Holidays in the South Pacific are well known as relaxing and fascinating experiences. There are many wonderful islands to explore including Cook Islands, Fiji, Tahiti Vanuatu, and Samoa. If your idea of a great getaway involves "fun in the sun" then you should surely consider visiting at least one of the island chains in the southern Pacific region.
While many people may only think about the beautiful beaches when they imagine holidays in the South Pacific there are many other sights and adventures waiting to be discovered. The white sandy shores of the South Pacific islands do hold a magnetic attraction for most guests, and who can blame them? The sands of the beaches are powdery soft and the shores are dotted with tall, graceful palm trees that gracefully sway in the balmy breezes. Clear, jewel toned water laps gently at the edges of the beach. You can walk just a short distance out into the ocean and easily find sand dollars, unusual sea shells and a dazzling assortment of curious, colorful fish.
If you want to find a wider variety of marine life you can grab some gear and go snorkeling or scuba diving. The Pacific Ocean is where you can listen to the magical songs of humpback whales or watch the dizzying dances of playful dolphins. These islands are home to some of the premiere beaches, lagoons and coral reefs in the world. For those visitors who prefer to stay on the surface of the ocean during their holidays in the South Pacific there are many places to rent sailboats, canoes, kayaks and jet skis.
On the South Pacific islands you have the chance to explore many amazing displays of nature. You can wander through exotic rain forests, climb mountains, visit a volcano, or just enjoy the lush green beauty of the landscape that surrounds you. This is also an opportunity for you to discover more about the culture of the islands.
Holidays in the South Pacific have enough magical excitement and fun to keep everyone entertained throughout your stay. There are hundreds of resorts available and you can find one that will suit any taste and budget. Choose a bohemian beach hut as the accommodations for your stay. Or perhaps you may prefer one of the elegant, high-end island resorts where you can enjoy pampering that extends beyond your wildest dreams. For the "high roller" holiday guests there are a number of resorts that feature live shows and busy casinos.
where can i get a free scuba diving certification online?
yeah i was just wondering where i can take online scuba diving courses for free. I looked everywhere and found ssi, but my local diving center isn`t registered with ssi. can anybody help me with this please?
Free Scuba Diving Certification does not exist unless you know someone that is willing to do that for you. Regardless the Scuba Diving Certification organization like SSI, PADI, NAUI, has fees to register you as a Certified Scuba Diver.
Now doing it online - you may find some organization out there offer the classroom portion of the Scuba Diving Certification online. But you have to learn and demonstrate numerous skills at on land, in swimming pool, and in open water - lie the ocean, lake, quarry (deep water). This cannot be done online.
My advice to you would be to do the whole thing with a scuba instructor in person. This process takes multiple days. You will have lots of questions as you start this process.
If you want to know what it takes to go through the process of learning how to Scuba Dive - check out the e-book from the website below.
Byron bay, Australia is one of the world's best travelling and holiday destination. This place is famous for the luxury accommodation, best food, wineries, and beaches. A visit to Byron wouldn't be total without staying at Byron bay villa. Byron bay is recognized for having the friendly atmosphere today, so you will really feel comfortable there. Maybe that is why Byron bay continues to be voted the most effective metropolis inside the globe for guests and visitors. Luxury accommodation Byron bay is the best place to stay at Byron bay, this is the place where you can relax and enjoy the most beautiful beaches. The attitude is laid-back and care-free. The mood throughout the Byron bay encourages visitors to take their time and enjoy every moment of their holidays. And there are many ways to spend those precious moments. Visitors can enjoy the stunning white beaches, Yoga, spa therapy and many more. Luxury accommodation Byron bay is renowned for a wide selection when it comes to dining out with the best meal and luxury accommodation. This is just 7 minute away from the Byron bay's CBD. Luxury accommodation Byron bay is Australia's favorite holiday destination to enjoy your holidays. You will be surprised by the natural beauty of the beaches that make it a perfect place to relax in luxury way and warmth too. Luxury accommodation Byron bay is really stunning holiday hotel provide the one of the finest accommodation in Byron bay. Located between the national park and the sea you are very near from there. Luxury accommodation Byron bay provides relaxed lifestyle. You can visit Byron Bay go there to enjoy the natural wildlife, scuba dive, best spa therapy and really spend their time getting back to nature. About the Author
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As an instructor I have been scuba diving in Sydney since 1993 and have over 4000 logged dives. In that time, I have had some of the best dives in Sydney. In fact it would be safe to say I have enjoyed some of the best scuba diving Sydney has to offer. Sydney diving has some of the most diverse and enjoyable diving to be had. Sydney harbour is well known for being one of the most spectacular harbours in the world but many people do not get to experience what goes on underneath.
It was not until I met Sylvia Earle that I really started to appreciate diving in Sydney. Here was a dive Goddess, and well renowned marine scientist, that has dived in some of the most amazing places yet in conversation she could not wait to see the weedy sea dragon, well known for making a regular appearance on most Sydney dives. Sylvia was in Sydney for the launch of Harbourkeepers, an incentive to get divers to help look after the harbour. She had heard about our famous Magic Point dive where, only 10kms from the middle of Sydney, you can dive with the critically endangered Grey Nurse sharks.
There's no doubt Sydney diving offers some of the most convenient, accessible and spectacular diving in a large metropolitan city. You have to be in it to see it, that's for sure. My highlights would be seeing a Thresher shark at North Head, juvenile weedy sea dragons, bronze Whalers at North Bondi, Grey Nurse sharks at their usual domain of Magic Point. Mating Port Jacksons is quite a spectacle. I've even seen Dugongs, a tropical species that occasionally ends up on this end of the EAC. The Australian salmon run at Shark Point, Clovelly, was filled with adrenaline; we were just waiting to see some sleek silver beasts hone in for a feed. I have experienced 45m visibility at Long Reef (I was doing an Advanced course and had a 50m reel so I knew it was 45m!). Sydney diving can even offer close encounters with humpback whales or discoveries of old wrecks for something a little different. I have a client that collects bottles underwater who told me that this year he had over 30m visibility under the harbour bridge!
