Posted by Jim Haack on November 07, 19108 at 10:40:18:
Greetings, Divers! It was good to see so many of you last weekend for the Gathering. For those who didn’t make it, I feel a need to rub it in – you missed a very entertaining presentation by Bill Utterback on his recent trip to the Galapagos Islands. We were enthralled by his pictures and description of the incredible sights both above and below water. Many thanks to everyone who turned out for the evening and many more thanks to Bill for his program.
Doug and Lisa Skilang also gave us advance warning of the trip they are beginning to plan for June of 2010. While that seems like a long time off, it might be good to start your own planning now for their expedition to Palau! Doug, of course, comes from Palau (as many of you who heard his presentation some years ago on the islands will remember) and they have invited us to join them on a trip back to his homeland. Start saving your vacation time and your pennies. More details will be passed along as they become available.
Speaking of trips, Dan and Linda Bunn sent me the following e-mail and asked me to forward it on to the group:
Hi Jim, Could you please send this on to the Gathering?
Dan and I need a vacation (underlining the need part). I have been looking on the internet at different ideas and get emails from Roatan charter. The week of Dec.13 to 20 there are 4 rooms available at CocoView. Included in the stay is Stan Waterman, "The man who loves sharks" He is a 5 time Emmy winner for "The Deep" and "Blue Water White Death". He will be diving with guests and have evening presentations and photography tips. I have a quote for room and airfare from CR including taxes etc. for $1955.00 per person. Delta airlines gets us there from CR at 12:09 pm, right after lunch instead of at night like before. You all know CoCoView Resort includes meals, diving, weights, transfers from/to airport, picnic, kayaks, unlimited shore diving, 4 boat dives each day, one night dive, and all the rooms have been renovated since we were there last. These are oceanview rooms and air conditioned. Dan and I have been to CoCoView three times and one time to Bay Islands Beach Resort on Roatan. Roatan is a great dive destination and CoCoView is one of the resorts always listed in top reader reviews and is also the most repeat customer stop in the Carribean. I have a hold on 4 rooms for 24 hours. Now I know some of you just got back from Africa and/or other places but still...this is CoCoView. CoCoView's front yard has two walls to dive and a sunken ship and plane just yards away from the resort. Let me know what any of you think. I want to go but it is always more fun with people you know traveling to a resort.
Linda and Dan Bunn
email dbunns@aol.com
phone 319-389-6672
I can add that I have also been to CoCoView and enjoyed the trip very much.
And speaking of trips (one more time), there are still a few spots left on my trip to Grand Cayman the week of January 3 – 10. Grand Cayman features beautiful walls, incredible visibility and is very affordable. Please contact me for more information.
Thanks to all, and dive safe!
Jim