Dive Fiji - Beqa Lagoon, Great Astrolabe Reef, Kadavu
#16
Posted 01 May 2011 - 09:26 PM
Tina, I Love the trailer, Very Cheekky but with no tv and no phones plenty of time for a Epic movie about a Epic trip, I'll cheek out the whole 40 mins. later. Nice Job...
#17
Posted 01 May 2011 - 09:29 PM
Scubaski, I apologize for the unintended omission. Without Scubaski's assistance the side by side comparison would not have been possible.As one of your camera techs I should get a bit of credit for the Mako demonstation...
Mea culpa: I am so technically inept that I was unable to install the Mako flat lens onto my GoPro camera case by myself, even after I went out and bought a special tool. Scubaski came to my rescue, flew to Cozumel at his own expense, and using his superior technical skill and special tools he was able to take the Mako lens installation process to a point from which I was able to complete the installation! Regrettably, I was unable to conduct the side by side comparison at that time and it had to wait until I dove Fiji.
Thank you, Scubaski! I have added an acknowledgment to the youtube description.
Difficulty of installation is an important reason that, in my opinion, the Eye of Mine product is the superior solution to the GoPro factory provided lens problem and worth the higher price.
Edited by TexasDiver, 01 May 2011 - 09:42 PM.
#18
Posted 01 May 2011 - 09:30 PM
"If you are so inclined, I also tried my hand at some video work and movie making about my trip. There is a very tongue in cheek trailer on You Tube if you want a sneak peak:"
Tina, I Love the trailer, Very Cheekky but with no tv and no phones plenty of time for a Epic movie about a Epic trip, I'll cheek out the whole 40 mins. later. Nice Job...
Thanks! Epic is a great way to describe it, for many reasons. It occurred to me when I was approaching my milestone 100th dive while in Fiji that it was happening on nearly my one year anniversary for getting certified!! Epic trip to celebrate an epic year! I feel so lucky that I discovered the wonder of scuba, and fortunate that my hobby takes me to such pristine places as Beqa Lagoon. Of course, I don't think I'll ever top this trip, but I'm sure I'll have lots of fun exploring its competition
Tina
#19
Posted 01 May 2011 - 10:54 PM
Edited by TexasDiver, 01 May 2011 - 11:14 PM.
#20
Posted 02 May 2011 - 03:05 AM
#21 Guest_Sea Urchin_*
Posted 02 May 2011 - 11:02 PM
And the best thing about diving Fiji? No tipping!
Sorry, Craig, gotta disagree with you on tipping. The tip goes toward the village and school. My trip to FIJI FIJI FIJI is still the trip to beat. It's not just the diving but the whole island of Kadavu that holds a special place in my heart. We donated money to the church and the school on top of all our tips. Soreli (the dive master/musician on the right of your video) is playing on a UKULELE that one of our diver (GAR aka Blueblood) gave him from our trip. Another diver (Mark aka Aggiediver) trip gave away his dive watch to another dive master. I still have pictures of Joelli's daughter smiling down at me on my wall. My dive lights, batteries, and bug sprays were needed more than I need them.
The musicians were good but listening to the harmony during the church service was even more special. The best part was the special singing program the children treated us to and the dancing afterward. Our trip cost around $3,000 (including airfare) and walking through that village and seeing how much the villagers need that money more...the divers from our trip tipped well!
#22
Posted 02 May 2011 - 11:43 PM
Of course, you can tip if you like, but it is neither mandatory nor expected. A little vulgar, too, don't you think? The three resorts I visited had notes in their in-room information books and/or at reception stating "no tipping, please." I think what you describe is charity, not tipping.Sorry, Craig, gotta disagree with you on tipping...the divers from our trip tipped well!And the best thing about diving Fiji? No tipping!
#23
Posted 03 May 2011 - 06:38 AM
#24
Posted 11 May 2011 - 06:58 PM
#25
Posted 11 May 2011 - 08:07 PM
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#26
Posted 12 May 2011 - 08:50 AM
I would never recommend going someplace because tipping was not an integral part of the culture. Strange.
Probably a seperate topic but the Australians I have talked to feel the same way from the debates, and are offended when foreigners tip, forcing their tipping culture onto them, where tipping is expected in service based industries.
#27
Posted 12 May 2011 - 10:29 AM
I would never recommend going someplace because tipping was not an integral part of the culture. Strange.
Probably a seperate topic but the Australians I have talked to feel the same way from the debates, and are offended when foreigners tip, forcing their tipping culture onto them, where tipping is expected in service based industries.
I agree some cultures do not expect a tip however all the Aussies we tipped for doing a
I had no tips refused in Australia when we were there a few years ago.
Tipping is not encouraged in Fiji so as to not "CHANGE" the behavior of the people and have them look at guests as 'paychecks'.
However as Que so eloquently pointed out...tipping is indeed appreciated and desired as they direct the funds to projects that help EVERYONE and not just a few visible/social people. We did in fact direct our tips to several projects that helped the children and many of our divers gave of personal items directly to individuals that made a difference on our trip. I gave a pair of dive fins to one of the DM's who very much needed a new pair of fins. It was not expected nor was it rejected. It was however greatly appreciated by the recipient almost as much as I enjoyed giving it for a fabulous job well done by him!
However my point this remains...it is strange to look at 'no tipping customary' as a deciding factor in where to go diving.
Contact me directly at Kamala@SingleDivers.com for your private or group travel needs or 864-557-6079 AND don't miss SD's 2018-2021 Trips! ....here! Most are once in a lifetime opportunities...don't miss the chance to go!!
SD LEGACY/OLD/MANUAL Forms & Documents.... here !
Click here TO PAY for Merchandise, Membership, or Travel
"Imitation is the sincerest flattery." - Gandhi
"Imitation is proof that originality is rare." - ScubaHawk
SingleDivers.com...often imitated...never duplicated!
Kamala Shadduck c/o SingleDivers.com LLC
2234 North Federal Hwy, #1010 Boca Raton, FL 33431
formerly...
710 Dive Buddy Lane; Salem, SC 29676
864-557-6079 tel/celfone/office or tollfree fax 888-480-0906
#28
Posted 12 May 2011 - 11:00 AM
I also know some of our trip members asked some of the resort staff what kinds of items we could send them when we got back home. Some popularly requested items were t-shirts (appropriately sized for women), and flashlights, since the waitstaff are all female and have to walk home from the resort in the dark. We had one or two people donate the batteries out of their dive lights and computers at the end of our trips because the divemasters needed them for their own gear and have no easy means of getting them on their own. I asked my favorite divemaster how he gets access to gear when he needs it, and he told me many of their equipment and parts are donations from people that give their gear to them after the trip is over. Missi had a Stiletto BC that he said someone gave him, and I know those aren't cheap! Someone was very generous indeed, and on an island like Beqa where there are no resources to be had, and getting to the main island might not be possible for them, I know it is really appreciated albeit unexpected.
I definitely do not think I would choose a destination simply because I would not be expected to tip. There is always a form of need and reciprocity would be accepted and welcomed, if not expected.
#29
Posted 12 May 2011 - 06:18 PM
#30
Posted 12 May 2011 - 06:48 PM
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