tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53738858767824500322024-03-13T16:13:52.869-07:00Scuba Steve's Ultimate DivesHi my name is Steve Easton AKA Scuba Steve. I am a PADI scuba instructor who has travelled the world diving some of the most fantastic locations the sport has to offer. This is my blog of Ultimate Dives. I will try to provide you with a little history, a bit of culture and a lot of information on what I believe are the best dives ever.ScubaStevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02970808110336710405noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5373885876782450032.post-4245991674234879322011-07-12T14:45:00.000-07:002011-08-04T10:21:28.994-07:00Scuba Diving Palancar Reef - Cozumel, Mexico<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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Palancar- Cozumel <country-region w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Mexico</place></country-region></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Just about every diver who makes the trip to the beautiful <place w:st="on"><placetype w:st="on">Island</placetype> of <placename w:st="on">Cozumel</placename></place> has the chance to dive the Palancar Reef.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> The reef itself is quite a large reef and there are actually several separate but equally enjoyable Palancar dives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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You can take a charter from anyone of the numerous dive shops right on the island but also you can make the trip from the mainland right from Playa Del Carmen it’s just a longer boat ride.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t let the boat ride scare you off because in one of my earlier blogs I shared the story of an unexpected encounter with a whale shark on this very boat ride. <br />
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As I was saying the Palancar reef offers several different dives that cater to every level of diver.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><place w:st="on"><placename w:st="on">Palancar</placename> <placetype w:st="on">Gardens</placetype></place> is a shallow dive only 35’-67’ with great visibility and almost no current.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here you will find hundreds of corals of every color imaginable and a large selection of sponges.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All the while you are courted by a multitude of colorful reef fishes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A truly fantastic dive for a beginner or a good refresher but also enjoyable by the most seasoned divers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_uBXlW5Krpo/TjrT-WMEz2I/AAAAAAAAAGA/ZWIB_PrTWHw/s1600/palancar+coral.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_uBXlW5Krpo/TjrT-WMEz2I/AAAAAAAAAGA/ZWIB_PrTWHw/s320/palancar+coral.jpg" t$="true" width="320" /></a></div>The Palancar Bricks is another popular dive however because it reaches depths of over 90’ it is usually reserved for advanced level divers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Aside from the depth it is a relatively easy dive with incredible visibility over 100 feet and almost no current.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This site is also highlighted by the abundant healthy corrals to be found.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Huge coral formations erupt from the sandy bottom and this is a great place to spot eagle rays, turtles and often time reef sharks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The coral continues to impress as you ascend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fcM5AC7s6Fc/TjrUKVxecII/AAAAAAAAAGE/_gpxMousfh8/s1600/palancar+moray.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fcM5AC7s6Fc/TjrUKVxecII/AAAAAAAAAGE/_gpxMousfh8/s320/palancar+moray.jpg" t$="true" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Cleaning stations are a common site and it is always fun to watch the shrimp work their magic by removing parasites from turtles or rays.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A very enjoyable dive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My favourite dive on Palancar by far has to be the <place w:st="on"><placename w:st="on">Palancar</placename> <placetype w:st="on">Caves</placetype></place>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Huge coral formations create a vast array of caves, caverns and buttresses. Larger sea life is commonplace and this is a popular spot for photographers.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mf2zv_gnOIc/TjrUajG9qPI/AAAAAAAAAGM/efkPD7u1T40/s1600/palancar+lionfish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mf2zv_gnOIc/TjrUajG9qPI/AAAAAAAAAGM/efkPD7u1T40/s1600/palancar+lionfish.jpg" t$="true" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DI9_B38u0D4/TjrUeY5CunI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/e7oem3hPGGg/s1600/palancar+shark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DI9_B38u0D4/TjrUeY5CunI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/e7oem3hPGGg/s320/palancar+shark.jpg" t$="true" width="320" /></a></div><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rays, Sharks, Turtles, eels, they are always here for your viewing pleasure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a fairly deep dive again over 90’ but it still has little current and offers a diver some excellent visibility.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The coral is all very healthy and the local guides do a very good job educating divers on conservation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gloves are prohibited to discourage touching and buoys are permanently place to avoid anchor damage insuring that the great dive sites on Palancar reef will be available for years to come.<br />
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can easily dive 6-8 dives on this reef and not see it all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I only had 3 dives and when I return I will be sure to explore the reef further.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many a diver count Palancar among the top dives in the world and for very good reason.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would recommend these dives to all.</div>ScubaStevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02970808110336710405noreply@blogger.com146tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5373885876782450032.post-81985530808228647702011-07-12T14:36:00.000-07:002011-08-05T08:20:39.881-07:00Scuba Diving Kedah National Marine Park - Langkawi Malaysia<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><place w:st="on"><city w:st="on">Palau Segantang- Kedah National Park</city> <country-region w:st="on">Malaysia<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MXqqYU790hw/Tjre2wd9CLI/AAAAAAAAAGU/mMOhZlmHRmM/s1600/kedah+aerial.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MXqqYU790hw/Tjre2wd9CLI/AAAAAAAAAGU/mMOhZlmHRmM/s1600/kedah+aerial.jpg" t$="true" /></a></div></country-region></place></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Around 20 miles north of the port city Penang in the beautiful country of <country-region w:st="on">Malaysia</country-region> is the <place w:st="on"><placename w:st="on">Kedah</placename> <placename w:st="on">National</placename> <placename w:st="on">Marine</placename> <placetype w:st="on">Park</placetype></place>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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The Malaysian Government has declared the park a protected area since 1985 and prohibits fishing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The park consists of 5 Islands (<country-region w:st="on">Palau</country-region>’s) with the main Island Langkawi hosting a <placename w:st="on">Visitor</placename> <placetype w:st="on">Center</placetype>, an underwater observatory some of the nicest beaches you will find in all of <country-region w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Malaysia.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a1zgisqk2oA/TjsDIUBeaiI/AAAAAAAAAGY/SgP66T-Kwnc/s1600/Underwater_World_Langkawi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a1zgisqk2oA/TjsDIUBeaiI/AAAAAAAAAGY/SgP66T-Kwnc/s1600/Underwater_World_Langkawi.jpg" t$="true" /></a></div><br />
</place></country-region> Palau Segantang has some bungalows that can be rented at a very low price.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fact that the <place w:st="on">Island</place> has no fresh water and all water is collected by park staff who use a series of tarps, and barrels to collect the rainwater may contribute to the low cost of accommodation. <br />
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Something you can see here that I have never seen before is the Flying Fox.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is sort of a cross between a bat and a dog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are actually part of the bat family and they are the largest bats in the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They can have a wingspan of up to 6 feet across and only weigh between 3-5 lbs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They do not eat meat they eat fruit mostly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However to see these large creatures fly around and land in a tree then use their hands to crawl and climb is just a little creepy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have been considered a delicacy by some cultures and are now on the endangered species list.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has nothing to do with diving but I really enjoyed seeing them and felt it was worth mentioning.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LMrGnYbYpeA/TjsEBV1HvuI/AAAAAAAAAGc/XhEj1KMR7l0/s1600/kedah+flying-fox-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LMrGnYbYpeA/TjsEBV1HvuI/AAAAAAAAAGc/XhEj1KMR7l0/s320/kedah+flying-fox-1.jpg" t$="true" width="320" /></a></div><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Back to diving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Langkawi itself has no diving to speak of but there are several small islands within the park that have some magnificent dive sites.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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One of the best known and frequently dived is Palau Segantang.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Located just west of the <place w:st="on"><placetype w:st="on">Island</placetype> of <placename w:st="on">Palau Payer</placename></place>, another popular dive destination Palau Segantang offers two corral pinnacles that rise from the seafloor from just less than 100’ of depth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is a slight current but the visibility is fantastic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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The Pinnacles attract a large variety of sea life such as Turtles, barracuda, eel, several varieties of jacks, large nurse sharks, seahorse, some pacific lobster, and many other varieties of fish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is also a great place to go to see many different types of soft corrals.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dXEtB7dVU1Q/TjsEgi9fwzI/AAAAAAAAAGo/Q5wH9SylkPU/s1600/kedah+divers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dXEtB7dVU1Q/TjsEgi9fwzI/AAAAAAAAAGo/Q5wH9SylkPU/s1600/kedah+divers.jpg" t$="true" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eZvlSEIt2uM/TjsElkCxKGI/AAAAAAAAAGs/0w4_D8a2FaE/s1600/kedah+turtle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eZvlSEIt2uM/TjsElkCxKGI/AAAAAAAAAGs/0w4_D8a2FaE/s1600/kedah+turtle.jpg" t$="true" /></a></div><br />
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When you leave the boat you descend to about 95’ to a sandy bottom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then you start to work your way back to the surface all the while admiring the many forms of life who call this formation home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are several swim throughs to enjoy while you work your way up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is an advanced level dive because of the depth and sometimes the visibility can be disturbed by the many ships that pass through the area on the Straits of Malacca.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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However this site is an excellent 2 tank dive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are several day charters that make runs to the area as well as a few live boards that offer repetitive dives throughout the park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Watch your air and time your dive properly so you don’t use your air at the beginning of the dive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Beginner divers also frequent this site but they start the dive by descending to 60’ and working up from there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still a very enjoyable dive however the nurse sharks tend to stay closer to the bottom so they may well be missed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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Overall a very enjoyable dive that is sure to impress any diver of any level.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bring your camera you are certain to get some great shots.</div>ScubaStevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02970808110336710405noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5373885876782450032.post-8834101723064684992011-07-12T14:27:00.000-07:002011-08-06T06:08:20.181-07:00Scuba Diving Ginnie Springs, High Springs-Florida, USA<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E_dQlHrHEqo/Tj07TECOtQI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/lQyF-EHWW9U/s1600/ginnie-springs+shop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E_dQlHrHEqo/Tj07TECOtQI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/lQyF-EHWW9U/s320/ginnie-springs+shop.jpg" t$="true" width="320" /></a></div><state w:st="on"><place w:st="on"><br />
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Florida</place></state> is home to many amazing things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amazing beaches, amazing cities, amazing theme parks, and some pretty amazing dive sites.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For a diver you have an abundance of choices.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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The corals and wrecks of the Keys, the <place w:st="on">Gulf of Mexico</place>, endless rivers and inland lakes, or one of my all time favorites the caves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are several major cave systems in central <state w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Florida</place></state> that are available to divers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had the pleasure to visit a great spot called Ginnie Springs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ginnie Springs is located in a Town called High Springs that is located West of Jacksonville and North of Gainsville.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is almost between the Atlantic Ocean and the <place w:st="on">Gulf of Mexico</place>. The street address is <br />
<address w:st="on"><street w:st="on">7300 Ginnie Springs Rd.</street> <city w:st="on">High Springs</city>, <state w:st="on">Fla.</address><address w:st="on"></state></address><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They offer a full service dive shop, picnic area, camping sites and access to one of the largest cave systems in <place w:st="on">North America</place>. The water is crystal clear and stays a constant 72 *F all year round.<br />
