 2833
Email: clare.smith@padi.com.au

DATE

VENUE

COUNTRY/CITY

TIME

9.3.09 Dirty Nelly’s Pub Koh Tao,
Thailand 7.00pm
15.3.09 Centara Grand Beach Resort Koh Samui,
Thailand 7.00pm
20.3.09 Kata Beach Resort Phuket,
Thailand 7.00pm
30.3.09 Andaburi Resort Khao Lak,
Thailand 7.00pm
6.4.09 Lai Tai Resort Ao Nang Krabi,
Thailand 7.00pm
10.4.09 Nang Ham Resort Koh Lanta,
Thailand 7.00pm
27.4.09 Novotel Lotus Sukhumvit Soi 33 Bangkok,
Thailand 7.30pm
1.5.09 Hard Rock Hotel Pattaya,
Thailand 7.00pm
6.5.09 Amari Emerald Cove Koh Chang,
Thailand 7.00pm
26.5.09 Nha Trang Lodge Nha Trang,
Vietnam 7.00pm
Regards,

PADI Asia Pacific

Please see our other blog Cheap Charlies Hotels Asia Blog

Singapore cheap hotels, cheapest flights OZ scuba diving news

2009-01-22T10:10:00.000-08:00

Lots of good stuff here so i just reprinted the whole thing and lit alot of the scuba diving links

If you are going to ADEX Singapore check out these cheap singapore hotels and cheapest singapore flightsHi Fred,

We hope most of you have returned from extensive underwater holidays over the silly season and we wish everyone a very happy 2009! We hope this will be an exciting year for everyone and much of your time can be spend under and and around the water.

There are many tasks ahead of us to save our precious world down there but the year starts on a positive note as on-line trading giant, Alibaba, ceased its trade in shark fins on January the 1st.
--> http://www.underwater.com.au/messages.php/id/8590/

Lets hope for more good news as the year progresses ... find them in the news section and the forum on underwater.

We've been bogged down with planning and organising our flagship event, the Byron Underwater Festival which is to be held from late April 2009 so this eNEWS will be brief. We are getting excellent interest and it will be a fantastic week. I wish it was here already as that would mean we had finished the organisational part of it all.

The Marine Visions part of the competition will allow people who cannot make it to Byron Bay to enter their marine related art (incuding photgraphy) and the show has been fantastic over the last two years. Please check the festival website, entry forms will be available very shortly. We have a few new sponsors too which include Aunoc lights for trial torches and prizes as well as Sportdiving and the DiveLog who will be contributing subscriptions and some other fantastic prizes throughout the week.

Mathieu Meur will be holding Underwater Photography Clinics and Neville Coleman is running an Underwater Naturalist Programm during the first two days of the festival. More info on the state of affairs of UF'09 at
--> http://www.underwaterfestival.com.au

Of course we all know that ADEX 2009 is coming up in early April and this year they have incorporated the 'Ocean Conference' to their program, a host of reputable speakers that sounds very exciting. Fore more info on this show and the associated conference, see their latest press release at
--> http://tmx.resonance.com.sg/adex/2009/issue03/mailer.htm
or visit the ADEX website at http://www.asiadiveexpo.com/

We are giving away 100 underwater cards at ADEX 2009 - you just have to be among the first 30 to enter the show on each of the days and BINGO - free access to over 300 discounts around Australasia and your entry into our underwater MEGA draw. For those who can't make it see
--> http://www.underwater.com.au/shop/department/subscriptions/

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IN THIS ISSUE
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- Great deals all around Australasia for underwater card holders
- Upcoming Events in the Region
- New in the UW shop
- underwater.com.au photo competition 08-09 - December winners
- 2009 MegaDraw prize - win a trip on Undersea Explorer or discover South West Rocks

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Great deals all around Australasia for underwater card holders
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We are proud to have the discount card with the best savings in the whole industry. The savings you can make with your underwater card are immense plus you go into our yearly underwater MegaDraw where you can win dive trips and more - details at the end of this mail.