I have also seen Sydney diving at its worst with huge seas, massive rainfall and putrid water from surge and storm water runoff. But I am pleased to say this is definitely on the improvement. I used to work for Sydney Water at North Head Sewage Treatment Plant and would see first hand the effort to treat water before it hits the ocean. Even back then (1992) management of effluent was a priority and this is evident in the water quality of the harbour and surrounding coastal waters today.
So my advice is to get out there and dive Sydney. In some parts of the world you pay good money to dive in a quarry or go muck diving only to see zero sea life, only because there's nowhere else to go. Here we have diving paradise on our doorstep so book a dive and get out and enjoy scuba diving in Sydney today.
Brad Greentree has been a working in the dive industry full time since 1995 PADI Master Instructor, with over 12 years experience in the diving industry. He is known for his incredible patience. Along with his expertise in NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming) Hypnotherapy and Time Line Therapy® , Brad will make make sure you have a safe and enjoyable time as well as help you overcome any fears you may have of the ocean. Brad has certified 1000's of students and completed over 3500 dives and travelled extensively though out the Pacific. His passion is underwater photography and has had success in a number of underwater competitions. When he is not diving he is coaching or training people using his experience in life changing technique [http://www.prodivedrummoyne.com.au]
Other expert divers are employed by oil exploration companies to study the presence of oil deep inside the sea. The other main group is that of a recreational diver, which varieties the big portion of today's scuba divers. These divers investigate the pure splendor beneath the sea and watch creatures such as the octopus, seahorses, whales, sharks and various kinds of fish in their organic habitat.
To become educated in scuba diving, 1 requirements to get formal schooling from one particular of the numerous scuba diving institutes. Here a learner is taught the significance of all the devices and how to use it. They are also given training about dwelling creatures that a single may uncover beneath the sea. Instructors quick the divers about the dangers posed by some creatures and the strategies to avoid these predicaments.
I earned my PADI Open Drinking water Certification in April of 1995. I'll in no way forget that it was April. I can confess, diving in forty-two diploma h2o was a bit of a problem. A 7mm wetsuit is just about not sufficient. It can be that 'brisk'.
Now, the good thing is this is not the norm for diving in Chicago and the Midwest. It is unfortunate to say most persons think it is, along with the small visibility underwater. I may well be the initially to tell you this... There have been instances that when I was scuba diving in Chicago the drinking water temperatures ended up in the upper seventies!! It can be that 'brisk'.
Now, fortuitously this is not the norm for diving in Chicago and the Midwest. It is depressing to say most men and women think it is, along with the minimal visibility underwater. There have been instances that when I was scuba diving in Chicago the water temperatures ended up in the upper seventies!! That is pretty much the exact water temperature in the Caribbean. I have also been scuba diving when visibility was exceeding one hundred fifty feet. I will chat more on that in a further matter. This ship is about 200' prolonged. As far as visibility goes, there are beneficial days and lousy days. Most of the time it is unquestionably distinct plenty of to see anything astounding. It will keep you coming back for extra.
Scuba diving in Chicago and the Midwest has a tiny variety of diving. Here is a little checklist of Midwest scuba spots to name a few (there are extra):
Illinois: Haigh Quarry, Mermet Springs and Pearl Lake.
Indiana: France Park and Blue Springs
Wisconsin: Racine Quarry, Devils Lake State Park and Lake Wazee Recreational Place.
Ohio: Gilboa Quarry and White Star Quarry
Iowa: Pleasant Creek Recreation and Massive Blue.
Missouri: Bonne Terre Mine and Table Rock.
Michigan: Higgins Lake and Mackinaw Island
Lake Michigan: The record this lake brings is unbelievable. Shipwrecks preserve in different ways in freshwater than saltwater. There is no cause you ought to have to wait, nor is it risk-free, to dive once every single two to 5 decades.
Scuba diving in Chicago and the Midwest are fantastic throughout the 'diving seasons'. Appreciate your passion and examine the alternatives that are all-around you. If your resort or hotel does not supply scuba diving, converse to the concierge. They will be ready to give you a record of chosen vendors who provide the service. You will want to inquire the price tag of the dive and equipment rental.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/opportunities-to-scuba-diving-in-chicago-midwest-4611119.html About the Author
I enjoy scuba diving very much since recently completing my scuba dive training. Scuba Diving is the most fun thing I have ever done in my life.
hi i am doing my open waters diving course for my upcoming holiday to australia.do you need a knife licence?
if i do how can i get one (i like in england)
As far as I know , in the UK the rule is still that if you have a good reason to possess a large knife (such as a dive knife), you don't need any kind of license, so long as you're using/carrying it only for its intended purpose. It only becomes illegal if you e.g. strap it to your leg for a night out on the town.
As far as flying goes, you won't need a knife for your Open Water course--the instructor will be with you at all times, and he (and the divemaster if there is one) should be carrying cutting implements on the dives.
NB Stainless steel kitchen shears or a purpose-built net cutter work better than knives on monofilament lines/nets anyway
Pure Diving.Sunny Holidays.Barakuda Diving Center / Amwaj Blue Beach Resort & Spa Abu Soma
Scuba diving is a very exciting sport and recreational activity by itself. To put more fun and thrill, diving organizations and magazines regularly invite scuba diving enthusiasts to participate in contests that range from treasure hunting to photography to sweepstakes.
Joining these contests and competitions usually requires a membership or an upfront fee. Scuba diving contests are quite common in the diving community and have become a regular activity that has continuously attracted bigger followers.
Prizes
Aside from money, prizes can range from gift certificates to sponsored vacations. And these vacations aren't too shabby, either. Overseas trips to tropical islands and popular diving sites are the usual top prizes, with airline tickets thrown in. If you're really lucky, your prize could also include a set of brand name diving gear to use during your trip.
Other groups, magazines and sites also give away some pretty good stuff. Scuba Diving magazine, for example, in partnership with Florida Keys puts up a SeaDoo Explorer Underwater Scooter as top prize for their 2006 Drive and Dive Sweepstakes. Contest sponsors also give away smaller prizes that range from gift certificates for free air-fills to discounts on diving gears and equipment.