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jacques Cousteau visited here once and stated it had “Visibility forever” <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-82iELCtFR4A/Tj07C-jMyeI/AAAAAAAAAJc/3kLHBqpM7ko/s1600/ginnie+springs+caver+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-82iELCtFR4A/Tj07C-jMyeI/AAAAAAAAAJc/3kLHBqpM7ko/s1600/ginnie+springs+caver+2.jpg" t$="true" /></a></div>To access most of the sites available at Ginnie Springs you need to be able to show proof of having completed Cave and Cavern training from a recognized training agency.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you don’t have a cave card they will issue you an open water wristband and you will only be allowed in certain spots.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If they find you wandering into places you are not qualified to be in they will ask you to leave the park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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I had yet to take any Tech or Cave training when I visited here so I was limited to the open water locations as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They do host several instructors who provide training on site but I am sure you would need to make arrangements with them before you show up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was pretty happy just diving what they call the ballroom.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LyoY8YAvx7A/Tj062dWZH-I/AAAAAAAAAJQ/R1N96D3d4S8/s1600/ginne+springs+cavern.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LyoY8YAvx7A/Tj062dWZH-I/AAAAAAAAAJQ/R1N96D3d4S8/s1600/ginne+springs+cavern.jpg" t$="true" /></a></div><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Ballroom is located right behind the dive shop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is a large parking lot and picnic area with BBQ’s and tables.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is easy access to a small shallow basin that is a great place for swimming or snorkeling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The basin empties into the <place w:st="on"><placename w:st="on">Santa Fe</placename> <placetype w:st="on">River</placetype></place> and I think you can rent an inner tube for a little float down the river.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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Just inside this basin you will see a large opening in the limestone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Welcome to the ballroom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is a lot of natural light that gets in through the entrance but you want to bring a light to explore the whole cavern because there are some dark spots.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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If you go straight in and go down to the bottom right of the cavern you will see a small steel grate that covers the aquifer that supplies 35 million gallons of warm clear water to this spring every day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you approach the grate head on you will exhaust yourself swimming into the torrent and just float away so you need to go to either side of it and move sideways until you are directly in front of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can hold on to the grate and feel the power of the water as it rushes past and then let go and be swept back into the cavern, it is far safer than it sounds a pretty fun thing to do actually.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-feGFVzX_q9w/Tj0660B08KI/AAAAAAAAAJU/2W5ruZC-qoM/s1600/ginnie+springs+ballroom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-feGFVzX_q9w/Tj0660B08KI/AAAAAAAAAJU/2W5ruZC-qoM/s1600/ginnie+springs+ballroom.jpg" t$="true" /></a></div><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The deepest point in the cavern is about 50’ deep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And it is large enough to explore on a single tank dive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was not much life to see just a couple small fish and a river eel that was about 3 ‘long.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For someone who has never been in a cave or cavern this is a great place to go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Further down the <place w:st="on"><city w:st="on">Santa Fe</city></place> you will find the entrance to the Devil’s Springs caves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ur-6NzXS_7Q/Tj07NUmAtKI/AAAAAAAAAJw/Z_RqNqmJAtg/s1600/ginnie+springs+map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ur-6NzXS_7Q/Tj07NUmAtKI/AAAAAAAAAJw/Z_RqNqmJAtg/s1600/ginnie+springs+map.jpg" t$="true" /></a></div> There are two systems the Devils Eye that has several thousand feet of caves and opens into the second system, the Devil’s ear it is a much larger and deeper cave system and many people have died in here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are grates in place and signage to warn you that without the proper training and equipment divers are forbidden to enter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They do not allow open water divers to have a light with them to further discourage you from wandering into a place that you should not be in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dHCHsMdUuYQ/Tj07EzYXf0I/AAAAAAAAAJg/_RJFKRDNhwA/s1600/ginnie+springs+caver.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dHCHsMdUuYQ/Tj07EzYXf0I/AAAAAAAAAJg/_RJFKRDNhwA/s1600/ginnie+springs+caver.jpg" t$="true" /></a></div>This is a great place to spend a day diving or if you are so motivated take some cave training.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though it is more suited to experienced cave divers an open water guy like me can still have a great time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So put this on your list if you want to try something a little exciting and different from a regular open water dive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You won’t regret it.</div>ScubaStevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02970808110336710405noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5373885876782450032.post-47909178063088642952011-07-06T21:14:00.000-07:002011-08-07T06:59:11.764-07:00A Chance Encounter- Scuba Diving with a Whale Shark in Cozumel Mexico<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-41heQM8fIsM/Tj6YKCZpCxI/AAAAAAAAALE/NyZN4tXu_l0/s1600/whale+shar+Playa+Del+Aerial.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-41heQM8fIsM/Tj6YKCZpCxI/AAAAAAAAALE/NyZN4tXu_l0/s1600/whale+shar+Playa+Del+Aerial.jpg" t$="true" /></a></div>As divers we are all aware of the many things that can come up to change our plans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Weather, mechanical issues with a boat, equipment problems, illness, sometimes even the best laid plans have some unexpected surprises.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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One of my most memorable dives was due to an unplanned surprise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was on a boat headed out to Palancar just off Cozumel <country-region w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Mexico</place></country-region>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were leaving from the mainland so it was to be about a 45 minute trip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The weather was terrific, the water was calm everything looked to be going according to plan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However after only 10 minutes or so I felt the boat suddenly stop and the engine shut down I knew something was up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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Our Mexican Captain left the wheelhouse yelling something in Spanish that I did not understand but I can see he was excited.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All I could hear was “Get in the water” and that was all I needed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While the other divers were asking what was wrong I already had my BCD on my back and my mask in place and with my fins in hand I was just preparing to jump when two things happened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First I heard the word “Shark” and at the same time I saw the dark silhouette of what appeared to be a semi truck go under the boat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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Well this great lakes diver has seen every Jaws movie ever made and at that time had not had the opportunity to see a shark in the wild so needless to say I was no longer in much of a hurry to get into the water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was wondering if this was some sort of attempt to extort money from tourists the old “pay up or we feed you to the sharks routine” I don’t think that has ever happened but I was thinking it might be happening now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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As more people saw the ominous shape emerge from under our boat I heard the excitement growing and heard “whale shark, whale shark”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By this time a second diver was geared up and ready to make the plunge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He looked at me and said “Go ahead”, I have read about whale sharks and how they were gentle giants but I was not ready to be the first one in the water with something that big.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You first” I replied.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He smiled at me and I could tell that he was having the same thoughts that I was, “Let’s go together” he said well that was good enough for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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I rolled over the side and was pretty relieved to see the bubbles beside me from the other diver splashing in, I was a little concerned that he would renege on our deal and leave me alone with this monstrously big creature.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I was securing my fins I could see the tail fin just disappearing into the blue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Honestly I felt relieved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was not a coward I went in the water but I was not very sad to see the beast swim away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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For a couple seconds I thought my shark encounter was over. Then I saw the outline again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This time it was not a tailfin but a huge gaping mouth that looked like it had the girth to swallow us both whole.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Man I was scared.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bear in mind I was not an experienced saltwater diver at the time and had never seen a single shark except in an aquarium so I’m not ashamed to say hell ya I was scared.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VvddV4WmVj0/Tj6YUHi4ZiI/AAAAAAAAALQ/pENL-Gb1ibU/s1600/whale+shark+close.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VvddV4WmVj0/Tj6YUHi4ZiI/AAAAAAAAALQ/pENL-Gb1ibU/s1600/whale+shark+close.jpg" t$="true" /></a></div>My new dive buddy put both his hands up in the air like he was signaling me to surrender.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No problem there I mimicked his maneuver and threw both my hands up high.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were only a few feet from the surface and we were side by side as this graceful creature, slowly glided by us and gently rubbed against us as she passed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The adrenaline, the excitement, the fear it was all of these emotions at the same time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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To this day I believe that she was well aware of our presence because she stopped her huge tail as she slid by as if not to harm us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then in a slow purposeful arc she reversed course and came back and again gently rubbed us as she passed on the other side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It reminded me of a cat walking between my legs in a figure eight pattern rubbing against me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only this cat was about 42 feet long and at weighed at least 10 tons.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Yyb3fqtqOio/Tj6YbPgXYBI/AAAAAAAAALY/D2M9dclQWnQ/s1600/whale+shark+riding+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Yyb3fqtqOio/Tj6YbPgXYBI/AAAAAAAAALY/D2M9dclQWnQ/s320/whale+shark+riding+2.jpg" t$="true" width="320" /></a></div><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By this time a few other divers had joined us in the water and the shark was now dividing her time equally among her new friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People were taking photo’s petting her and I watched as our dive master slipped beneath her and seemed to get pulled along in her wake all the while rubbing her belly with both hands in a circular pattern.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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This trick I even attempted myself as my courage grew.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was an amazing almost religious experience that something this large could be as gentle as it was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Within 20 minutes of my heroic leap into what I was sure were the very jaws of death several other boats had arrived and there were probably 25 or more divers in the water all swarming to get a chance to touch this magnificent animal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then as suddenly as she came into my life she left.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I saw her heading down into the blue depths with a few divers trying to follow then she was gone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the man she left behind was changed forever by our 25 minute love affair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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Whale sharks are the biggest fish in the world they are said to grow to be up to 50 feet in length and some say as big as 60 feet and 12-14 tons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are prehistoric and date back 240 million years to the Jurassic period.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have over 3000 teeth yet they are filter feeders they open their mouths while swimming or sometimes while they hover vertical in the water they and suck in huge amounts of water and expel it through 5 gill slits located on either side of their body.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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Their backs are covered in light colored spots and each whale sharks spots are as unique as our fingerprints.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Scientists are building a database to record and track individual whale sharks using this pattern. They live between 70-100 years and they tend to follow the same route of migration. <place w:st="on">Cozumel</place> is a regular destination for feeding and mating and whale sharks can almost always be found there between June and mid September.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have repeatedly referred to the shark I was with as a female and I know this because the males have 2 claspers located near the pelvic fin. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She did not.<br />
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was told that my encounter was a very rare encounter because it was in December long after the usual migration and it happened much closer to the mainland than they are usually ever spotted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I like to think that she came there to meet me personally and become yet another great reason why I love my underwater world as much as I do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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Yes I was afraid, very afraid until I saw that this lovely lady of the deep had no intentions on hurting me only to be admired and caressed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think every diver should book a trip to <place w:st="on"><country-region w:st="on">Mexico</country-region></place> between June and September to experience this wonder for them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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There are few things I have ever seen or done that have moved me the way this particular dive did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Man I love this sport!</div>ScubaStevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02970808110336710405noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5373885876782450032.post-44523086904663413872011-07-05T20:20:00.000-07:002011-08-07T07:00:59.807-07:00Scuba Diving on The Arabia Wreck-Fathom Five Marine Park, Tobermory Ontario<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FZOcvz_FH_E/Tj1Ig-65q3I/AAAAAAAAAKA/8wDXwC4_Cac/s1600/toby+aerial.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FZOcvz_FH_E/Tj1Ig-65q3I/AAAAAAAAAKA/8wDXwC4_Cac/s1600/toby+aerial.jpg" t$="true" /></a></div><br />