Over 300 operators all around Australia, Oceania and Asia Pacific offer great deals to underwater card holders, with more being added every week. If you are planning to do a dive course, book a trip or buy some equipment, the card will be your best investment ever - remember the more stars a business shows with their listing, the better discounts they offer.

You also can get the underwater card at a dive store near you - if your favourite shop doesn't have them yet, get them to drop us a line.

Featured discounts:

- Archipelago Resorts & Fleet, Indonesia - U$100-200 discount
--> http://www.underwater.com.au/listing.php/id/6090

- Yongala Dive, Townsville, Australia - 10% off all sales and services
--> http://www.underwater.com.au/listing.php/id/1210/

- Seadoo Seascooters, Australia - FUN! - 5% for purchases through the underwater shop
--> http://www.underwater.com.au/listing.php/id/8057/

Make sure your card remains current and if you haven't got your underwater card yet, log on to the site and upgrade - if you are a marine enthusiast of any kind, this is the best A$30 you've ever spent.
--> http://www.underwater.com.au/shop.php/department/uw_package

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Upcoming Events in the Region (and beyond)
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Golden Dolphin 2009 | Moscow 19-22 February 2009
If you can make it to Moscow, FREE entry for all underwater card holders !
--> http://www.underwater.com.au/listing.php/id/7662/

Dive Equipment & Marketing Action Fair | Taipei 20-22 March 2009
--> http://www.underwater.com.au/listing.php/id/7452/OZTeK'09 | Sydney 21-22 March 2009
--> http://www.underwater.com.au/listing.php/id/5422/

More events at
--> http://www.underwater.com.au/events/

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NEW IN THE UW SHOP ...
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SeaDoo Seascooters - VS Supercharged and Explorers in Stock now
--> http://www.underwater.com.au/shop/department/sea_scooters/
or for more info on each model visit the SeaDoo Seascoter Australia website
--> http://www.seadooseascooter.com.au/

Dive Shop enquiries from Australia and New Zewland are welcome

More Fantasea torches and photographic accessories in stock now
- LED 44 Light with Emergency Flasher
--> http://www.underwater.com.au/product.php/id/FAN011/
Aluminum Light B & J Arm Sets
--> http://www.underwater.com.au/product.php/id/FAN013/
--> http://www.underwater.com.au/product.php/id/FAN014/
and more ...

Check out our UW card packages - with free goodies or free shipping worldwide
--> http://www.underwater.com.au/shop.php/department/subscriptions

And don't forget underwater card holders get discounts on most products in the shop (up to 25%)

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underwater australasia photo competition 2008-09 - DECEMBER monthly winners
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The 5th annual underwater australasia photo competition is now almost at the half way mark - the DECEMBER winners are announced below. Like every year we are selecting two winners each month until June 2009 and the monthly winners images are competing for the major prizes which will be announced in the August 2009 eNEWS.

Major prizes are bigger than ever with over $15,000 of prizes already announced and more coming. Current prizes include:

- A 2 week trip to Yap and Palau in Micronesia sponsored by Traders Ridge and Fish'n Fins
Yap --> http://www.underwater.com.au/listing.php/id/5125
Palau --> http://www.underwater.com.au/listing.php/id/7374

- the NEW EDGE drysuit from APOLLO - The new 4mm Microcell neoprene offers warmth and flexibility without bulk, adjustable neoprene seals, strong nylon jersey material inside and out
--> http://www.underwater.com.au/listing.php/id/2174

- 6 days and 5 nights at Cocotinos resort in Manado, North Sulawesi
--> http://www.underwater.com.au/listing.php/id/8327

- Fly Dive Cod Hole trip from Cairns, Australia with Mike Ball - 3 nights / 12 dives
--> http://www.underwater.com.au/listing.php/id/158

- A holiday diving the Similan Islands in Thailand with Le Mahe Liveaboards
--> http://www.underwater.com.au/listing.php/id/5066

For competition details, terms and conditions please read:
--> http://www.underwater.com.au/photo_competition.php

Monthly winners in both the novice and the open categories will win Dive Junkie and Seven Tenths Tees.

