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<title>Alliance Diving Blog</title><link>http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/index.html</link><description>Alliance Member News</description><dc:language>en</dc:language><dc:creator>gdeichmann@mac.com</dc:creator><dc:rights>Copyright 2006 Gunther Deichmann</dc:rights><dc:date>2008-05-15T17:25:00+08:00</dc:date><admin:generatorAgent rdf:resource="http://www.realmacsoftware.com/" />
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<lastBuildDate>Thu, 15 May 2008 18:01:50 +0800</lastBuildDate><item><title>Earth Day 2008 at Asia Divers&#x21; Puerto Galera...your Resort &#x26; DIVE destination in the Philippines </title><dc:creator>gdeichmann@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Asia Divers Articles</category><dc:date>2008-05-15T17:25:00+08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/b7a898280c7a9bafc96dbd81b254548c-221.html#unique-entry-id-221</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/b7a898280c7a9bafc96dbd81b254548c-221.html#unique-entry-id-221</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[I have picked this up from our Alliance Partner in Puerto Galera, Philippines, no other than Asia Divers with El Galleon, well done Guys.

...Thanks so much to those who jumped in to &ldquo;splash for trash&rdquo; this past weekend....  The bad was that the trash bags came back a wee bit empty; the good news was the trash bags came back a wee bit empty!!  We hope this means that people are considering the environment more and throwing less into the water.

...1) Consider your actions every day to minimize your eco footprint on our ocean planet.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Can YOU identify this Fish? Wilderness travel...Snorkeling in Palawan &#x26; Whale Sharks in Donsol... by Lee Goldman</title><dc:creator>gdeichmann@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Alliance Articles</category><dc:date>2008-05-15T11:15:19+08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/b22dbf2e9dd340c087c4284492080c73-220.html#unique-entry-id-220</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/b22dbf2e9dd340c087c4284492080c73-220.html#unique-entry-id-220</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Hi Lee, Gunther here&hellip;of course you always welcome and we are very happy to publish your real life stories, thanks Lee please keep it up, we appreciate your input very much.

...My guests all commented on how amazing it was that they actually had to swim away from the sharks rather than having to chase them down.  Needless to say, our experience with the whale sharks in Donsol was exactly as it has always been promoted; come and swim with lots of whale sharks....  No way, that&rsquo;s what I love about the Philippines; new species of fish I may know but not seen, or in my case in Donsol a new species of fish I had no idea existed....  Lee Goldman Our Philippine-Micronesia Alliance partner in Palawan Philippines is Club Paradise & Dugong Dive Center for all your travel arrangements and for Lee Goldman's Wilderness travel contact our partner in Manila Blue Horizons.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Great NEWS...BUSUANGA AIRPORT in PALAWAN Philippines extended... now more flights&#x2c;comfort...plus several Whaleshark sightings in the Coron Island area</title><dc:creator>gdeichmann@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Alliance News</category><dc:date>2008-05-12T13:06:07+08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/7de35064f4ae3abfc7963faf1be000fd-219.html#unique-entry-id-219</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/7de35064f4ae3abfc7963faf1be000fd-219.html#unique-entry-id-219</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Busuanga Airport, landing point for CLUB PARADISE, EL RIO Y MAR and the DUGONG DIVE CENTER now has a 1500 meter concrete runway plus a 400 meter gravel extension.

...Whereas before only 19 seater planes were able to land, Busuanga airport is now being served by the super fast 32-seater Do 28 (needs only 35 minutes to get there from Manila) and the 50 seater Dash-7.

...Guests of the Philippine-Micronesia Alliance and CLUB PARADISE, EL RIO Y MAR and DUGONG DIVE CENTER will get to their destination a lot faster and more comfortably now.  This will increase their time to enjoy all the exciting dive sites to see the Turtles, Dugongs, WWII Wrecks, a whole fleet was sunk in this area and of course beautiful reefs in this area.

Another great NEWS is, several Whale-sharks have been in sighted in the Coron, Palawan area, a good reason for planning your next trip to PALAWAN...the Philippines best kept secret...NATURE at its best.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Late breaking NEWS from PALAU Micronesia&#x21; Conservation issue initiated by one of the founding members from the Philippine-Micronesia Alliance</title><dc:creator>gdeichmann@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Sam&#x27;s Tours Articles</category><dc:date>2008-05-09T21:55:20+08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/bd55e7e1919290e1b42d91e57fc8aabe-218.html#unique-entry-id-218</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/bd55e7e1919290e1b42d91e57fc8aabe-218.html#unique-entry-id-218</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Ban on live fish export becomes law in Palau Micronesia a step in the right direction to preserve Palau's natural environment and unique Bio-diversity.  See below excerps from a News Paper article by the Horizon News Staff

With a stroke of his pen, president Tommy Remengesau, Jr.  has put a stop to the export of live reef fish yesterday in Bai Mengeliakl, Ngarchelong....  makes it clear, the significance of stopping the exportation of live reef fish yesterday.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>PALAUTOURS.COM updated today May 7th 2008...including the FSM...Federated States of Micronesia...plus a lot more very soon.</title><dc:creator>gdeichmann@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Alliance Articles</category><dc:date>2008-05-09T18:33:14+08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/6457489b3dd55bd632202f2c70251c49-217.html#unique-entry-id-217</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/6457489b3dd55bd632202f2c70251c49-217.html#unique-entry-id-217</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[This blog was posted on the Palautours.com site, we like to share this with you since we are so close to each other......  Before you make all our travel arrangements check it out...why not stop over in the Philippines for a few extra days and Dive some of the best Bio diversity in the world.  Plan your trip as a combination Philippines - Micronesia then you have the very best of both worlds.

...we have just updated the palautours.com site changes and NEW additions are as follow; Micronesia section is updated see the screenshot on this blog - a Palau and Regional map has been added - in the Photo Gallery we have now provided caption on all the images for easy identification - Getting here is been updated - some pages have additional text - plus we have changed some photos in various categories.  More to come by this weekend and an incredible update is in progress for the Dive sites of Palau, we will feature most of the dive sites and not only the popular ones, a big undertaking but I am sure you enjoy it once that is done.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>A NEW Website on PALAU Micronesia...bringing the Philippines and Micronesia closer? Travel News from the Pacific...</title><dc:creator>gdeichmann@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Alliance Articles</category><dc:date>2008-05-07T12:37:46+08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/c59c0692f905b093d66eefea1d2bf442-216.html#unique-entry-id-216</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/c59c0692f905b093d66eefea1d2bf442-216.html#unique-entry-id-216</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[I have just picked up this Blog Post from the PalauTours Blog @ http://www.palautours.com a very interesting NEW site which promise to be a huge source of information, I guess they still sorting out some issues but from what I have seen so far WOW.

...To some extend these islands are still unexplored in parts hence the recent discovery of some unusual inhabitants (see our last blog) the scientist are still debating who and where these small people came from.  PalauTours.com is trying to keep you well informed from this part of the World, not only on leisure activities, but news on Marine life, Science projects, discoveries and of course environmental related issues....  &copy; Gunther Deichmann - Hotel, Resorts, Restaurant and Bar Guide/Information on Palau...click the image and go to Palautours.com http://www.palautours.com/gallery.html  &copy; Gunther Deichmann - Duty Free & Retail stores, Tour Operators Government offices, Conservation & Medical services plus a lot more...click the image and go to Palautours.com http://www.palautours.com/gallery.html]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>NEW TRUK STOP HOTEL &#x26; TRUK LAGGON DIVE CENTER&#x27;S WEB SITE...Your tech diving experts...Your facility with HELIUM...TRIMIX...</title><dc:creator>gdeichmann@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Trukstop Articles</category><dc:date>2008-05-05T13:22:14+08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/360ad045965f79ead2f205f9fc75c232-215.html#unique-entry-id-215</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/360ad045965f79ead2f205f9fc75c232-215.html#unique-entry-id-215</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Your expert on wrecks and all technical diving in Chuuk Micronesia the only place on the island with a permanent supply of HELIUM...you just have to bring your Re-Breather we take care of the rest.

...We have Bauer Compressors and use a Haskel Pump for blending Nitrox and Trimix, and our expatriate PADI certified professional dive staffs take care of the technical and recreational diver with equal care and consideration.

Our Hotel Restaurant serves international, western style and local food daily from 6:00am till 10:00pm and offers inside dining in air conditioned, smoke free comfort or outside on our patio right next to the world famous Truk Lagoon.

...The Hard Wreck Caf&eacute; & Bar is the favorite hangout for resident expatriates, the traveling businessman, island visitors and local residents and is the place to enjoy a friendly game of pool, your favorite beverage, karaoke with friends, or just rest up for your next dive or business meeting.  Other services available through the hotel include a relaxing, stress busting massage at The Body Shop, fresh breads, cakes and desserts from our Bakery, handicrafts & souvenirs from our Gift Shop, u-drives from our Car Rental fleet, and business services at our well equipped Conference Facilities.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Did You Know...? Dinosaurs dung...&#x26; three DUGONGS spotted at the HOUSE REEF at Club Paradise last week...Dive with Dugong Dive Center</title><dc:creator>gdeichmann@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Did you know?</category><dc:date>2008-05-04T21:08:00+08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/1a7fe94323228ffbabe5f931f80cf552-214.html#unique-entry-id-214</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/1a7fe94323228ffbabe5f931f80cf552-214.html#unique-entry-id-214</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[&copy; Courtesy of Dugong Dive Center in Palawan, Philippines click the image or the link below to visit the website @ http://www.dugongdivecenter.com/ I have just received this report from Dirk Fahrenbach, yes three (3) DUGONGS right at the House reef at Club Paradise grazing the seaweed bed.  This is the only place in the Philippines where you can observe these amazing and gentle creatures in the wild, the area is well protected by a conservation Park.

Another article but not related to our Dugong sighting is that of a Auction where some fossilized Dinosaurs dung has been sold for some US$ 1000.00 very interesting reading...