At the northern tip of the <placename w:st="on">Bruce</placename> <placename w:st="on">Peninsula</placename> that extends like a long crooked finger to form a natural divide between Lake Huron and Georgian Bay you will find the quaint town of <place w:st="on"><city w:st="on">Tobermory</city></place>. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tobermory is a sleepy little village of just over 600 permanent residents all winter long but when the snow melts that number explodes as divers make the pilgrimage north to explore <country-region w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Canada</place></country-region>’s first underwater national park </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HZXh9aKY8iU/Tj1IjHUFAGI/AAAAAAAAAKE/n3GCXa0d8vU/s1600/toby+grotto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HZXh9aKY8iU/Tj1IjHUFAGI/AAAAAAAAAKE/n3GCXa0d8vU/s1600/toby+grotto.jpg" t$="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><placename w:st="on">Fathom</placename> <placename w:st="on">Five</placename> <placename w:st="on">National</placename> <placename w:st="on">Marine</placename> <placetype w:st="on">Park</placetype> was created in 1987, for the 15 years prior to that it was designated a <placename w:st="on">Provincial</placename> <placename w:st="on">Underwater</placename> <placetype w:st="on">Park</placetype><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This underwater playground houses 22 ship wrecks like the famous Arabia, the intentionally scuttled Niagara II and the <place w:st="on"><placename w:st="on">Forrest</placename> <placetype w:st="on">City</placetype></place>, three of my favorites. The Park also offers numerous geological wonders to enjoy underwater such as the caves, the grotto, north otter wall and the lighthouse.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8OKUa7PFvrY/Tj1ImJPIBVI/AAAAAAAAAKI/dKNLDGlvg38/s1600/toby+lighthouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8OKUa7PFvrY/Tj1ImJPIBVI/AAAAAAAAAKI/dKNLDGlvg38/s1600/toby+lighthouse.jpg" t$="true" /></a></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uTilUoqjwl8/Tj1Ir7eeF2I/AAAAAAAAAKQ/N6gKAYMIlYk/s1600/toby+visitor+centre.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uTilUoqjwl8/Tj1Ir7eeF2I/AAAAAAAAAKQ/N6gKAYMIlYk/s1600/toby+visitor+centre.jpg" t$="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sqh3YpVWYSk/Tj1IpOOOsDI/AAAAAAAAAKM/2YqEh8hrdt8/s1600/toby+shoreline.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sqh3YpVWYSk/Tj1IpOOOsDI/AAAAAAAAAKM/2YqEh8hrdt8/s1600/toby+shoreline.jpg" t$="true" /></a></div><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">There is a plethora of dive boats to take advantage of but also you will find several worthwhile shore dives. There are also several other wrecks located just outside the parks boundary that you are free to enjoy as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Aside from the many beautiful sites to explore underwater the area offers a vast array of entertainment options to enjoy during your surface interval.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is a large Visitor center, lots of shops and great restaurants.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can take a glass bottom boat to explore some of the shallow wrecks such as the W.L. Wetmore or the James C. King. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many also enjoy a good hike or bike ride through the rugged Canadian wilderness. Witness the pitting and scouring of the limestone as huge rocks were dragged south by the receding glaciers. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A boat ride out to the towering limestone formation called <placename w:st="on">Flowerpot</placename> <placetype w:st="on">Island</placetype> or even take the ChiChiMon ferry over to visit the remote <place w:st="on"><placename w:st="on">Manitoulin</placename> <placetype w:st="on">Island</placetype></place>. <br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are plenty of hotels, bed and breakfasts and a great selection of campgrounds to accommodate your every need. The water is clear and offers good visibility and surprisingly few zebra mussels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However it does tend to be a bit on the chilly side ranging from the mid 40’s to the low 60’s at the surface.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">This is a good place to use your dry suit but many divers get by just fine in a 7mm wet suit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will in time write about several of the fantastic dives in Fathom Five but first I am going to focus on The Arabia a 131’ three masted barque was launched in <city w:st="on">Kingston</city> <state w:st="on">Ontario</state> in 1853 and a year later she crossed the Atlantic Ocean with a cargo bound for <country-region w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Scotland</place></country-region></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 1883 she ran aground near <placename w:st="on">Flowerpot</placename> <placetype w:st="on">Island</placetype> but was refloated and only a year later she foundered in rough weather just off <place w:st="on"><placename w:st="on">Echo</placename> <placetype w:st="on">Island</placetype></place> October 4<sup>th</sup> 1884.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was loaded with a cargo of grain headed from <city w:st="on">Chicago</city> to <place w:st="on"><city w:st="on">Midland</city></place> when she started to take on water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">The crew of 4 plus the ships dog put up a great fight for several hours manning the pumps and doing their best to keep ahead of the water coming in but eventually the water won.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All 4 crew members and the dog were able to safely leave the ship and she went down in about 108’ of water. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now she lays upright and mostly intact pointing north The Arabia has two mooring buoys marking her final resting spot. When diving this wreck try to tie off on the furthest buoy to the north this will bring you down on the bow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You will see her majestic bowsprit, or jib boom complete with anchor chains running down its length.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">You can really appreciate the great condition this wreck is in thanks to the cold fresh water of the great lakes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can clearly make out the 2 large anchors, a windlass, some deadeyes, and a bilge pump no doubt one of the last things used by her crew.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just behind here you will come to a broken mast laying across the port rail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also visible is the ships large centerboard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As you approach the stern you will see that her stern has broken off but you can find the ships wheel in pretty good shape.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tHMPuC_NFOU/Tja9NFFeWLI/AAAAAAAAAD8/DWWew4Alvoo/s1600/arabia+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tHMPuC_NFOU/Tja9NFFeWLI/AAAAAAAAAD8/DWWew4Alvoo/s320/arabia+1.jpg" t$="true" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bRIXBxW3-R4/Tja9PqyU-1I/AAAAAAAAAEA/r37bqEy9T0c/s1600/Arabia+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bRIXBxW3-R4/Tja9PqyU-1I/AAAAAAAAAEA/r37bqEy9T0c/s320/Arabia+2.jpg" t$="true" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Kkw-S6WRyVM/Tja9SO-JMMI/AAAAAAAAAEE/kZyLQqsSqkQ/s1600/arabia+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Kkw-S6WRyVM/Tja9SO-JMMI/AAAAAAAAAEE/kZyLQqsSqkQ/s320/arabia+3.jpg" t$="true" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8h9LoUZpBQM/Tja9bgyQP-I/AAAAAAAAAEM/tgF0A2PxBDM/s1600/arabia+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8h9LoUZpBQM/Tja9bgyQP-I/AAAAAAAAAEM/tgF0A2PxBDM/s320/arabia+4.jpg" t$="true" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RA_mtPjY2iI/Tja9eiQePBI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/KPFR5lJHVI0/s1600/arabia+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RA_mtPjY2iI/Tja9eiQePBI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/KPFR5lJHVI0/s1600/arabia+5.jpg" t$="true" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5hbeomOoT90/Tja9gvfULJI/AAAAAAAAAEU/5dP_QCFO8DI/s1600/arabia6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5hbeomOoT90/Tja9gvfULJI/AAAAAAAAAEU/5dP_QCFO8DI/s320/arabia6.jpg" t$="true" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dTUR1SM1hf8/Tja9kD1aYTI/AAAAAAAAAEY/eYyxoWQPIZQ/s1600/arabia+7.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dTUR1SM1hf8/Tja9kD1aYTI/AAAAAAAAAEY/eYyxoWQPIZQ/s1600/arabia+7.bmp" t$="true" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">This wreck is deep and cold and at times you will find a current as well as limited visibility.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Watch your bottom time and closely monitor your air pressure because though this ship went down without any casualties 13 divers have lost their lives exploring the wreck since it was discovered in 1971.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is an advanced dive and you want to be sure you have the correct training and equipment before you make the dive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Overall a fantastic dive and one of the most popular dives in the park and any trip to Fathom Five should include the <place w:st="on">Arabia</place>. </div></div>ScubaStevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02970808110336710405noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5373885876782450032.post-64771928233500442292011-07-04T06:59:00.000-07:002011-08-07T07:01:37.498-07:00Scuba Diving at Bida Nok- Koh Phi Phi, Thailand<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F4FkUAOUpG0/TjbBFbRgNtI/AAAAAAAAAEc/F31EqzFmNOE/s1600/bida+nok+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F4FkUAOUpG0/TjbBFbRgNtI/AAAAAAAAAEc/F31EqzFmNOE/s320/bida+nok+1.jpg" t$="true" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-52wzzn-QYbw/TjbBH40f5aI/AAAAAAAAAEg/UvNOFSFekEA/s1600/bida+nok+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-52wzzn-QYbw/TjbBH40f5aI/AAAAAAAAAEg/UvNOFSFekEA/s320/bida+nok+2.jpg" t$="true" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I travelled by bus from <city w:st="on">Kuala Lumpur</city> <country-region w:st="on">Malaysia</country-region> a 20 hour trek through the picturesque <placetype w:st="on">Kingdom</placetype> of <placename w:st="on">Thailand</placename> ending in Krabi on the shores of the <place w:st="on"><placename w:st="on">Andaman</placename> <placetype w:st="on">Sea</placetype></place>.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From there it was a short ferry ride to the Island Paradise of Koh Phi Phi Don, known as <place w:st="on"><placename w:st="on">Phi</placename> <placename w:st="on">Phi</placename> <placetype w:st="on">Island</placetype></place>. Pronounced Pee Pee. The <placename w:st="on">Koh</placename> <placename w:st="on">Phi</placename> <placename w:st="on">Phi</placename> <placetype w:st="on">Island</placetype> group is located in a national Marine park about 50 km S.E. of the much more developed <place w:st="on"><placetype w:st="on">Island</placetype> of <placename w:st="on">Phuket</placename></place>. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Phi Phi has long been a popular destination for thrill seekers and backpackers. Its white sand beaches, high limestone cliffs, and world class scuba diving offer a robust assortment of activities that is sure to satisfy any traveler. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It also offers some a certain lifestyle that is fueled by cheap liquor and though punishable by death <country-region w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Thailand</place></country-region> is also known as a hot spot for other mind altering substances that are never hard to find. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><place w:st="on"><placename w:st="on">Phi</placename> <placename w:st="on">Phi</placename> <placetype w:st="on">Island</placetype></place> was made famous by the Leonardo Dicaprio hit movie “The Beach” that was filmed there in 2000. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Later Phi Phi was further made infamous by the tragic Tsunami that struck on the morning of December 26 2004 leaving the remains of over 2000 souls and almost that many more unaccounted for.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is an Island Oasis filled with tragedy, romance, adventure and debauchery, oh how I loved <place w:st="on"><country-region w:st="on">Thailand</country-region></place>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I stayed on Phi Phi for a several months and it will always hold a place in my heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Phi Phi was settled during the 1940’s by Muslim fishermen and is said to be about 80% Muslim today though there is also the strong presence of Buddhism and other religions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">It has long been the site of a huge coconut plantation with thousands of trees towering over the village unfortunately most of these trees and the industry associated with them were lost to the Tsunami. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Temperatures on the Island range from the mid 70’s in the rainy season, mid May until December but then shoot up to the high 80’s during the high season that starts towards the end of December and runs into May.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Water temperature is usually in the low 80’s visibility is not what I experienced in French Polynesia however it still offers at least 40 feet of vis during the rainy season and around 100 feet during the high season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are several world class hotels on the island such as the Phi Phi Don Chukit Resort, Phi Phi Don Cabana hotel, the luxurious Zeavola Phi Phi Resort and even a holiday Inn however there are also a huge selection of “Guest Houses” that offer travelers a cheap but comfortable option during their stay. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I shared a guest house with a Swedish friend of mine and between the two of us we had a comfortable apartment with a great deck that cost us roughly $60 <place w:st="on"><country-region w:st="on">U.S.</country-region></place> per month.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is usually pretty quiet on the island there are no cars to speak of and the main form of transportation is a bicycle, or over water on the famous long tail boats.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Freight is usually moved by a push cart commonly referred to as a “Bim Bim” cart as the words Bim Bim are loosely translated to Beep Beep and it is the well used chant the operator uses to warn you that they are coming through. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The narrow brick walkways are lined with shops, restaurants and one of the highest concentrations of dive shops I have seen anywhere in the world. There were a couple Bim Bim operators for local dive shops that would partially open aluminum 80 so that it made a constant hiss.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This brilliant maneuver worked like a charm to part the sea of pedestrians that made their way through the narrow <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>thoroughfares.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The many shops, and restaurants that line the walkways offer consumers prices that are very favorable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can have a tailor-made suit created for just over $100, custom shoes for $75 or a great meal consisting of a nice Pad Thai with a 750ml bottle of Chang the local beer, for just over $1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is truly one of the greatest destinations you can ever find on a tight budget.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On to the diving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are at least 20 dive shops on the island but you will find that they all charge the same amount, it is decided what rates will be charged by all shops before the start of every high season and discounting is not looked upon favorably. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The majority of the tourists are young Scandinavian backpackers from Sweden, Norway, Finland or Denmark and most of the dive shops cater to this demographic, almost all guides will speak English but I recommend you walk around and talk with a few to insure you find an operator that you are comfortable with. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some operators have huge dive boats that bring 30-40 divers out at a time I have always preferred a smaller group myself so ask some questions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are many great sites for every level of diver that are easily accessible from Koh Phi Phi including Hin Daeng/ Hin Muang known for there amazing soft coral formations and some caves and swim troughs, Shark Point and The Snake Cave they are pretty self explanatory, The King Cruiser wreck which is a car ferry that went down in about 100 feet of water under some pretty suspicious circumstances (also know as The Insurance Wreck) and I will detail all of these sites in future blogs but I will focus on the most popular site of Bida Nok in this entry. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bida Nok is one of two towering limestone islands located close to the <place w:st="on"><placename w:st="on">Famous</placename> <placetype w:st="on">Beach</placetype></place> featured in the Leonardo Dicaprio movie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is home to some of the healthiest and robust coral formations I have ever encountered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Huge formations of colorful soft coral, large “Elephant Ear” corals nice ledges and some spectacular drop offs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is also home to an abundance of sea life such as large leopard sharks, I have watched as the guides flip these large docile creatures over on their backs and put them into a trancelike hypnotic state called tonic immobility and <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>they will rub its belly and pass it around so guests can take a turn handling them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am not sure I agree with this type of interaction but I must admit it is entertaining to say the least.