Please note, by now we get so many entries that not all images will end up in the underwater gallery, but all will be included in the judging process.

Now to the photo comp WINNERS of DECEMBER - the sixth lot of winners to make it into the finals for the 2008-09 competition ! So we are now half way there ... this time we have two winners shooting the same animal (well same family) one in cold and one in tropical waters. One side of the planet calls these Angler Fish other the other side calls them Frogfish ... both names are appropriate in my opinion ... OK here we go:

In the DECEMBER photo competition OPEN category winner is Jim Abregana with a magically eerie lit shot of a Frogfish - a tribute to Ducomi Pier, Dumaguete, Philippines, which has been recently 'repaired' resulting in the loss of most local marine life ...
--> http://www.underwater.com.au/image.php/id/8641/

Jim scores a beautiful Dive Junkie Tee ! - Thank them and get yours at
--> http://www.underwater.com.au/shop.php/department/dive_junkie

In the DECEMBER category of the NOVICE section underwater photo newbie Peter Perry wins with an Angler Fish from the temperate waters of Sydney - Bare Island, one of my favourite dive sites down there.
--> http://www.underwater.com.au/image.php/id/8609/

Peter gets his first Seven Tenths Tee. Thanks Seven Tenths! As you know you can buy your Seven Tenths Tees in the underwater shop anytime !
--> http://www.underwater.com.au/shop.php/department/seven_tenths

All winning entries can always be found at
--> http://www.underwater.com.au/gallery_photo_competition.php

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2009 MegaDraw prize - win a trip on Undersea Explorer - and dive Fish Rock Cave
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In JUNE 2009 we will draw amazing prizes amongst current underwater card holders - make sure you remain a current underwater card holder to be automatically entered into this draw.

Prizes include a full Osprey Reef Shark Encounter on the legendary Undersea Explorer from Port Douglas, Australia
--> http://www.underwater.com.au/listing.php/id/13

As well as a midweek dive package for TWO with South West Rocks Dive Centre.
5 nights 4 days, accommodation in dive lodge, 8 dives in total (2 a day), tanks and weights included.
--> http://www.underwater.com.au/listing.php/id/111

More prizes announced soon !

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YOUR details on underwater.com.au
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Remember you can log in anytime to adjust your personal details such as email, phone, address, your login, password etc.

Underwater card holders will have automatic discount calculations in the underwater shop and mailing details filled automatically to make things quick & easy - logging in will also let you post in the forums, submit images and stories
--> http://www.underwater.com.au/welcome.php

That's it for now ... see you underwater !

Tim and the UWTeam

You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to it. If you don't want to receive this newsletter please log in and unclick the eNEWS in you personal details. If you want to be totally deleted from our database reply with "delete from database"

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Tim Hochgrebe
Underwater.com.au
dive in. explore. discover.

PO Box 1753
Byron Bay NSW 2481

Tel: 02-66809410
Mob: 0403-357969
e-mail: tim@underwater.com.au
Please see our other blog Cheap Charlies Hotels Asia Blog

DAN Asia Scuba Diving

2009-01-08T17:09:00.000-08:00

I have allways supported Dan and have strongly suggested that if they are going to dive in Asia get DAN scuba diving insurance as they really will take care of you and they also have a 24 hour hotline that will get you or the doctor that is treating you answers to dive trauma questions related to diving accidents.

If you have a website and are a dive operator i would strongly suggest that you sign up on the DAN website.

Become a DAN Dive Safety Supporter
Dear FRED,

DAN Asia-Pacific’s new Supporter Program officially launched on the
1st January, at which time the Promoter Program ceased.

As mentioned previously the new Supporter Program includes some great new benefits.
Reciprocal promotion is a key part of the new program and as such Supporters are given the opportunity to promote their business on the DAN AP website.

This means you have the opportunity to expose ECOSEA DIVE with all visitors to the DAN AP website, both members and prospects alike.