Contests
For scuba diving contests, one of the top sites to check out is www.scubadiver dot com. This site periodically sponsors contests and posts announcements on its website. Another site is www.divernet dot com, which sends out contest announcements through newsletters to members.
Some dive groups like the NorthWest Diver (www.nwdiver dot com), have a more varied approach to scuba diving adventures. Diving contests to retrieve prizes involve both freediving and snorkeling. Divers are put in deep pools or open water to retrieve tokens in exchange for scuba diving prizes.
Another popular contest is their Treasure Chest hunt, where divers will search for a sunken chest for a $1000. Other organizations also offer the same type of contest and prizes vary, depending on the sponsoring companies and size of the event. Oxygen toxicity occurs when the lungs take in a higher than normal O 2 partial pressure, which can occur in deep scuba diving. (Photo credit: Wikipedia) Most competitions sponsored by major organizations involve underwater photography. Www.aquanaut dot com, for example, sponsors sea and sea photography competitions. Underwater photography contests are also sponsored by www.cyberdiver.net and www.diveremporium dot com.
Other clubs like the South Florida Underwater Photography Society (www.sfups.org) and Laguna Sea Dwellers Dive Club promote underwater photography as a hobby and an art to scuba divers who prefer to capture marine life and sceneries. Depending on club rules, photos may only be taken on site or submitted through a website for judging.
If you're looking for a tougher activity, Dolphin Divers of Sacramento, holds a regular Labor Day Spearfishing Contest. The club also offers annual underwater scavenger hunts to its members.
About the Author
Read up on ovulation signs at the Symptoms Of Ovulation website. Find information on removal of liver cysts at the Liver Cysts website. For info on is scabies contagious, visit the Scabies Symptoms site.
Scuba Diver Girls Sunrise Snorkel Hotel Akumal Caribe
Caye Caulker Rasta Cruzer. A number of boats are available for scuba diving and snorkeling in the nearby coral reefs. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
western caribbean - smaller ship - scuba diving - advice!?
i'm thinking about taking a 6 or 7 night cruise to the western caribbean in oct or nov. i don't want to be with 20,000 other people, families with lots of kids, etc. i mainly want to scuba dive & eat but i don't want to be on one of those very, very small boats where diving is the only thing to do. i've never been on a cruise before.
does anyone have any advice on which cruise lines would be the best for this sort of thing?
To avoid being with "20,000 other people", go on a smaller ship and check the port schedules to see how many other ships [especially the larger ones] will be in port at the same time.
To avoid "families with lots of kids", don't cruise over any school vacations [some schools that start early have vacations in October, I hear] or in the summer or at holiday time. Also, longer cruises [10 days] will have fewer families and kids, but will then also have more older passengers.
Cruise on lines that are less "family friendly", e.g. Celebrity and HAL. I say that not because these lines don't have kids programs, but they don't have all the wacky activities that kids and "party hearty" types like and they are more traditional in tone, dress and decor.
Since you've never cruised before, you really should get a book on cruising from your library or bookstore, as there are many, many variables that you would need to consider and decide upon in order to make a final decision, such as type of cabin, length of cruise, size/age of ship, itinerary, etc, etc.
You can also get great info at CruiseCritic.com. Click on "Cruise Styles" to read about the different lines/ships and the type of passengers they appeal to [e.g. "Romantic", "Family", etc]. You can click on "Reviews" to read a pro comment about each ship and also "Member Reviews" of every ship out there. When you've done enough research to not be overwhelmed by more details, you should take a look at "Boards", where you'll find discussions on any and every aspect of cruising by experienced cruisers.
Good luck - hope you find just what you're looking for.
With the increase in the popularity of the sport, numerous centers and programs for scuba diving certification has come up in recent years. In the United States alone, there are nearly 2000 professional scuba dive centers. The first thing you’d need to do before joining a program is to check out the various centers and find out which one of them should be most suitable for you.
Open Water Diver Certification:
You have to be at least 15 years old to get the open water diver certification. Most open water certifications let you dive by yourself without an instructor present (if the charter does not make it compulsory). There is also Junior Open Water Diver Certification for people between ages 10 to 15. Before getting your certification, it is recommended by almost every center that you are in good physical health. Some centers may even require you to obtain a medical certificate before enrolling in a certification program. You also need to know how to swim though you don’t necessarily have to be good at it. However, you should be able to swim 200 yards using any stroke, and be able to float or tread on water for about 10 minutes.
Scuba Dive Centers for Certification:
There are numerous scuba dive centers around that can teach you the technical background knowledge and practical skills of scuba diving, but not all of them are completely reliable. Try to do a little research before registering yourself for a program. Also consider an agency that offers an internationally recognized certification card if you travel a lot.
Some of the most popular and biggest scuba diving certification agencies include PADI, NAUI, YMCA, Scuba Schools International, and PDIC. These organizations offer some of the best scuba courses and training instructors available. However, the training method, duration, lessons etc may not be the same with all of them. For example, NAUI courses are often more technical in the classroom than other programs but can’t be said better or worse than the rest. So, the outcome of the training and course will ultimately depend on your own effort and individual instructor.
Bubblemakers, Scuba rangers, and SASY are some of the popular agencies specializing in providing Junior Open Water Diver Certification for people between ages 10 to 15.
Course:
The duration of a scuba diving certification course usually depends on you and your schedule. Basically, it takes about two to three months to get a full certification which would cost between $175.00 and $250.00 and may include accessories such as books, tables, and rental equipment etc (you’ll have to buy or rent your own scuba diving equipment). A certification course normally includes classroom work, examinations, practical skills sessions, and four to five open water dives. Classroom work may be held once a week with more intensive weekends which include advanced reading, while open water dives typically take two more days.
The basic scuba diver certification permits you to dive from 60 to 100 feet below the surface, while an advanced scuba diving certification allows you to take deep dives of about 130 feet. The advanced scuba diving certification concentrates more on safety, physics, navigation, night diving, physiology diving and the dive tables.