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Groups of Black Tips <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>reef sharks are often seen patrolling the site and it is not uncommon to encounter multiple whale sharks depending on the time of year. Hawksbill turtles, glassfish, gorgonians, parrot fish and the always popular scorpion fish are also found on almost every dive to this site. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Banded sea snakes that are among the most poisonous snakes in the world are a regular site.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though deadly poisonous it is comforting to know that they are not very aggressive and they are so small that they apparently can not open their mouths wide enough to bite a diver.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They say you only have to watch your ears and the webbed part between your fingers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not sure how much of this was true however I will admit the I had my hands over my ears with my fingers closed the first time I entered the snake cave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am not sure but I think I may have seen my guide laughing at me while I assumed this defensive dive posture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seahorses and sea dragons, I could spend a 45 minute dive just watching them dance through the water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unlimited Nudibranches are also common attractions to this thriving ecosystem. The moray eels here are very odd looking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am used to a moray having black dead looking eyes but the eels here have these unique white eyes with a dark pupil, to me they resemble the eyes you would find on a stuffed animal I called them Muppet eels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I found them a bit comical. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of all of the sea life that I have found here the one I enjoyed the most and have yet to see on any other dive was the cuttlefish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For those of you who have no encountered one they are related to squid and octopus. However they have a very large almost sad looking face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are masters of disguise and can completely change not only the color of their skin but also the texture itself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The cuttlefish have 8 arms though much shorter than you will find on a squid and they do emit a dark cloud of ink as a defense against predators.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Watching them reflect the light as they swim in open water is fascinating but even more fascinating is watching them as the move around the coral trying to hide, they capture and mimic the colors of the coral below them instantly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They can be very difficult to spot as they are so well camouflaged that one may think they are actually transparent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This dive can be done easily at a 30-40 depth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You could go deeper if you wanted but this dive offers so much to see that you will want to milk every minute of bottom time you can.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bring your camera because you will seldom find a location that has more unique and beautiful subjects to capture on film. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An excellent dive in a land known for many excellent dives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a small island you meet almost everyone in a very short period of time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you are thinking of a trip to <place w:st="on"><country-region w:st="on">Thailand</country-region></place> there are much better advertised dive destinations but any diver I met said that they preferred the diving around Koh Phi Phi to any of the better known locations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Send me an e-mail and I can steer you in the right direction for food, accommodations, dive operators and some pretty epic bars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Give the Banana bar a shot you won’t regret it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tell them ScubaSteve sent ya!</div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"></div>ScubaStevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02970808110336710405noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5373885876782450032.post-68223640869815719072011-07-02T16:55:00.001-07:002011-08-07T07:02:18.991-07:00Shooting the Tiputa Pass- Scuba Diving in Rangiora French Polynesia<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DyR2_c0Pqd0/TjrMhUuhifI/AAAAAAAAAFY/HwzCJNBLQKE/s1600/tiputa-pass+shore.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DyR2_c0Pqd0/TjrMhUuhifI/AAAAAAAAAFY/HwzCJNBLQKE/s320/tiputa-pass+shore.jpg" t$="true" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U4NpqZocaz4/TjrMkaKnn1I/AAAAAAAAAFc/dCdk-jjijW4/s1600/aerial+view+of+Tiputa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U4NpqZocaz4/TjrMkaKnn1I/AAAAAAAAAFc/dCdk-jjijW4/s320/aerial+view+of+Tiputa.jpg" t$="true" width="320" /></a></div>Rangiroa meaning “Vast sky” in Toamotuan is located roughly 350 km north of <place w:st="on">Tahiti</place> and is part of the Tuamotu island group.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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It is recognized as the largest atoll in the southern hemisphere and is home to the second largest lagoon on the planet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is made up of just over 400 individual motu, small islands, and mere sandbars forming a slipper shaped rim around a turquoise lagoon so large it has it’s very own sunset.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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The population of just under 2,500 people live almost exclusively on the two large islands at the north end of the lagoon near the Tiputa pass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The lagoon’s crystal clear water is only around 100’ at its deepest and is home to several different breeds of sharks, including Black tip reef, white tip reef, hammerhead, and the odd tiger shark as well as many rays, manta, turtles, jacks, hump head wrasse, or as some people know them Napoleon fish and so many breeds of smaller fish I could go on forever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hcX1I1GE9wk/TjrNWppsrII/AAAAAAAAAFw/MTvFvdjESjQ/s1600/tiputa+marlin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hcX1I1GE9wk/TjrNWppsrII/AAAAAAAAAFw/MTvFvdjESjQ/s1600/tiputa+marlin.jpg" t$="true" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WZLcxn63LaY/TjrNardPNII/AAAAAAAAAF0/-BGcVi8V9yI/s1600/tiputa+turtle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WZLcxn63LaY/TjrNardPNII/AAAAAAAAAF0/-BGcVi8V9yI/s320/tiputa+turtle.jpg" t$="true" width="320" /></a></div> There are 2 passes the Tiputa pass and the Avantura pass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a pretty remote location but has its own airport and regular Air Tahiti flights bring adventure seekers several times a week. <br />
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Tourists are welcomed in hotels such as Kia Ora Village, the Novatell and also by many Pensions (bed and Breakfasts) located in the main town centers of Tiputa, Ohutu, Avatoru, Taeo'o, Fenuaroa, Otepipi and Tevaro.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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There are several notable dive sites in Rangiroa and the site I am choosing to write about today is considered to be one of the top ten dive sites in the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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The Tiputa pass is a channel of water that circulates the water in this lake sized lagoon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Currents in the pass can reach as much at 5 knots if the tide is at its peak.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is considered to be an advanced level dive for this reason alone. How we usually shoot the pass is leaving the lagoon go to the right hand side near the old Spanish church to exit the pass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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You can get some pretty serious waves and as I said the current is pretty harsh but if you hug the shoreline on the right hand side you can pick up a back eddy and it is a pretty smooth ride.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Follow the shoreline out and around the corral reef still keeping to the right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Head down the outside of the reef until you are even with the remains of a large burned out building with the tallest palm tree on the atoll.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is maybe ¼ mile from the pass itself. Come in close enough to the reef that you can see the bottom is only about 40 feet below you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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The reef drops off pretty quick and depths get over 2000 feet pretty close to the reef itself so get in close enough so you don’t miss the wall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are no buoys marking the drop point and we used this spot because it gave us maximum bottom time on the reef before you shoot the pass. <br />
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I would usually drop in negatively buoyant and get everyone together on the bottom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There can be strong surface currents and waves but you will be fine when you get below the surface.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is usually the hardest part of the dive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you miss the wall don’t abort.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can still enjoy the dive in open water at a depth of about 60-70 feet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dolphins frequent that area and it a great place to see dozens of sharks and giant Manta rays as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t worry you can not miss the pass if you tried. <br />
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If all goes well and you are on the wall it is a great drift dive at 50-60 feet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The coral here is relatively untouched by the crown of thorns and in very good shape.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Turtles feed in the area and you will often see large schools of barracuda some as much as 65lbs or more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Big napoleon fish are usually present and this is where I saw my very first hammerhead, some marlin, and I even had a few dolphin encounters right along this wall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Remember not to just focus on the reef, look around you, look out to the sea and also look down as the wall drops deeper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is where you will very often see giant manta shadowing you as you drift along.<br />
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s tempting to go a little deeper to see what is out there but this dive is so incredible that you really want to conserve air to get every last minute of bottom time you can.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So essentially just let the current guide you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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You will see the wall level out and at the same time you will feel yourself getting pulled into the pass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Keep looking all around you, mantas, dolphins, sharks, I have heard you can sometimes see whales though I never saw any here myself, and schools fish numbering into the thousands. Triggerfish you name it and its here on this dive.<br />
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Keep watching your air and try to keep to your left as much as possible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You don’t want to have to surface in the middle of the pass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Large waves can be present and there is a lot of boat traffic above you so stay to the left as much as you can.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I always brought a lift bag or sausage along with me and when I got to about 900 psi I would send it up so that the boat can find us easily.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some people use a flag for the entire dive but I like to keep my hands free as much as possible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bare in mind you will have a local guide and he will worry about that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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Right about this point in the dive you will notice the current dissipates and if you timed it well you should be looking to do a safety stop anyway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Keep drifting on your safety stop and when you surface at 500 PSI (or more) your boat should be close by to pick you up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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Like I said this dive is on the list of top dives worldwide and if you get the chance do it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Timing is key here you need the tides working with you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have done this dive at least 25 times and not always at the right time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is still a great dive but if the tide is going out you will never make it through the pass and you can get caught up in currents that can take you out to sea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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It is an advanced dive but there are a few excellent dive shops on the island and they know this dive well and will take great care of you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have seen divers with nothing more than the 4 open water dives they did during training do this dive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would have to say that this dive is everything they say it is and more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>ScubaStevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02970808110336710405noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5373885876782450032.post-34688342229645900932011-07-01T08:09:00.001-07:002011-08-07T05:47:47.027-07:00Scuba Diving Motu Tapu Bora Bora, French Polynesia<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6X2rCuuadkA/TiCDya_sU5I/AAAAAAAAADQ/sui5FHK8AwE/s1600/bora+bora+lemmon+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" m$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6X2rCuuadkA/TiCDya_sU5I/AAAAAAAAADQ/sui5FHK8AwE/s320/bora+bora+lemmon+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nLDETKG_Guw/TiCEA7ZPFCI/AAAAAAAAADo/wbxGIBzMPFc/s1600/star+flyer+under+sail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" m$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nLDETKG_Guw/TiCEA7ZPFCI/AAAAAAAAADo/wbxGIBzMPFc/s320/star+flyer+under+sail.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><place w:st="on">Bora Bora</place>, just the name alone stirs images of beauty, romance, and adventure and rightly so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You would be hard pressed to find a more beautiful setting in the world.<br />
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had the pleasure to live in <place w:st="on">French Polynesia</place> aboard the Tallship Star Flyer for about 8 months leading groups of divers from all over the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I logged hundreds of dives in locations like: Tahiti, Bora Bora, Moorea, Huahine, Tahaa, <place w:st="on">Raiatea</place>, Rangiroa, and Fakarava, but I want to start with one of my all time favorites.<br />
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><place w:st="on">Bora Bora</place>, The Pearl of the Pacific, is located in the Society Archipelago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This of one of 5 (sometimes 6) island groups that make up <place w:st="on">French Polynesia</place>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Society Islands, Marquesas Islands, <placename w:st="on">Austral</placename> <placetype w:st="on">Islands</placetype>, <placename w:st="on">Tuamotu</placename> <placetype w:st="on">Islands</placetype>, <placename w:st="on">Bass</placename> <placetype w:st="on">Islands</placetype> (often considered part of the Tuamotu’s), and the <place w:st="on">Gambier Islands</place>.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">A little history of <place w:st="on">French Polynesia</place>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The roughly 118 islands, Motu, and atolls that together form what we call <place w:st="on">French Polynesia</place> are home to just under 275,000 people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Over 60% of who reside on the <place w:st="on"><placetype w:st="on">Island</placetype> of <placename w:st="on">Tahiti</placename></place>. <br />