In today’s tough economic times it makes sense to take advantage of such opportunities. Several businesses have already done so and as such are already being promoted prominently on the DAN AP website.

Please see our other blog Cheap Charlies Hotels Asia Blog

D9 Dive Computer in Asia Sale on

2008-12-20T04:50:00.000-08:00

If you are going to invest alot of money in a Sunnto dive computer like the d9 or d6 this is a good thing to buy for your scuba diving computer. the sratch guards would also be a good stocking stuffer for someone you know that ownes one of these dive computers!

Dear all,

Scratch guard (plastic protection shield, which easily
sticks on the glass) now available for the Suunto D4 / D6 / D9.

Trade price for a set THB 75.-
Best regards,
Bas
--
Koh Chang Dive Supply Co., Ltd
13/4 Moo 4, Tambon Koh Chang
Amphur Koh Chang
Trat 23170
Thailand
Phone: 039 551 518
Fax : 039 551 519
Email :kohchangdivesupply@gmail.com
Web : www.kohchangdivesupply.com

Please see our other blog Cheap Charlies Hotels Asia Blog

Asia Scuba Diving in Thailand on liveaboard!

2008-12-10T09:42:00.000-08:00

Liveaboards in the Adaman sea can be a great time with lots of the best diving in Asia being done there. check out the cheap liveaboard diving that they are ofering tell them that EcoSea sent you for a discount!

Dear All,

last Minute offer from Dive Asia: Similan Trip SM10: 14.12. - 19.12.2008

5 nights and 4 days with a total of 16 dives.

For this cruise we still have space in all cabin categories available. All cabins are with on suite Bathrooms.

Last Minute discount is 10% off the regular price.

Regular Price per Person:

Standard Cabin: 32800 Baht

Deluxe Cabin: 36800 Baht

Master Cabin: 41800 Baht

Note: non-Diver - 10%

Pick up time: 6 P.M. in Kata, Karon and Patong Beach

National Park fee of 1600 Baht to be paid by customer directly to Dive Asia prior departure.

For inquiries or bookings, please contact your Dive Asia Team at:

Dive Asia, Kata Beach
Phone: 076 330 598, Fax: 076 284 033

reservations@diveasia.com

Please see our other blog Cheap Charlies Hotels Asia Blog

Aspen Limos Deer?

2008-12-09T11:52:00.000-08:00

I have gone off the deep end and moved to Aspen Colorado. A good friend of mine from when I lived in Aspen before is a managing director of Snowlimo Aspen Snowmass limo company and I asked him if he had a job open he said yes! Last night as I was walking home form the grocery store I was 20 feet from a mule deer and I was inside the Aspen City limit besides scuba diving Aspen is probably the best place to see wild life in a eco friendly location.

Aspen is like a giant eco resort everywhere you go there are eco adventures and eco friendly signs like don't idle engines. In the grocery store they are having a competition with other stores in the Colorado Mountains on who can save the most plastic bags by bringing your own. All good stuff in Aspen looking forward to more Eco resort in USA stuff while I am here.

Please see our other blog Cheap Charlies Hotels Asia Blog

Sihanoukville International Airport Cambodia?

2008-11-12T07:38:00.000-08:00

Sihanoukville Cambodia is getting closer to realizing its potential if what the local newspaper is reporting is correct that the Sihanoukville airport is close to reopening with a longer airstrip, and that the Sihanoukville airport will be getting an additional runway that will be long enough to handle 737’s. and other big jets

Sihanoukville International Airport?

The idea of having direct flights from around the region is exciting and may be a life saver for Cambodia should the situation in Thailand get to be so bad that travelers are afraid to go there. One would be able to fly into Siem Reap see Angkor Wat take a bus or taxi to Phnom Penh or bypass Phnom Penh and get a cheap flights from Siem Reap to the beaches of Sihanoukville.

Please see our other blog Cheap Charlies Hotels Asia Blog

Cambodia Police Chief Dies Very Heavy News!

