A bad day diving is still better then a good day at work

[PinayDiver]

I was a firefighter until a back injury put me behind a desk, I hate working in an office so back to school I go to do what I've have always wanted to do. Starting over is hard but I figure i would rather be happy

You're so right. This month also marks my starting over to try my hand at becoming my own boss and the flexibility (if not the ease in load!) that affords (Ace's 2 dives a week sounds amazing compared to my 4 dives-a-month average as a then corporate denizen).

I think it's exciting that you're going to be a marine biologist! I admire them. I become a student around them. I've gone to trips arranged by Conservation International-Philippines to write about their Sulu-Sulawesi Seascape projects (biodiversity conservation as personal advocacy and all that). And in this country, law enforcement is simply part of their challenges. For example, last December, Chinese poachers were caught red-handed with 800 live fish--including over 200 Napoleon wrasses--inside the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park. Oh the uproar!

[Sarah]

Lu-Ann, I heard the Chinese poachers got away Scott-free though?

[PinayDiver]

Hi Sarah. The Chinese poachers had no difficulty paying more than a million (Philippine) pesos in cash bail bond. But they haven't fled the country.
The Tubbataha park manager, Angelique Songo, did receive the report that all 30 of them already had airline tickets. They were slapped with a hold-departure order in time. So they're still in Puerto Princessa, Palawan (for their hearings). She tells me that she even sees them in the palengke (wet market) and jokes that she always gets the urge to kick them where it hurts. I don't blame her!

P.S. A Napoleon Wrasse sells for as much as US$200 a kilo in Hongkong.

[Sharkgal]

Lissa,
Just read your note. I'm always looking for a dive buddy too, but sounds like you enjoy the cold water, which is definitely NOT for me! :-) I won't dive in water colder than 80 without a dry suit, and when I did my dry suit certification in a spring, I froze my tail off!
How about some nice tropical waters? Maybe some sharks, rays, whales?
Most of all, nice warm water.
Anyway, look forward to chatting with a lot of you.
Have a great day and hope we are all out diving soon!

[The Publisher]

Sharkgal, I'm with you.....after diving tropical in 80 degree water seeing spectacular marine life while enjoying using a thin 3mm suit, why get all geared up....

[acelockco]

Sharkgal, I'm with you.....after diving tropical in 80 degree water seeing spectacular marine life while enjoying using a thin 3mm suit, why get all geared up....

Variety, it is always to see something new or have a change of pace. Why limit yourself to only tropical waters when the majority of the water in the world is not tropical.

[lottie]

Variety is indeed the spice of life - I'm still toying with the idea of diving in the UK - something different, but not exactly warm nor 100ft viz...... :S

[jingjing]

I am a PADI/SSI open water instructor, with a speciality in just about everything. I have advanced nitrox, and i almost have my decompression diver cert. After I can catch up with the instructor and get my dive out of the way, I will be working on my trimix. I want to try various new dive places but can't find a good buddy willing to go and explore. Where are they all at? Would love to dive in So. Cali, and any other location that i haven't tried before.？？

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[acelockco]

I want to try various new dive places but can't find a good buddy willing to go and explore. Where are they all at? Would love to dive in So. Cali, and any other location that i haven't tried before.？？

Where do you live? I know there are a lot of advanced divers that could hook up with you.