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These islands were formed around 5-6 million years ago by volcanic activity in the region.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The region was claimed by the French in 1842 and declared a French Protectorate, in 1946 it was re-declared an Overseas Territory of France and most recently in 2004 it was designated a French Overseas Collectivity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This basically means that it has its own local assembly and government but ultimately it is part of <place w:st="on"><country-region w:st="on">France</country-region></place>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First discovered in 1521 by Ferdinand Magellan of <country-region w:st="on">Portugal</country-region> and later was explored by, among others Captain James Cook of <country-region w:st="on"><place w:st="on">England</place></country-region>. <br />
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The Polynesian language does not have the letter B and the true name is Pora Pora meaning “first born” as it is said that it was the first <place w:st="on">Island</place> that the god Taaroa pulled from the turquoise seas. Cook’s Bay today is a pristine port located on the <place w:st="on"><placetype w:st="on">Island</placetype> of <placename w:st="on">Moorea</placename></place>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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During the Second World War <country-region w:st="on">Japan</country-region> had planned to make the area part of its own empire and American forces established a supply base on <place w:st="on">Bora Bora</place>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Approx. 5,000 American troops and about 20 American ships fortified with multiple cannon established at strategic points around the island in what was called “Operation Bobcat” Many of these cannons are still present today on majestic Mount Otemanu the remains of an ancient volcano that is the centre point of this Island gem, and those gun placements are a popular site tourists still visit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well a Japanese attack never occurred and I have heard it said it was the best place to spend the war.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>According to a local I met on the <place w:st="on">Island</place> the biggest medical concerns were “sunburn and syphilis” and at the wars end many of the troops remained behind with their Polynesian wives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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Bora Bora was the setting for the famous Rogers and Hammerstein musical “South Pacific” and today many visitors still visit the local landmark “Bloody Mary’s”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>bar which is one of the oldest business’ on the island and has it’s own dock on the breathtaking lagoon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tourism, vanilla, coconuts, and the famous black pearls drive the local economy.<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The people are very friendly and at first encounter many North Americans are unsure how to take it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is not uncommon at all for a local to sit down beside you on the beach and start talking to you like they are a long lost friend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You will not often be harassed by merchants, peddlers, and time share bandits.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact if you do choose to browse the local shops and booths in many cases you will just get a pleasant smile and they tend to wait for you to ask them questions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However anyone you meet will have a friend with a small Pearl Farm where you can find deals well below the cost of most of the larger jewelers and pearl exchange.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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I myself made a good friend, Ray an American surfer, and diver in Huahine that came to the <place w:st="on">Island</place> in the 1990’s chasing the perfect wave and the endless summer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He fell in love with the <place w:st="on">Island</place> and also met his wife and started a family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He runs a small pearl farm and has build a quaint little shop in a huge tree in his backyard he calls “The Pearl Tree house” I found him to be a good honest man and his pearls were about 1/3 of the cost you will find them in the Capital of Papeete.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hey Ray there’s a plug for you buddy!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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Now that I have shared a little bit about this south pacific marvel let’s get to the good stuff, the diving!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where do I start?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess I will start with the best known dive site Motu Tapu located just east of the Pass, which is the only way into or out off the lagoon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This site is anywhere from 30’ to a max 125’ though most of the dive can be done at 30-40’ for max bottom time and you really won’t see any more at a deeper depth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The site is marked with multiple buoys and is a popular spot for shark and ray feedings and snorkelers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The visibility is well over 100’ and the coral in incredible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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They have had an ongoing problem with “Crown of Throne” it is a starfish type invasive species that tends to ravish the local coral.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However the locals are doing all they can to preserve this resource.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When you pull up your French local guide, present on every dive as dictated by French law, will secure the boat to one of the moorings and shut the motor off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This action tends to produce an effect I call Pavlov’s sharks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because this is a popular shark feeding location the sharks are conditioned to the sound of the boat motors and when the shut down they know it is dinnertime. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You will usually see 5-10 black tip reef sharks measuring 3-5 feet in length they usually stay mid-column and will follow you throughout the dive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have yellowish eyes and I honestly was a little afraid of them for my first dozen dives or so, but really harmless they just add to the excitement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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On the bottom are the real stars of the shows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Large lemon sharks 10-14” in length patrol the sea floor usually 3-5 of these beautiful fish can be seen at any time during the dive and make a great photo opportunity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No there are no cages, or chain mail, boom sticks or James Bond types with harpoon guns protecting you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You don’t need them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Believe me the sharks really have no interest in you at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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It is pretty scary and I remember my first dive with them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before we went out I was lowering my Zodiac from the davit on my ship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bowline was caught up on some gear and I gave it a big pull, well it came free and I launched it at my head and the carabineer on the end struck my forehead and I started to bleed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew this was a shark dive and I have heard how the sharks will be jolted into a feeding frenzy by the presence of blood so I went to our local guide Terry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Hey Terry I just cut myself and I am bleeding here should I still dive?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>he looked at me and said in his strong French accent “are you worried that the salt water will sting you?” and I had not even considered that so I guess I looked at him with a dumb look and said “No” then he cracked a huge smile and said”Ah, you worry about a shark attack?’ at this point I had no idea how to respond so I maintained the same dumb look and simply shrugged my shoulders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then Terry’s coy smile instantly transformed into a full belly laugh and I was more than a little ashamed of my inexperience. When he was done laughing at me he assured me I would be just fine and had nothing to worry about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Honestly seeing his reaction to my concern really helped give me the confidence I needed to proceed with the dive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If he thought it was that funny I must have nothing to worry about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jO7tF0bycow/Tj6IIwQ61SI/AAAAAAAAAKw/1yvOGEv91Uc/s1600/bora+bora+lionfish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jO7tF0bycow/Tj6IIwQ61SI/AAAAAAAAAKw/1yvOGEv91Uc/s1600/bora+bora+lionfish.jpg" t$="true" /></a></div><br />
That was the first of over 50 dives I did at Motu Tapu, incidentally I was not injured on any of them nor did I see anyone else get molested in any way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However I did recount my shameful tale almost every time I led a new group of divers to the site.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think my misfortune was a valuable tool in helping people get over their own misconceptions about sharks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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Among the other residents here you will find, some of the biggest Moray eels I have ever seen in my life, some of them have heads the size of a St. Bernard, hump head Maori wrasse, napoleon fish, titan trigger fish, turtles some octopus,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and if you are lucky you may even see the odd humpback whale.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With the visibility as endless as it is here and the abundance of sea life you can shoot a lot of great pictures here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is only one of several superb dive sites on the <place w:st="on">Island</place> and in future posts I will share some more with you.<br />
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Due to the remote location of French Polynesia, (about halfway between South America and <country-region w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Australia</place></country-region>) things can be pretty expensive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are several World Class resorts including the InterContinental, the Bora Bora Lagoon Resort and Spa, the Four Season, the ST. Regis, and Sofitel to name a few.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These resorts offer over water private bungalows and room service delivered by kayaks and amazing spas and all of the luxuries imaginable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also you can take advantage of one of the many “pensions” similar to a bed and breakfast and plenty of live aboard boats that can bring to costs under control.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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There are plenty of great places to eat as well though you will not recognize a single chain or franchise on the <place w:st="on">Island</place>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Send me an e-mail I will point you in the right direction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This <place w:st="on">Island</place> is truly a rare gem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you are looking for something out of the ordinary in a vacation, look here.</div>ScubaStevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02970808110336710405noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5373885876782450032.post-14610052715584653092011-06-30T14:30:00.000-07:002011-08-01T08:16:27.301-07:00Diving the Cenotes-Playa Del Carmen, Mexico<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7iq0gPGP73w/TjbCkvAzEWI/AAAAAAAAAE8/UBk32VrW4FU/s1600/cenotes+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7iq0gPGP73w/TjbCkvAzEWI/AAAAAAAAAE8/UBk32VrW4FU/s320/cenotes+1.jpg" t$="true" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I have had the opportunity to dive some of the most memorable places the underwater world has to offer but I think it would be hard to top the surreal, almost spiritual experience of the cenotes of the Riviera Maya Mexico. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was not planning to dive these majestic clear freshwater cathedrals when I went to <country-region w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Mexico</place></country-region>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact I only hoped to dive some of the many fabulous open water sites that Play Del Carmen has to offer. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I took a cab from my resort to Playa Del Carmen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My mission was to walk around and explore some of the many dive shops lining the narrow roads of this small tourist town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I stopped in 7-8 shops and spoke to some of the staff and bought a couple T-Shirts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some people seemed to busy to talk to me, some seemed too interested in getting me in the water in 10 minutes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some even wanted me to sign up to tour a timeshare in the area. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Eventually I walked into Phantom Divers and I was greeted by a lovely friendly young lady who asked me what type of diving I was looking to participate in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She asked lots of questions but was not at all pushy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She talked about a few recent dives they had enjoyed and showed me some video that she was editing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I felt pretty comfortable and before long I was sitting back enjoying a pineapple juice and trading dive tales.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Within 20 minutes a group of divers returned from the morning dive and they were talking about their adventure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A couple of the divers were fellow Canadians and they told me they had just finished their 9th and 10<sup>th</sup> dives with Phantom Divers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were a living testimonial to the operation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The dive master was busy washing gear while the owner/instructor poured himself a pineapple juice as well. I ended up spending another hour in the shop as they planned the afternoon dive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew I had found my shop. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had no intentions to dive that day therefore I chose to leave my gear back at the hotel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When they were starting to assemble the gear for the afternoon dive I was invited to come along for the boat ride.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I accepted the invitation as I always enjoy any time spent on, near or under the water. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The dive was on Turtle reef and was only about 35 feet and I even took the opportunity to cool myself from the afternoon sun by snorkeling above the divers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had a great time and made some new friends and before I left a few hours later I had signed on for 4 dives the following day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were memorable dives on there own and I even had an unbelievable stroke of luck by encountering a Whale Shark. I will be writing about that particular dive in a future blog for sure but for now I want to get back on the topic of Cenotes. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I said I had no intention on diving cenotes and quite honestly knew little about them and had never taken any tech training at all prior to this trip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However after my first four dives that were all awesome I was trying to plan my next day’s dives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It seemed the boat was going to be going to the same dive sites that we visited that day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though I enjoyed the dives I always like to see something new. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The instructor asked me if I would be interested in going into a cenote.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As an advanced open water diver I did not feel that had the necessary training to go poking around a cave system.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was assured that the cenotes we would be diving would not require the specialized training or gear that I was always told I would need to go cave diving. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well they must have been pretty convincing because before I left the shop I had committed to 2 dives in the famed cenotes the following day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was both excited and not just a little nervous about what I had got myself into.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now before I get into the dives themselves let me explain to you what a cenote actually is. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cenote comes from the Mayan word dzonot which means “Sacred well” and believe me there is no better words to describe them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are ancient passages carved through the limestone over millions of years. Scientists believe that a huge comet struck the earth near Puerto Chicxulub over 60 million years ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This event many believe led to catastrophic changes in the topography, water levels, and even the extinction of more than ½ the living organisms on the earth at that time.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Water levels in the ocean are thought to have dropped by almost 300ft.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Large formations of solid limestone that previously made up the sea floor now rose hundreds of feet above the surface.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As you explore some of these cenotes you can see evidence of this in the many ancient fossils found within them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This global event left billions of gallons of water displaced at higher levels inland and over the next several million years this water, mixed with carbon dioxide created by decomposing biological matter created a mild carbonic acid that eventually eroded the limestone and allowed the displaced groundwater to carve hundreds of miles of caves and caverns as it followed it’s natural path to lower levels.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These passages today are filled with the most crystal clear water that you will ever see in your life, so clear it almost seems like you are magically floating through the air if it were not for the telltale bubbles that we divers leave behind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The water itself is a comfortable 77*- 82* and the minerals that have seeped down from the jungle above have created a kaleidoscope of colors that stain the many stalactites, stalagmites and speleothems<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and give them there color.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This global event set in motion so many millenniums ago has created one of the largest and most unique underground cave systems on the planet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To date hundreds of cenotes of all sizes have been discovered and it is believed that there are likely 10 times as many yet to be discovered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This ensures that the Cenotes of the <state w:st="on">Yucatan</state> peninsula will be a dive <place w:st="on"><city w:st="on">Mecca</city></place> for generations to come. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now back to my dive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I showed up at 7 30 am at the shop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was myself, another diver Todd, and a dive master that I had not met on the previous dives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was a man of small stature and his English was a bit weak but he smiled and nodded to almost everything that either Todd or I had to say. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In front of the store were 3 Suzuki 4 wheel ATV’s with gear already tied to the cargo racks, AWESOME!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We drove through the jungle for almost an hour and that alone was worth the mere $140 I paid for the pleasure of this days dives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We pulled to a stop at a pile of rocks in a small jungle clearing and our guide started to gear up. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were supplied with the standard aluminum 80ft3 cylander <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and a flashlight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our guide had what appeared to be at least a 120ft3 tank and a 20ft3 pony bottle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He also sported a wrist <place w:st="on"><placetype w:st="on">mount</placetype> <placename w:st="on">LED</placename></place> light and a C-8 handheld tethered to his BCD. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I felt a little underdressed but geared up all the same.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">We walked down some natural steps in the rock and entered a cave right out of Tom Sawyer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was already so impressed we walked down a wide passage and our guide pointed out some broken stalagmites and waived his hands back and forth as he said “No foot, no foot” it is good to see conservation is present even in a jungle cave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The passage ended at a small pool and we slipped on our fins and donned our masks and before you can say “no foot” we were in the water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had a small surface swim where our guide aimed his light to the ceiling of the cave where stalactites rich with color seemed to emerge from every inch of the surface.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Beneath us we could see some fossils that appeared to be seashells and I pointed them out to Todd as we made our way to the far end of this underground oasis. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our guide switched to his regulator and popped us a quick thumbs down and was gone from site.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We followed and just as we descended about 8 feet our guide disappeared into what appeared to be a shadow in the wall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We followed and the passage opened up to aprox.. 15-20feet around, there was a small air pocket above us that gave me a little comfort knowing that if something was to go wrong I could surface if I needed to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were tree roots emerging from the sides and dangling from the ceiling but not a hint of silt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bottom seemed to be sandy and again produced no silt at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was awesome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We made our way through a few gentle bends and though the sides narrowed in places it never got to less than 10 -12 feet across. There were so many formations that I later found were called speleothems they almost look like reddish brown corral.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are created by mineral rich water seeping from above when the caves were dry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ahead I could see the passage opening up wider and a strange glow was visible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our cave opened to a huge cavern there were several small holes that allowed sunlight to make its way into the water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The water was freshwater at the surface but below was now a pocket of warmer saltwater and the effect called Halocline and it was like a fog underwater and when the sunlight passed this phenomenon it created the most amazing illusion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We turned off our own lights and just admired the lightshow being produced by the sunlight on this eerie fog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was like nothing I have ever seen before or since.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We surfaced and played our lights across the ceiling again admiring the art that Mother Nature had been working on for so many millions of years. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The cavern was the size of a small gymnasium.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could not help but feel like I was truly part of an elite few souls in the history of the planet that have had the opportunity to witness this site.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We spent some time exploring the cavern and some small passages that led out in different directions and then returned down the main passage we entered through.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We got back to our ATV’s and our guide broke out some sandwiches and pineapples and pop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we ate he busied himself changing our tanks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was a little sad that I still had almost 1100 PSI remaining because I felt like I missed some bottom time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Todd had 900 I later learned that diving in an overhead environment the 500PSI rule is not the generally accepted rule.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we were eating and our guide was changing our tanks I sneaked a quick peak at his pressure gauge and saw that he was still a little over 2000PSI and I was instantly humbled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well lunch was over and we mounted our machines and headed further into the jungle.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After maybe 20 minutes we parked our ATVs half off the trail and half on still.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This did not concern me because in the hour we were riding in the jungle I only saw an old man and 2 young children on a horse that looked like it should have been sold for dog food years ago and that was only a mile or so into the jungle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess it was safe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We walked down a narrow path that I would never have found by myself and suddenly our guide put his arm out across my chest and again spoke his mantra “No foot, no foot” I was looking down to see if I kicked some ancient geological formation and as I did he pushed back the foliage to reveal a dead straight drop about 40-45 feet to a huge pool of water almost 300 feet across. I was standing half a pace from the edge and did not even see it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No foot indeed. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He pulled two harnesses from under a plastic trashcan and said easy easy, and then pointed to a pile of precariously placed scrap wood that at it’s best could not pass as stairs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They looked like something out of an Indiana Jones movie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was apparent I had a choice to make.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I chose the harness, awesome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We repelled down to the water with gear on I felt like James Bond.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We hit the water and donned our fins and again a quick thumbs down sign and our guide was gone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again the water was so clear and warm but the bottom did not look like the sand we had on out first dive. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we got to just over 50feet I could smell sulfur and even taste it in my mouth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That cool halocline again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We passed through it and almost instantly we were in a forest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What we were diving was a huge cavern bigger than the first one but it had caved in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Almost entirely intact.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The whole jungle floor was now about 60 feet underwater.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were huge old growth trees and big rocks and all around us was this green fog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I felt like I was in some haunted forest it was so awesome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We explored the haunted forest and then proceeded into a cave that went down to about 85 feet and then started to come up again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We surfaced in a small cave with a good sized air pocket.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can not stress to you how awesome these dives were.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had only done maybe 150 dives at this point in time and nothing I had ever dived before compared to what I was seeing that day. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We then retraced our path back to the haunted forest and after a safety stop we surfaced.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our guide shrugged out of his BCD and tied it to the harness we used to repel at the beginning of our dive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We followed suit and he tied both of our BCDs to the second line.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then like some sort of hairless monkey he climbed the ropes and disappeared over the top into the jungle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We watched in awe, then we saw him pull his gear up followed by our own. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the ropes came down again I was hoping our guide who had so far impressed the hell out of me had another impressive trick to show us and would pull us both up the 50 foot cliff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No such luck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I watched as Todd tried to climb and made it almost 10 feet before he let go and splashed back into the water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By that time the Indiana Jones stairs started to look much better than I had given them credit for before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I started up the stairs and could hear the guide trying to say something to me, I know I know No foot No foot was all I could say and with that my new friend Todd laughed so hard I thought the steps would collapse. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I survived the climb and by the time I got to the ATV it was already loaded and secure. We drove back through the jungle and eventually made our way back to the shop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We sat around and enjoyed a couple cold <city w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Pacifica</place></city> and shared our story with the divers that went out on the boat that day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was funny because all of the sudden our guide who spoke no English all day was actually speaking to the instructor and hitting on a young woman diver from <country-region w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Ireland</place></country-region>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Todd and I shared a laugh and just assumed he had no interest in talking to us. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a day, what an adventure, what a bargain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can not urge you enough to dive the cenotes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It really does not matter what your experience level is or training they are a safe and truly unforgettable dives.</div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> </div>ScubaStevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02970808110336710405noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5373885876782450032.post-65369961764467114532011-06-30T08:42:00.000-07:002011-08-05T07:55:34.397-07:00Disney DiveQuest- Epcot Center Orlando Fla.<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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Disney Dive Quest I have to say that of all my dives this one has to be one of the most memorable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is really a beginner dive but I recommend it to any level diver.<br />