Scuba Diving HQ. Articles, tips and information about scuba diving.
A variety of corals form an outcrop on Flynn Reef, part of the Great Barrier Reef near Cairns, Queensland, Australia. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
whats the cheapest way to fly to cairns... ie the great barrier reef from london ????
like the airline and what months ???
International flight go to cairns
Fly to Singapore and catch QF 272/JQ 58 (via Darwin Daily)
or
Fly to Tokyo and catch QF 250/JL 5089/JQ 26 (Narita - Cairns Daily)
or
Fly to Hong Kong and Catch CX 103 (2 a week)
Sea Change ... so you want to enter the tourism industry
Wouldn't it be great to leave your boring job and lead a more eventful life? People in the tourism industry have the right idea. They combine work with pleasure and have a great time. The opportunities are limitless: hotel, motel, pub, restaurant, fishing, scuba, horse riding, boating, sky diving ... the list goes on and on. You could turn your hobby into a job.
It's a marvellous idea but don't rush into it. The rewards can be great but many business ventures fail and that's something to be avoided. Failure often occurs when people make career changes in middle life. I started my career as a research astrophysicist and ended up owning a backpacker resort. Between these extremes, I worked in public administration, public relations, journalism and the diving industry. It was a slow evolution from one job to the next and I learnt a lot on the way.
I offer the following advice for those who are planning a major change in lifestyle. It comes free of charge and you won't be pestered by adverts. I'll start with a list of Dos and Don'ts and follow up with some examples.
1. Don't invest any significant amount of money in a new venture until you are fully aware of what you are letting yourself in for.
2. Don't place undue reliance on the advice of others, including accountants, solicitors, architects, loan managers, advertising consultants and travel agents.
3. Location ... location ... location.
4. Carefully research market size and market share.
5. Don't borrow a cent more than necessary.
6. Don't pay anyone to do anything you can do yourself.
7. Don't get involved in Tourism Awards.
8. The customer matters more.
9. The bottom line matters most.
EXAMPLES 1. Look before you leap.
I'll give two examples. Both are from the scuba industry. Similar considerations apply to most other businesses.
A) My friend John was an electrical engineer and a keen sailer. In his late thirties, he was taken off operational projects and transferred to administrative work. He hated being stuck behind a desk and resolved to leave his safe job with an electrical supply authority. In his spare time he built a large boat and set sail from his home in New South Wales on his fortieth birthday. He put down anchor in Townsville in North Queensland and earned a living taking divers out to the Great Barrier Reef. That's how I got to know him.
John's switch from being a paid employee to a self-employed dive operator was far from smooth - but he made it. He skippered the boat, did all necessary maintenance work himself and kept costs to a minimum. His family was staunchly behind him and prepared to live in rented accommodation that was grossly inferior to their former home. In time he traded his motor/sailing boat for a larger vessel and his business prospered. When I last heard of him, he was a highly respected master mariner running courses in marine safety.
B) The person who bought John's second dive boat was a former farmer. He was in his early fifties and fed up with raising cattle. He sold the farm and used the proceeds to establish his family in a nice house on the coast. The dive boat was intended to provide a pleasurable lifestyle and source of income.
At first, everything went according to plan. The boat was in good condition. John had acquired a solid reputation as a dive operator and the customers kept coming. Skippers had to be hired but there was sufficient cash flow to pay them.
Then things started to fall apart. The new owner lacked an overall grasp of the operation. He enjoyed going out on the boat but was not taking any affective part in the operation. Worse of all, he relied on others to tell him what was going on.
Maintenance work was neglected and that led to serious and costly problems. The reputation of the boat suffered and the supply of customers dropped off. He was unable to judge the reliability of his skippers and dive staff. Good people deserted him and he was left with a substandard crew. He sold the boat for a small fraction of what he had paid for it.
2. Don't place undue reliance on others.
Of course you will need an accountant and you will need a solicitor. I'm not suggesting otherwise. You'll need them to give specialist advice. Accountants are good at getting tax returns in order and advising on loans. Solicitors are essential when purchasing real estate. But don't let them tell you how to run your business. You might have a different breed in your neck of the woods. My experience is that accountants and solicitors are hopeless in operational matters. They imagine that everything is achieved at the stroke of a pen. In their world that might happen. You live in a different world.
If you are building a hotel, motel, lodge or whatever, you'll need an architect. They are great at making buildings look right and some win prizes. The latter are the ones to avoid. Prizes come at the client's expense. If the client is a major company, that's fine. But, you are not a major company and your building must earn money to keep the bank happy. Give your architects a written brief and look critically at everything they come up with. Hunt for ways to save money while achieving a pleasing result.
My next remarks are about people whose agenda is likely to be different from yours. Indeed, it may be diametrically opposed to your interests.
Loan managers frequently receive commissions based on the size of a loan. It may be in their interest to grant a bigger loan than you need even if that places an unnecessary burden on you.
The first imperative of advertising agents is to look after Number One - as in other businesses. They are very good at convincing clients of the value of their services. Convincing the client's customers often takes second place. You can waste a small fortune on advertising. Try to tag your adverts in some way so that you can see what yields results. Speak with colleagues and exchange ideas. Treat everything the advertising people say with caution. After a while you should have a far better grasp of your market than they do.
There are good travel agents. Others have attitudes analogous to those of a hyena. They will extort commissions of fifty or more percent from you, saying they control the market and you will go bust if you don't knuckle down. We have laws to stop that sort of thing in Australia and I have watched regulators try to enforce them. The sad fact is that hyenas can get away with almost anything when their victims cooperate. As with consumer protection, there are limits to what the law can do without exerting an unhealthy influence on the market. Keep an eye out for hyenas.
3. Location ... location ... location
In real estate only three things matter and I don't have to tell you what they are. A beachfront block is worth far more than a block two streets back. In business it makes good sense to pay the extra and get the custom that comes with location.
By the same token, it makes little sense to open a business in the wrong place. Australia has lots of superb beaches but only a few attract tourists. I'm sure the same applies to beautiful scenery in North America and picturesque villages in Europe. You have to site your business to suit your customers - not the other way round.
