Diving around Taipei

[cerich]

Taiwan really is a well kept diving secret.. wish more would give it a shot if they are passing through..

no kidding, when I first went to Taiwan to work on gear I said "let's go diving!" everybody there in Taiwan were shocked, seems nobody in the dive industry that does gear business in Taiwan (which means most brands) has ever said "let's go diving!" what a shame

 

[cerich]

Dont' disagree with you. But if only the fishing industry and the locals can be a bit more environmentally conscious.

The pygmy seahorses in Kenting are nowhere to be found. Last year the fishing shop jackass hooked the resident grouper at the harbor where fishing is not even allowed in the first place. Don't get me started on all the mantas and mola mola that I've seen harvested from the stationary nets in Hualien.

I was once struck by seeing a few folks just outside a fish market protesting the Canadian Seal hunt, while less than a 100 meters away was an amazing array of endangered fish dead and on sale... and shark fins etc.

I think local protests and education work better with local issues..

 

[Koalaroo]

Teeny tiny sample collection of my pictures from North Taiwan:
Zeanana

 

[MelasLithos]

Well, that's definitely making me consider giving Taipei diving a chance next time I'm there (next month probably. If the weather is better than 2 weeks ago...). I had only tried Kenting previously.

 

[cerich]

funny enough..this thread gave me an idea yesterday.

I really do enjoy the Taiwan diving, it really is under the radar as some seriously great diving.

I am thinking it would be fun to organize a 8 day "Taiwan diving with Deep 6" event. Do 3 days on Green Island with the schooling hammerheads, 2 days in Kenting, then up in Fulong for the macro goodness.

I would also arrange some land tours, temples, tea, mountains (which are awesome) and a back room peek at how scuba gear is made with some tours of some of the factories (that are OK with the idea, I am pretty sure I know the ones that will be good with)

This would be in the late Jan thru early march period, we would have to avoid Chinese New Year. It's considered the "cold" season for those in Taiwan, however for those that live in places that get snow..it is more nice than cold. As in as the evening comes pull a light jacket on over the T shirt you wore most of the day while everyone local is dressed like it's the arctic Day average temp in Taipei then is 60's , night in the 50's. Kenting the days are mid 70's

What do you think, would that be worthwhile to set up?

 

[MelasLithos]

I'm in! At the condition that it's not anytime close CNY (that's usually reserved for family time. I already disappeared to Belize on my own last year, and my mother would kill me if I miss another CNY anytime soon . And we usually take advantage of the holidays and the fact that all factories are closed for extended holiday time).

 

[cerich]

I'm in! At the condition that it's not anytime close CNY (that's usually reserved for family time. I already disappeared to Belize on my own last year, and my mother would kill me if I miss another CNY anytime soon . And we usually take advantage of the holidays and the fact that all factories are closed for extended holiday time).

yeah, I suspect that your mom was less than impressed. Missing CNY with family is a pretty big thing. They would be happier if you showed up and burnt the place down than missed it

 

[MelasLithos]

yeah, I suspect that your mom was less than impressed. Missing CNY with family is a pretty big thing. They would be happier if you showed up and burnt the place down than missed it

Indeed. I'm afraid that I burned all my goodwill with that stunt and I'm condemn to participate in all family events for the near (and not so near) future. And those are doubled for me, since I get both French and Chinese holidays. It has its good points (double the food ) and its bad points (double the family drama ).

So please, don't organize anything too close to CNY?

 

[cerich]

Indeed. I'm afraid that I burned all my goodwill with that stunt and I'm condemn to participate in all family events for the near (and not so near) future. And those are doubled for me, since I get both French and Chinese holidays. It has its good points (double the food ) and its bad points (double the family drama ).

So please, don't organize anything too close to CNY?

already planning to take CNY in account, plus it would make airfare 3x as expensive to do at/right around CNY

 

[cerich]

Indeed. I'm afraid that I burned all my goodwill with that stunt and I'm condemn to participate in all family events for the near (and not so near) future. And those are doubled for me, since I get both French and Chinese holidays. It has its good points (double the food ) and its bad points (double the family drama ).

So please, don't organize anything too close to CNY?

the hammerheads are at Green Island jan-March..so timing around that and CNY