1081 replies to this topic

[landlocked]

I am really excited about this trip, but I have 2 questions before I commit: do you know if there are any cell towers on the island? It scares me to be out of touch with my office for so long
and, is this a good trip for such a newbie like me? I have VERY little experience.
Wait, sorry, one more question - are you planning any trips to Australia or Galapagos next year?

[WreckWench]

Hey girl...all excellent questions! Here goes in answering them:

1. Communications...I doubt there is any cellular coverage. I think that all they have is one landline which at $5/minute is essentially reserved for emergency communications.

2. With respect to newbies diving Fiji...I think that you'd do just fine diving wise...there is diving for all ages!

3. As far as what is planned for 2006....I am looking at PNG, Australia and Galapagos. I'm not certain what we may end up with but we are looking at all of these options!

What else can I answer for you???? -ww

[Dejah]

On the Cellular service question I'm not sure who you have service through, but if it's Verizon Wireless you'd be surprised but they do have an option avaliable.

Currently verizon offers a Global Phone that can be rented for such trips, not sure of the cost for rentals, but I just checked and Fiji is on their list of International Services... they show the base rate for calls at 1.29 per minute and I'm sure it's very limited to the coverage, but if it's something you really have to have it's an option...

Also, to note I do not work for Verizon so this is no plug for them I happen to work with different cellular providers through my work.

Dejah

[jextract]

My memory (I was there two years ago) is that there is no coverage except for sat phones. I understand that we're all different, but to me this is a good thing. Not only do I not give my office a number to reach me but I never even give them specific info on where I'm going - I refuse to have my vacation interrupted. If the office burns down it'll be in the same ashes when I'm halfway around the world as it will when I return.

Re: the diving, it is perhaps the easiest diving imaginable. You fall off of the boat, you drift, you climb back on. There are some areas with strong current (e.g. The Supermarket off of Castaway Island) but the vast majority of the diving is extremely easy.

[CaptSaaz]

I'm glad I can do as jex can... It isn't a vacation unless you can turn off the phone, unplug the radio and not read a newspaper. All it does is add stress to your life and the whole point of vacations is not to have any stress at all.

Grrrrr.. I can't find a decent connection from LAX back home. I guess I may lay up in LA (or somewhere else) for the night and travel home the next day.

[WreckWench]

So Jexy...can you join us? I know you've mentioned it and I certainly hope you can! -ww

[jextract]

I'm trying to work out the details. It's nice to have a trip on our side of the world!

[WreckWench]

I'm trying to work out the details. It's nice to have a trip on our side of the world!

It will be awesome to see you again...and we are planning two trips to your side of the world! I hope to have a CA SD trip in mid Aug or so. -ww

[DiveCandy]

Grrrrr.. I can't find a decent connection from LAX back home. I guess I may lay up in LA (or somewhere else) for the night and travel home the next day.

I'm having trouble with that also, Dan. I prefer to use AA to bank those miles for the next Cozy trip but there is nothing to Orlando after noon-ish on the 5th. Looks like I'll be overnight in LA and flying out at 8:00 Sunday morning. I wonder how much trouble I can get in during 12+ hours in the LAX terminal? (That's a hypothetical question...no one needs to answer that!)

Kerry

[Neptuner]

Awwwww c'mon Kerry... think how much fun we could all have conjecturing just how much trouble YOU could get in during an L.A. layover... are you really going to deny us that pleasure? My first thought would be Jex... from there it's just kind of a whirlwind...

WW, I'm seriously considering this one... just wondering if maybe Sandy has a third kidney I could stick on eBay.... I thought about selling one of the kids (heck, I got 3!), but I think they are old enough to find their way back home again, so I don't think that will work.

[Seawitch]

Grrrrr.. I can't find a decent connection from LAX back home. I guess I may lay up in LA (or somewhere else) for the night and travel home the next day.

I'm having trouble with that also, Dan. I prefer to use AA to bank those miles for the next Cozy trip but there is nothing to Orlando after noon-ish on the 5th. Looks like I'll be overnight in LA and flying out at 8:00 Sunday morning. I wonder how much trouble I can get in during 12+ hours in the LAX terminal? (That's a hypothetical question...no one needs to answer that!)

Kerry

I am having the same problem. I can't find a connection back to DC, so it looks like an overnight layover. We might just have a Post Fiji party in LAX.

SW

[WreckWench]

I am having the same problem. I can't find a connection back to DC, so it looks like an overnight layover. We might just have a Post Fiji party in LAX.

SW

Hmmm....well we've been wanting a CA happy hour for awhile!!! Looks like they may have to come and meet us at the airport! Or at least close to the airport! LOL!!! -ww

[jextract]

If that's the best time, the bar at the airport is fantastic:
http://www.encounterrestaurant.com/

[grayfins]

Sent a check today by priority mail. You should receive it by Wed. Looking forward to the diving, the people and the trip as a whole.
grayfins

[WreckWench]

Sent a check today by priority mail. You should receive it by Wed. Looking forward to the diving, the people and the trip as a whole.
grayfins

WOW!! Post #1 was to sign up for the Saba trip....Post #2 was to sign up for the Fiji trip....hopefully post #3 will be to officially introduce yourself!

Click here to post your intro!