March 2013 Newsletter

The Vagabond
“Road test your inner vagabond”
March 2013
In this Issue:

Dive travel update – Mayan, La Paz,
Costa Rica & Philippines Adventures

Dive Social

Education at Rogue Aquatics – DAN
1st Aid, CPR & Emergency Oxygen.
Underwater Photography. Open Water Diver. Stress & Rescue

Follow along on our April 2013
Louisiana Adventure

Bonaire trip review
Dive travel update:
Mayan Adventure June 2013- There is one double occupancy room
available. See the attached flyer for details.
La Paz Adventure September 2013- We have increased the length of this
trip from 5 to 7 days. There are spaces available. See the attached flyer
for details.
Philippine Adventure April 2014- There are 3 double occupancy rooms
still available. There will be an optional 4 day extension at the end of
this trip in Cebu City that will include a historical tour of the area and
a one day tour to the island of Bohol to see the “Chocolate Hills” and the
Tarsier refuge. See attached flyer for details.
Costa Rica Adventure June 2014- We have added another group trip to
our 2014 line-up. This trip will include 6 days in the Guanacaste Region
with 3-4 days of diving followed by 4 days in the Arenal region to experience the multiple hot springs and numerous adventure activities of
the area. See the attached flyer for details.
The Vagabond
Page 2
Dive Social at Rogue Aquatics:
Join us for another get together at Rogue Aquatics on Saturday evening
on May 11th. We will be e-mailing out the exact start time in the near
future. There will be video presentations on La Paz, the Philippines, and
Costa Rica.
Educational opportunities at Rogue Aquatics:
DAN 1st Aid, CPR, & Emergency Oxygen– May 11th from 10:00 AM to 4:00
P.M.
Underwater Photography– June 8th 10:00-2:00 P.M.
Open Water Diver Weekend Class– Starts Friday July 19th at 6:00 PM.
Stress & Rescue Weekend Class– Starts Friday August 16th at 6:00 PM.
See the attached flyers for details.
Follow along on our April 2013 Louisiana Adventure
No we won’t be diving, but we will be participating in some pretty cool
stuff, like: Cajun cooking class, swamp tours, plantation stays and tours,
paddlewheel trips up the Mississippi, photo tours of the French Quarter
in New Orleans and much more. We will wrap up this trip with the International Music Festival in Lafayette.
So, if you’ve ever thought you might like to visit this exciting area of the
U.S. follow us on our Facebook site or on our Vagabond Blog for a blowby-blow account of the adventure as it unfolds.
http://vagabondventures.blogspot.com/
The Vagabond
Page 3
Bonaire Trip Review: “Superhero Divers go to Bonaire”
We began our trip to Bonaire with a frenzy of phone calls to our band of
“Superhero Divers”, after learning (the night before our departure) that
our flight to San Francisco had been cancelled. That never happens! We
scrambled to find a variety of options to reach San Francisco within a
timeframe that allowed us to connect with the rest of our flights.
Six of us drove to SF, one drove to Eugene to connect with a flight that
went through Newark, Atlanta and finally reached Bonaire the following afternoon. The remainder of the group arrived on delayed flights
through Medford and St. Croix. In true superhero form (adapt and
overcome) we all made it to our destination.
We settled into our lovely beachfront accommodations at Captain Don’s
Habitat and began the routine of island life: up early for a good breakfast, out to the dive boat for a day of cruising the reef, searching for
critters, back in time for lunch followed by a nap, up in time to sip Gin
and Tonics while watching the sun go down and then off to eat again.
It’s a rough life!
The Vagabond
Page 4
During this particular trip we were also treated to nightly live music by
two of our group members Bob and Eric who took turns playing guitar
and singing songs that we all knew and loved. Thanks guys that made it
extra special!
The name of the island Bonaire, comes from the indigenous word Bonai
meaning flat and it is in fact a mostly flat, cactus covered coral island inhabited by an eclectic mixture of abundantly happy folks as well as wild
(or free as the locals call them) donkeys and goats. The island is surrounded by the clear turquoise waters of the Dutch Caribbean off the
coast of Venezuela.
