2002
Chapbook
October 19, 2001
The 2002 Travelin' Diver's Chapbook is on the way to the printer and
it looks again that it will run about 500 pages of in-depth comments
about every worthwhile dive operation on this planet. We will mail it
to all print subscribers in early December. If you're not a subscriber
and want to get it, sign up here.
Deals
on the Pelagian
October 19, 2001
In the September issue of Undercurrent, we wrote about the best live-aboard
trip of 2002 -- a continuing journey aboard the Pelagian, which will
sail off to several unusual dive destinations in the South Pacific.
The Pelagian, a favorite live-aboard of serious divers, also operates
out of Bali (which most knowledgeable sources say is not at all an Indonesia
trouble spot). To get a boost in business they're offering two spaces
for the price of one on their November 15th departure. Normal cabin
prices range from $2,750 - $3,750 per person for this 11-night cruise,
so, in effect, your buddy and you each go at half price. The itinerary
is planned far from troubled waters, into the heart of legendary Indonesia
diving. Contact Dive Asia Pacific directly at info@dive-asiapacific.com
to get the deal. Tell 'em Undercurrent told you about it.
World
Atlas of Coral Reefs October
19, 2001
If one book belongs in every traveling diver's library, this is it.
The superb World Atlas of Coral Reefs has everything you want to know
about the reefs from Costa Rica and Cuba to the Coral Sea and Cayman.
The information is specific and up to date. The photos, maps and layout
are superb. And the price, for this 424 page, full-color, hard bound
volume, is a steal at $45. You can also get
it through us for $31.50. Written with divers in mind, it's an invaluable
resource for global travelers. Here's what you'll find:
- 94 maps, including global maps of biodiversity and reef stresses.
- 280 color photographs, showing reefs, wildlife, people and places,
including 84 photographs taken from space by Shuttle astronauts.
- Text explaining the formation, structure and ecology of coral reefs;
their various uses and abuses at the hands of humans.
- The distribution and status of coral reefs in every country.
- Data tables on coral reef area, biodiversity, fish consumption,
and threats.
For example, you can learn about pollution damage to the reefs at Providenciales
and the lack of human impact, as well. Or, where extensive bleaching
took place in Honduras 1998. You'll read that Milne Bay in Papua New
Guineas has the most extensive reef system in that country and where,
in Fiji, the bumphead parrotfish and Tridacna clams will not be found,
thanks to overfishing.
Purchase
the remarkable book through the Undercurrent website and our profits
will go directly to preserve coral reefs, a diver-based organization
working hard to save the reefs.
Print
Subscribers
October 19, 2001
We will soon be offering a new e-mail service to our print subscribers,
containing much more information, travel updates, etc. For example,
we will alert our readers to ripoffs, which seems to be what divers
are finding at Bayman Bay Club on Guanaja, in Honduras. The reports
we have received for the Chapbook advise me to avoid this place.
To sign up for this new servcie you will need your subscriber number
off of your mailing label along with the name and address used there
and then just go here.
Wave
Dancer
Novermber 5, 2001
The tragic sinking and death of 17 Richmond, VA divers and 3 Belizean
crew members have led to a number of questions and second guessing,
especially since everyone in nearby Placencia and other towns that sought
shelter on higher ground survived Hurricane Iris. (The latest thinking
is that a tornado spun off from the hurricane capsized the boat.) One
Belizean crew member, who left the Dancer although she was told she
would be fired if she did, survived. Others, apparently fearful for
their jobs, stayed. Apparently, the divers had the opportunity to leave
the boat, but decided to stay. Should the captain have ordered them
ashore? One can only speculate at this point, but many Belizeans are
unhappy about how the crew was treated, lawyers representing the deceased
will have their day, and the story will unfold. I imagine that the entire
Peter Hughes operation is under great emotional and financial pressure.
Should you have reservations on any of his boats I would suggest that
you cover yourself with the appropriate travel insurance. For the latest
article on the incident go to http://www.washtimes.com
and search their archives for Wave Dancer, especially the Oct. 17
article.
Help
for Belize
October 19, 2001
In the meantime, thousands of people are homeless in Southern Belize
and the wonderful little town of Placencia, where many a diver has visited,
has been virtually destroyed. With so much money going to help the Sept
11 victims, help for Belize is falling short. You can contribute to
an on the ground effort to help Belizeans -- I have -- at https://secure.nameservers.com/ambergriscaye.com/placencia.
You can also contribute to the Red Cross, earmarking your money for
the Belize Hurricane Fund.
Dengue
Fever in Hawaii October
19, 2001
The island of Maui has its first dengue fever outbreak since World
War II. So far, 48 cases have been diagnosed 250 other people have illnesses
being investigated as dengue. Most were exposed in Hana and on the East
Side. The virus is typically spread by day-biting mosquitoes, which
breed wherever water collects, such as in flower pots and discarded
tires, Symptoms include fever, headache and rashes on the palms and
feet. The more serious dengue hemorrhagic fever has a fatality rate
of 5 percent. There is no vaccine or specific treatment, but you can
prevent mosquito bites by lathering in DEET. For info: www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/dengue
Updated
Travel Safety Tips
October 19, 2001
If you're planning a dive trip, you need first-hand safety information.
The U.S. State Department has travel warnings and advisories for countries
worldwide: Phone 202?647?5225, www.travel.state.gov.
For an alternative look at safety issues, check the British government
website www.fco.gov.uk
and click on Traveling Overseas ... The U.S. Department of Transportation
has recorded information for special travel advisories concerning security
threats at various destinations: 800 221?0673 ... The Federal Aviation
Administration gives basic advice to travelers on ticketing, overbooking,
safety issues and airport security at www.faa.gov
-- click on Traveler Info ... Pinkerton, the corporate security firm
provides some information on terrorism and crime as it affects business,
but can be of interest to travelers, http://pgis.pinkertons.com
... Kroll Associates, another business?security firm, sometimes posts
comments and analysis of travel security issues. Go to www.krollassociates.com
and click on Kroll Forum or What's New ... Smarter Living, www.smarterliving.com
may have advice on airlines' unwritten policies on getting refunds or
making changes to supposedly non-refundable tickets.
Unraveling
Dive Industry
October 19, 2001
In our last e-mail we mentioned that one can expect many resorts and
businesses to shut their doors. The most luxurious hotel in Bonaire,
Harbour Village, has closed, saying that "the terrorist attacks
on September 11th in America, and the resulting disruptions in international
travel, were a significant factor in the group's inability to obtain
refinancing to continue the hotel operation." Several large operations
like Red Sail Sports are laying off people in droves. Small operations
in Indonesia and elsewhere are reeling.
-- Ben
Davison,
publisher
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