5.25.2006

Diving

So many people, so much diving.

Let's start off with Kathryn, who I've dove with. She went off of Alki the other day and came up with a few photos. Nudibranchs and whatnot.

Bob Bailey who I gave my parking spot up to the last time I dove, but who I have never actually dove with went to Monterey, CA and took some really nice shots. If you look at any in this post, it should be those. After flying back to WA he went off of Alki, where I usually go.

Another person from the shop, Penelope, who I've never met, recently got back from Papua New Guinea and took some underwater shots off a place called Tawali. Some exotic creatures this time around. She mentioned the ease of diving in 80+ degree water which doesn't require 28 lbs of lead to account for the buoyancy of a dry suit, hood, dry gloves, etc. Must be nice...
If interested, she also posted on land pictures.

And on a side note, I thought this to be an interesting part of her and her sister's journey:

The resort was beautiful! There was a main hall that served as reception, gathering, and dining hall, loaded with carvings made by local villagers. The rooms were air conditioned, and situated in a cabin with two rooms per cabin. Each had a deck overlooking the water, and the rooms were large and comfortable. The resort is very ecofriendly, using solar heated rainwater for showers and such, and charcoal filtered, ultraviolet treated water for drinking. The sewage is treated and disposed of environmentally. The majority of the food was grown onsite or purchased from local villages. The staff was unfailingly friendly and helpful.

The place was owned by Oceanic, which is a dive company. Apparently they're trying their best to keep the natives happy. They keep their environment clean and also offer employment. I've heard of places like this where the companies actually offer to subsidize the locals if they refrain from fishing beyond their needs so that foreign divers can enjoy their visit with an abundance of exotic creatures.

Maybe some day I'll make it out to the South Pacific again and actually do some diving.
Sounds like a treat.

5.18.2006

Dive photos

Kathyrn, a diver from my shop who I've dove with before made a trip to Vancouver Island.
She and her partner dove in the waters of Tofino on the Pacific Ocean.

The pictures make it seem like there's such a thick biota up there.
Maybe they're influnced by a strong ocean current.

5.16.2006

Chocola

The dig I went on in Guatemala in the summer of 2004 now has a website.
Apparently they found some cool short statues this past year.
That's Fede holding the one just found.

Lake Crescent

People from my dive shop went over to Lake Crescent and solved a 72-year-old mystery.
Manuel and I almost had the same fate.

5.08.2006

wolf eel

I dove last week but my camera was dying to the point that I didn't bother to take it.
Fortunately that won't be the case tomorrow when I go to Redondo.

However, in the meantime, here's some clips of some guys that go to my dive shop.
I've met them and chatted with them, but have never had the opportunity to dive with them.
They've got all the good shit though. Scooters, etc.
Lucky bastards.

5.02.2006

Crab

This is a test to see if my crab movie can actually be posted.