Volivoli Resort. Warm Water - Great Colours - It's FIJI! / Photograph by Andrew Simpson
Just letting you know that we have organised a great deal for you all on our FIJI trip for this October.
This year we have accommodation options to suit different budgets as well!!!
Not only do we get 12 simply stunning tropical dives (for the price of 10!!!) but the prices below also include your 7 night’s accommodation, airport transfers and breakfast (does not include flights).
You can check out the diving and accommodation on Volivoli Resort’s website (you may recognize one of the divers……ME!)
The dates we are going are from the 9th to 15th October.
We plan to fly back to NZ on the 16th.
(Prices for non divers available on request)
4* Vale $1555pp double/twin share
Lodge $1055pp ( sleeps 2 ) communal bathroom and kitchen
Dorm $955pp ( sleeps 8 ) communal bathroom and kitchen
We need a 20% deposit (non refundable) to secure spaces (minimum – you can pay more if you like) and payment in full by 10th September…that’s three months
For example if you pay your deposit before the end of June, then the balance to pay is $113.10 per week for the Vale or $76.80 for the lodge or $69.50 for the dorm, to have it all paid for by 10th September.
Really what are you going to spend your money on in the winter?
It’s too chilly to do much except snuggle up by the fire whilst making plans for your next dive trip, day dreaming of warm tropical waters, sipping cocktails on the beach lounger….bliss!.
Bula Vinaka, Anna
Banded Weed Fish / Photograph by Martin Wallis
On Saturday the 3rd of July, 2010, while everybody else was participating in the 1st annual underwater Olympics, held by Global Dive, I decided to sneak off and have a dive to make up for disappointing photographic results from the previous dive a week earlier.
The venue was Matheson Bay, Leigh. I hadn’t dived this site for a few months, so was keen to see what I could find.
I headed off from the shore to where there is a break in the rock wall that cuts across the bay, and slowly swam in a north easterly direction from there.
There was no current and the visibility was quite good for the area at about 6 metres. I had my 60mm macro lens on and was slowly searching all the rocks, nooks and crannies, and kelp for anything small.
Then, out of the corner of my eye I saw what at first I thought was an unusual looking piece of kelp.
Upon looking more closely, I discovered that it was a fish. It had its head pointing down and its mouth seemingly attached to a rock on the bottom and its upside-down body was just swaying about in the water in such a way that it looked like a piece of kelp, attached to the rock (see photo insert).I assume this behavior was the fish attempting to camouflage itself.I fired off a number of shots which didn’t disturb the fish in the slightest.
It had no inclination to move at all.I wasn’t particularly happy with any of the shots, so decided to spend a little more time with this fella.
I shooed it along a little and re-positioned myself for some better shots.My settings for all of the photographs I took of this guy were ISO100, f8 at 1/60thsec with strobes set to ¼ power.
I probably spent another five minutes or so with this fish before continuing with the rest of this two hour dive.My max depth on this dive was 5.5m, and I photographed this guy in between 4-5m.
more information on Martin Wallis Photography – Banded Weed Fish
Report thanks to Nickie Mountney:
Why wouldn't you want to look silly and have fun on a day like this? / Photograph by Tara Sutherland
Whilst the Netherlands were still celebrating their win over Brazil in the FIFA World Cup, and the All Whites were tucked up in bed back in New Zealand, a glorious day was breaking over Matheson Bay, north of Auckland.
Saturday 3rd July 2010 was going to be a monumental day, as today the first Global Dive Scuba Olympics were being held.
With a 9am start ahead of them, most team players and Global Dive officials made their way to Matakana bakery for that all important first coffee of the morning.
Once caffeine levels were restored, it was a short hop to Matheson Bay, where the fun was about to begin.
After everyone had said their hello’s, it was down to business, and the first thing on the agenda was to erect the marquee and to make sure that the generator was up and running, for those all important hot drinks that the divers would need.
Once up, it was briefing time where Anna explained just how the day was going to pan out, what events were being held, and of course who the teams were.
