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If the original is sold - I think I have 2 of these in a pile of stuff I’ve been meaning to sell, but can’t check until this weekend.

One thing I saw mentioned in another thread a few years back, is that phinisi are typically (always?) one engine boats. Which perhaps matters less in heavily traveled areas but something to consider on a more remote itinerary.

Not wanting to spend a whole trip on dive stuff actually seems pretty common among new divers. The thought of going someplace and doing 4-5 (or even 2) dives a day every day seems like a lot, too much, and is not appealing - a few days of 2 dives a day spread over a week then do other stuff...

In general you can compare Caribbean destinations, or Indo-Pacific destinations. But it’s difficult/unfair to compare Indo-Pacific to Caribbean diving, they are sort of on different scales and the Pacific spots will tend to blow away the Caribbean spots. For one thing, the “coral triangle”...

Sometimes I use a 18650 in a holder in place of a 26650. Cheap if you just want to use the light and don’t need the runtime. Short piece of (1/2?) PVC makes a decent adapter. Stole the idea from an old thread here.

Well the mask and air are handy. But you are less agile while wearing dive gear, and falling/getting up wearing heavy gear has potential to hurt more and be more challenging.

I might have tried getting down myself like into a crawl position, if it seemed better than maybe getting knocked town.

Manila airport is not typical in that the terminals are so far apart, they may as well be different airports. No walking between terminals. There are airport shuttle buses within the airport between terminals - I think what they had was newish and not too frequent or reliable the last time we...

We usually stay at the Marriott, very nice.

There’s not necessarily anything wrong with 10yo gear. It seems like you might have specific reasons down the road that would determine some choices. If you might go tech that is one thing. If you might do dm or instructor, and possibly be in a situation where you have to go with a certain brand...

Have you talked to RF about this? It should be possible to start with SSI and do referal dives with PADI. I have a friend who did this (in Curacao.) It was a slight nuisance, but possible.

If you prefer boat diving but have seasickness issues, the boat rides on Bonaire are pretty calm so it has that going for it. (My husband used to like it for that reason, way back when the scop patch was off the market.) Since that's no longer an issue we haven't bothered because it's a pain to...

Reading here can lead you to believe Bonaire is only shore diving but not so. We pretty much only boat and dock dive when we used to go there. No interest in hauling gear and tanks all over, not vacation to us.

I think Grace Bay is a way nicer beach than SMB, although dive timing and other things may not work as well for you. Staying at Lions Dive or Sunscape AI in Curacao gets you convienient boat and shore diving and a ton of activities and things nearby, and beaches that should do the job...

East End is more remote, with less for restaurants and shopping. But, it's gotten less remote with a few more options over the years. Besides the beach, what are you looking for topside? The beach along Morritt's and the Wyndham is pretty nice, and sheltered in a sort of lagoon. There is some...

Sure. I assume this is a backup for most people, which doesn't hurt.

If all the info is not all on one side, maybe in addition to a pic take a very short video where you flip the card over…

That's why I'm sort of suggesting 2 suits each suited for their task, instead of possibly compromising.

How did you decide on a 5mm? It's possible a 3mm or even less is fine for you and/or your wife, especially being from Canada. I'd melt in that in those temps Lighter = cheaper, easier to pack, more comfortable. And gives you more room to pack 2 suits if a different one is more appropriate...

Yes my husband did 4-5 a day on a 12 night trip on the Arenui in a 1 mm. Sorong to Ambon. YMMV.