I've just returned from the mountains near Brisbane. We stayed in a cottage on a farm. An expensive resort was nearby amongst spectacular scenery. We decided to visit it and set off down a steeply sided gorge, past impressive waterfalls and through numerous fords. Out vehicle is well suited to off-road driving but there were times when I wondered if we should turn back. Signs told us we were getting close to our goal then a gate barred our way. The resort had run into financial difficulties and closed. One wonders what sort of customer they hoped to attract and what transport they provided. Their web page said nothing about the problems of getting there.
4. Market size and market share
It doesn't matter how good a business you have. If there aren't enough customers you won't prosper. That simple rule is often overlooked by people offering advice: particularly when they have a vested interest. I'll give just one example.
I got into the backpacker business through my involvement in diving. That was in the very early days before the term "backpacker" even existed. Within a short while backpacking took off in a big way and backpacker hostels were popping up all over Australia. The wife of a local surgeon thought it would be nice to get involved. Together with her husband, she sought advice and was told to go big. Three hundred beds were proposed and a leading commercial bank was eager to put up the funds. I later learnt that the success of my hostel was cited as a reason why the venture couldn't possibly fail.
My hostel had sixty beds and our average occupancy was about fifty, which is 82 percent. The assumption was that the three-hundred-bed hostel would score the same. But what if it got no more people than me? That would bring its occupancy down to a miserable 17 percent and it would be totally unviable.
The outcome was not quite as bad as 17 percent but it was not good enough. A big place is expensive to run regardless of occupancy. You need a manager and other staff. Council rates, insurance and maintenance costs must be paid and there's a huge debt to finance. You will only succeed by attracting a large number of people. It all comes down to bums in beds in the accommodation business. In transport, it's bums on seats ... and so on.
The surgeon and his wife were nice people and I got to know them. He'd made his money performing operations in Australia and worked for free in overseas aid programs. In the end they had to sell their beautiful house and move into the manager's apartment in their hostel. Later, the bank forced a sale. The hostel fetched a third of what it had cost yet the new owners failed to make a profit. The place was far too big for its situation.
I should add that the loan manager who arranged finance got his commission in full but later ran into difficulties when a banking crisis put an end to the lending splurge. He left his lucrative position with the bank and took a poorly paid job as manager of a small photocopying outfit.
5. Don't borrow a cent more than necessary
It's vital to do sums. Start with really simple calculations since they provide the best insights. The data for income are subject to a huge amount of guessing but many costs are predictable. Draw up a list. Costs vary from operation to operation. The cost of outfitting a shop or restaurant can be huge even when you don't own the premises. The cost of maintenance must be met if your assets are to maintain value. Think of everything and talk to people. Ferret out as much information as you can.
There is one cost that is rarely predictable and that is the cost of finance. This can be the killer. When I built my hostel, interest rates hit 14 percent and rose to over 20 percent. Yet my interest payments, in real terms, were lower than under a low-rate regime. Interest payments were tax-deductible and inflation was increasing my bed price and the value of my assets. This was back in the 1980s and it would be unwise to think that history won't be repeated. There's no need to get scared. Do the sums and understand what can happen. Then think about how you will face up to each eventuality. Don't let events sneak up on you.
When my backpacker hostel was being built, a big hotel was under construction nearby. It was a pub with beer garden, liquor barn and nightclub. The owner had worked in the hospitality industry and knew what was needed to draw in the crowds. But he'd not done the basic sums. He told me about the capital costs and we were relieving ourselves in his new urinal when I asked if the drains could cope with the output of his customers' bladders. I'd done the sums in my head. It all came down to the amount of beer he would have to sell in order to service the high interest rates prevalent at the time. The poor guy had relied on the advice of the people lending him money and had assumed they knew what they were talking about and could be trusted. The hotel was a great success but that didn't stop the bank from foreclosing on the loan when he couldn't keep up with his payments.
6. Don't pay anyone to do anything you can do yourself
You've met them. They are the sort of people who think it demeaning to get their hands dirty. They think they can do everything my shuffling paper and exercising their brilliant minds. There's a small number of people on this planet who fit that dazzling model of perfection. It's dangerous to think you are one of them until you have a track record to prove it.
7. Don't get involved in Tourism Awards
I once received a telephone call from the president of our local tourist association. She wanted to know why I had failed (yet again) to enter for a tourism award. Did I know about them?
I said I knew about the awards and wasn't brave enough to enter. She said I might win. I said that was what worried me. All the winners to date had gone bust. My reply didn't go down well and I felt bound to speculate on the legal implications of giving an award to a financially unviable operation.
Sometime later, the awards committee had the good sense to state in writing that their awards had nothing to do with financial viability. Anyone purchasing a winning business did so at their own risk.
8. The customer matters more
Without them you are nothing.
9. The bottom line matters most
If you don't make a profit you go bust.
About the Author
I either started off on the wrong foot or I'm the legendry rolling stone. Normally, a degree in astrophysics does not lead to a stint in Parliament House, public relations, backpacker resorts and the diving industry. But that's what happened to me. I'm now retired in the sense that I no longer need to work for a living and that gives me a lot of time for travelling and writing.
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a question about a lost item- in the harbour, a member of the site knows that there it a scuba diver in manly, that dives to retrieve belongings in sydney harbour..
Is there any more information about this diver?
anything helps.. thanks.
I remember that question however I can't remember the details of the scuba diver.
maybe these people can help
Category: Scuba Diving Schools
Dive Centre Manly
Address
10 Belgrave St
Manly
NSW, 2095
Australia
Contact Details
Ph: (02) 9977 4355 Fax: (02) 9977 3664
They may be able to help you or refer you to someone.