...Two pieces of dinosaur dung have been sold at auction for $960 (&pound;486) at an auction house in New York.

...The buyer is reported to be Steve Tsengas, the 71-year-old owner of a company that sells products to treat pet animal waste in Ohio.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>OUR ENVIRONMENT...&#x26; Exhibition in Armenia with images by Gunther Deichmann and many other international Photographers</title><dc:creator>gdeichmann@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Did you know?</category><dc:date>2008-05-01T18:52:31+08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/fd832ca0821eb31c52dc86a619bacf16-213.html#unique-entry-id-213</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/fd832ca0821eb31c52dc86a619bacf16-213.html#unique-entry-id-213</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[To go to the Center click on the image The Armenian Center for Contemporary Experimental Art: ACCEA " NPAK" in Armenian acronymis an alternative center for avant-garde and modern art in Yerevan, Armenia

We have to take care of our PLANET and the ENVIRONMENT otherwise there be nothing left for our Children&hellip; we all need to contribute & STOP Global Warming.

Some of Gunther Deichmann's images have been recently part of an international Exhibition in Armenia...for more detailed information some links below&hellip; many other international Photographers have contributed images for the Exhibition and environmental awareness, for a complete list of all the participants and sponsors including the WWF World Wildlife Fund in Armenia go to the provided links below&hellip; I am happy and proud to have been part of this Exhibition in providing images creating awareness for our fragile environment.

...The image above was taken in Palau Micronesia it was used as the Cover for the official Exhibition Booklet, for other environmental related images by Gunther Deichmann click the link below: http://www.deichmann-photo.com/environment.html

...Slide show of the images from the Exhibition by Gunther Deichmann click on the link or image above.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Late breaking NEWS&#x2026;the Photos &#x26; an APPETIZER...the real thing from Palawan Philippines with Lee &#x26; WILDERNESS TRAVEL&#x2026; A  KAYAK  JOURNEY &#x26; BEYOND&#x2026;&#x201d;where no man has ever gone before&#x201d;&#x2026;soon part of the Alliance.&#xa;</title><dc:creator>gdeichmann@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Alliance News</category><dc:date>2008-04-29T21:22:47+08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/4466ab20149d24277a87910ea9a5ff6d-212.html#unique-entry-id-212</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/4466ab20149d24277a87910ea9a5ff6d-212.html#unique-entry-id-212</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Today another lad strolled into the office & not just anybody&hellip;my good friend and soon a new Alliance Partner Lee Goldman Marine Biologist and Expedition Leader of a great new Tour in Palawan Philippines.  Supported by Wilderness Travel and our partner in Manila Blue Horizons, Dugong Dive Center and Club Paradise in Palawan&hellip;the last frontier in the Philippines with spectacular limestone cliffs equal to Palau and Thailand.

...There be a lot more in the near future, you just have to stay tuned or subscribe to our blog&hellip; A lot of exciting things are on the way&hellip;see below some of Lee&rsquo;s Photos and text from his recent trip in April 2008, just completed&hellip;very cool and amazing&hellip;YOU should join him on his next trip and experience the Philippines like no other has done before&hellip;sounds familiar yes&hellip; STARTREK&hellip;but hurry bookings have to be made well in advance.

...The first PHILIPPINES Expedition for WILDERNESS TRAVEL is in the books and as I have done in previous blogs I want to thank some of the Philippine-Micronesian Alliance partners, Dirk Fahrenbach at Dugong Dive Center at Club Paradise and Blue Horizon Travel for their help in making it a successful tour....  Of course, our 5-star chef at camp helped in areas all marine enthusiasts are familiar with: growling stomachs at the end of a full day of fun&hellip;& there be a lot more very soon&hellip; this is only an appetizer.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>LATEST NEWS&#x2026; YOU have to read this very interesting story&#x2c; again it gets to show YOU&#x2026;how little we do know about our PLANET and the OCEAN...like an ALIEN from a different WORLD.</title><dc:creator>gdeichmann@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Did you know?</category><dc:date>2008-04-28T22:19:29+08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/619edeb786909c817787b5d7e4b789c5-211.html#unique-entry-id-211</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/619edeb786909c817787b5d7e4b789c5-211.html#unique-entry-id-211</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Like an ALIEN from a different WORLD...very cool&hellip;the image below is nothing in comparison from what this article has in store for you&hellip; Thanks to Walter Ty again.

...Squid under a Boat in Micronesia, for more images from the Philippine-Micronesia Alliance destinations click on the Image above or this link.

...Image: Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa ( go to the link below and view the image) Dr Kubodera examines the eye of the smaller, partial colossal squid specimen Technicians in New Zealand have begun to thaw a rare colossal squid specimen.

...Very little is known about colossal squid, which appear to live largely in the cold Antarctic waters and can grow up to 15 metres (50 feet) long. "They're incredibly rare - this is probably one of maybe six specimens ever brought up," said Carol Diebel, director of natural environment at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa centre.

...It was identified first in 1925 from two tentacles found in a sperm whale's stomach&hellip; You have to read on...more images and text @ http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7367774.stm]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>PHOTOS &#x26; NEWS from the ADEX DIVE SHOW IN SINGAPORE...&#x26; party time at the German Club MANILA Philippines with the Jazz Band... Johnny Alegre AFFINITY</title><dc:creator>gdeichmann@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Alliance News</category><dc:date>2008-04-26T15:49:35+08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/5fc7ff583c8b2f9b7cf8615e0f6cce7e-210.html#unique-entry-id-210</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/5fc7ff583c8b2f9b7cf8615e0f6cce7e-210.html#unique-entry-id-210</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Welcome back Dirk Fahrenbach&hellip; the lad just strolled into the office 5 minutes ago with some photos and information from the ADEX Dive Show in Singapore.

...Now back to ADEX and Dirk; Allan Nash and Tommy from Asia Divers with El Galleon attended the show at the Philippine Department of Tourism Booth&hellip;Wow Philippines.  According to Dirk the ADEX show was the very best he had attended compared to previous years, getting many requests for diving with Dugongs and on the Philippine-Micronesia Alliance.

...Our Philippine-Micronesia Alliance partners Dirk Fahrenbach from Club Paradise and Dugong Dive Center in Palawan with Allan Nash from Asia Divers with El Galleon Beach Resort in Puerto Galera Philippines...

...Presentation on the Celebrate the Seas Festival soon to be held in Manila at ADEX Singapore 2008 You have to forgive me today for not writing to much, I am still suffering a bit, but don&rsquo;t worry more to come in the next few days including an article of some exciting new developments in Palawan&hellip;I guess you just have to stay tuned or subscribe to our Blog.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>An Amazing story and a science report&#x2026;  NO SEX for all-girl fish species&#x2026;&#xa;plus some sharks have seen numbers fall by as much as 75&#x25; in 15 years&#x2026;&#xa;lets keep OUR PLANET GREEN &#x26; INTACT.&#xa;</title><dc:creator>gdeichmann@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Did you know?</category><dc:date>2008-04-24T13:41:20+08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/b0ed929b41679b73445499fa2eaa746b-209.html#unique-entry-id-209</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/b0ed929b41679b73445499fa2eaa746b-209.html#unique-entry-id-209</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[My very special thanks go to Walter Ty for bringing this to my attention&hellip; Sorry no Photos today but if you go to: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/ edinburgh_and_east/7360770.stm There you find a cool Pod cast and a photo of this amazing little fish from the Amazon, discovery been made everyday and we are learning so much about our environment except how to take care of it&hellip;lets start now.

...Scientists believe the fish, which are still thriving in rivers in south-east Texas and north-east Mexico, are using special genetic survival "tricks" to help them stay alive.

...Dr Laurence Loewe, of the university's School of Biological Sciences, said: "What we have shown now is that this fish really has something special going on and that some special tricks exist to help this fish survive.

..."If we needed more justification for action to conserve species, it offers dozens of dramatic examples of both why and how citizens can act in ways that will conserve, rather than destroy, the species that enrich our lives."  Killing the cure One creature whose potential benefits have been lost to science is the southern gastric brooding frog (Rheobatrachus silus), say the authors&hellip;more info and Photos at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7361539.stm]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>LATE BREAKING NEWS&#x21; &#x22;The Pink Pearls of the Pacific&#x22; The annual mass spawning of corals on the PALAU archipelago in the western PACIFIC has occurred right on cue</title><dc:creator>gdeichmann@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Sam&#x27;s Tours Articles</category><dc:date>2008-04-22T13:30:37+08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/f9a0ca664fc68811d764bea4085b2221-208.html#unique-entry-id-208</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/f9a0ca664fc68811d764bea4085b2221-208.html#unique-entry-id-208</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Walter Ty has done it again...thanks so much...from what I have heard the spawning is over...you lucky divers who had been in Palau during this time.  Maybe the visibility was not so great to see all the other marine life...but then the coral spawning is something not to be missed...natures gift to man and a reminder that we have to take care of our environment...ironically the month of April is suppose to be the green month...I guess Palau has both, above it is green and below during the spawning it is all pink.

...See what a mass spawning at Palau looks like (Reefvid.org) As we got into the boat for our trip to Luke's reef, I admit I was not really expecting to see the mass spawning on the exact night of the full Moon.  All the visiting scientists here thought it was more likely the reproductive extravaganza would happen the next evening or the following one - based on what had happened the last two years.  The only person who seemed sure it would happen on cue was Steven Victor, the Palauan director of the Palau International Coral Reef Center.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>GREAT NEWS&#x21; Catching corals&#x27; spectacular moment&#x2026; witness one of the wonders in the world this April in Palau&#x2026;catch the corals with Sam&#x2019;s Tours and process your images in the only Digital Photo Center in Micronesia on Apple iMacs with Aperture.&#xa;</title><dc:creator>gdeichmann@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Did you know?</category><dc:date>2008-04-21T13:47:30+08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/ac298bcb41a40a001da9661ae7cb446b-207.html#unique-entry-id-207</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/ac298bcb41a40a001da9661ae7cb446b-207.html#unique-entry-id-207</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Again I have received this amazing and very cool information from our silent&hellip; well not so silent anymore friend Walter Ty&hellip;thanks Walter...read this amazing event just about to happen at one of our partners front door&hellip;Sam&rsquo;s Tours in Palau Micronesia&hellip;catching corals&hellip;I wish I could be there&hellip;but if you get a chance to witness this amazing spectacle please let me know, tell us about your experience and if you have any photos please send us one or two, of course we give you all the credit for it.

