OZ-Liveaboard in 2 wks-practical ?'s

[staceyp-rn]

Hey,
I'm leaving for OZ on 9/26 and am doing the Spirit of Freedom on 10/4-10/11 Cod's hole, Osprey reef, etc. First liveaboard. Ususally travel somewhere, Mexico, Belize, Bahamas and do boat dives so luggage, etc. not an issue.

Here's my problem,
1) Spending 4 weeks in OZ different locations, doing a liveaboard in the middle, then traveling again and need to be able to dress for a number of different situations, business, my sis's wedding (non-diver-no help) and just everyday stuff.
The liveaboard limit is one bag 20kg including gear. (I have all my own, some new bought in anticipation of this trip) new ladyhawk BCD-(love it) and Aquapro reg/computor (learning to love it)

Anyway, anyone know if I'm staying in Carins the day before and the day after at the same hotel whether they are used to people checking thier bags for a week?

Any hints on weather this time of year?, (hate weather sites online ther're too vague)

Any practical advice on what I absolutely need besides dive stuff and camera? Any advice of what I absolutely don't need? (So I can pare down?)

I'm open to any guidance I can get, I'm so looking forward to this, first trip to OZ and first liveaboard.

I'm also going to do a little diving on the West Coast-NSW-probably Coff's Harbor , since that's where the Wedding is, (before liveaboard) and then probable somewhere down by Sydney after my liveaboard since my sis lives there and I should probably go and visit after my liveaboard. (I haven't decided this part of trip yet, going to play it by ear.)

Please help.

Stacey
Exccitied and slightly crazed...

 

[Carl_Fallon]

G'Day Stacey,

It sounds like you are in for a treat! You are going to love the Great Barrier Reef. You have chosen a great operator, and the section of reef that you going to is pristine! I hope your trigger finger is ready, you are going to be taking soooo many photos. =)

Oh sorry, My name is Carl Fallon, i work at Abyss Scuba Diving in Sydney. just one thing before i get to your questions: I would love to see you diving with us when your down here. =)

But back to your questions. I am going to tackel them one at time.

The live-a-board limit is due to the low level flight! I am sure that the Live-a-board operator will have a holding room for your luggage if this is the case.

It will hopefully be quite pleasant while you are in Cairns. Not too humid. But it will be heating up from now. Sydney weather has been a little on the cold side, but one good thing is that the water is warming up again!

For what to take:

• a comfortable pair of easy to don shoes. Crocs are great!
• USB Stick to download you hundreds of photos.
• thin pair of dive socks. Stops any chaffing from so many dives. (True)
• Hat!
• Polorised sunglasses to see right through the water to the reef. The colors will blow you away. I always have people borrowing mine.
• Spare battery for cammera/ strobe. Doing 5 dives a day, you will run out of battery fast!
• Log book, to get those great stamps everyone wants.
• I take full foot fins (rather than boots and open heal fins) while on live-a-boards in the tropics. It helps cut down weight and bulk of your gear.

What not to take:

• Excessive clothing. You will only really need basic cloths nothing to dressy. This is one area you can cut down on while on a live-a-board. (Dont forget i am a boy. Might be a different opionion if i was a girl)
• Hair dryer. (sorry now i am just getting silly.)

I hope this all helps you out! If you take my email address with you when you come to Australia, feel free to drop me an email while on the road for any questions.

Yours Truly,
Carl Fallon

P.S. I hope you make a dive or two while in Sydney. Water Temp in Sydney will probalby be 20 degree when you get here. Not too bad. Cheers mate.