Scuba Diving Vacations And Liveaboard Adventure With Travel Deals And Packages At Dive Resorts Equipped
One of the many scuba diving vacations, as well as liveaboard diving, adventure travel, dive travel and accommodation at respective or related dive resorts that can be administered by Scuba Dive Asia, to ensure the best scuba vacation and scuba travel deals for various groups of people and individuals planning dive vacations to the Maldives, is the seven night or ten night tour on the Carpe Vita Explorer. Scuba Dive Asia can organise a twenty five to fifty percent discount for interested parties on certain specific liveaboard trips on the Carpe Vita Explorer to the Maldives. The Carpe Vita Explorer has two voyages lasting seven nights and seven days or ten nights and ten days that people to choose from.
Each of these two liveaboard diving expeditions has their own very different and unique route which is dependent on which weather season the ship travels in. The seven days and seven nights trip will cost nine hundred and ninety eight United States dollars per person including double occupancy. Aspects that are included for the price of the seven day journey are all meals, financial transfers, all planned scuba diving, tanks and weights. The trip scheduled to take place on the Carpe Vita Explorer from the twenty fourth of July to the third of August 2011 will carry a twenty percent discount to those who book themselves on the voyage. This means paying seven hundred and ninety eight US dollars for the trip instead of the standard nine hundred and ninety eight dollars.
The Carpe Vita Explorer is the sister ship of the Carpe Diem. The Carpe Vita Explorer is thirty eight metres or one hundred and twenty five feet in length and has been fitted with a very powerful wooden hull motor cruiser. The ship also has big bay windows, which is one of the main characteristics of the ship. Therefore there is a large amount of natural light that enters the ship itself, including the bar and into the higher quality cabins. There are lots of shaded outdoor areas for people who enjoy the sea breezes and who do not wish to be open to the elements and especially under the harsh sun light. The sun deck itself is massive and has its share of shade and appropriate seating. The sun deck provides a number of stunning views of the tropical islands and bright green seas.
Cairns - Travel Capital Of Tropical North Australia
Originally founded in 1876 as a service port for the North Queensland goldfields, Cairns is today the international gateway to North Queensland. With a population of 100,000, the Cairns region offers a healthy, relaxed lifestyle with the local economy based on tourism, agriculture, manufacturing, mining and fishing industries. The Cairns International Airport provides a first point of entry for both Australian and International travellers.
Cairns is surrounded to the north, west and south by magnificent rainforests, many of which are protected by World Heritage listings. To the east is Great Barrier Reef and the Coral Sea. The wealth of natural beauty in the Cairns region provides the perfect setting for a huge range of activities including swimming, snorkelling, diving, sailing, jet-skiing, white water rafting, bushwalking, fishing, hot air ballooning or simply enjoying the fantastic scenery on a drive out of town to Mossman Gorge, Port Douglas, Kuranda or the Nandroya Falls.
The Esplanade in the centre of Cairns, is where restaurants, cafes, markets, nightclubs, pubs and shopping arcades are located, and is also the departure point for most reef tours and island cruises. Accommodation is plentiful in Cairns, with the Esplanade and surrounding areas offering quality accommodation ranging from luxury apartments and five star hotels to caravan parks and camping areas.
Set in a lush tropical environment, the water-based activities available in Cairns are endless. Whether sailing the beautiful waters of the Great Barrier Reef and the islands, canoeing or jet-skiing on the bays and lakes, taking a casual cruise or a dynamic jet boat ride, there are adventure tours available for every taste. If fishing is your passion, Cairns is a brilliant destination at any time of the year. Offering excellent angling opportunities for all areas of fishing. Cairns is famous for its Black Marlin fishing and hosts fishing tournaments September to December. Barramundi and Mangrove Jack abound at Trinity Inlet, while freshwater fishing is available further inland on the Atherton Tablelands at Tinaroo Dam. Further afield, the Gulf Savannah and Cape York offer anglers an almost limitless variety of spectacular locations in which to enjoy the fishing experience of a lifetime.
The Rainforests of the Cairns region are another major attraction that simply should not be missed. Home to an amazing diversity of flora and fauna, waterfalls, rivers, lakes and national parks, the rainforests are magical environments containing 200 year old palms where everything seems larger, more colourful and healthier including trees, leaves and seed pods. The rainforests were World heritage listed in 1988 and cover almost one million hectares of lush tropical vegetation. The tropical wet season from January to March is a special time of regeneration and restoration in the rainforest. The rainforests have excellent bushwalking and 4WD tracks, and 4WD Nature Safaris are available. As most rainforest animals are nocturnal, a night excursion can provide the opportunity to view a rich variety of animal life including green tree frogs, pythons, tree climbing kangaroos, geckos and rare possums.
The Great Barrier Reef is located off the Cairns coast to the east in the Coral Sea, and consists of 344,000 square kilometres of warm, clear waters in which an amazing array of sea life abounds, from sea slugs to migrating whales to coral. The many wonders of the Great Barrier Reef can be enjoyed in a variety of ways, including snorkelling, scuba diving, kayaking, sailing, or a plane or helicopter flight.
The Great Barrier Reef includes many magnificent locations for day tours and longer expeditions, including the Hinchinbrook Channel, Mission Beach, Palm Cove, Port Douglas, Cape Tribulation and Cooktown, and Green and Fitzroy Islands. Green Island is a tropical island paradise perfect for a day trip from Cairns where you can enjoy activities such as windsurfing, rainforest walks and snorkelling. The best reefs for snorkelling and diving are Arlington, Elford, Agincourt, Oyster, Michaelmas and Upolu Reefs.
Full Member: $55 per year Entitled to hold office, attend and vote in meetings and unlimited tank fills
Standard Member: $30 per year As per full member but must pay a nominal price for tank fills
Family Membership: $70 per year As per full member but includes nominated immediate family members.
One downside of the club is that it "does not conduct diver training or instruction, neither does it service dive equipment. New members wanting to learn to dive will need to complete a recognised open water course either through a dive centre or qualified instructor. Old hands in the club will of course pass on their experience and knowledge to newcomers. Barbeques and club functions tend to have lots of experience and knowledge passed around, much of it of dubious merit!"
