Hey Jackie..Well done.
Those are great shots. You have to share the camera make model etc. and teach me a few things as I may be in market for a new system. You captured good colour there. I was there at FI with a group same week (Jan 24-31, 2011) from Canada and have to give thumbs up to the efforts and money being put into Fantasy Island upgrades. Under new management with new air conditioners, mattresses, remodelling, varnish, paint you name it. I look forward to seeing it again when all completed. I found the food, water and hospitality by all that worked there excellent and made me feel at home. A big plus as a diver is that the compressor for Nitrox users is state of the art, brand spanking new. CO monitoring system in place as well. No issues with air quality or consistant fills (32 %) and nitrox monitors and pressure gauges supplied on site. Showers, wash tubs and secure storage over night. Darren (Dive operation boss) and his crew continue to work to making you a satisfied customer continuing to work on equipment maintenance for diver safety as they renovate and upgrade operations. Kudos for that. He is very approachable, nice way about him, young man and as are those who work with him and cannot assist you if you do not let him know to make things better as "he cannot see behind his back". They allowed us (group) the luxury of having our own boat captained by Carrie James (good fella , easy going and helpful and oblidging) and "get off my boat" Miguel as DM who allowed us to dive at our leisure. The house coat robes, towels, pinnapple on board are a nice touch when needed as well if you get a cool after multiple dives or even one (water a mere 79 degrees). Our waters are temperature and visibility challenged compared to the Caribbean of course. The Dive Shop has pretty well anything you need if you forgot it at home or decide to leave it at home. Prices are reasonable. I have a tendency to bring "everything" for contingency purposes which my fellow divemates jab me for and thus I am overweight for flight
. Not the next time though as not required at Fantasy Island. Do not go to FI if you are expecting the Great Barrier Reef or other exotic location. Most divers love being in the water period! and all the rest is extra (see photo evidence of Jackie's), take it all at face value, dive safe, and again at any dive location and FI in particular, allow flexibility, be humble in your approach, take it for what it is and enjoy the company as the people are friendly and will help you where they can and enjoy the water. I did. Thankyou Rich, Jackie, Hank, Miguel, Carrie, Darren and to my dive buddies/group. Look forward to another opportunity to go to Fantasy Island.
Lou, dunbustn in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada :cool2:
Even at that, the most exposure protection I wore was a 1mm full suit with a 3mm shorty over it. And that was only one day. For the most part I wore dive skins with the 3mm shorty over it.
