Still working through jet-lag a bit though . . .

BACK FROM A GREAT TRIP - What's 13 time zones among friends??? Still feeling the jetlag a bit but that's a small price to pay for the wonderful memories that this trip to the Maldives created. This was our fifth time there and, once again, the Maldives delivers in spades. We really appreciate what good care everyone took of us, from the staff at Hotel78 where we over-nighted on the way in, to the crew of the Manthiri, where we spent the 9 days following that. The trip report took over the December newsletter but if you didn't get a chance to read it there, here it is again, along with links to the SmugMug pix & slideshow, as well as links to a few videos that we shot while we were there:

MALDIVES 2023 TRIP REPORT

MALDIVES 2023 SMUGMUG PIX & SLIDESHOW

VIDEO - BANANA REEF DIVE

VIDEO - TOO MANY FISH IN THE SEA

VIDEO - I AM ONE WITH THE FISH (shot by Patti Wey)

SPECIAL OCCASION ON THE MANTHIRI - We really enjoy diving with lead DM Moosa Hassan. He hit a milestone dive which we had hoped would be on our trip but was the week before, and that was his 12,000th dive, all but 11 of which have been in the Maldives. We had a plaque made up to recognize Moosa's achievement and presented it to him during the trip. You can see that short video here:

MOOSA HASSAN'S 12,000th DIVE PLAQUE

GOT ANY 2025 PLANS??? - If you liked what you saw and read about the diving in the Maldives and want to experience that first-hand, we've already committed to going back September 19-28. It's never too early to sign up and guarantee your spot. A $500 deposit will hold it, with plenty of time to pay off the balance. Remember too that we can only take 12 people total on the boat and we anticipate it will fill up. Don't get left behind.

ROATAN CONFIRMED FOR 2024 - While we were in the Maldives, we were able to confirm rooms for a return to Roatan, May 18-25, 2024. We have a total of 8 rooms at the moment but we can also do some of those as single supplement - small extra charge ($250) - if that's what you'd like. We'll be staying at Anthon'ys Key again and the last two times we were there, we enjoyed it very much. It also looks like they've totally re-done their dock area which includes their restaurant, lockers, dive shop, tank area, and more. Looks really nice, so I'm excited to see what's what in person. Cost of the trip is $2,950 excluding airfare. If you're interested, give us a jingle.

PALAU ALSO CONFIRMED FOR 2024 - I was busy planning trips while I was on a trip. We also confirmed the Rock Islands Aggressor - twin ship to the Palau Aggressor II - for November 3-10, 2024. We're not required to take the entire boat but it's available to us if there's enough interest. As of right now, we have 9 people confirmed and going. Palau's a really great place to dive and we'll hit such well-known sites as Blue Corner, German Channel, and Ulong Channel to name a few. Because it's a liveaboard, this one's a bit pricier, coming in at $4,450 plus airfare. Again, give us a call or send an e-mail if you're interested.

PINK POND - A pond in drought-stricken Hawaii has been bright pink since the end of October. Yikes!!! Looks sort of like it was filled with Pepto Bismol. Scientists say the cause of this is a halobacteria that thrives in salty water. You can see what the fuss is all about here: HAWAII'S PINK POND.

And that'll do it for now. Have a great week, and let's go diving soon!!!

- Ken