1rst time scuba vacation - any ideas?

[jontay]

Thanks for the responses. There is some great info for me to look at.

Hello acelockco, I have actually signed on quite a few times since my last post to check replies. I was just waiting for a few responses to roll in. I appreciate your responses though. I've also traveled the way you do, "book a flight somewhere and then figure out what to do". In fact, I will probably end up doing it this way. Have fun in Florida.

I may be leaning towards the Philippenes or Thailand. I have always wanted to check out Thailand (everyone says there is so much to do and very affordable) although lately the Philippenes is coming highly recommended.

Hey h2odragon1. thanks for the info. I looked at ActionDivers.com and sent them an e-mail but have not heard back yet. Sounds like you really liked it. Please feel free to mention anything you think would be useful to me.

As far as Philippenes go (to anyone here that may know):
- once I am there, is it realistic to find some kind of bunaglow(?), hotel, house sharing, etc. that would be 'on the cheap' yet safe, not too far from the diving, etc.?
- is there plenty of sites and things to see when not diving?

Originally, I was thinking of bumming around in the Carribean. The airplane ticket is definetely more afforable to go there. However, since I am between jobs and have some flexibility, I thought maybe to take advantage of this time and head to the S.Pacific/Asia area while I have extra time. Some folks have mentioned that the water (S.Pacific) would probably be warmer and an abundunce of marine life too. Plus, I could save the Caribbean for when I don't have as much time off. Does any of this sound like a good idea (lol)?

Thanks for the info on the Carribean, lottie. I read some of your posts and it looks like you love to dive and love the Carribean too. I am sure I will talk to you in the future.

Sorry for such a long message but I am trying to make a somewhat educated decision and weigh all of the info. I am close to booking a flight somewhere and finally going tropical and I am really, really 'stoked'. I am trying to hit the gym pretty hard (joned just recently) and hopefully shed a couple of pounds and gain a little more strength and stamina to enjoy one of these paradises. Thanks to all the replies and please feel free to offer anything else.

Thanks again!!!!!!

[lottie]

Jontay - welcome to the forums.

If you are veering more towards the philippines, there are quite a few people on here that are located in that part of the world and i'm sure they will give you more than enough good advice and information on where to go and best places to stay.

have fun

[acelockco]

Glad to see I was wrong and you are still, we all love active members. Don't worry about being so long winded, we all enjoy reading what others post no matter how long.


Ace

By the way, going to the gym is always an excellent way to prepare for diving. It is only going to help you.

[The Publisher]

Puerto Galera, or more properly Sabang has all sorts of really inexpensive rooms/apartments just a hundred feet from the beach. You can get your airfills anywhere and do beach dives if you want, just make sure you have a SMB due to the bangka traffic.

[h2odragon1]

Jontay;
when we were i Puerto glaera, a girl from AU. was recting a beach house on Big LaLagun beach for $180 US a month. that was two years ago. If price are up, it's because of the exchange rate. 55P/$1 then now 43P/$1.
PG has the most varied diving, as I said earlier, ask the Publisher if he is having a good time, he's there now.
Jontay, and Publisher, there are many more places to go in the Philippines. Dumagete,is great; Bohol, Pnaglao Is.,wouldd be another great site. My wife and I are going to Cebu next Feb.
You can't go wrong going to the Philippines!!

[jontay]

Thanks to everyone for your replies. It was a lot of help.

I have checked out quite a few airfares and the best I have found was $950-$975 for roundtrip (Reno-Manila) if I go mid-Jan. thru mid-Feb. Does this sound like reasonable airfare? I thought it seemed pretty good.

I think I will just book a flight to Manila and then head to Puerto Galera and start there. I assume I can re-certify there at PG? Maybe meet a few folks, get some ideas, and then check out some other islands/dive locations after that.

Thanks for all of the responses and please feel free to offer any suggestions that you all may have. Believe me, I am open to any thoughts, lol.

By the way (for "The Publisher"), I know this sounds like I am an idiot, but what is a SMB? and it's relation to bangka traffic? Sorry, but I am not familiar with all of the acronyms yet, lol.

Thanks also to "h2odragon1" for your input. I'll probably PM you to get some specifics unless everyone would rather have it here on this open forum for their own benefit/information.

Thanks again to everyone for all of their replies.

[PinayDiver]

what is a SMB? and it's relation to bangka traffic? Sorry, but I am not familiar with all of the acronyms yet, lol.

SMB is the national drink, haha. That's San Miguel Beer, a pale pilsen. There's also San Miguel dark beer (Cerveza Negra), extra strong beer (Red Horse), light lager (San Mig Light), and plenty more.
As for its relation to banca traffic, maybe for you to chill while waiting? Either that, or for bribing lol

[h2odragon1]

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