LADY ELLIOT ISLAND, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 15: A Hawksbill sea turtle is seen swimming on January 15, 2012 at Lady Elliot Island, Australia. Lady Elliot Island is one of the three island resorts in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (GBRMPA) with the highest designated classification of Marine National Park Zone by GBRMPA. The island of approximately 40 hectares lies 46 nautical miles north-east of the Queensland town of Bundaberg and is the southern-most coral cay of the Great Barrier Reef. (Image credit: Getty Images via @daylife)
Great Barrier Reef - A Nature's Wonder That Can Take Your Breath Away!
The Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest coral reef with approximately 900 islands and 3000 coral reefs. This natural underwater wonder is approximately 35 million hectares which is about 70 million football fields. Amazingly the only living thing that can be seen from space!
An interesting Barrier Reef fact is that it is a nucleus of different species of animals and plant as compared to the rest of the globe, each cubic metre of it has a different set!
The Great Barrier Reef began to grow over 18 million years ago. Since that time many geological events like the Ice age and low seawater level have interrupted its growth. The reef visible now has grown on top of the older reef platform.
In 1981, the Great Barrier Reef was selected as the World Heritage Site.
Some of the interesting Great Barrier Reef Facts include:
It is home to some endangered species like Green Sea Turtles and Dugongs.
Six of the seven species of sea turtles are found at the reef: Green, Leatherback, Hawksbill, Loggerhead, Flatback and Olive Ridley.
The largest remaining Dugong population in the world is in Australia. In 1991, the northern Australian population was estimated at approximately 17,000 with 12,500 in the Torres Straits and 1,700 in the northern Great Barrier Reef.
30 species of whales, dolphins and porpoises live in, or visit this coral reef wonder.
17 different species of sea snakes live on this coral heaven.
Today, tourism at the reef is estimated $1 billion each year, with 800 operators working at this marine park to provide a great adventure experience to the tourists.
Why Great Barrier Reef?
Home to many underwater attractions, the Great Barrier Reef includes one of the largest collection of beautiful corals, coral sponges, molluscs', over 1300 species of tropical fish, 20 different kinds of reptiles and home to many different types of birds. This natural treasure is the breading ground for humpback whales migrating from Antarctica, and also to some endangered species like Dugong - a Sea Cow and the large Green Sea turtles.
Awe aspiring barrier reef is an attractive tourist destination. There are many activities one can partake in at the barrier reef, with 820 operators and 1500 vessels operating in this marine heaven to provide the ultimate experience.
The barrier reef is a Diver's Heaven for sure. With stretches and stretches of beautiful coastal area, enriched with corals and marine life, it provides a breathtaking experience. There are gentle shallow sites for first timers and deep sites for the professional ones. For the first timers there are many one day snorkelling diving sessions along the reef.
The Great Barrier Reef experience is not only limited to being in the water, air activities like hot air ballooning, long range air tours and scenic flights are there for the tourist to experience the sapphire sparkling water of the reef with the bird eye view.
For those found of marine life, and exciting adventure, Great Barrier Reef is a mesmerizing wonder that needs to be explored to appreciate its beauty.
So, what are you waiting for? Select your favourite Great Barrier Reef tour and book your tickets to the world's natural wonder today. The Great Barrier Reef is amazing; this marine haven is a place worth visiting at least once in your life!
About the Author
Mary Thomson - Researcher and Writer. I research and review new things introduced in the market and bring out the best and the worst about them for my readers.
The Great Barrier Reef is one of Australia most famous and popular attractions in Australia. The Great Barrier Reef is a site of remarkable variety and beauty on the north-east coast of Australia.
Great Barrier Reef, located in the Cairns, acts as a home to colorful and lively marine life. It is one of the most famous boarding points and natural wonders of world. The world largest coral reef collection with around 1500 fish species, 400 kinds of corals and 400 mollusk types are found at this place. The Great Barrier Reef can be seen from outer space and is the world biggest single structure made by living organisms. This reef structure is composed of and built by billions of tiny organisms, known as coral polyps. CNN has labelled it one of the 7 natural wonders of the world. The Queensland National Trust has named it a state icon of Queensland.
The place also serves as the habitat for species like green turtle and sea cow that are on the verge of extinction. It is listed in the world heritage site and has become a premier vacation spot in Australia. This reef that runs parallel to Queensland coast has been declared as the Marine Park by the government of Australia. One can find the most exciting varieties of rare mammals and species in the Great Barrier Reef.
Great Barrier Reef one of the major Australia attractions, offers a treat to the underwater explorers, scuba divers and lovers of romantic and exotic tropical islands. You can witness succession of magnificent reefs that extend from the south of tropic of Capricorn to the Torres Strait situated in the north. The Great Barrier Reef is a site of remarkable variety and beauty on the north-east coast of Australia.
The spectacular reefs make the Australia vacations fun filled and memorable. The 2000 kilometers long reef provides the people on Great Barrier Reef holiday with a lot of access points. You can take a cruise to visit the reef while on the Australia vacation.
Scuba diving is one of the most enormous attractions of the place. You can have an experience of a lifetime with the spectacular coral formations, vivid marine life, amazing visibility and comfortable temperature of water all year round. Whether you are an expert or a beginner diver, Australia vacations is incomplete without a visit to the Great Barrier Reef.
There are lots of diving shops and schools nearby that can provide you with secure diving tips. You can relish the Great Barrier Reef holiday with the proper training and equipments needed for diving.
A close rendezvous with lovely marine life can make your Australia holiday simply mesmerizing. Snorkeling and scuba diving let you have an effortless transportation to the lovely and spell binding marine world. You can closely witness the extraordinary realm with the colorful and beautiful life in crystal clear waters.
Visiting to this world heritage site can be a memorable add-on to your Australia vacation. The greatest concentration of marine life at this place lets the visitors have the greatest times of their lives. The Great Barrier Reef is one of Australia most famous and popular attractions in Australia, and its reputation for stunning coral reefs and plethora of sea creatures is wholly deserved. Next time you plan Australia vacations, do not forget to visit the Great Barrier Reef.
Sophia Johnson is a freelance journalist whose major area of focus is travel. She has contributed various articles on Australia vacation and Great Barrier Reef holiday guide on various online platforms.
