Descend Downunder

Descend in Truk (all 23 of us)!

Magical Chuuk

30 deg. Water, 20-30m visibility, a new wreck to dive on every dive, 2-3 dives per day, a fantastic dive operator who catered to our every need, unbelievable marine life - gorgonians, batfish, clownfish, eagle rays, soft corals & dolphins, the most turquoise of turquoise waters, the whitest of white sandy beaches, pinacoladas under the palm trees, glorious sunsets, wonderful food and even more wonderful company. Yes, we’re back from Truk (commonly known as Chuuk to the locals) and it was without a doubt the best trip I have ever been on. Thank you to everyone who made this trip so enjoyable, and for sharing this wonderful experience with us at Descend. I think you’d all agree there would be no hesitation going back.

Truk Photo/DVD Night

Nemo's brother & sister

We’re having a post-Chuuk trip get together on Friday night 5th November at Descend from 7:00pm. Bring some drinks, bring your friends and most importantly bring your photos!! Everyone’s welcome, even if you didn’t make the trip this year, come and see how truly amazing it was. Words just can’t describe.

For a sneak peak check out some of Kristy’s favourite photos at the link below:

http://www.descend.com.au/training/gallery/PhotoGallery.asp?whichcategory=Truk%20Lagoon%202004&AreaID=17  

It was pretty tuff to pick favourites out of some 450 photos, however I will happily show them off next time your in the shop. This was the first time Id used my digital camera in salt water (it had only been on one trip to Gambier) and I must admit I have some great shots!!

Ok so enough on Truk for now, however if your looking for a diving destination in Australia I can strongly recommend Port Douglas. As our international flight left from Cairns it was too good an opportunity on return to stay while in Cairns and venture up to Port Douglas. Leigh flew up and together we spent a week on the Great Barrier Reef. I had never dived the reef before and Leigh had never dived in water above 18 degrees, we were not disappointed, but more on that next time.

Deep/Wreck Course

Our next advanced course coming up is one of our most popular. If you want to increase your diving limit from 18 to 30m then you must do our deep diver course, and while your at in we’ll throw in the wreck course at the same time. The practical weekend will be held in fabulous Merimbula and you can get both certifications in the one weekend or choose the module that you want to do – Deep or Wreck. Its filling fast so book now if your interested.

For Full course details check out the link below:

http://www.descend.com.au/training/sports/courses/20035161042.htm

Merimbula Club Weekend

What a way to start the season (and I don’t mean – diving Truk) - by a weekend diving in Merimbula. Join us for a nice relaxed club weekend at beautiful Merimbula. All welcome but places are limited. Deposit must accompany your booking – I cant wait!

When: 27th & 28th November

Nathan, Di, Ross, Paula, Harold, Malcolm & Frank with guides

Package Includes:

2 x nights accommodation

4 x boat dives

All airfills

Unlimited shore dives

Cost per non/diver $31/night

Cost per diver $ 275

Limited places left – Book Now

Xmas Party

Scott, Stan, Geoff, Bob, Kristy, Cass, Brian, Rachael & Des with guides

Already I hear you say??? Well sorry to break it to you, but its only 8 weeks away. Join us in celebrating Xmas and have a drink with all your dive buddies – I mean where else can you go and talk diving all night without boring everyone? Oh, and I promise not to talk about Truk all night, (or drink all the champagne). Pop it in your diary now.

When: Saturday 11th December

Where: Australia Park (beside Albury pool)

Time: 5:00ish till whenever

BYO: Everything – drinks, picnic rugs & food

RSVP: by Monday 6th December

Stress/Rescue Course

Chris, Gordon, Narelle, Glenda, Rex & Lloyd with guides

Don’t forget we’re also running a Stress/Rescue Course. A natural progression from open water and a course that benefits all - experienced and the less experienced diver. Full details at the following link:

http://www.descend.com.au/training/sports/courses/2003419531.htm

Course Congratulations

Congratulations to our first open water students for this season who completed their open water weekend on the 17th October;

Timothy Stuckey, Douglas Gow, Robert Ballard, Catherine Parker, Jeff Dunn, Daniel Black, Keisha Plunckett & Chris Fedderson - Well done to all of you, and we look forward to seeing you all in the water again soon. 

 Truk: some facts. By Stan Bugg.

• In a world wide survey conducted in Better Homes and Hovels Magazine, March 2004 edition, Truk was ranked 1746th in the category of tidiest island. This is up two places on last year’s ranking, and has been cause for much celebration among the island’s garbage disposal team members.
• Saimin remains number one on the FDA’s list of prime movers for the 14th consecutive year.
• Bob Wealthy completed certification requirements for underwater naturalist, night diver and reef diver.
• U.S. dunnies are at least twice as interesting as U.S. TV….corealis effect notwithstanding.
• Rooster calls are NOT funny.
• Following a series of unfortunate incidents involving the residents of room 105 on or about Sept 25th, several Blue Lagoon room maids are undergoing intensive trauma counseling. Full recovery is expected in a year or so.
• Des, as the loudest snorer in Micronesia, is worshipped as a god on the outer island of Fala Beguets.
• Feral cats have no redeeming features, and should be consigned to tuna bait.
• Americans (and territories) just don’t "get" coffee.
• Budweiser beer is like making love in a canoe.
• No matter how many information nights, meetings, emails, mailouts, websites, updates, etc, etc, some people will still not know about additional charges.
• I am not required by law to "have a nice day." It is entirely optional.
• In the Federated States of Micronesia, plumbers are required to have a PhD just to know how to turn showers on and off.
• A new record for photos taken in a 24 hour period was set by Cass Walters of Australia, on Sept 30th. 2004. All employees at Sony received a small cash bonus and a commemorative T-shirt.
• On a 45 minute dive to 36m, and another 20 minutes of deco, Brian Cornell surfaced with less than 100 bar in his cylinder for the first time in 24 years. Sources close to Brian report than he is totally devastated by such a poor performance.

Copyright sbugg 2004