Here we are in sunny Hawaii, except that somwone forgot to tell the weather gods that Hawaii was supposed to be sunny. The skys are gray and full of water which the mountain god drops on us occassionally. Oh well no matter, we are only here for a short stop on our journey to Micronesia. In fact it seems really short since our flight to Kosrae leaves at 5:25 in the morning which means we need to be at the airport at 3:00 am to check all of the luggage. The driver today told us we needed to arrive early because the Micronesians really knew how to pack it in so there would be a lot of luggage — heavy luggage. Having done this before, I am sure the luggage of choice is still Igloo.
We are currently waiting on Susan and Ian to arrive from Philidelphia so we can head out to dinner and then home for a power nap before we leave for the airport. Such is the glamourous life of international travel.
Soon after Ian and Susan arrive, we ventured out to dinner ata the Chart House on Waikiki Beach. Thank Goodness for Open Table, an iPhone App that leys you make reservations easily.
Travel
Need a reason to take that Trimix Course?
300ft down.. perfect reason for me to get hypoxic & expedition trimix certified. Such were the words of one of our clients, John Mittendorf. What was John talking about you ask? Well it seems a group of Swedish treasure hunters discovered a perfectly round object at the bottom of the Sea of Bethena off the coast of Sweden. According to the team, it is unusual because it is perfectly round and appears to have a “drag” clearing leading up to it.
Of course there are other reasons to take a Trimix course. Imagine being able to swim with huge sponges reaching out and up from the depths along the walls in Grand Cayman. Visit a turn of the century sailing ship in the Dry Tortugas or a WW II submarine from the United States and another from Germany; these await deep divers in the Dry Tortugas. There are some incredible sites waiting for Trimix divers around the world including, caves, wrecks and walls. Dave and I have been fortunate to have visited a number of them over the past few years and we are always looking for some other adventurous souls to join us.
John, may be right. This might just be the reason to continue his rebreather training to include Hypoxic and Expedition Trimix. Of course you will also need some practice in a dry suit.
Here is what CNN reported about the find:
Dive Diva Trip October 2012
Dive Diva/Rock Beauty Semi-Annual Weekend Adventure to Cozumel Mexico El Presidente Intercontinental Hotel
October 19-23, 2012
Join us for a weekend of fun, sun, diving, spa, touring, beverages with beach umbrellas, snorkeling, and rest……. Friday thru Tuesday. The dive staff at SCUBA Du will offer valet dive service and beautiful fast boats so that we can be back in time for lunch and umbrella drinks on the beach. Or spend the afternoon in town shopping for Holiday gifts for friends and co-workers. One afternoon Ann will organize a trip to tour the Mayan Ruins and a visit to the beaches on the East side of the island. The spa has offered our group a 15% discount on all services booked in advance for our group. Night dives and night snorkeling available.
- Package includes: RT Air from Houston to Cozumel via Continental Airlines, 5 days/ 4 nights El Presidente Intercontinental Resort Hotel, 3 days of two tank boat diving, plus a boat dive the day of arrival, air taxes on base fare, welcome cocktail, American breakfast buffet, transfers to the hotel, beach cylinders, weights, water on board, hotel taxes/resort fee, trip brochure and packet, trip shirt, and travel leader….Ann.
- Fare: $1595 per person for Club Aquarius Members ($1545 dfc and club). $500 deposit due January 1. Final payment due on April 1, 2012. Trip insurance recommended, diving insurance required.
- Not Included: Nitrox, extra boat diving, tips for the local staff, marine park fee, shopping, increases in air taxes, tours and entrance to the Mayan ruins. Space is Limited.
Dive Mom. Sign Me Up; I want to go diving!
Club Aquarius is an International Diving Club. Oceanic Ventures sponsors a local chapter. Membership is $75 pp family for a year and $65 for individuals.
Membership benefits include travel discounts, discounts on classes, monthly equipment specials, meetings, door prizes, a card and a gift.
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Price and availability subject to change until booked. Trip insurance is recommended as all deposits are non-refundable unless the trip runs full and replacement found.
Thanksgiving, Jazz and Antiques
- Cat & Jessica, bartenders at the Phoenix Jazz Club in Kansas City
“It was a champion day today when I got up and I’m carrying it with me all day!” I heard this comment from a gentleman while we were touring the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City. Yes, Ann and I took a non diving vacation, all be it a short one for the Thanksgiving holiday. We spent the Holiday visiting my brother, Jason Keibler, inKansas City and exploring some of the sites around town. The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum is fascinating with photographs, films and stories from league players and promoters. In the center is a baseball diamond with large bronze statues of some of the greats in the game at their positions on the field, much like an all-star team.
Another stop was the American Jazz Museum (which happens to be next to theBaseballMuseum). Here you find recordings, instruments and costumes from great players including one of my favorites, Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong. While many of the listening stations did not work, the museum was interesting and tracked the changes in American Jazz.