The island is considered to be one of the best around the world for shore
diving as there are numerous easily marked and accessible dive sites and
many operators that rent trucks to cart your gear around the island.
The reefs were healthy and the fish were plentiful. We saw a large variety of eels, File Fish, Trumpet Fish, Angel Fish, Parrot Fish and Hawksbill
Turtles. We were also treated to nightly visits from a Manta and Tarpon
that would cruise the shore every evening around supper time. Several
Tarpon were also spotted on the wreck and night dives.
Some of our group tried and fell in love with a unique kind of night diving called “Fluoro Night Diving”. We were equipped with amber colored
visors that fit over our masks and given UV lights that cast a blue ray of
light over the reef and caused the coral and many of the critters to glow
bright yellow, and green. It is positively psychedelic – a must try if you
go to Bonaire. Bon Photo located at Captain Don’s offers this spectacular
tour for $50.00.
The Vagabond
Page 5
Another fun side trip that some of us
tried was the cave tour with Bon Photo.
This tour includes one dry cave and one
wet cave. Bonaire has an estimated 400
caves on the island but only a few are
open for exploration.
We began our tour in the dry cave by
rappelling down approximately 15-20
feet into the cave. We were warned that
the dry cave could be quite hot and humid as they are made of limestone and coral which does not insulate the
interior like materials that compose other types of caves which are cool
and dry. As we progressed through the cave it became more and more
like a sauna or sweat lodge. The cave had fossils of brain coral embedded in the ceiling as well as stalactites, stalagmites.
The second cave that we explored was a wet cave that contained pools
of rain water (approximately 5 ft. deep) that we swam through to explore the caves interior. At 80 degrees, the water was a refreshing follow-up to our previous sauna experience.
Our last day on Bonaire, we signed up for a land based tour of the island. We all piled in an older white Econoline Van and headed out to experience the island above the water. We visited Goto Meer, and Slagbaai
National Park where we saw Flamingos, Parakeets, Parrots, and beautiful turquoise and grey lizards. We also saw wild donkeys, goats and lots
and lots of cactus!
The Vagabond
Page 6
Speaking of cactus, on the way to
Slagbaai National Park we stopped at
a distillery named “Cadushy” in the
town of Rincon. The signature liqueur
produced there is called Cadushy and
is made from cactus and lime water.
Here you can taste and purchase the
product if you like. They also produce
liqueurs with unique flavors from
neighboring islands including spices
for Saba, Agave for Aruba, and Calbas
for Curacao.
We wrapped up our circle island tour in Slagbaai National Park where
we saw several flocks of flamingos and visited several beaches. It turns
out that Saibai is a really large National Park accessed by dirt roads that
have a lot of sharp rocks/coral on them. Near the end of our tour we or
should I say the tire of our van had a close encounter with one of these
nasty little nuggets and it decided to go flat. “Aawwhh”, groaned our
driver, “that’s not good!” We pulled to the side of the road and everyone
piled out.
We confirmed the tire was flat, checked the spare and it was
flat….hmmm! Our driver climbed up a very small hill and tried to get a
signal on his cell phone to call for help. No signal! Hmmm!!!! This is when
we got to experience the good hearted nature of our fellow divers/
buddies from Buddy Dive Resort (the ones with the trucks). They were
able to collect the majority of our group and return them to our resort.
The Vagabond
Page 7
Thanks guys! The four of us that remained with the driver were soon rescued by the rangers that were alerted to our dilemma by the others. They
came in their truck with a retrofitted scuba tank to fill our flat tire. What
transpired after that was something like a day at the racetrack. The drill
went something like this; the rangers would fill the tire, we would all pile
in the van and tear down the road until the rangers following behind us
would honk, we’d stop and they would run up fill the tire again, whistle
and off we’d go. It was like having our own personal pit crew. Eventually,
we made it to a friend of the ranger’s tire shop where the tire was repaired. It was a hoot and an unexpected way to experience the great
team work and camaraderie of the island people and our fellow divers.
We made it back to the resort in time for one last sunset and a toast to
the great week we had on the island of Bonaire.