...Luke's reef (BBC) Luke's reef: Reared larvae will come here once they are ready to settle The coral reefs in the tropical western Pacific are at the brink of one of the most spectacular and significant nights in their annual life cycle.

...The scientists are here to investigate the potential of an experimental technique known as coral seeding - in other words, collecting some of the spawn from mass mating events and using it to promote the growth of new corals on reefs in need of rescue.

...Most of the eggs and larvae from a mass spawning event are eaten or die before they get an anchor hold on the sea bed, so there is plenty of spawn to share around.

...Making up a coral nursery (BBC) The approach has to be low-tech to succeed, the scientists believe Twenty-four-hours later, the team will check to see how many of their "seeds" have settled by removing small tiles they've placed on the reef balls.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Late breaking NEWS from the ADEX show in Singapore&#x2c; plus...MacDive Matchmaker realizing that his beloved Suunto D9 and Mac computer were having communication issues...</title><dc:creator>gdeichmann@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Alliance Articles</category><dc:date>2008-04-19T22:00:34+08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/2bc57f8001029d0f3e415cc64d0dfcde-206.html#unique-entry-id-206</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/2bc57f8001029d0f3e415cc64d0dfcde-206.html#unique-entry-id-206</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[only minutes ago I talked to Dirk Fahrenbach from Dugong Dive Center in Palawan who is attending the ADEX show in Singapore other Alliance partners attending the show are Asia Divers from Puerto Galera with Allan Nash, according to Dirk the show is well represented with old friends like Jason Heller from Dive Photo Guide and many others...for sure I am getting some images in the next few days with a detailed report.

...Realising that his beloved Suunto D9 and Mac computer were having communication issues, Singapore-based Kiwi Nick Shore created MacDive, a free application to help the two get along.  Nick says: &ldquo;There wasn&rsquo;t an application that had the functionality I wanted or the look and feel of a Mac application, and I thought it would be easiest to just start from scratch and make the exact app I wanted....  Nick plans to continue developing MacDive, adding support for more dive computer brands as well as additional functionality, and he&rsquo;s keen to receive user feedback on where to take the application next.  At the same time, Nick is working on a project with two programmers and divers from Belgium and Canada to make it easier to develop applications for the majority of dive computers on the market.&rdquo;First things first, though.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Rare Sea horses but this time from the Thames...London? Yes you are right... just amazing... is this because of Global warming or is our environment improving? </title><dc:creator>gdeichmann@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Did you know?</category><dc:date>2008-04-19T19:04:26+08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/24eb8b56dbc1e2505cd4018d60a1ce11-205.html#unique-entry-id-205</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/24eb8b56dbc1e2505cd4018d60a1ce11-205.html#unique-entry-id-205</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[You might remember one of my earlier blogs on Sea horses from Asia Divers in Puerto Galera Philippines, see below or read the whole story in our archives under: Did You Know?

Asia Divers & El Galleon in Puerto Galera Philippines, you might not witness the courtship behavior of the Sea Horse during your dive...but mark my words......  I have been diving for many years there and you have to be "blind" not to came across them in the Sebang area, do yourself a favor, next time you dive with Asia Divers ask your dive guide to bring you up close with these amazing sea creatures in Sebang Bay...you want be disappointed.

...They are usually found in shallow muddy waters, estuaries or seagrass beds and conservationists said their presence in the Thames is another good sign that the water quality of the river was improving.

Monitoring work Alison Shaw, from London Zoo, said: "These amazing creatures have been found in the Thames on a number of occasions in the last 18 months during our regular wildlife monitoring work.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Late News from  Scuba Diving Magazine...Bottom Time...announcement of Sam&#x27;s Tours Digital Photo Center including Aperture 2 in Palau Micronesia</title><dc:creator>gdeichmann@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Alliance Media</category><dc:date>2008-04-16T17:13:40+08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/23d511b95f04c9ba70237fbc87ee952d-204.html#unique-entry-id-204</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/23d511b95f04c9ba70237fbc87ee952d-204.html#unique-entry-id-204</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[just received this press release from Dermot Keane Sam's Tours Palau Micronesia...please read below the article in the online Scuba Diving Magazine...Bottom Time.

...Sam's Tours' all new Digital Photo Center is fully equipped to cater to digital photographers of all interest levels, from those with handy point-and-shoot cameras to the most demanding digital photographers shooting in RAW format.  Their six top-of-the-line Apple iMac workstations are loaded with terabytes and terabytes of storage, archiving and secure data backup systems, lots of RAM, and completely optimized for digital imaging with Apple Aperture 2 image management software, Adobe Photoshop Elements, Bridge, Toast, and topped off with DSL Wi-Fi internet access.

...Plus, you can rent new Canon SD850 Digital Cameras and Canon ZR830 Digital Minicams with underwater housings.  Other camera-friendly improvements include an expanded "dry zone" for Camera Preparation and Charging and a new Camera Drying Station complete with towels and compressed air for post-rinsing camera care.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>What has a Whale  in common with India &#x26; Boracay in the Philippines&#x2026;? More than you might think... just amazing.</title><dc:creator>gdeichmann@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Calypso Pinjalo Articles</category><dc:date>2008-04-15T17:18:40+08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/bdb87f43e4c8bfa03c59ae81ac960e5c-203.html#unique-entry-id-203</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/bdb87f43e4c8bfa03c59ae81ac960e5c-203.html#unique-entry-id-203</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[As you know I have just returned from Mumbai in India & Boracay in the Philippines...

...If you book a Safari trip with Calypso Diving in Boracay then you have a good chance to see them in Panagatan and if you go to Kashmir in India you might find some of their relative in sedimentary rocks as fossils.

...The animal was small, stocky and about the size of a raccoon The whale is descended from a deer-like animal that lived 48 million years ago, according to fossil evidence.

Remains found in the Kashmir region of India suggest the fox-sized mammal is the long-sought land-based ancestor of whales, dolphins and porpoises.

...Whales are known to be descended from land-dwellers but the "missing link" has been a mystery until now&hellip;for more interesting reading and photos click the link below:]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>About 40 million years ago&#x2c; when the Earth looked dramatically different to how it does today...did you know?</title><dc:creator>gdeichmann@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Did you know?</category><dc:date>2008-04-14T22:57:05+08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/8093759847a018d94172a274f5734aa7-202.html#unique-entry-id-202</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/8093759847a018d94172a274f5734aa7-202.html#unique-entry-id-202</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[To watch this amazing video click the image About 40 million years ago, when the Earth looked dramatically different to how it does today, a tiny arachnid was crawling around in the Baltic.

..."I spent a long time looking at this piece and then I noticed something was in there hiding beneath a layer - it looked like a leg.

..."When we looked at the amber under the microscope we could see it was a harvestman," said Dr Andrew Ross, collection manager of fossil invertebrates and plants.

...Amber with arachnid (NHM) Usually some of the legs will snap off as the insects try to escape the sticky resin, but this one must have got stuck fast Dr Andrew Ross, Natural History Museum

..."But what is really interesting is that all of its legs are still intact - usually some of the legs will snap off as the insects try to escape the sticky resin, but this one must have got stuck fast."]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Sharks could protect us from severe storms and Typhoons...stop the killing of this amazing creature which has been around for million of years</title><dc:creator>gdeichmann@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Did you know?</category><dc:date>2008-03-28T17:33:48+08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/8ff45a42486e3e1b744340d4da7dc49b-201.html#unique-entry-id-201</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/8ff45a42486e3e1b744340d4da7dc49b-201.html#unique-entry-id-201</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Lauren Smith studied dogfish, a type of small shark Sharks could be used to predict storms following research by a marine biology student.

...It was prompted by an earlier shark habitat study in Florida, which coincided with the arrival of Hurricane Gabrielle in 2001, when observations suggested that juvenile blacktop sharks moved into deeper water in association with the approaching storm.

...Miss Smith, who completed her first degree in marine biology and coastal ecology at Plymouth University, studied shark behavior in the wild at the Bimini Biological Field Station in the Bahamas....  Work at the Bimini Shark Lab enabled her to observe shark behavior by placing data-logging tags to record pressure and temperature on juvenile lemon sharks, while also tracking them using acoustic tags and GPS technology.

...She is due to complete her PhD and prepare papers for publication later this year and will be looking for a job which will give her the chance to expand her experience of shark research.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Scuba divers get the chance to observe the wired and wonderful&#x2026; amazing things happen on our planet&#x2026; courtships and rock an&#x2019; roll&#x2026;</title><dc:creator>gdeichmann@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Asia Divers Articles</category><dc:date>2008-03-27T12:24:32+08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/ffd0766ca1f4fec9b17c9e83d6070780-200.html#unique-entry-id-200</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/ffd0766ca1f4fec9b17c9e83d6070780-200.html#unique-entry-id-200</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[I thought Valentines day was over&hellip;I guess not, here I am getting articles from Asia Divers in Puerto Galera and now a very interesting story from our silent supporter Walter Ty, thanks Walter we all appreciate your input.

The last blog has been on the mating and courtship of the sea horses&hellip;now we have some real weird ones from the Amazon river dolphin's courtship, some how all during the month of March&hellip; enjoy this cool story.

...I have to sign off now, I am listening to Wishbone Ash&hellip;not Nash&hellip; sorry folks&hellip;to cool to miss&hellip; right Allan&hellip;who is Allan&hellip; you better check out the Point Bar in Puerto Galera you might run into him&hellip;they play the coolest music on the beach.