A great white shark approaches divers in a cage off Dyer Island, Western Cape, South Africa. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
How to report an Exciting and Thrilling Adventure Travel
What was your last vacation like? Did you have fun? Did you find something fun to do? Was there some leisure too or did your last vacation consist of shuttling your family around, doing yard work and other chores? Did your last "vacation" end up being a "staycation"? Why not do something different this year? When you have a few days off why not try one of the many adventure travels that is available in your local area. Most likely, there are many adventures to be had in your home state. If you have the money, why not get out on a true adventure? Here are some incredibly trendy adventure travels.
It may be hard to believe, but some cruises are considered adventure travels. Some cruises with specific docking places, such as Europe or the Greek Isles can be a fantastic way to get out and discover some joy in learning about some amazing moments in history and touring historical sites. Aren't you curious to tour the setting where the first Olympic games took place? Don't you want to see Stonehenge up close? There are plenty of ways to stay active on the boat. These cruises typically have options to do things - like rock climbing and sea diving. You can do much more than lie on the lido deck!
Shark Diving is not for the light hearted but it can be incredibly exciting. The Shark Diver Company has package deals for adventurers that will allow them to shark dive in Mexico or California. These types of adventure travels are not cheap. Most travels like these cost about three thousand dollars for each person who goes on the trip. Usually these types of vacations last for about five days. Make sure you have your diving certification before you go, though. You don't want to get stuck on the boat for your whole vacation!
Do you yearn to be on a motorcycle tour for a few weeks? Sure you could get a membership with a local motorcycle club, but where's the joy in that? For true adventure travel lovers, the joy is in taking a motorcycle trip in a land far away.
Could there be a better alternative than going on a motorcycle excursion in New Zealand and Australia? Australia has touring adventures offered by Harley Davidson. New Zealand has a ton of different companies that offer tours and guided journeys that you can enjoy on a motorcycle. The toughest thing is reaching your destination. However once you make it out there, you'll want to stay!
Adventure travels are not always about doing something death defying. You can have a fantastic adventure vacation without bungee jumping, skydiving or being scared out of your wits that a shark is going to bit through a cage. Concurrently, for the adrenaline junkies, that risk is only part of the joy of an adventure bases vacation.
The trick to taking a real adventurous journey is to put yourself up to a challenge and still have a terrific time. Get out and do it!
A scuba diver looking at a giant clam on the Great Barrier Reef (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
I want to visit the Great Barrier Reef. Can i do a day trip if to the Reef if i stay in Hamilton or Lizard?
island?
Which island do u think is better and more secluded. I am there for my honeymoon and visitin australia for the first time. Also let me know if you recommend any accomodation.
Another thing.. since i am not much of a water sports person, what would you suggest i do.
Visit Brisbane., gold coast and some island around that area or visit the reef?
Lizard Island is probably more secluded, but Hamilton is far more popular and caters for honeymoons. There are a few ferry companies that travel around the Whitsundays, you can go on cruises to Whithaven Beach, other islands, the mainland, or out to the reef. You can buy tickets at hotels.
You can go for bushwalks on the lslands if you're into that kind of thing, or just walk around the towns and enjoy the weather.
Brisbane doesn't have much to do. The Gold Coast has four themeparks that are great fun, whatever you like. Australia Zoo on the Sunshine Coast is probably pretty busy at the moment, but if you don't mind crowds it's a fun day.
If you are after a great holiday destination then you need look no further than Brisbane Australia. Located in Queensland on Australia's eastern coast, it has attractions and sights that can be enjoyed by people of every age.
In fitting with its status as state capital there is a wealth of accommodation on offer to suit every visitor's requirements. If you plan to spend time leisurely exploring the city or base yourself in Brisbane while checking out the surrounding region you will not be disappointed.
It can help to get your bearings of Brisbane before you venture to far out. A trip to the City Hall tower will allow you a panoramic view of the modern skyline. Another option is a visit to the Wheel of Brisbane where you can be taken up to sixty metres above the streets.
As with most Australian cities, Brisbane is easy to navigate once you get your perspectives. If you choose to use the public transport system then you can easily reach most areas for an economical price. Many tourists choose to rent a car to use. This is a great option as it gives the flexibility and opportunity to visit the sights in the surrounding region.
Brisbane is a vibrant city full of music and culture. There is the famous Logan Art Gallery with displays of various acclaimed local artists and also the Queensland Performing Arts Centre that hosts performances by internationally famous orchestras and musicians. If you enjoy socialising in the evenings then you can immerse yourself in the exhilarating nightlife. There are plenty of exciting bars and clubs with a stylish and young crowd. For an altogether different experience you can attend a casino or maybe a comedy club.
For most people food is essential. If you are on vacation it is important to treat yourself to good food. In Brisbane there is a wealth of possibilities. You can taste cuisine from around the world alongside traditional Australian fare.
Of course no visit to Brisbane would be complete without doing some shopping. As befits such an internationally famous city you can find all the latest brands and stores available alongside independent outlets selling uniquely Australian crafts and goods.
When you feel like a break from the city then there is a wealth of options available to you. Australia has one of the best environments for outdoor activities and the area around Brisbane is no different. If you are a fan of water sports then you are spoilt for choice. There is surfing, sailing, scuba diving, as well as both land fishing and sea fishing. You may just want to soak up the sun's rays, if so then there are many kilometres of golden sand to enjoy. For a more thrilling experience then you could ride in a hot air balloon, take a 4WD excursion, or trek in the tropical rainforest.
The friendliness of the people in Queensland is a reflection of their majestic surroundings. The city has no pretensions; you will find kind helpful people who are more than willing to strike up a conversation with you no matter what your background. Book your accommodation in Brisbane online and visit an Australian holiday destination that will only leave good memories.
Wayne Hockey is an Australian tourism professional that lives in Brisbane Australia. Wayne is a regular contributor with a all travel, tourism and accommodation subjects on Brisbane and the surrounding regions. To book your Brisbane Accommodation, attractions and tours we recommend you visit Wayne's Brisbane Accommodation website at http://www.BrisbaneAccommodation.tv
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