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is at Disney’s Epcot centre in <place w:st="on"><city w:st="on">Orlando</city> <state w:st="on">Florida</state></place>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The cost is $175 but if you go online you can usually find a coupon that you can save around $25 but it is well worth the money.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Disney has created one of the largest salt water aquariums in the world at just under 6 million gallons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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You do not need to purchase a park pass for the day as they meet you outside the front gates at guest services.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The whole experience lasts about 3 hours and about 45 minutes of that is actually in the water. They supply all needed gear the only thing you bring is a swim suit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you have a mask with corrective lenses you can bring that along and they sterilize it prior to the dive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have way above average sized feet, Size 18 seriously stop laughing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I was allowed to bring my own boots.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They cleaned those for me and boy I tell you they never smelled better. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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First they take you on a behind the scenes tour of the aquarium.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You get to see the filtration system, the veterinary dept and where the food is prepared for the approx 6,000 inhabitants of the facility.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is most likely the cleanest kitchen I have ever scene, I would guess it to be more hygienic than any of the restaurants in the whole park.<br />
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The aquarium houses several white tip reef sharks and a brown <place w:st="on">Caribbean</place> shark.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were told that when it comes to feeding the sharks they are fed more than 4 times what they would eat in the wild so they don’t even bother with the other fish in the tank.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are fed in the dark with a pole and they will not feed them if there is even cleaning staff in the viewing area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is done so that the shark will never associate humans with food.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think this a great idea and shows that conservation is a big part of the program.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have been on shark feeding dives in the past and I understand it is a big tourism draw but I personally do not believe in the practice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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After the tour we are brought into a conference room and there we signed the standard waivers and showed our c-cards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They give a pretty thorough brief of the dive and instruct us that we are not to touch any of the inhabitants and we are introduced to the dive team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is really a very well run setup.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From there we go to the change rooms and get ready for the dive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess while we are in the conference room they are somehow laser measuring each of the divers because when we are escorted to the deck all of our gear is set up waiting for us and they have everyone sized and sorted before we are even there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love dives like that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C33CGyhyTvA/TjwCipIoF3I/AAAAAAAAAHQ/kNqAnJteZrg/s1600/disney-dive-quest-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C33CGyhyTvA/TjwCipIoF3I/AAAAAAAAAHQ/kNqAnJteZrg/s1600/disney-dive-quest-1.jpg" t$="true" /></a></div>Once we are geared up we are sent out to a buoy in the middle of the tank and told to wait for the group.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We all descend together and regardless of your level the dive masters check out your skills before they pair you up and send you on your way to dive your own dive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are some neat coral formations manmade of course but pretty realistic, minus the all too frequent bleaching we see nowadays.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are some Eagle Rays, Giant Turtles, Jew fish groupers, and so many other varieties of fish that it would take forever to start listing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eUbgJxtG8ww/TjwCftoPtlI/AAAAAAAAAHM/wwP3BUtb-AA/s1600/disney+divequest+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eUbgJxtG8ww/TjwCftoPtlI/AAAAAAAAAHM/wwP3BUtb-AA/s1600/disney+divequest+5.jpg" t$="true" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QCjLYMnziJs/TjwCcjtY1hI/AAAAAAAAAHI/EKSkz471GQE/s1600/disney+divequest+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QCjLYMnziJs/TjwCcjtY1hI/AAAAAAAAAHI/EKSkz471GQE/s320/disney+divequest+3.jpg" t$="true" width="320" /></a></div>Around the outside of the aquarium is the public viewing area so you can interact with the guests and your family can witness your underwater prowess.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also there are some restaurants at the lower levels so you can harass the diners during your dive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zPYfyreWPac/TjwCHWh5rXI/AAAAAAAAAG4/Ly3b9w6Ku38/s1600/disney+divequest+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zPYfyreWPac/TjwCHWh5rXI/AAAAAAAAAG4/Ly3b9w6Ku38/s1600/disney+divequest+6.jpg" t$="true" /></a></div>There is a small dive bell with an acrylic dome that you can stand in and remove your mask and have a good photo op, the video is sold at the end of the dive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They explain during the briefing that the sharks swim in a pattern so if you want to get up close and personal watch them as they swim by a rock or coral formation and then settle in and wait for them to return and they will go right over top of you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What they did not tell me was that pattern was not a big circle but actually a figure 8 pattern so when I say the big brown <place w:st="on">Caribbean</place> swim over a rock I settled in and waited for him to come back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just as I was thinking he was gone and I was wasting valuable bottom time the shark reappeared from behind me just over my head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As an almost exclusive fresh water diver with very little salt water, and no shark experience at that time I did my best to remember the part of the tour that said how well fed these sharks were and that helped me through an otherwise stressful moment of my dive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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One notable incident during my dive was as I was waiting for my turn in the dive bell I felt a tugging on my left shoulder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The dive buddy I was assigned had already felt the need to tug my fin, poke me, and tap my mask to point out every fish that swam within 20 feet of us so I assumed it was him again and ignored him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then the tugging became more of a pinch and when I turned around I saw that it was in fact a giant turtle and I was standing directly in front of a feeding tube fixed to the wall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That gave me a bit of a scare but really it was not painful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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I finished the dive and surfaced, I was smiling so much I risked drowning from the water that was pouring in my mouth from around my regulator, what a dive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was not the only one who enjoyed the dive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were 6-7 other divers with me and they were all talking at the same time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did you see the, and the, how about that…. It was obvious that the dive was a hit with everyone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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We shed our gear went and changed and returned to the conference room where we viewed the DVD of our dive and debriefed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> The Dive master asked us what we thought and everyone raved about the whole experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I mentioned my near death experience with the turtle and I was told I should go to guest services to tell them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I shrugged of the suggestion and said it was really nothing it did not hurt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The dive master said no really go to Guest services “everyone leaves Disney happy”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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So after I purchased my DVD I did head to guest services and told them I got bit by a killer turtle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They seemed genuinely concerned for my wellbeing and asked if I was ok.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I assured them that I was ok and I would not be suffering any long term damage from the incident.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They then asked me how many members I had in my family; I said 6 without blinking an eye and poof from her printer out popped 6 1 day park hopper passes to Disney world WOW!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>$175 dive of a lifetime, and I have 6 park passes good for 20 years! <br />
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Yeah it seems everyone does leave Disney happy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Great dive, great people, an absolute must. Just watch the turtles!</div>ScubaStevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02970808110336710405noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5373885876782450032.post-83451884839492034632011-06-29T14:13:00.000-07:002011-08-06T05:50:10.419-07:00Welcome to my blog! Wow did I just say that?<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ddwMPKaRW-Y/Tj03ypMzdOI/AAAAAAAAAJE/Ok5CTa2m8Lg/s1600/star+flyer+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ddwMPKaRW-Y/Tj03ypMzdOI/AAAAAAAAAJE/Ok5CTa2m8Lg/s320/star+flyer+pic.jpg" t$="true" width="320" /></a></div>Well here I go this is my first attempt at creating a blog that will hopefully be of some value to you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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I admit that I know little about blogging, in fact I have never even read a blog in my life before now so I ask for a little patience from you as I learn the in and outs of the “blogosphere”<br />
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Over the past 12 years I have had the opportunity to dive some of the most awesome sites available to any level of diver.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have had well over 1,000 dives around the world and witnessed some truly incredible things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have been on countless ship wrecks, caves, under ice, and encountered many different types of sea life. <br />
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I have shared the water with sharks, whales, mantas, stingrays, octopus, but the most interesting sea life so far has been of the two legged variety. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>True there are many strange things to be seen under the sea but I would have to say the strangest by far would be some of the people who share my passion for exploring the deep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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I love a good story, both telling them and hearing the stories of others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will try to keep the stories as close to accurate as I can but as the saying goes, never let the truth interfere with a good story. <br />
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As time goes on I will try to recount as many of those dives as I can and I encourage you to send me your stories.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would like this to become as interactive as I can.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So please feel free to send me your tales of the deep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your favorite dives, your favorite times, lets see where this goes.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2bT39KlNmS4/Tj032NekwlI/AAAAAAAAAJI/LUSfBkoXheg/s1600/starflyer4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2bT39KlNmS4/Tj032NekwlI/AAAAAAAAAJI/LUSfBkoXheg/s320/starflyer4.JPG" t$="true" width="214" /></a></div></div>ScubaStevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02970808110336710405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5373885876782450032.post-15859432150675852172011-06-29T14:04:00.001-07:002011-08-07T07:03:11.056-07:00Scuba DIving the Wreck of the George A. Marsh Kingston Ontario, Canada<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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The George A Marsh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seldom will you ever find a more beautiful shipwreck than the George A. Marsh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Marsh was a 135’ three-masted schooner built in 1882 at a shipyard in <place w:st="on"><city w:st="on">Muskegon</city> <state w:st="on">Michigan</state></place>.<br />
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Originally it was built as a Lumber carrier and took her name from a predominant <city w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Chicago</place></city> lumberman.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was sold in 1914 to a businessman from <city w:st="on">Belleville</city> <state w:st="on">Ontario</state> and was used primarily as a coal carrier until she met her end during a violent storm on Aug 8<sup>th</sup> 1917 a few miles from <placename w:st="on">Simcoe</placename> <placetype w:st="on">Island</placetype> near <place w:st="on"><city w:st="on">Kingston</city> <state w:st="on">Ontario</state></place>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>GPS info: 44*07.690’/076*36.260.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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She had set sail from <city w:st="on">Oswego</city> <state w:st="on">NY</state> with a cargo consisting of 500 tons of goal destined for a hospital in <city w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Kingston</place></city>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though she had made the trip dozens of times in the past this voyage was a little different as the summer was at its peak and the weather was supposed to be favorable so Captain John Smith had allowed his crew to bring their families aboard for the trip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The captain himself brought his own wife and 6 children along.<br />
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In all there were 14 souls aboard that fateful day. As the newspapers reported later 12 souls, 7 of them under the age of 9 years would perish including Captain Smith, along with Mrs. Smith and their 6 children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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She foundered in 85’ of water and the newspapers showed pictures the top portion of the masts still standing high above the surface until they were later blown off by the Army Corp of Engineers as they posed a threat to navigation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many a rumor surrounds this particular wreck, for example it is said that the remains of many of the victims were still in the wheelhouse until an overzealous engineer decided to lay a charge of dynamite that toppled the structure and emptied the remains across the deck and on the lakebed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eiRoV6qAgwU/Tj0ijrfq71I/AAAAAAAAAIc/sZT9xh7FUW0/s1600/george+a+marsh+portside.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eiRoV6qAgwU/Tj0ijrfq71I/AAAAAAAAAIc/sZT9xh7FUW0/s1600/george+a+marsh+portside.bmp" t$="true" /></a></div>It is said that novice divers had several times found bones and brought them to the surface only to be told that they were to remain on the wreck as it is considered a gravesite.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is rumored that some divers finally relocated the remains not far from the wreck to prevent them from being disturbed.<br />