..."They would also throw it or smash it against the surface, and it does appear that the waving around and bashing is to impress the ladies; but at the same time there's a lot of aggression between adult males, and we have to infer that's part of it."

...River dolphins are among the most threatened of all cetaceans; the baiji, a native of the Yangtze in China, may already have gone extinct in the last two years, while numbers of the Indus or blind river dolphin of South Asia are believed to be down to around the 3,000 mark.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Sea Horse Courtship...Asia Divers reports from Puerto Galera&#x2c; the Divers Choice in the Philippines...scuba diving with one of the best.</title><dc:creator>gdeichmann@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Did you know?</category><dc:date>2008-03-25T14:44:48+08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/c8d0b21178a72b12b728ec29ebd885b8-199.html#unique-entry-id-199</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/c8d0b21178a72b12b728ec29ebd885b8-199.html#unique-entry-id-199</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[I have received this interesting article from Anthony May via Allan Nash at Asia Divers & El Galleon in Puerto Galera Philippines, you might not witness the courtship behavior of the Sea Horse during your dive...but mark my words......  I have been diving for many years there and you have to be "blind" not to came across them in the Sebang area, do yourself a favor, next time you dive with Asia Divers ask your dive guide to bring you up close with these amazing sea creatures in Sebang Bay...you want be disappointed.  Hey, dont forget your underwater camera...you never know you might get lucky and see the courtship of this amazing critter.

...Nose to nose they gently spiral up in to the water column and the egg is exchanged from the female to the males pouch.  This has to occur at a depth at least six times their body length or the egg transfer will fail.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>A Tribute to John Bennett...the Legend lives on...he was the deepest diver in the world &#x26; and Pioneer...we miss you John.</title><dc:creator>gdeichmann@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Alliance News</category><dc:date>2008-03-16T17:22:18+08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/a49932e92b3e176b9c23598e95c7ae5f-198.html#unique-entry-id-198</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/a49932e92b3e176b9c23598e95c7ae5f-198.html#unique-entry-id-198</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Have a moment please...think and pay tribute to John Bennett a legend in the Dive industry, a moment of silence and our thought to his family...we all miss you very much, from the Philippine-Micronesia Alliance.  See the letter and images below I just received from his good friend Mark Cox in Australia.  Thank you so much Mark in sharing the photos and memories of this truly great man, we all appreciate this very much.

...We gathered yesterday for a remembrance of this great man that lead the way for divers & pioneers of today, he was a LEGEND, we love him & miss him.  The deepest diver in the world John Bennett, we will never forget you, from Mark Cox, a good friend."]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Triple &#x201c;D&#x201d;&#x2026;Dirk&#x2026;Dolphins &#x26; Dugongs all have something in common&#x2026;articles from the Philippines &#x26; New Zealand for divers and nature lovers.&#xa;</title><dc:creator>gdeichmann@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Dugong Dive Ctr Articles</category><dc:date>2008-03-14T16:08:02+08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/bd694612bcb6839aea143b4aca1c1bb9-197.html#unique-entry-id-197</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/bd694612bcb6839aea143b4aca1c1bb9-197.html#unique-entry-id-197</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[You should have been there the other day, he said&hellip; Wow&hellip;we where snorkeling with five of them and two days later another two posing for the cameras&hellip;now is the time to make a trip to Club Paradise and Dugong Dive Center.

...I have also received some info from our supporter Walter Ty about an article on how a Dolphin rescued some stranded/beached Whales in New Zealand, this shows you only to well that we have to take care of our Oceans and Environment.

...Moko the dolphin Moko is well known locally for playing with swimmers in the bay A dolphin has come to the rescue of two whales that had become stranded on a beach in New Zealand.

..."I don't speak whale and I don't speak dolphin," Mr. Smith told the BBC, "but there was obviously something that went on because the two whales changed their attitude from being quite distressed to following the dolphin quite willingly and directly along the beach and straight out to sea."

..."I shouldn't do this I know, we are meant to remain scientific," Mr. Smith said, "but I actually went into the water with the dolphin and gave it a pat afterwards because she really did save the day."]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Blue Horizons Travel...a thank you note...plus Wilderness travel in Palawan...&#x26; dive the wrecks of Coron Bay with Asia Divers...dive and explore the last frontier in the Philippines</title><dc:creator>gdeichmann@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Blue Horizons Articles</category><dc:date>2008-03-12T15:49:52+08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/5da319217a85acd8a41fec02f826d7f4-196.html#unique-entry-id-196</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/5da319217a85acd8a41fec02f826d7f4-196.html#unique-entry-id-196</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[In his letter Lee expressed his sincere thanks to Jem from Blue Horizons Travel I like also to take this opportunity and thank Jem personally for his hard work and effort in helping to put together the super package and Prize for the Layang Layang Photo Contest a lot more details on this later, thanks Jem.

...Jem Kemp from Blue Horizon Travel has been extremely helpful in arranging our flights to and from Legaspi, where we will continue on to Donsol for a couple of days snorkeling with Whale Sharks, and for all of the transfers for our guests when they arrive in Manila.

...So, when coordinating 5 days of luxury kayak camping (that&rsquo;s tents, supplies, equipment, personnel and their travel arrangement, the outfitting of our new boat, coordination of the daily excursions, food procurement, and contingency plans) became almost as much as I can handle, Jem came through by taking care of the guests in Manila, thus alleviating some of the weight from my shoulders.

...Photos: &copy; Gunther Deichmann &ndash; Images from Palawan&hellip;the last frontier in the Philippines and a heaven for nature lovers, pristine beaches, crystal clear water surrounded by majestic limestone cliffs and spectacular diving&hellip; explore and discover this incredible part of the Philippines with Lee Goldman and our other Alliance partners.

...Asia Divers our partner in Puerto Galera visits Palawan frequently for the wrecks in Coron Bay, Asia Divers with El Galleon Beach Resort is also a major sponsor of the Layang Layang Photo Contest, for more info on Wreck diving with Asia Divers check out our previous blog from David Ross at: http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/category-asia-divers-articles.html]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Sea cucumbers &#x26; Parkinson&#x27;s desease a medical source from our ocean...Layang  Layang Photo Contest in Malaysia&#x2c; proudly sponsored by the Alliance</title><dc:creator>gdeichmann@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Did you know?</category><dc:date>2008-03-10T23:02:35+08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/01e21b843072c93c3e1c4df18d16e7c8-195.html#unique-entry-id-195</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/01e21b843072c93c3e1c4df18d16e7c8-195.html#unique-entry-id-195</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[nothing to do with cooking or your favorite chefs Salad...however this could be very important for the future...and again another medical source from our ocean, we have to be so careful, protect and stop polluting our natural resources and Oceans.

...However the participating partners are in the Philippines: Asia Divers with El Galleon Beach Resort in Puerto Galera - in Micronesia Sam's Tours Palau and Truk Stop Dive Center and Hotel in Chuuk or better known as Truk Lagoon.  Our Travel agent and partner Blue Horizons in Manila made all the arrangement and chipped in also for the winners, a lot more in details soon on the website of Fins Magazine and more on our Blog...soon, very soon we let you have all the fantastic details.

...Sea cucumbers inspired the design of stimuli-responsive polymer nanocomposites with adaptive mechanical properties (Fred Carpenter) The response of a startled sea cucumber has inspired a new material that could one day be used to build brain implants for patients with Parkinson's disease.

...There is a mechanical mismatch - the electrode is rigid but the brain is more like jello Christoph Weder When exposed to water, the water molecules "competitively bond" with the fibres.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Shark feeding...a very sad Shark encounter...a tragedy that happened in the Bahamas...lets learn some lessons from it...plus photographing Crocodiles</title><dc:creator>gdeichmann@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Did you know?</category><dc:date>2008-03-07T13:40:00+08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/1122e28c6e44958032ce575a86e4750c-194.html#unique-entry-id-194</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/1122e28c6e44958032ce575a86e4750c-194.html#unique-entry-id-194</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[To those in opposition against shark feeding, this was a situation that solidified their platform and, in all truthfulness, gives them the good evidence they need to put a stop to this practice....  In the article it mentions that although there seems to be more shark attacks (which the author claims is the result of an increasing exposure or encroachment of people into the sharks territory), there are comparatively fewer deaths than several decades ago. I will not debate the higher numbers of swimmers, but I do have another point of view against the reasons for lower deaths....  The bottom line is that safety was compromised by making the hospital farther away, making the time for properly trained EMT&rsquo;s to arrive longer, making the time for the victim to reach proper medical facilities longer&hellip;and making the conscious decision to do this so as to provide a service, but also to earn a living....  Perhaps there should have been a discussion like &ldquo;okay, we have to go farther offshore, so we need to make it safer because we don&rsquo;t have as direct access to evacuation and EMT care....  Similar to my approach to any high risk adventure that is made available to the public (usually a less-informed public) for a price, I am not in opposition, just asking for a higher margin of safety.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Diving and voting for Tubbataha Reef in the Philippines...the seven new wonders of the world&#x2c; more elections...</title><dc:creator>gdeichmann@mac.com</dc:creator><category>International Events</category><dc:date>2008-03-05T12:53:52+08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/ac522733634f66c60a1f29936eab5545-193.html#unique-entry-id-193</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/ac522733634f66c60a1f29936eab5545-193.html#unique-entry-id-193</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[More and more elections this time of the year, we have had Putin and Russia, then in the US Obama v Hillary plus all the others, I think in Iran soon, it is all over the place not to mention the Shark vote from the other day on our blog and now Tubbataha Reef has been nominated as one of the seven new Wonders of the World.

...The Philippine-Micronesia Alliance is supporting the conservation and protection of this unique reef in the Philippines.  The 96,000- hectare Tubbataha Reef, Asia's best marine park, has been  nominated as one of the seven new Wonders of the World.  