2008-11-10T02:19:00.000-08:00

Cambodia has had the same national Police Chief for a long Time the only other persons that could die that would be as important news would be the King the King Father or the Prime Minister.

Hok Lundy is the head of the Interior Minsty the ones that sign the visas and control all of the natural resourses in Cambodia.

There will be a lot of shuffling around and it will be interesting to see how this plays out over the long term as Hok Lundy was one of the main Pillars supporting the powers that rule Cambodia.

Cambodian police chief dies in helicopter crash 09 Nov 2008 15:40:10 GMT
Source: Reuters
PHNOM PENH, Nov 9 (Reuters) - Cambodia's national police chief, a close ally of Prime Minister Hun Sen, was killed with three other people in a helicopter crash on Sunday evening, the information minister said. General Hok Lundy was on his way from the capital, Phnom Penh, to his native province of Svay Rieng accompanied by a military general and two pilots. "According to the information I received, no one survived the crash," Information Minister Khieu Kanharith told Reuters. The cause of the crash was unclear. The private helicopter came down in Romduol district, about 80 km (50 miles) southeast of Phnom Penh, officials said. (Reporting by Ek Madra; Editing by Alan Raybould)

Please see our other blog Cheap Charlies Hotels Asia Blog

Eco Resort in Asia again

2008-10-29T00:49:00.000-07:00

Still thinking about a eco resort in Aisa and I am going to add a new country to the list. I was talking to a friend and he has been a couple of times down to the south in the Philippines and says that it is as safa as anywhere else in Asia right now.

For Asia Scuba Diving the south of the Philippines is very attractive as they are the top end of the triangle that goes from Mindano to Bali to East Timor I like the idea of being in this area as the diving is fantastic ussualy offering areas of muck diving and awsome adventure diving with large palagics.

More later

Please see our other blog Cheap Charlies Hotels Asia Blog

The Eco Resort Hotel Project

2008-10-03T00:32:00.000-07:00

As any one that has read this blog is aware I have been talking about setting up an eco resort hotel in Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, anyone’s guess, maybe even the Philippines. I have a few minor consideration first and foremost the scuba diving should be some of the best in Asia. One of the things that I would hope to do is to create a MPA of sorts and educate the locals to eco issues of their homes and to create projects to find a good cheap way of rebuilding reefs that have been destroyed by man or nature. I also want the resort to be really eco with as small a carbon footprint as possible ideally to be carbon natural or to be carbon negative and for it also to be as self sustaining as possible for energy and food which is specific form of energy.

I have always liked the notion of solar power and for the resort we will have the basic water heater system of drums painted black but then the hard work begins on trying to find a cheap easy way to generate electricity for lights fans and refrigeration. An eco resort hotel is going to have lots of sunshine when the customers are there when the sun is not out then only a small percentage of electricity will be needed for maintenance and security. That makes solar attractive but solar power is still very expensive.

Wind, as I am reading and understanding, is getting to be almost as cost efficient as coal and natural gas. With an island resort in the tropics you are going to get trade winds just about every day but will it be enough to meet the demand of the resort is the question?

Please see our other blog Cheap Charlies Hotels Asia Blog

Bali Cheap Scuba Diving PADI

2008-09-26T00:41:00.000-07:00

We were surprised to hear while we were doing a Padi Open Water course and a PADI Advanced Open water Course that you can see Mola Mola for cheap scuba diving in Bali at the Tulemban Wreck. While we were getting readdy to go in and start diving another diver from a different group told us that he had seen the mola mola on a couple of different occasions when he was the first one in the water. some of the best cheap scuba divig is in Bali at the Tulemban wreck

Please see our other blog Cheap Charlies Hotels Asia Blog

Scuba Equipment Bali Mares dive computer

2008-09-09T20:12:00.000-07:00

I need to buy some scuba diving equipment in Bali and was surprised how little there was that you could buy for dive gear and it was all very expensive compared with what you can get for prices in Singapore or Thailand Bangkok.