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another story suggests that Captain Smith actually survived the tragedy and in his grief at losing his family secretly moved to <state w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Oklahoma</place></state> never to sail again. Only to reveal his tragic story in 1927 shortly before he died, again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What would a shipwreck be without mystery?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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My own experience trying to dive the George A. Marsh is a bit of a tale as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had tried to dive this wreck at least 6 times before I actually got to see her for the first time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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On one trip we left Collins Bay under a bright cloudless sky for the almost 30 mile trip to the dive site only to find ourselves caught in a fog so thick we could not even see past the bow of our 32’ cruiser and we were forced to turn back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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On another attempt a faulty fuel gauge left us stranded in the middle of <place w:st="on"><placetype w:st="on">lake</placetype> <placename w:st="on">Ontario</placename></place> until we were towed into port by a fellow diver’s boat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again we tried and from the time we left our slip in <place w:st="on"><placename w:st="on">Collins</placename> <placetype w:st="on">Bay</placetype></place> with a modest 1-2 foot swell we were battling waves that were almost 7 feet and threw our sturdy boat around like a cork.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was almost as though the wreck of the George A. Marsh was not going to let us visit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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Finally after 7 attempts over 3 years plagued by weather, seasickness, and mechanical issues we eventually got to the wreck and what a remarkable dive it was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The ship is marked with a Buoy that rests in a large block just off her starboard side amidships. <br />
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Her 3 large masts lay across the deck where they have rested since they were blasted away. So many years ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Bow is facing north and it is in incredible condition with the lines still running along the bowsprit almost as she is still ready to catch the wind a deliver her cargo loaded almost a century ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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There are plenty of deadeyes to be found and several belaying pins still in place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also the remains of a lifeboat that indicates how quickly the ship went down Towards to stern you will find one of the best preserved ships wheels I have ever seen though it shows some signs of tampering.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It appears that at one point someone has fixed some chain to the wheel to prevent some thoughtless souvenir hunter from destroying a valuable piece of maritime heritage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0VOUZ0MfWdo/Tj0ixdTlrVI/AAAAAAAAAIs/A4m9twZ8YeE/s1600/george+a+marsh+wheel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0VOUZ0MfWdo/Tj0ixdTlrVI/AAAAAAAAAIs/A4m9twZ8YeE/s1600/george+a+marsh+wheel.jpg" t$="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R22PV9WdNw8/Tj0isyF0fmI/AAAAAAAAAIo/dggllADHLok/s1600/george+a+marsh+wheel+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R22PV9WdNw8/Tj0isyF0fmI/AAAAAAAAAIo/dggllADHLok/s1600/george+a+marsh+wheel+2.jpg" t$="true" /></a></div><br />
Also you will find the old cook stove complete with pots and pans laying ready to cook a meal that will never come.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you swim off the transom and take a look at her stern you will see the sleek craftsmanship of an era in shipbuilding that is gone forever. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It appears that the cargo is still in tact so penetrating below decks is not possible. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aif726AHlkk/Tj0m_Lo_BAI/AAAAAAAAAIw/RIkWHTilmIg/s1600/george+a+marsh+stern.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aif726AHlkk/Tj0m_Lo_BAI/AAAAAAAAAIw/RIkWHTilmIg/s1600/george+a+marsh+stern.jpg" t$="true" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BfD-QrTgHZo/Tj0iqZWdYwI/AAAAAAAAAIk/-P_zz8R1zaM/s1600/george+a+marsh+tail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BfD-QrTgHZo/Tj0iqZWdYwI/AAAAAAAAAIk/-P_zz8R1zaM/s1600/george+a+marsh+tail.jpg" t$="true" /></a></div>Take a minute to look around at the large schools of fish that like to make this wreck home. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also be aware this wreck is pretty silty so you want to practice your best buoyancy control.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just a few bad kicks and you will reduce your visibility in no time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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Believe me this wreck is such a great dive that you want to enjoy it to its fullest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are several charter boats that make regular trips to the George A. Marsh and I would defiantly recommend that any dive trip to <city w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Kingston</place></city> includes a couple dives on this wreck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the greatest wrecks ever!</div>ScubaStevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02970808110336710405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5373885876782450032.post-31880424084853423182011-06-29T10:41:00.001-07:002011-08-07T07:04:00.361-07:00Scuba Diving the Wreck Wolfe Islander II Kingston Ontario, Canada<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>My ultimate dives, Where to begin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess there is no better place to begin than the place I know best.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><place w:st="on"><city w:st="on">Kingston</city> <state w:st="on">Ontario</state> <country-region w:st="on">Canada</country-region></place>. <br />
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Now many people who enjoy the sport of Scuba diving spend there bottom time in places like, <place w:st="on"><city w:st="on">Bonaire</city>, <country-region w:st="on">Mexico</country-region></place>, Rotan, and other exotic vacation spots that offer crystal clear warm water and lots of interesting critters to view and photograph. <city w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Kingston</place></city> is not that type of place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a medium sized city of Approximately 117,000 people located on the North East corner of <placetype w:st="on">Lake</placetype> <placename w:st="on">Ontario</placename> almost at the mouth of the <place w:st="on">St. Lawrence River</place>.<br />
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><city w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Kingston</place></city> has long been a place of great significance in Great Lakes Maritime history.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><city w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Kingston</place></city>’s harbor has been in use since the mid 1600’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has been a major shipping port serving both Canadian and American cities along the shorelines of the <place w:st="on">Great lakes</place>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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It was home to thousands of Loyalists who chose to head North during the American revolution leaving behind their homes, farms, business’, friends and in many cases even family members who did not share the same loyalty to Good King George.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has been the site of numerous shipyards populating the waves with, schooners, paddle wheelers, passenger, and cargo vessels of every type.<br />
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was home to many soldiers stationed in its forts and it played a key role in the War of 1812 between the Americans and the British.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><placetype w:st="on">Fort</placetype> <placename w:st="on">Henry</placename> is still a major tourist attraction and offers <city w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Battle</place></city> reenactments and a chance to better understand the life of the colonial solider.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Due to its long history of maritime activity it also provides easy access to countless shipwrecks spanning several centuries.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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The Wreck that I would like to take you to first is the wreck that I experienced first.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Wolfe Islander II.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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The Wolfe Islander II was a ferry built near Collingwood <state w:st="on">Ontario</state> in 1946 originally it was Named the Ottawa Maybrook and was being built as part of an aid package for <place w:st="on"><country-region w:st="on">China</country-region></place>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the end of World War II the aid package seems to have been cancelled and the Approx 160’ 16 car ferry was renamed the Wolfe Islander II and replaced the aging Wolfe Islander ferry that had been in service since 1904.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 1976 the Wolfe Islander II was replaced by the larger 55 car Wolfe Islander III that still serves the residents of <place w:st="on"><placename w:st="on">Wolfe</placename> <placetype w:st="on">Island</placetype></place> today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For roughly the next 10 years the Wolfe Islander II was used as the reserve ferry to the Wolfe III until on Sept 21<sup>st</sup> 1985 she became the first intentionally sunk commercial ship in the great lakes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was scuttled about 3 miles east of <city w:st="on">Kingston</city> in the waters near <city w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Dawson</place></city>’s point in aprox. 85’ of water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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She sits upright and has had most of her hatches removed and some large cutouts created for both easy access and diver safety.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is marked by two permanent buoys one near the bow and another located near the stern. GPS Info- LAT 44* 13’ 55” LON 076* 24’ 98”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is arguably one of the most dived wrecks in the <place w:st="on">Great lakes</place>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a suitable dive for all levels of diver and I usually make it the first wreck dive for my students.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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The superstructure is found at aprox. 42” and offers a new diver many things to see and explore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The wheelhouse or bridge is a must to see with its wheel and throttle control.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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Over there are stairs that lead down the superstructure and you will find a large safe that many divers like to peek in to see if anything of value might still be found inside and also some small cabins that can be entered.<br />
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Over the stern rail you can go to a depth of about 83 feet to view the large propeller still mounted on the wreck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As this depth exceeds the training for an open water diver it is best saved for advanced divers or maybe it can be seen under the supervision of your instructor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also for the more advanced diver with the right wreck training and equipment you can enter a large passenger seating area on the stern.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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There is access on both the port and starboard sides it is a large and open space with a few gear lockers, likely for life preservers, located around the room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You will also find the ships head complete with toilets just inside the port side access.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This has been the site of many fun photographs as you can imagine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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There is also a set of stairs that will allow you to go even further into the wreck itself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again this area of the wreck should only be explored by divers with the right training and equipment as you can become lost or silted out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of my favorite things to do in this particular wreck is to move towards the back of the room and slowly ascend into a small air pocket.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here at almost 60’ of depth you can actually talk to one another and it seems to be a very exciting part of the dive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Remember to continue to breathe from your regulator as the air in this space is made of the air exhaled by other divers and aside from bad breath and lower O2 who knows what else may be contaminating the air found here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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There is a large open hatch that will give you access to the engine room where you can witness a maze of pipes and machinery that helped this once great vessel make the almost 5 mile trek between Kingston and the scenic Wolfe island.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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Forward of the superstructure you will find the main deck where the cars would be parked during the voyage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now you can find only a couple bicycles and an old Motorcycle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again another perfect Photo op.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A bowling ball is also known to be located on this deck, or I have several times returned it to this deck from either the bottom of the lake from one of the holds that are also open from this level.<br />
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the forward deck you can visit the anchor winch with anchor chains extended to the bottom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many fish are to be found in and around this wreck as it has become home to many varieties of sea life. Also notable are the lifeboat davits that are found along the sides of the ship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is always fun to swim along the walkway weaving in and around the empty davits. This is a pretty large wreck and it is serviced by numerous Dive charter boats who in most cases offer a two tank charter for around $75.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I recommend at least 2 dives to see this wreck and explore all that it offers.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6jSnscWsqwI/TjwK1liCqmI/AAAAAAAAAH0/MRcx8Sh6Psw/s1600/wolfe+islander+graphic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6jSnscWsqwI/TjwK1liCqmI/AAAAAAAAAH0/MRcx8Sh6Psw/s1600/wolfe+islander+graphic.jpg" t$="true" /></a></div><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have probably been on more than 50 dives to this particular wreck and I always seem to see something that I have not seen on my previous dives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Always remember which of the two lines you used to reach the wreck because it is pretty embarrassing to come up the wrong line and see your boat bobbing gently 150’ away from you at the surface with your dive buddies pointing and laughing at you from the deck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Speaking from personal experience, or maybe even experiences (plural) it can happen<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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I never grow tired of this wreck and would have to place it close to the top of my most fun wrecks to dive the <city w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Kingston</place></city> area.</div>ScubaStevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02970808110336710405noreply@blogger.com2