...These include manta rays, lionfish,  tortoises, clownfish and sharks.  You can vote for Tubbataha Reef by going to this site:  http://www.new7wonders.com/nature  Search for the nominees and you will be asked to vote for 7 sites.  The  trick is, choose Tubbataha Reef as your first choice and for the other  six, select the most unknown nominees.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Late breaking NEWS...Philippine- Micronesia Alliance proudly sponsors Layang Layang Photo Contest in Malaysia</title><dc:creator>gdeichmann@mac.com</dc:creator><category>International Events</category><dc:date>2008-03-03T15:44:06+08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/52fa12a095002fe010c7ca52ce77b623-192.html#unique-entry-id-192</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/52fa12a095002fe010c7ca52ce77b623-192.html#unique-entry-id-192</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Late breaking NEWS...

The Philippine - Micronesia Alliance proudly announces to be part of this years Layang Layang Photo Contest in Malaysia as one of the sponsors, we announce the operators and destinations very shorly on our Blog, incredible prizes for the winners of this years contest, stay tuned for more details in the coming days.  GD]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>&#x424;&#x418;&#x41b;&#x418;&#x41f;&#x41f;&#x418;&#x41d;&#x42b; - &#x41c;&#x418;&#x41a;&#x420;&#x41e;&#x41d;&#x415;&#x417;&#x418;&#x42f; &#x410;&#x41b;&#x42c;&#x42f;&#x41d;&#x421;&#x423; &#xae; 2008 From Russia with Love... sounds familiar...yes&#x2c; 2008 Golden Dolphin Photo and Film Festival&#x2c; Moscow</title><dc:creator>gdeichmann@mac.com</dc:creator><category>International Events</category><dc:date>2008-03-03T13:00:24+08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/48e5837276c33bfa955a4cfea95f9db5-191.html#unique-entry-id-191</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/48e5837276c33bfa955a4cfea95f9db5-191.html#unique-entry-id-191</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[sounds familiar...yes, even more so once you see some of the images from the Golden Dolphin Show you have to see these Girls......  Enjoy the article from Dive Photo Guide and have your own opinion on the photos...brrrrrrrrr but so HOT..., well the russians certainly have a very different approach, how would that be in the tropics?

...The capital of the Russian Federation serves as a huge scene to this festival - the combination of the beauty of the underwater world and the rich city results a very colorful and lively festival and exhibition.

...Sim Magazine has chosen a very special way to promote the magazine, as you can see here below...you don't see this type of promotion in the US.

...Наш ислючительный индивидуальный сервиc от первоклассных отелей для подводников на Филиппинах, Палау и рэк-лагун в Микронезии, а также разнообразие туристических маршрутов делает путешествия и подводное плавание в этом фантастическом месте Тихого океана еще интересней и удобней, чем прежде.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>More News for our Underwater Photographers...Sam&#x27;s Tours running very soon on the new Aperture 2...plus iPod magic</title><dc:creator>gdeichmann@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Alliance Photography</category><dc:date>2008-03-02T16:05:32+08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/d1f79739194f1aef408c502c0ea4fdc0-190.html#unique-entry-id-190</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/d1f79739194f1aef408c502c0ea4fdc0-190.html#unique-entry-id-190</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Surviving for our underwater photographers has just become a lot easier in Palau, Aperture 2 is on it's way, ready for YOU to use.

Sam's Tours Digital Photo Center is the only one of it's kind in Palau, Micronesia and in the Pacific, check out my previous blogs or go direct to Sam's Tours DPC site click this link Sam's Tours DPC.

&copy; Gunther Deichmann - that is how it looks on my personal iPOD But we offer a lot more at Sam's, now you can upload all your holiday/vacation photos on your iPod, the staff at the DPC will be happy to assist you with all your requirements, the only thing you have to do...

...We can do the same with your video footage, at Sam's Tours you connected and can concentrate on your diving, we take care of the rest, surviving for all our underwater photographers has just become a lot more realistic and fun.

Now enjoy your vacation, dive the great dive sites of Palau like, Blue Corner and Blue Hole, dont feel like diving...no problem, join Sam's Tours on one of their great land tours by road or take a Kayak trip for a day or two, explore and discover Palau...]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>More late breaking NEWS&#x2026;election time above and below the waves&#x2026;&#xa;</title><dc:creator>gdeichmann@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Did you know?</category><dc:date>2008-02-28T13:16:29+08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/e548f21b85cdb58f5aaca3e710e5cd52-189.html#unique-entry-id-189</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/e548f21b85cdb58f5aaca3e710e5cd52-189.html#unique-entry-id-189</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[More late breaking NEWS from the Philippine-Micronesia Alliance&hellip;election time above and below the waves&hellip;

I guess it is election time all over the world, Hillary-Obama-plus all the others in the US, Aperture software vs. Lightroom some voting going on in the Photography world and in Russia we have the Putin era at the poll.  "Polling stations are open at Blue corner, just check with Sam's Tours in Palau."...  Check out the link below&hellip;no it is not Hillary vs Obama it is a polling station for our declining shark population.  Come on and cast your Vote at: http://www.livescience.com/bestimg/?cat=sharkweek Vote for your favorite Shark Rate them: Cast your vote here Share this story]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Nicknamed &#x22;The Monster&#x22;...&#x22;sea monster&#x22; unearthed on an Arctic island... largest marine reptile known to science... big enough to pick up a small car in its jaws and...</title><dc:creator>gdeichmann@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Did you know?</category><dc:date>2008-02-27T17:39:32+08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/74f8d999083cc8004ea9a2106293fbf5-188.html#unique-entry-id-188</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/74f8d999083cc8004ea9a2106293fbf5-188.html#unique-entry-id-188</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Lucky or unlucky for us divers and underwater photographers...can you imagine this Monster been around today...you been diving at 30 meters and all of sudden out of the blue you had to face this "Guy"...wow.  Real wet-wet-suits and finning like a duck been chased by a crocodile...but what a photo opportunity, but only if you had a super wide angle lens on your camera...but then I am not sure on that either...read about this amazing find, close your eyes and start dreaming.

...A fossilized "sea monster" unearthed on an Arctic island is the largest marine reptile known to science, Norwegian scientists have announced....  The Jurassic-era leviathan is one of 40 sea reptiles from a fossil "treasure trove" uncovered on the island.

...A large pliosaur was big enough to pick up a small car in its jaws and bite it in half Richard Forrest, plesiosaur palaeontologist And during the last field expedition, scientists discovered the remains of another pliosaur which is thought to belong to the same species as The Monster - and may have been just as colossal...]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Late News...Maldives with Asia Divers...change of Boat...book now for this incredible dive adventure</title><dc:creator>gdeichmann@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Asia Divers Articles</category><dc:date>2008-02-27T15:54:22+08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/f539d3a2b057e01845f514efc674c7bb-187.html#unique-entry-id-187</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/f539d3a2b057e01845f514efc674c7bb-187.html#unique-entry-id-187</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Correction and up date from the previous Blog regarding the Maldives with Asia Divers.

I have just received this information from Asia Divers, please refer to my previous Blog, there is a change of Boats...  it is now on the M/V Manthiri not the Aggressor, for more info please contact Allan Nash from Asia Divers @ mailto: allan@asiadivers.com or visit Asia Divers Website @ http://www.asiadivers.com/

This information is brought to you by the Philippine-Micronesia Alliance...The Divers Choice.  GD __________________________________]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Dive travel with Asia Divers... plus how bad is sunscreen for our environment?</title><dc:creator>gdeichmann@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Asia Divers Articles</category><dc:date>2008-02-27T12:18:07+08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/fa5378c2661be2a79fe4f45490256a47-186.html#unique-entry-id-186</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/fa5378c2661be2a79fe4f45490256a47-186.html#unique-entry-id-186</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[This information just came in from Asia Divers with El Galleon Beach Resort, thanks Allan for sharing this with us. Please read on below the info on Asia Divers travel to the Maldives, yes Asia Diver does go beyond Puerto Galera, travel and dive with one of the leading experts in Puerto Galera or choose some of their other exotic dive destinations like...Sardine Run, South.

...The atolls girdle over 1190 emerald islands, most of them uninhabited, and countless reefs and shallows to form a complete echo system that acts as a magnet for a cornucopia of colorful marine life ranging from blooming corals to big pelagic&hellip;.

...Skip the Sunscreen While Diving It can damage and even kill coral reefs, says a study in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives.  Italian marine biologists have linked four UV-blocking chemicals in sunscreens to coral bleaching because they cause viral infections in the symbiotic algae that live inside reef-building coral....  The researchers estimate that 5,000 tons of sunscreen wash off people in oceans annually, and that up to 10 percent of coral reefs are threatened by sunscreen-induced bleaching.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Late breaking news from Dugong Dive Center&#x2026;Ghost pipefish in masses at Club Paradise House reef... </title><dc:creator>gdeichmann@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Dugong Dive Ctr Articles</category><dc:date>2008-02-26T15:09:07+08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/a9d96c3b2ca058ce81b9d0bb1933d4f5-185.html#unique-entry-id-185</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/a9d96c3b2ca058ce81b9d0bb1933d4f5-185.html#unique-entry-id-185</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[happy to point you in the right direction, even without Dirk or his dive guides you cant get lost&hellip;you just get up in the morning and after a good breakfast at Club Paradise stroll down the beach&hellip;enter the water and you right at the house reef&hellip;the action and critters only a few feet below.

...Soon island hopping with Tashina...yes very sexy indeed...to find out more who she is go to: http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/ It comes as no surprise that VOX television from Germany had choosen Club Paradise and Dugong Dive Center for one of their location.

...but now they have arrived in Palawan too, watch their courtship at sunset right in front of the beach resort, our other partner destination in the Philppines, Puerto Galera has got them too, just check with Asia Divers, another member of the Philippine -Micronesia Alliance.

