NEWS
Next Video Club Meeting March 18th at 6:30pm Meetings are held at the Ocean Enterprises classroom at 7710 Balboa Avenue. Meetings are held the3rd Thursdayof each month at 6:30 pm. The March meeting will be18th. Some members will meet before the meeting at Islands restaurant just cross Balboa. There may be casual get togethers after the meeting. Everyone interested in underwater video is welcome. People are encouraged to bring less tha 5 minute clips for constructional critique and sharing. The group has purchased a High Definition & BluRay projector so we can show HD DVDs at the meetings. Come on by and bring a friend who is interested in Underwater Video. Dead line for entries for UFEX 2010 is July 15th |
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Are you making deep decompression stops?? There is an article in the new Alert Diver magazine that debates the benefits.
Eric Hanauer was bent diving Gordo Bank in Baja and received good chamber treatment in Cabo San Lucas. DAN insurance came through for him. Story in the latest DAN magazine.
Lots of changes in the dive business. The Sulawezi Agressor has been sold and moved to the Philippines
April 2010 seems like a long ways off but it will be here before you know it.
April 15th 2010 Roz and I will lead our 5th annual lat trip to Fabulous Beqa Lagoon Resort. Don't miss this trip.Put your name on the Fiji the list with wendy@oceanenterprises.com or better yet make a $500 deposit and get a choice of the Beach front bures. We have reserved all the best bures.
Bob Gladden, one of the founders of UFEX has moved to Kona Hawaii. If you are in the neighborhood, look him up. ovisions1@hawaii.rr.com. Bob is still part of UFEX and will be here for UFEX 2009 September 12th & 13th at Qualcomm Hall.
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Be
aware----Travel
will be more challenging in 2010
Expect reduced weight allowances. Not just domestic but in international
travel. It will be important to be aware of the rules and to check each
airline on your itineraries up to date requirements. As most airlines
over book it is important to check in early.
Air
prices will often not include taxes and fuel surcharges. Most group travel
will have several price categories. Basic land/live aboard price, a cost
including airfares, transfers, taxes etc. and a price that does not include
any airfares. You will often see cash and check prices versus credit card
price.
Frequent flyer free seats will be almost non existence. Also may not include
the domestic portion of international flights.
On
layovers the hotel may or may not be included. Hotels and resorts may
or may not include breakfast. Meals are included on most live aboards
and sometimes at resorts with a meal package.
Diving may include nitrox or that can be an expensive add-on. Sometimes
there is a charge to support a decompression chamber or a local reserve
or park permit.
Passports
often must have two empty pages and always need a 6 months expiration
date from the date of return to USA. In some countries visas are required.
They may be available at arrival but some countries require that they
be issued at the consulate. Visa expediters are expensive but often safer
then sending you passport to a 3rd world consulate.
In
the future, after a trip itinerary is set, there will be a charge for
each change. There also may be a change charge from the airline. There
may also be a charge for the airlines change.
Though often expensive, travel insurance can be a good investment.
Check out the small digital scale for sale at Ocean Enterprises. A stop that is not necessary for international connections can put you under domestic weight rules and can be very expensive. Travel light. Most resorts and liveaboards have laundry facilities.
Opinions
Frequent Flyer mileage. Think about this. If you have a credit card that gives mileage, charge your dive trip ( pay when the statement come due so no interest ) and get double mileage. Mileage from the card and again when you check in with your airline card.
If you are or know someone in a panic for a Passport try Zierer Visa Service 866-788-1100 They have a San Francisco address.
Important--Make copies of your SCUBA certification card. It is important to have the card if you expect to travel and dive. Many old records are lost or have been destroyed as the certifying organizations change. You will not be allowed by any of the reputable resorts or live aboard without a C-card. It is also a good idea to make color copies of your passports first page and carry them separate from your passport. Most copy places can't do it put will let you.
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Check the Gallery Still pages for photos of our recent travels