To view photos and video of this trip visit our website at
www.vagabondventurestravel.com and look in the photo gallery section
under Bonaire. If you or someone you know is interested in a trip to
Bonaire and would like more information, contact us at
[email protected] or call 541-951-2223 and ask for Becky
or Dave.
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Playa del Carmen, Mexico
$1099 pip Cash
$1149 pip Credit
Double Occupancy
All-Inclusive Plan
Price includes : 8 Days/7 nights in a Deluxe/
Standard Room; King or 2 double beds; AIC &
Ceiling Fan; Cable TV; Mini Fridge; Balcony or
terrace; Pool; Beach Chairs; Non-motorized
Water sports; R/T airport transfers, 3 meals
daily with domestic alcoholic beverages;
2 daysl4 dives local reef
1 day/2 dives Cozumel
1 day/2 dives in Mayan Cenotes
1 day Whale Shark Snorkel Expedition to Isla
Mujeres with island tour & guide; includes
tanks, weights, weight belt; Taxes included.
Price excludes RIT airfare, Nitrox, rental gear,
gratuities, park fees, travel insurance, beverages
not listed including non-domestic alcohol, Cozumel
ferry (approx. $26 rtt) or other incidentals. Meals at
upgraded restaurants for additional fees. Additional
fee for single occupancy or room upgrades
including Superior, Superior Premium, or Suites.
$200.00 Non-refundable deposit & Trip
Application due ASAP. Rooms confirmed as
available.
Final payment due: April 1, 2013.
For additional information contact :
David & Becky Cook 541-951-2223
[email protected]
www.vagabondventurestravel.com
Vagabond Ventures, LLC. Incurs unrecoverable charges
preparing for your trip, therefore the $200 deposit cannot be
refunded. Travel insurance and DAN membership is strongly
recommended.
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Club Cantamar
$1049.00 p/p dbl occupancy (credit)
$999.00 p/p dbl occupancy (cash)
Price includes :
8 DaysI7 nights A/C Room; Breakfast daily;
Lunch on dive days; 5 days of boat diving with
tanks, weights, belt & dive guide. RUT transfers
from La Paz Airport.
Full board (BLD) available:
$1149.00 pip dbl (credit) $1099.00 pip dbl (cash)
Price excludes RUT airfare, NITROX, rental gear,
gratuities, park fees, travel insurance or
incidentals. Transfers from Cabo San Lucas
available for additional $65.
Dive the Sea of Cortez with prolific sea life
including Manta Rays, Sea Lions, Mobula
Rays, large schools of fish, wrecks and the
possibility of the Whale Shark.
$200.00 Non-refundable Deposit Due on
44/2013 After this date, rooms on space
available only
Final payment due on or before 7/1/2013.
For additional information contact :
David & Becky Cook 541-951-2223
www.vagabondventurestravel.com
Vagabond Ventures, LLC. Incurs unrecoverable charges preparing
for your trip, therefore the $200 deposit cannot be refunded.
Travel insurance and DAN membership is strongly recommended.
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Kasai Village Resort
Cebu, Philippines
$1649 cash/$1699 credit
Double Occupancy (only)
All-Inclusive Plan
Deposit $300
Price includes : 8 Days17 nights in a Sea View
Room; A/C & Ceiling Fan; Pool; 3 meals daily; 6 days
diving; Unlimited shore diving (includes tanks,
weights, weight belt); 15 minute massage & Free wil
fi; taxes included. (Only 6 double rooms available)
Optional Extension to:
Ocean Vida Beach Resort
Malapascua, Philippines
$959 cashl$999 credit
Double Occupancy (only)
All-Inclusive Plan
Initial Deposit $300
Price includes: 5 DaysI4 nights in a Deluxe Sea View
room with A/C; Transfers; 3 meals daily; 3 days nonlimit diving (includes tanks, weights, weight belt);
taxes included. (Only 6 double rooms available)
*Optional 4 dayI3 night extension to Cebu City for
additional exploring.
Prices exclude RP! international airfare, nitrox, rental gear, gratuities,
park fees, travel insurance, beverages not listed including alcohol, ferry
porter or excess baggage fees, Philippine arrivalldeparture taxifee or
other incidentals.
