Go Dive Tours

Thank you

Terry — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 03:17:07 +0000

I just wanted to say “Thank you” to everyone who has sent me e-mails about the closing of Go Dive Tours. I appreciate the many kind and encouraging words. And now, I would like to encourage you to Go Dive! Thank you everyone.

Go Dive Tours is closed…now Go Dive!

Terry — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 12:33:56 +0000

Go Dive Tours is now closed. It was a long and difficult decision, but I think in the long run it will prove to be the right decision. I am still dedicated to diving…and underwater photography…and that is what I am going to focus on. Getting a dive tour travel business up and successfully running proved to be more challenging than I thought possible; even in this economy. But, I will be diving. I will be taking pictures and sharing them on my website at www.scubadown.smugmug.com. Please check in there from time to time and see what is new. I will be posting photos from the Philippines shortly.

I want to thank you all for the encouragement. Especially David T. There is no way any of this could have even gotten of the ground without his work in setting up this website and many other behind the scenes computer work. Thank you David. I appreciate your friendship.

While this is the end for one thing it is also the beginning of another. What that is…I don’t know. But I do know one thing…you need to GO DIVE.

Diving and Photography

Terry — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:33:21 +0000

Today was a day filled with diving and photography. Two of my favorite things to do all wrapped up together. How great is that? I am taking an underwater photography class while I am diving in Puerta Galera, Philippines. This is something I have wanted to do for a long time. Atlantis has an excellent photographer on staff. He spent today with one of the other divers and I teaching us how to use our macro lens underwater. I have found that truly I have been taking tourist snapshots and not really being a photographer underwater. I can’t wait to get some of my shots posted. Today I learned a lot. Tomorrow I will learn even more when we train with our wide angle lenses.

Today’s excitement included seeing a stargazer, flamboyant cuttlefish, a regular cuttlefish and a thumb sized orange frog fish. We learned how to compose our pictures and to “fill the lens” with the subject. Each of us got some truly amazing shots. I am just fired up about it.

We also had some excitement…of the good kind. Rich and Joyce Wilson made their 100th dive today. The resort gave them t-shirts with their name embroidered on it with “100th Dive”. They are both excited; as they should be. One hundred dives means you have made a commitment to diving and are at it regularly. So what about you? When are you going to GO DIVE!!

Diving in the Philippines

Terry — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 09:41:20 +0000

Here I sit in Sabang (Puerto Galera), Philippines 11 dives into a 20+ dive vacation. We, there is a group of 23 of us, are staying at Atlantis Resort. I came here once before in 2005. The people are friendly. The diving is SPECTACULAR and I am starting to get some great underwater shots. I will be posting photos later. The internet connection here probably could not handle the load.

Today I dove Verde Island with 12 other brave souls. The first two dives were truly wonderful. Lots of unique underwater life to see. I got a great shot of two pygmy seahorses; my first success at getting them in focus. Just before the dives ended we would reach the end of the island. The current is ripping!! BIG Jacks are hanging in the stream of rushing water. We stuck our heads above the wall and the force of the moving water was staggering.

Our third dive of the day was the infamous “The Washing Machine”. You don’t just say washing machine; you show respect and call it THE Washing Machine. Today the current was on fire. We were washed, rinsed and spun dry. We had discussed what to do if you got blown of the wall; head to the surface and the chase boat would pick you up. One of our group got blown out. I started to go after them and then realized there was no way. The diver was clinging to some rocks and later said they understood I could not get there. I went over the wall and into the small canyon signaling the dive guide that a diver had blown out. As I knelt, clinging to the rocks catching my breath, I looked over my shoulder and saw the diver. They had literally crawled back to us after watching where I went.

This is a very advanced dive when the current is ripping the way it was today. It is a rush. It is hair raising. It is NOT for the faint of heart or inexperienced diver.

More to come… now GO DIVE!!

Philippines

Terry — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 03:43:05 +0000

I will be heading off to the Philippines soon. I am so ready to go diving. I checked out the water conditions. Looks like a 3MM to me. They are talking water temps of 75 to 78. Even I get cold at that temp after a few dives. All my bags are packed. I ready to go. There is a song in there somewhere. Look for updates and pictures while I am there. I will be posting pictures (provided the internet is working) on here and my photo website www.scubadown.smugmug.com. I think it is time to GO DIVE!!!

Rich Marsh – Passion for Life Even

Terry — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 17:33:36 +0000

Last night Artesa Winery hosted the Rich Marsh – Passion for Life event. Those in attendance, and there were a lot, were served great wine from both Artesa and Goosecross wineries. The music and food were great too. Overall, it was one of those evenings you didn’t want to miss. To give you an idea how many people showed up, I got there right at 6:30 and the parking lot and the winery were already full.

Rich and Lilli were there. It is truly amazing to see Rich standing tall again. His determination to recover has brought him a long way. We continue to pray for him and Lilli. Speaking of recovering, I have no idea how much money was raised last night, but I do know that everyone was very generous in both donations and bidding. I now know where to go if I want a great glass of wine; bidder #32 I know who you are. Three couples, all divers, banded together to buy a week in a condo in Kaui. One couple just wanted to get the bidding started on a beautiful table and ended up continuing to bid. I understand it will now adorn their patio.

All in all, everyone had a great time. And, Rich…you’re the man. I can’t wait to see you in the water again. In the mean time just keep getting stronger.

Rich Marsh – Passion for Life

Terry — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 20:23:36 +0000

Don’t forget…tonight at 6:30 PM…Artesa Winery

Cozumel is Calling

Terry — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 04:14:16 +0000

Fall is here. The rainy season is starting. Temperatures are dropping. Yes…it is colder and wetter. This is supposed to be a wet winter. So, what is one to do? Plan a getaway!! The Cozumel trip is scheduled for March 27 through April 3, 2010. By then you should be tired of the rain and being cold. The all inclusive price is just $2,050 for a diver. Non-divers are $1,880. There are two tank boat dives per dive day and unlimited shore dives. Non-divers can snorkel, hang out by the pool, or walk into town. Cozumel has something for everyone. I suggest we all go to Cozumel and just…GO DIVE!!!

Rich Marsh Fundraiser this Saturday

Terry — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 06:38:53 +0000

Divers…it is time to come to the aid of a fellow diver. Just a reminder that the Passion for Life fundraiser for Rich Marsh is this Saturday at Artesa Winery. It starts at 6:30 with a silent auction, music and food. Tickets can still be bought online at www.richmarsh-passionforlife.com or at the door. I hope to see you all there and then we can GO DIVE! Well, at least some of us will GO DIVE…

Survey Results

Terry — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 04:16:19 +0000

Remember the survey you took (well…32 of you took) a couple of weeks ago? Well, the results are in!

Not surprisingly 80% of you feel very comfortable diving. The rest like having the group and/or their buddy around. That sounds very reasonable to me. The top five dive locations were the Great Barrier Reef, Caymans, Palau/Yap, Papua New Guinea/Sipadan, and Thailand. The only item to receive votes from all 32 respondents was that everyone wanted to see “colorful reefs”. It is pretty clear that fish populations, corals, and walls are also important.

Based on the fact that the type of dive was very mixed, I think most of you are like me and just want to “get wet”. You will dive on almost anything. Muck diving (one of my favorites) though did bring up the rear so it looks like I will be doing that on my own.

Thanks to all of you who took the survey. This will be used to determine where I book the next few dive trips. It is my goal to go where you, the diver, want to go. I like that idea. So what do you say…let’s GO DIVE!!!