Mares has a new air intergrated computer with compass, this will compete with the Suunto D9 dive computer as well as the D6 the Nemo looks good and I have not heard to many complaints like you use to hear on the Mares computers I had a T2 what a horrible thing that was. I sold my D9 and went instead with a Gecko and you know I really like it big face easy to read and if you lose it it is not the end of the world at roughly $300 a very reliable dive computer.

Please see our other blog Cheap Charlies Hotels Asia Blog

Asia Dive boat for sale

2008-09-03T21:54:00.000-07:00

I recieve emails about alot of scuba diving in Asia stuff this is interesting if you are looking to buy a livaboard dive boat in Asia

Dear All,

Sadly the sale of our old Live Aboard boat did not happen as planned.

Therefore we are offering our oldDear All,

Sadly the sale of our old Live Aboard boat did not happen as planned.

Therefore we are offering our old Live Aboard the MV Dive Asia I again.

There are two options available:

1. Complete Liveaboard boat ready to go with everything we have for the boat like compressors, dishes, bedding, TV, DVD, two Saeco Coffeemachines and ...... Basically everything you need

2. Bare Boat

Please contact us for more information and to make an appointment for a boat inspection.

Phone: 076 330 598, Fax: 076 284 033
mailto:reservations@diveasia.com

Best Regards,

Benno and JuergenI again.

There are two options available:

1. Complete Liveaboard boat ready to go with everything we have for the boat like compressors, dishes, bedding, TV, DVD, two Saeco Coffeemachines and ...... Basically everything you need

2. Bare Boat

Please contact us for more information and to make an appointment for a boat inspection.

Phone: 076 330 598, Fax: 076 284 033
mailto:reservations@diveasia.com

Best Regards,

Benno and Juergen

Please see our other blog Cheap Charlies Hotels Asia Blog

Asia Diving Bali Deep Diving Insanity?

2008-09-02T00:18:00.000-07:00

In Tulemban a Bali scuba diver went to 83 meters according to his dive computer, he did not live to tell the tale. When teaching PADI Dive Courses the PADI instructors always stress that you need to stay with in the tables because they know that if you follow the rules that scuba diving is one of the safest sports that you can do. In the old PADI Rescue Diver instruction book they have a graph that shows accident rates for the different sports that you can do and diving is one of the safest, unfortunately when there are accidents associated with diving they tend to be fatal.

In the PADI divemaster course theory and also in the Nitrox courses they talk about oxygen toxicity and the book says that this can occur after you get an oxygen partial pressure of 1.4 to 1.6. I have talked to divers who have been deeper than 60 meters however everybody’s physiology is different so nobody can tell you when oxygen toxicity will hit you. The problem is that you go into convulsions and that there is no advance warning! The convulsions in themselves are a minor problem, the convolutions will however cause a knock-on problem of causing you to spit out your regulator and then you start breathing 100% water which is very bad for you!

Deep diving can be made safer in a few different ways getting a PADI Deep Diver Card as well as doing a Nitrox course are a good start for the Deep Diver Specialty you will need to be PADI Adventure diver to begin or have a equivalent Advanced Open Water Card from another dive agency like SSI,TDI, NAUI, BSAC or any member of the Recreational Scuba Diving Council (RSTC)

Tulemban Wreck Diving in Bali

Please see our other blog Cheap Charlies Hotels Asia Blog

Bali Diving Hotels cheap flights budget travel

2008-08-31T22:51:00.000-07:00

I just cannot get enough diving in Bali. I was up in Tulamben Amed area a little over a week ago for 4 days of great dives and then a friend got a really cheap airfare to Bali to hang out, so we went up together and went diving on the Tulamben wreck and the drop off, two of my favorite Bali dive sites for two days. With our Bali cheap hotel rates of $6 a night for the two of us ,and the cheap food, plus a deal on the rental dive equipment, the mini vacation dive trip for 2 nights 3 days all inclusive was just a hair over $100 USD, so for $17.50 a day per person we got to do some of the best scuba diving in Asia, which has to be the cheapest diving in Asia that I have done since my dive holiday in Malaysia in the Perhentian islands last year, certainly much cheaper than the diving in Thailand in Koh Phi Phi.