Mandarin fish now in Palawan Photo: &copy; Gunther Deichmann So what are you waiting for, get your gear ready and plan your next weekend or dive vacation with Club Paradise and Dugong Dive Center, a member of the Philippine &ndash; Micronesia Alliance.

...check out some of the amazing videos from Dirk Fahrenbach at YOU TUBE, go to YOU TUBE and type his name or click the link below for one of his film clips:]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Dirk has returned...a new boat...more from the Boat Show in Germany...the Maldives plus a lot more.</title><dc:creator>gdeichmann@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Alliance News</category><dc:date>2008-02-24T18:11:35+08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/417db5127c386544be177d2155e9a9d4-184.html#unique-entry-id-184</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/417db5127c386544be177d2155e9a9d4-184.html#unique-entry-id-184</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Dirk attended the D&uuml;sseldorf Boat show in January in Germany, after the show he took a few days off and then went straight to the Maldives for some diving looking after a group of divers.  According to Dirk, the Boat Show was a great event and he was part of the DOT Booth, Wow Philippines; see below some photos he provided me yesterday.

...Welcome back Dirk, we did miss you, Dirk also showed me some photos of his new Boat soon at Dugong Dive Center a new and very big Tri-Maran &hellip;luxury at it&rsquo;s best diving at it&rsquo;s ultimate&hellip; as mention in my earlier blogs diving with the Philippine-Micronesia Alliance is getting better and better.

...So much more space...the Tashina Diving with her is never going to be boring&hellip; over night Safaris with all your electrical requirements on board, including a 24hours compressor&hellip; now that is what we call island hopping, Apo reef is going to be fun from now on, the Tashina is very soon in Palawan, one of the Philippines top dive destinations....  A lot more very soon from Dirk&hellip;Dugong Dive Center and Club Paradise&hellip;and of course the sexy Tashina.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Introducing all the Philippine-Micronesia Alliance partners in Spanish...the Divers Choice in the Pacific</title><dc:creator>gdeichmann@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Alliance News</category><dc:date>2008-02-23T14:46:02+08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/3766bd48c24f7595b07a3375f03b7c88-183.html#unique-entry-id-183</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/3766bd48c24f7595b07a3375f03b7c88-183.html#unique-entry-id-183</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[In Micronesia you dive with Sam's Tours in Palau who has the most sophisticated Digital Photo Service nowhere else to be found a underwater photographers paradise, if you like Wrecks then our Partner in Truk Lagoon the Truk Stop Hotel and Dive Center is your best choice with free Wi-Fi connection for all their guests, you connected even in the most remote part of the pacific with the Philippine-Micronesia Alliance.

...La vasta y remota regi&oacute;n comprendida entre las Filipinas y Micronesia, abarca las aguas tropicales m&aacute;s abundantes del Pac&iacute;fico, y de gran renombre entre los buceadores por su rica bio-diversidad marina que incluye grandes peces pel&aacute;gicos, infinitas variedades de temas para macrofotograf&iacute;as, m&aacute;s de 700 especies de corales, m&aacute;s de 1,300 especies de peces, y una gran colecci&oacute;n de restos intactos de naufragios marinos.

&iexcl; Nuestra exclusiva red de balnearios para buceo de primera clase a lo largo de las Filipinas, Rep&uacute;blica de Palau y la Laguna de Truk en los Estados Federados de Micronesia, en asociaci&oacute;n con nuestros selectos profesionales en turismo hacen que los buceadores tengan un viaje y buceo m&aacute;s convenientes, m&aacute;s c&oacute;modos y m&aacute;s amenos que nunca!

La Alianza Filipinas-Micronesia est&aacute; integrada por los mejores agentes tur&iacute;sticos regionales especializados en buceo cuidadosamente escogidos por la Alianza para garantizar que los buceadores tengan lo m&aacute;s fino en vacaciones de gran calidad y con los m&aacute;s altos niveles de seguridad, servicio al cliente, y trato comercial profesional en la industria.

...Entre estos est&aacute;n El Galleon Resort (Balneario El Gale&oacute;n), en Puerto Galera; Club Paradise & Dugong Diving Center (Club Para&iacute;so y Centro para Buceo Dugong), en Palawan; Pinjalo Diver Resort (Balneario para Buceo Pinjalo), en Boracay; y Sam's Tours (Paseos Tur&iacute;sticos de Sam), en Palau, Micronesia, y el Truk Lagoon Dive Center (Centro para Buceo de la Laguna Truk), en los Estados Federados de Micronesia.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Late breaking News... very large&#x2c; rare&#x2c; six-gill shark (most sharks have five gills) taken by researchers in a submarine 1000 meters</title><dc:creator>gdeichmann@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Did you know?</category><dc:date>2008-02-20T23:10:10+08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/006075b0cbb39587ba0340a11754a0eb-182.html#unique-entry-id-182</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/006075b0cbb39587ba0340a11754a0eb-182.html#unique-entry-id-182</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Just saw this on Fins Blog...  absolutely fantastic...no more words needed...you have to check this out.  Check out this video of a very large, rare, six-gill shark (most sharks have five gills) taken by researchers in a submarine 1000 meters down in Hawaiian waters.  Almost as interesting as the shark is the excited chatter of the researchers.

Click the link below: http://www.finsonline.com/blog/fins/20080217/rare-large-6-gill-shark.html You bet this is very cool I just watched it...]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>German VOX TV visits the Philippines and our Alliance Partner in Palawan&#x2c; Club Paradise</title><dc:creator>gdeichmann@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Alliance Media</category><dc:date>2008-02-20T19:26:06+08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/ed56ff21cf7e8d18d4a00e42e26628bb-181.html#unique-entry-id-181</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/ed56ff21cf7e8d18d4a00e42e26628bb-181.html#unique-entry-id-181</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Photos courtesy of Club Paradise and Dugong Dive Center, nature at its best in Palawan, Philippines I have just received this info from Carsten Warncke from Club Paradise and of course Dugong Dive Center in Palawan our partner in the Philippine - Micronesia Alliance.  VOX TV visits Club Paradise and Dugong Dive Center last month.  The only place in the Philippines for Dugongs, or dive the wrecks of Coron Bay surrounded by spectacular limestone cliffs, nature at it's very best and if you feel tired after diving or exploring the whole day book yourself into our Spa and rejuvenate.  All of this, plus a lot more at Club Paradise and Dugong Dive Center, please join us on our little tropical island paradise in Palawan, island hopping with the Philippine - Micronesia Alliance is getting better and better, even international film crews choose to visit us, so why dont YOU.

...I get more of the whole story with photos on the VOX TV (Germany) visit to Palawan and the Philippines soon, once I have more information I let you know also the screening time in Germany, just stay tuned or subscribe to our Blog.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>&#x27;Frog from hell&#x27; fossil unearthed &#x26; Hammerhead in need of protection...</title><dc:creator>gdeichmann@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Did you know?</category><dc:date>2008-02-19T17:03:09+08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/68b115c41da710d9e32139941601ef08-180.html#unique-entry-id-180</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/68b115c41da710d9e32139941601ef08-180.html#unique-entry-id-180</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Hammerheads are among the most commonly caught sharks for finning Over-fishing and demand for shark fins, an expensive delicacy, have pushed one of the world's iconic animals towards the brink of extinction, say experts.

...Dr Julia Baum, a marine ecologist at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, US, and a member of the World Conservation Union (IUCN), said excessive fishing was putting many of the ocean's "most majestic predators" at risk of extinction.

Speaking at the Boston meeting, she said: "Sharks evolved 400 million years ago, and we could now lose some species in the next few decades - so that would be just a blink of an eye in evolutionary time."  She said conservation concern for sharks had been mounting for several years, and it was now critical that there was effective management action in order to restore and conserve their numbers.

...They want a meaningful ban on the practice of shark finning, which involves a shark's fins being removed before the rest of the animal is thrown back into the ocean to die.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>With Love from Palau... Sam&#x27;s Tours timed it right for Valentines day this week...</title><dc:creator>gdeichmann@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Sam&#x27;s Tours Articles</category><dc:date>2008-02-11T16:46:04+08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/8c82adbad482b88f64359c611666d1ec-179.html#unique-entry-id-179</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/8c82adbad482b88f64359c611666d1ec-179.html#unique-entry-id-179</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA["Hi Mom, hi darling dont worry I am fine, the diving has been great lot's of sharks and awesome schools of fish and guess what I am sending you some photos with my next email...your..."

Click on the images and find out more about Sam's Tours Digital Photo Center - DPC The Digital Photo Center is getting more and more popular and not only for Photographers, the iMac's are a perfect choice with their build in Camera....  The Digital Photo Center at Sam's Tours Palau, Micronesia, is getting more and more popular not only with photographers but with customers who just like to say hi to their loved ones...great timing for Valentines day.  From the rental of Video Cams and small digital Canon Cameras...to the more pro, the ability to use Photoshop Elements or Aperture...Yes, you can do all your own editing or let Sam's Tours staff help you with the safe keeping and storage of your images...and now also available headphones for your connection and chatting away to your loved ones via Skype......  The Survivor Micronesia series on TV may have shown you how fantastic Palau really is, and if you have missed Survivor Micronesia you can always check out some of my images on Palau and go to Gunther Deichmann's PhotoShelter Archive or to the PhotoShelter Collection for all other special selected stock images including Micronesia and the Philippines, just click on the links...]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Very soon NEW website for Truk Lagoon Dive Center&#x2c; the ultimate destination for wreck divers... </title><dc:creator>gdeichmann@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Trukstop Articles</category><dc:date>2008-02-08T13:47:54+08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/5bdaac1f02b18a38c9634cb0fe9e1d68-178.html#unique-entry-id-178</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/5bdaac1f02b18a38c9634cb0fe9e1d68-178.html#unique-entry-id-178</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Very soon the NEW website from our partner in Chuuk, the Truk lagoon Dive Center and Truk Stop Hotel, is going to be operational and we announce the official launch date.  Those who are not familiar with Chuuk or know better Truk Lagoon, well it is the world famous wreck diving location in the Pacific, a heaven for tech - wreck divers, (complete facilities for Nitrox and Helium, the only one on the island) but there is more, many wrecks are located at depths for any experience level and If you tired of wrecks the you have to check shark island, an easy dive at 18-meters, a great cleaning station where you surrounded by a good number of reef sharks....  The Truk Stop Hotel is Wi-Fi connected now, free of charge for all their guests, so writing home to your loved ones has become easy from this remote but great diving destination in the Pacific/Micronesia.