Non-refundable deposit & Trip Application due on
reservation to guarantee room. Deposit date is
August 1, 2013. Rooms are reserved on a first-come
basis.
Final payment due on or before: January 10, 2014.
For additional information contact :
David & Becky Cook 541-951-2223
[email protected]
www.vagabondventurestravel.com
Vagabond Ventures, LLC. Incurs unrecoverable charges preparing for your trip,
therefore the deposit cannot be refunded. Travel insurance and DAN membership
is strongly recommended.
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Jun-e ZCItcv te ,Otk, ZOI-4$1349.00 (Credit) $1299.00 (Cash)
(10 days/9 nights) per person! DBL
Includes:
6 daysl5 nights at Ocotal Beach Resort including:
•
5 nights lodging in standard room
•
Welcome cocktail
•
Breakfast daily
•
Transfer from Liberia Airport to Ocotal Resort
•
3 days 2-tank diving with snacks & drinks
(Upgrade dive day to Catalina Islands for $45 or Bat Islands for $75
plus National Park fee of $15)
•
•
Unlimited beach diving
Free day for optional tours or additional diving
Options include: Rio negro River Tubing, Waterfall Tour,
Volcano Mud Baths, Horseback Riding, Northern Nicauragua
Day Tour, White Water Rafting and Palo Verde Wildlife River
Ride
nights Arenal area hotel
Daily breakfast
Free guided morning hike around lodge
Swimming pool & Jacuzzi
Entrance to Eco-Termales Hot springs
with dinner on first night at Arenal
•
2+ Free days with optional activities available
3
•
•
•
•
Options include: River Rafting, Hiking, Waterfall Rappelling,
Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge, Zip Lines, Visiting Additional
Hot Springs, Safari float, 4-Wheel Adventure, kayaking,
Horseback Riding, Bird watching Tours, Lake Arenal Tour
1 night Hilton Garden Inn, Liberia
Excludes Rif international airfare, meals not listed,
alcoholic beverages, international airport departure taxes,
gratuities, other incidental expenses.
$300.00 Non-Refundable deposit & Trip Application
due: November 4th, 2013. Reservations are
guaranteed upon receipt of deposit.
Final payment due on or before: April 4th, 2014
For additional information contact :
David & Becky Cook 541-951-2223
http//www.vagabondventurestravel.com
Discover SCUBA Diving!
Obtain your Open Water certification in 2 Weekends
with Self-study
Knowledge Review & Pool skills (held at Rogue Aquatics in Central Point, Oregon):
Friday July 19th, 2013: 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Saturday & Sunday July 20th & 21st: 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Friday August 2nd, 2013: 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM- Final Review & pool session
Open Water Dives: Saturday & Sunday August 3rd & 4th: 9 AM- 1 PM
Cost: $330.00; includes log book, textbook, dive tables & other class
materials, rental gear, Pool dives and five (5) open water dives. You will
need to purchase your own mask, fins and snorkel by the first night of
class. Basic packages start at $165.00. Ask about gear purchase
incentives through Rogue Aquatics.
Contact: David or Becky Cook © 541-951-2223
info©vagabondventurestravel.com
All chapter reviews must be completed prior to first night of class.
SSI Specialty Class:
Stress & Rescue
One of the most important classes to take following your open water
certification. Stress is a major contributor to rescue situations and diving
accidents. Through this course you will learn accident prevention, as well as
how to handle problem situations if they occur. The program is about avoiding,
recognizing and solving problems on the surface and under water.
DIVER STRESS & RESCUE SPECIALTY COURSE Content:
•
•
Stress In Diving: Causes And Prevention
•
Detecting And Dealing With Stress
•
•
What Is Stress?
Accident Management
Skills Needed To Deal With Panic And Rescues
•
Conditions That Complicate Rescues
Knowledge Review & Pool Skills (held at Rogue Aquatics in Central Point, Oregon):
Friday August 16th, 2013: 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM &
Saturday August 17th, 2013 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Open Water Skill Dives: Sunday August 18th, 2013: 9 AM- 1 PM
Tuition: $179.00
Contact: David or Becky Cook @ 541-951-2223
[email protected]