The first day we snorkeled and promised ourselves that we would get up with the sunrise so that we could see the bump head parrot fish, which I had no idea are as large as they are. Well as these things go we ended up not getting in the water till almost 8am, but good enough to beat all the divers coming up from the Bali luxury hotels in Sanur Kuta and Nusa Doa. We had a great dive with excellent conditions, water temperature was around 28° good visablity but no Bump heads, but we had the Great barracuda just off the wreck in 15 meters of water. I swam really close to this monster fish and got a nice video on my Sony Cybershot with underwater housing. On the drop off which we did late in the afternoon we surprised a Bumphead in 30 meters and then when we went a little deeper we had a White Tip Shark, which I have a nice little video of that I will put up on you tube when I get a chance so you can enjoy as well.

On the 3rd day we did get up and into the water before 7am and the Bumphead parrot fish were just leaving right when we were dropping in so I got a nice parade video that I will also put on You Tube when I get a chance. We then went to the Drop off after a 1 hour surface interval nothing real spectacular but I did get a nice picture of an eel getting cleaned as well as some other good underwater photos of butterfly fishes including a latticed and a hump head and some banner fish.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7A_WcY6aio8

Please see our other blog Cheap Charlies Hotels Asia Blog

Asia Eco Beach Resorts

2008-08-27T22:52:00.000-07:00

Bali is as close to heaven as you are lucky to find as far as I am concerned.

More thoughts on the eco resort in Asia idea, I want to see how much help that I can get from the locals and have it be profitable for them finically as well as being a learning experience.

One of the things that I tried to do with EcoSea dive in Sihanoukville was to train my Khmer employees so that when they left EcoSea that their skills would be such that they would be able to make more money as they had valuable skills that they could use for the rest of their work careers and I feel that we succeed in doing that for many of the Cambodians that had worked for us in Sihanoukville over the years.

Being eco friendly is multi faceted and with a Asia eco beach resort on the Thailand Gulf one would need to be even more aware of the impact to make sure that you didn’t harm the ocean or the beachfront. I have seen a few eco resorts in Asia and for the most part they seem to be using the eco term more than really being a eco resort I hope that we will be able to do a better job of it.

Any comments please feel free to talk about any thing that you like just try

Please see our other blog Cheap Charlies Hotels Asia Blog

Eco Resort on beach accomodations in Asia

2008-08-26T23:23:00.000-07:00

I was pointing out something that a diver that I was teaching the PADI deep diver course, which you get some of in the PADI Advanced open water course, had said, which lead me to Underwater Naturalist, which sparked in my brain and so I started talking about a dream of starting an eco resort in Asia. I have a couple of places in mind all ready, unfortunately both of these sites don’t have bamboo in the amounts that I will need to build a resort, so I will be looking into ways that I can start and encourage bamboo to grow. If you know any please share them with me in the comments thanks

We also talked about building buildings that don’t use cement for an eco resort on a Asia beach, on a tropical island. I was thinking originally that I would build concrete pads and then put tents on them for the first years and then as time went on I would build jungle huts using local materials and then for the final phase create luxury huts.

in a earlier blog post with Ema the engineering student from the UK, she brought up a very amazing fact that 10% of CO2 emissions is generated from the manufacture of cement. Ema stated To reduce it, we’re looking at replacing some of the cement in concrete with other products, such as fly ash (industrial byproduct) or alternatives to cement completely, such as magnesium oxide, although his is still being researched.. Increased proportion of aggregate can also reduce the amount of cement needed, and again recycled waste products such as sawdust or paper can be used.

So there is a lot of garbage that is floating around that ends up on the beach so we will research how much of this we can trap in the eco resort. Reduce reuse recycle. I will have more on this and as always your comments are welcome and encouraged we like to hear all opinions and will print all that are not rude ignorant or crass

Please see our other blog Cheap Charlies Hotels Asia Blog