Favorite Memories from the SB Invasion 2025 Belize

[Chrisk919]

All jokes aside I want to thank Dennis, Roxanne, and all the people who attended.

The people made a challenging environment fun. They are the core of this experience, and I understand that now.

Oh and here are some hermit crabs from my phone just because:

 

[gypsyjim]

All jokes aside I want to thank Dennis, Roxanne, and all the people who attended.

The people made a challenging environment fun. They are the core of this experience, and I understand that now.

Oh and here are some hermit crabs from my phone just because:View attachment 905510View attachment 905509

Cute little guys! I shot a short video clip of one with my phone, but have no clue how ( or if is possible) to share it on SB.

 

[Fat Daddy]

Great diving and chatting with you last week, Edward! It's the people who make the Invasions great experiences - we go for the camaraderie; the resort is an added bonus (although less so this year).

Personally, I paid @ $500 a night for what you call an "added bonus". You have small expectations. It shows. I expected great food, an actual resort and not a 2 * dumpster fire, slowly dying.

 

[cardzard]

The Farewell Video Has Been Posted Here

SB 2025 Belize


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[gypsyjim]

Memories...
I always wanted to dive the Great Blue Hole, but from where we stayed at Hamanasi, @20 years ago, it was an @3 hour boat ride, each way. I declined.
While I might not ever dive it again, I found it a very interesting dive, especially as I am quite familiar with stalagtites, stalagmites and sink holes, living quite near two serious caverns open to the public.
I did not get great shots ( 6 minute bottom time at 135-140' doesn't leave much time for retakes...)
These two were the only ones I saved from that dive, but they captured my experience.

Getting a decent pic of one of these little fellows in the upper water column has always eluded me.

It may not be a great pic, but at least, for once, I captured a decent image showing some of the structure.

 

[JMTtor]

Personally, I paid @ $500 a night for what you call an "added bonus". You have small expectations. It shows. I expected great food, an actual resort and not a 2 * dumpster fire, slowly dying.

That $500 a night included three amazing dives every day plus a night dive, and very nice rooms, not just the subpar food and grounds (and some boats, though our little group hit the jackpot with The Whale every day except Sunday).

Yeah, it was more than we've paid before for much better, bet Dennis and the TA are working on getting some clawback. Even if they aren't successful, I refuse to allow the crappy venue to destroy the enjoyment I had from my compatriots, the great dive and resort staff, and the diving.

I squarely blame who Jim called "Hakim the Arrogant" - and he can rot for all I care. Still had a great time last week; I guess my "small expectations" were a bonus.

But you do you. And I have no doubt you will.

 

[Fat Daddy]

Trust me “A three hour tour…” was in my head when the first big boat broke down… I was humming that tune for a couple days.

It’s not the first time.! You got lucky

 

[Curious_George]

I paid @ $500 a night for what you call an "added bonus". You have small expectations. It shows.

Dead horse much?



You have made a majority of the negative comments on this thread and now even being unnecessarily negative toward a fellow member of the crew apparently because they don’t share your personal sadness or whatever is driving this negativity.

Maybe these events aren’t for you.

 

[gypsyjim]

The resort itself was a major disappointment, that is certainly true.
Bait and Switch?
Definitely.
Over Promise, and Under Deliver?
True again.
Both descriptions fit the conditions we faced upon arrival.
But.... the diving was great, the poor, mostly untrained staff did try their best with the limited resources, oversight and training they were given, the dive staff worked their butts off to make our dives memorable, we dived and had many fun SIs with SB friends, new and old, and, did I mention that the diving was great?

Roll with the boat, enjoy the ride as best you can, and make the best you can in a rough situation. Dennis and Roxanne, and a great many other SB members all pulled together, and in my opinion, we mostly had a pretty darned good Invasion, and made some great memories and new friends.

I am still impressed that Dennis and Roxanne pulled this off, made the best in a bad situation, and got us home safely, when things could easily have gone so much worse, if handled with less diplomacy and self control.