...The Hard Wreck Cafe & Bar is the favorite hangout for resident expatriates, visitors, as well as local residents and is the place to enjoy a friendly game of pool, your favorite beverage or karaoke with friends while resting up foryour next dive.

Other services available at the hotel include The Body Shop, offering massage plus facial, manicure and pedicure, our Bakery which provides fresh breads and desserts to our restaurant daily, handicrafts and souvenirs from our Gift Shop, plus Car Rentals and Conference Facilities for the business traveler.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Best Adventure Trips 2008 in Palawan and Club Paradise...plus diving the wrecks of Coron Bay</title><dc:creator>gdeichmann@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Club Paradise Articles</category><dc:date>2008-02-06T13:58:55+08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/94fcf1b57b9062ced714ff84feda4d62-177.html#unique-entry-id-177</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/94fcf1b57b9062ced714ff84feda4d62-177.html#unique-entry-id-177</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Diving with the Philippine - Micronesia Alliance is getting better and better in 2008, from adventure Kayaking to wreck diving or just relaxing after a day of island hopping on one of best beaches in the world.

...&copy; Gunther Deichmann - a secluded beach in Palawan near Coron Island, for more Alliance destination photos click the image above.

...We are doing more than just paddling by Club Paradise in Northern Palawan; we are stopping there for 4 days to take advantage of their amazing resort and local abundance of rare and beautiful marine life....  These rare marine mammals are residents in the local waters and, with the help of Club Paradise and local awareness, remain as one of the most protected marine mammal in the Philippines.

...We are looking forward to paddling in the local waters and landing on the beach for overnights at their award winning facility!]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Asia Divers with Tech Asia&#x2c; a wreck and tech diving story from the Philippines by Dave Ross</title><dc:creator>gdeichmann@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Asia Divers Articles</category><dc:date>2008-02-06T12:53:58+08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/a7cc2fb2158d204cf2bb7254ba2ac7ba-176.html#unique-entry-id-176</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/a7cc2fb2158d204cf2bb7254ba2ac7ba-176.html#unique-entry-id-176</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[We have received this interesting article on Wreck and tech diving from Dave Ross, Dave is from Tech Asia/Asia Divers with El Galleon Beach Resort located in Puerto Galera, Philippines and members of the Philippine - Micronesia Alliance.

...He became a friend of ours through communications on other ships sunk in the Philippines, and kindly came to Puerto Galera in his free time to give a presentation on Coron in July of 2007.  During the evening he showed us clear photographic evidence that the oiler thought to be Taiei Maru, was in fact the Okikawa Maru, and the ship once known as &ldquo;Hector&rdquo;, or the Tangat Wreck is the Olympia Maru.

The last vessel to have bred confusion, having been thought to be another of the many Taiei Maru&rsquo;s, or another Olympia, was confirmed by Capt Heimstaedt in 2006 to be a vessel whose original name was Morazan, turned Ekkai Maru when she fell into Japanese hands in 1941.

...The Morazan/Ekkai Maru story is just a single chapter in two weeks of excellent, shallow ( it doesn&rsquo;t always have to be deep and helium) technical diving that we managed to run.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Celebrate the Sea Festival: 13-15 June in Manila</title><dc:creator>gdeichmann@mac.com</dc:creator><category>International Events</category><dc:date>2008-02-04T14:18:41+08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/e309a9a984f3790336c7d7d24f58b37c-175.html#unique-entry-id-175</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/e309a9a984f3790336c7d7d24f58b37c-175.html#unique-entry-id-175</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Following the success of the 2007 festival which received participation from a global audience of novice and professional competitors, children and even President Gloria Arroyo of the Republic of the Philippines, OceanNEnvironment Australia is pleased to announce in collaboration with the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Philippines Commission on Sports Scuba Diving (PCSSD), to present the 7th &lsquo;Celebrate the Sea Marine Imagery Festival Philippines 2008&rsquo;.

...The 2008 festival will comprise of imagery presentations and seminars by a panel of world renowned image makers and marine scientists such Peter Scoone, cinematographer of the BBC Blue Planet series, Dr Phil Nyutten, David Doubilet, Jennifer Hayes and Emory Kristof of National Geographic, Dr Carden Wallace, coral scientist, Fred Buyle &ndash; four times world free diving champion, Scott Tuason, author and underwater photographer and Daniel Mercier &ndash; founder World Underwater Picture Festival will be on site to officiate the festival.

...Photographers and films makers, send in your entries now to compete in Asia Pacific's most prestigious international underwater imagery competition where the premier prize is the conferred title of &lsquo;President, Grand Award of Highest Achievement 2008&rsquo; with US$2000 as prize money.

...It gets even better if you are visiting the Philippines any time from 1 March to 30 May; stay and dive with one of the participating resorts / operators and you will be eligible to enter your video or pictures in the WOW Philippines Imagery competition.

...Past presenters include international underwater luminaries Dr Sylvia Earle, Stan Waterman, David Doubilet, Dr Phil Nyutten, Neville Coleman, Ron & Valerie Taylor, Emory Kristoff and also principal scientists like Dr Mark Erhmann, Dr Carden Wallace etc. David Doubilet from the National Geographic is confirmed for Philippines while the organiser is actively drawing some of the most celebrated underwater image makers and marine scientists as panellists for the event.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Breaking NEWS - Did You know?</title><dc:creator>gdeichmann@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Did you know?</category><dc:date>2008-02-03T20:16:13+08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/d7a1d8a78b8f696162c7d0add0cebc39-174.html#unique-entry-id-174</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/d7a1d8a78b8f696162c7d0add0cebc39-174.html#unique-entry-id-174</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[New Zealand fishermen have caught what is expected to be a world-record-breaking colossal squid.  Fisheries Minister Jim Anderton said the squid, weighing an estimated 450kg (990lb),took two hours to land in Antarctic waters.  Local news said the Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni was about 10m (33ft) long, and was the first adult colossal squid landed intact.

...Colossal squid, which are found deep in Antarctic waters, are thought to be about the same length as giant squid (Architeutis dux) but are much heavier....  The first specimen recovered intact, a 150kg (330lb) immature female, was caught on the surface in the Ross Sea near the Antarctic coast in April 2003.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Introducing the Philippine - Micronesia Alliance in Russian</title><dc:creator>gdeichmann@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Alliance News</category><dc:date>2008-02-03T19:19:00+08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/3a0f8069354d88fabd9397bc531c70b8-173.html#unique-entry-id-173</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/3a0f8069354d88fabd9397bc531c70b8-173.html#unique-entry-id-173</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[We have the best dive locations in the Philippines and Micronesia with some of the best unspoiled beaches in the world.

...Огромная площадь теплых тропических вод Тихого океана между Филиппинами и Микронезией известна среди дайверов всего мира еще и своим богатым многообразием подводного мира.

...Наш ислючительный индивидуальный сервиc от первоклассных отелей для подводников на Филиппинах, Палау и рэк-лагун в Микронезии, а также разнообразие туристических маршрутов делает путешествия и подводное плавание в этом фантастическом месте Тихого океана еще интересней и удобней, чем прежде.

...Наши партнеры подобраны нами так тщательно, чтобы помочь каждому подводнику провести первоклассный отпуск на самом высоком уровне профессионализма, безопасности и наслаждений.

...На Филлипинах - Asia Divers with El Galleon Resort, Puerto Galera, Club Paradise & Dugong Diving Center, Palawan Pinjalo Diver Resort, Boracay]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Alliance partners in Paris France and Duesseldorf Boat Show Germany</title><dc:creator>gdeichmann@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Alliance News</category><dc:date>2008-02-01T14:41:01+08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/992d5acec148310341320668d3851593-172.html#unique-entry-id-172</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/992d5acec148310341320668d3851593-172.html#unique-entry-id-172</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Received the info below from our good friend Tommy at Asia Divers and El Galleon Beach Resort in Puerto Galera, Philippines Thanks Tommy.

...At the Dive show in Paris January 11-14, both Asia Divers/El Galleon Dive Resort and Calypso/Pinjalo Resort participated in DOT's very nice stand.  The show had many visitors and with the Philippines being the featuring country all went very well with a lot of interest.

The following weekend the 9-day long BOOT show started in D&uuml;sseldorf, Germany and we were joined by Dugong Dive Center/Club Paradise so now we had 3 Alliance members at the show.  Again the Philippine DOT had the most impressive destination stands of them all, with a lot of activities around the stand, the booth created a lot of interest for the Philippines and to all the other Alliance members including our partners from Micronesia, Sam&rsquo;s Tours in Palau and Truk Stop Dive Center in Chuuk, or better know as Truk Lagoon.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Best adventure Trips 2008&#x2c;  now in the Philippines.</title><dc:creator>gdeichmann@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Alliance Media</category><dc:date>2008-01-30T19:49:17+08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/aa7b130f23a5c036251fca865d82cd12-171.html#unique-entry-id-171</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/aa7b130f23a5c036251fca865d82cd12-171.html#unique-entry-id-171</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[I have picked up this very interesting info from Concierge, Conde Nast Traveler about our friend and Marine Biologist Lee Goldman a strong supporter of the Philippine -Micronesia Alliance and hopefully a new member soon of the Alliance, we keep you posted.  Lee is conducting some very interesting adventure and Kayak Tours now in Palawan, Philippines, I guess he might even paddle past Club Paradise and Dugong Dive Center.