Despite 5 teams entering, only 2 turned up on the day.
Team All Reds / Photograph by Andrew Simpson
Team Name: All Reds
Representing: England
Team Members: Glynn, Kate, Rachel & Steve
Identified by: Red neckerchief and red face paint
Team Name: Scuba Cats aka “Underwater Pussies”
Representing: British Isles
Team Members: Fiona, John, Jono & Pete
Identified by: Rugby Shirts – England, Ireland, Scotland & Wales
With their gear together and kitted up, it was time for the fun to begin.
First up was the Beach Shot Put.
Rules: You must be in your wetsuit with fins and mask on, and snorkel in your mouth, whilst throwing a 1.5kg weight as far as you can.
Team Scuba Cats / Photograph by Andrew Simpson
Technique was going to be the essence, with brawn losing out to style.
After this, it was off into the balmy 14 degrees water for the next three events.
25m No Fin Running Race, Solo Equestrian and Underwater Shot Put.
As the teams and officials disappeared into the cold calm sea, it was time for a cup of tea made by the Tetley guru himself, Andrew, and a chance to take in the beautiful scenery and spectacular weather we were having.
30 minutes later, divers started emerging from the depths, and once back on land, the laughing and bantering began between the teams, debating over scoring of races and methods used to complete the challenges.
Whilst the teams were slipping into something a bit warmer, the BBQ was just hitting the correct temperature for the sausages to go on, accompanied with the choice of hot tea, soup or Milo.
There were many contented, full people, eagerly awaiting the half time scores.
An early breakaway for the Scuba Cats, despite a disqualification for Pete for allegedly crawling on all fours in the run.
Tug O war and the red team pull... / Photograph by Andrew Simpson
All Reds = 8 Scuba Cats = 17
After a substantial surface interval, Anna gathered the teams together to brief them on the afternoon’s events.
Two rounds of Beach Tug – O – War, the starting event this time round, and again all teams had to be wearing their wetsuits, fins, mask and snorkel.
Despite pulling with all their might, the All Reds could not contend with the power of the Scuba Cats. I know the Scuba Cats will want to say it was skill as to how they won the round, but we all know the truth – WEIGHT!!!!
With this in mind the All Reds decided to play a sneaky in the second round and let go of the rope. With Jono on his backside and Pete flat on his back, roars of laughter and cheers filled the air.
Then, back into the cold water for 30 more minutes, the brave but slightly insane teams and officials prepared for two more underwater events – Gymnastics and Pony Bottle Relay Race, before the final event of the games – 25m Beach Race – and yes you’ve guessed correctly, it was in wetsuit, fins, mask and snorkel.
With the line drawn in the sand and the finish tape in their sights, both teams were eagerly waiting for the start.
When the quacker sounded, all eight team members charged for the tape, with legs and fins flailing everywhere. With screams of encouragement, Glynn finally crossed the line, and the games sadly came to an end.
Final score!!!! Scuba Cats the victorious winners.
Winning team / Photograph by Andrew Simpson
With a quick change back into dry clothes and their dive gear packed away in their cars, both teams gathered for the awards ceremony.
Spot Prizes were given out for outstanding performance, and finally it was time for the Global Dive Scuba Olympic trophy to be awarded to the winning team. With a big round of applause the trophy was raised into the air, thus ending the very first Global Dive Scuba Olympics.
As a spectator, I would like to thank everyone involved for such an amazing day.
Anna and Andrew for being such great hosts, Tara for topside photos and for keeping score with the help of the underwater officials, Nick, Bronson, Tom, Lee, and Francois. Marty and Dave, for the photography both on land and underwater.
Simon and Veronika on the BBQ, and a big thanks Leigh for making such an awesome trophy, which I am sure will be highly fought for, for years to come.
The All Reds and Scuba Cats for being such good sports, and entering into each event with great enthusiasm and gusto.
Last, but not least, Matheson Bay for turning on such good weather and flat seas.
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