Jason then continued on the Jazz theme by recommending drinks and live entertainment at the Phoenix Jazz Club on 8thstreet. While we listened to Lonnie McFadden and later to Dave Stephens, the Makers Mark Manhattans, gin and vodka martinis were served expertly prepared by Jessica and Cat who constantly mixed libations for a bar full of Jazz enthusiasts. Jessica also manages the club so she was often called by name to the stage for comments and banter with the musicians, especially Dave Stevens.
We had only intended to stay for a few drinks and then move on to another dinner location, however, we were having such a good time listening to the music and talking to others in the bar and among ourselves that we decided to stay. Of course Cat told us we really had to stay to listen to Dave because he put on “a really fun show;” so bowing to pressure we had dinner there and finished the evening at the bar. If you are ever inKansas City, you really have to drop in for some cold beverages and some cool Jazz. Be sure to tell Jessica that Ann and Eric, the scuba people fromHouston, sent you. You will not be disappointed.
A trip toKansas Citywould not be complete without a visit to Kincaid Antiques. Cindy always has some unique items in her store and some sale squirreled away in her basement. It is a treat to visit with her and look at some wonderful pieces of history. Of course, no one left empty handed.
Ann and I are back are inHoustonnow; and, I have to return to my diet. Luckily, we left all of the extra stuffing, mashed potatoes, pecan pie, etc. at Jason’s house. So, even if I was tempted, the food is not here. Instead or craving more food, it is time to help people complete their Christmas and Chanukah wish lists (hint, hint). So, if you need help with your holiday shopping – Dive Mom is back!
100 Scuba Dives…Dive Mom Needs Help!
- Dive Mom Ready to Go!
“For the first time I can remember, I don’t have my 100 dives by November 1; I need your help to get there before December 1!”
Ann Keibler will be venturing up to the DUI Dog Rally and Demo Days in Terrell Texas on November 19-20 and she would like for you to join her. So that you both have something to do while swimming around the lake, she will be doing dry suit open water dives and dry suit demos. To give you some incentive to show up, she has come up with the following specials:
- Take a Dry Suit course, reg $225, for only $125 and she will pay for your DUI entry ticket for Saturday and Sunday. By doing your open water here, you also save the dry suit rental charge ($100 for the weekend).
- Take your Nitrox course, reg $225, for only $125 and she will pay for your DUI entry ticket for the day and include the Nitrox for your dives!
Both courses include the educational materials and the classroom portion is a home study program. You should turn in your homework and take the test before you leave. She will be staying late Wednesday November 9, so you can get the test over with early. You can take the test at the lake, but who wants to skip the fun and take a test so doing it early is really better.
Of course if you are already certified as a dry suit diver, you can still come up and go diving. Remember, she needs a lot of dives and she doesn’t think any one person will want to do that many in a day. As such, she needs multiple buddies and lots of moral support.
DUI’s Dog Rally and Demo Days is a really cool event where you can try almost every suit DUI makes, almost every style of undergarment, get lunch and a hat all for $10.00 (when purchased from Oceanic Ventures, in advance). And, if you are already a DOG (DUI Owners Group) and you bring a friend to the event, you will get a special gift.
Please send Dive Mom and email and tell her you will help her reach her goal.
She would like to know who is going to attend by Friday.
2011 Harvest Moon Regatta
You may not have realized it but last week, was the 25th sailing of the Harvest Moon Regatta, a sailing race from Galveston to Port Aransas Texas. The annual event draws sailors from all over the area to compete for the coveted Bacardi Cup and a host of other prizes. This year’s event saw 188 boats start from the Flagship Hotel pier in Galveston begin jockeying for position. Colourful spinnakers flew and the offshore racing club fleet surged off in the moderate winds.
Unfortunately, the winds were destined not to hold and they became progressively lighter. What is normally a beam reach, (c), to broad reach, (d), to Port Aransas, turned out to be a very broad reach, (d), to a run, (e), requiring many boats to sail wing on wing.
While this meant a slow sail to Port Aransas, the night was beautiful. There was a spectacular moon rise and the stars were incredible. It was a beautiful night to be offshore and away from the city lights.
Ashton, Drew Trent, Doug Markem, and I joined another of our clients, Bob Thompson, on his boat Artemis. We finished the race in a flurry of activity but unfortunately, we did not finish fast enough to place in our group but we were there early enough to enjoy the party with all the Bacardi rum you can drink. Of course, in previous years, Bob’s son Steven was heard to comment that at times the party was not “pretty” – too many drunk old people.
The party was fun and then it was back to sailing the next day for the return trip home. It was a fun trip and a great reason to be out on the water! Thank you for the sail Bob! We are ready for next year!!!!
We put a video together highlighting some of the weekend’s events. Please tell us what you think!
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