...This April, you can spend 13 days snorkeling, paddling, and simply floating around Palawan's remote regions courtesy of Wilderness Travel....  Trip leader and marine biologist Lee Goldman sparks regular discussions on sea life and guides expeditions to the Apo Reef National Park, which brims with 500 types of coral and 500 marine-life species.  You'll divide your time between camping at secret lagoons (with air mattresses, nightlights, fans, and screened ceilings for stargazing) and wallowing at beachfront resorts with four-poster beds in Fijian cottages.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Feedback on the shark feeding story by Lee Goldman</title><dc:creator>gdeichmann@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Did you know?</category><dc:date>2008-01-30T13:46:23+08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/fb477556756ce48f620836cf59eeb22c-170.html#unique-entry-id-170</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/fb477556756ce48f620836cf59eeb22c-170.html#unique-entry-id-170</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The article on the shark feeding was written by Marine Biologist Lee Goldman a good friend an expert on Micronesia and the Philippines.  I have received already a response to this article from Steve White the editor of Action Asia magazine, thanks Steve for your input.

...An interesting post Gunther.  I like the guy's approach in not outright saying 'yay' or 'nay' to feeding.  It's a true dilemma, with good points on both sides.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Shark feeding... is it right or wrong...do we have to interfere with our marine life for thrills?</title><dc:creator>gdeichmann@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Did you know?</category><dc:date>2008-01-30T11:25:33+08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/e97fdc16839673ef44262b44e3e43dec-169.html#unique-entry-id-169</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/e97fdc16839673ef44262b44e3e43dec-169.html#unique-entry-id-169</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[No, this is not fiction, this one is real, our dive guide (very experienced) went to a dive site where shark feeding had been carried out by some dive operator in the past (not Truk Stop Dive Center), he had not been in this area for a while and to his knowledge the feeding was not done for sometime, No he did not feed the sharks on this dive but somehow noticed the more aggressive behaviors of this normally docile animal, OK that is all I can say for now, read the story and opinion from a marine biologist view and YOU decide for your self what is right or wrong.

...I kinda agree with this, especially in situations where unless there is a bit of shark feeding / baiting, most people would not have the chance to ever see these magnificent creatures (example: Great Whites in SA and AU, and pelagics of the California coast).

...Florida has banned the practice mostly due to ease fears from potential tourists (and rightly so, with my full understanding for their actions in tact) and in response to all of the media attention in 2001 about the now misrepresented &lsquo;summer of the shark&rsquo;.

...When we think of many areas in the world that have reefs, we rarely associate sharks with them (or rarely see them while we are diving may be a better way to put it), mostly because they are either fished out, not really prevalent in the first place, or wary of humans....  Now Yap can be lumped in with other countries promoting this experience, and for those who have been diving for many years, you know that most of these destinations may summon up &lsquo;cattle-boat&rsquo; diving mentality as well as clearly being right &lsquo;ON the beaten track&rsquo;.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Sam&#x27;s Tours Blog in German now...plus a lot more</title><dc:creator>gdeichmann@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Sam&#x27;s Tours Articles</category><dc:date>2008-01-29T13:21:10+08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/008efd899cae5a99dc74e1d422041cf3-168.html#unique-entry-id-168</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/008efd899cae5a99dc74e1d422041cf3-168.html#unique-entry-id-168</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[I met Judith and Christoph Hoppe, two of the co-founders of Tourism Unlimited, during their first visit to Palau a few years ago. We have fostered a good friendship over the years and come to know one another better during their subsequent visits to Palau and or my visits the Germany.

...For those of you who&rsquo;ve been to Sam&rsquo;s Tours Dive Center in Palau, Micronesia before or have been keeping up with our blogs you know that our facilities underwent a huge renovation and improvement ending in an October 2007 Grand Re-Opening.

...I'm talking about six top of the line Apple iMac workstations loaded with RAM and optimized for digital imaging, complete with Apple Aperture image management software, Adobe Photoshop Elements, Bridge, DSL Wi-Fi internet access, terabytes and terabytes of storage, archiving and secure data back up, and a camera rental department stocked with the latest Canon Powershot SD850 digital cameras and Canon ZR830 mini digital video cameras complete with underwater housings, big storage media and plenty of additional batteries.

...Our good friend, professional photographer and Apple Certified Trainer, Mr. Gunther Deichmann who was instrumental in launching this project has been here all week with his team members Arnold and Hermes to set up and test everything and get us all up to speed on Apple OS, Aperture, Photoshop and of course the very important task of secure storage and back up of our guests digital images.

...And even bigger still, Gunther will be back at Sam&rsquo;s Tours from April 22 &ndash; 27, 2008 along with internationally acclaimed MARINE PHOTOGRAPHER and environmentalist TONY WU, conducting a week long DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP targeted at all advanced photographers whether shooting above and below the water.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>What is New at Truk Stop Hotel and Dive Center... a wreck divers paradise&#x2c; Chuuk Micronesia.</title><dc:creator>gdeichmann@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Trukstop Articles</category><dc:date>2008-01-28T13:07:23+08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/559387f8b60c5b8047b55a5009b40fef-167.html#unique-entry-id-167</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/559387f8b60c5b8047b55a5009b40fef-167.html#unique-entry-id-167</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Everything is high-tech at some of our partners in the Philippines and Micronesia, at Sam's Tours Palau (check out the previous Blog) the state of the art Digital Photo Center incorporating a high speed wi-fi connection for the internet and at Truk Stop Hotel and Dive Center in Chuuk (Truk Lagoon) Wi-Fi connection is now available for all their guests free of charge.

...&copy; Gunther Deichmann - View from your Balcony at the Truk Stop Hotel and Dive Center, Chuuk Micronesia A lot is happening at the Truk Stop Hotel and Dive Center, Chuuk Micronesia, Chuuk or also known as Truk Lagoon is about an hour and 45 min....  We have just came back from there and can proudly announce that Truk Stop Hotel and Dive Center is now connected free of charge for all their guests via Wi-Fi in the restaurant and on the Patio area, have a real divers breakfast or dinner and check your email.

...But that is not all, if you getting tiered of all these great wrecks take a afternoon dive at Shark Island only a 15min boat-ride from the Dive Center, watch the reef-sharks at the cleaning station in their natural environment at about 18-meters with superb visibility.  Check out the Truk Stop Hotel and Dive Center section on the Philippine -Micronesia Alliance Website at: www.alliancediving.com Your partner in island-hopping, tech diving, wrecks and shark-dives in the Philippines and Micronesia, you can also book direct via our exciting packages or with our expert travel agent Blue Horizons at: http://www.alliancediving.com/horizons.html GD]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Part two (2) of Sam&#x27;s Tours Digital Photo Center&#x2c; Palau Micronesia</title><dc:creator>gdeichmann@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Sam&#x27;s Tours Articles</category><dc:date>2008-01-27T12:41:40+08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/7c3cf87c8725cf2258dc9e75daea3eb7-166.html#unique-entry-id-166</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/7c3cf87c8725cf2258dc9e75daea3eb7-166.html#unique-entry-id-166</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[More very interesting news from this remote part of the world in a few days, we are having a real problem now with our connection, sending a Blog out from here is just about impossible, but don't worry after the 27th of January I get it out.

...Installation of the RAM was easy and went through without a glitch, then we upgraded all the iMac's to Leopard since the operating system was all on Tiger, now that was fine too, however we encountered some real problems in upgrading all six(6) iMac's due to the internet connection, that took us about 3 days to finish.  Then we setup all the external hard drives for a perfect back-up system, not to forgot upgrading Aperture to 1.5.6 which was a little cumbersome, the latest update does not work via the 'Software Update', due to a glitch, we had to get it direct from the Aperture site, and after hours of downloading we were finally up and running.

...All six (6) iMac's are connected in the same network via the Airport Extreme Base Station for file sharing, perfect for photo workshops, we put a lot of emphasis on the back up system, so no matter what happens to your great underwater shots they'll be safe even after you leave Palau.

...small Canon digital cameras with underwater housings are for rent and some new video cam's are available also, there you have it, diving with Sam's Tours has just gotten a lot better, thanks to the new Digital Photo Center, now you can leave your laptop at home, you are in good hands at Sam's Tours.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Sam&#x27;s Tours...Palau Micronesia&#x2026; the curtain has been lifted...</title><dc:creator>gdeichmann@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Alliance Photography</category><dc:date>2008-01-16T17:06:40+08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/683e88921584a13b42eb42d8c175bb37-165.html#unique-entry-id-165</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/683e88921584a13b42eb42d8c175bb37-165.html#unique-entry-id-165</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Photo: Hermes Singson- A very happy Sam Scott from Sam's Tours with the newly arrived iMac's All of this is now possible at Sam&rsquo;s Tours Digital Photoshop, DSL wi-fi internet connection using Airport Extreme, but most impressive is the photo workstations, not only one but six high end iMac computers with all the software you ever going to need.

...Please stay tuned for more in depths details in my next blog, by the way our commercial shoot at the Palau Pacific Resort is also completed, some more training in the next few days for the staff at Sam&rsquo;s Tours on the Leopard operating system and of course Aperture, we should be all sweet by the weekend before we proceed to Chuuk (Truk Lagoon)

Photo: Hermes Singson Five of the six workstations at Sam's Tours Palau Special thanks to Apple Singapore and the Power Mac Center Manila, for the support in this project, thanks to my staff Hermes and Arnold for the very long working hours in completing this job....  Gunther Deichmann is an Apple Certified Pro Trainer and has been on site with his Manila staff in Palau as a consultant, training the staff on the operating system including Aperture, Dermot Keane the GM of Sam's Tours and Gunther have been responsible for the concept and initial set up of the Digital Photoshop Center a first in Micronesia, even Photographers have a better survival rate in Micronesia now, thanks to Sam's Tours.

...For Photography and Photo Worshop related matters please visit Gunther's website at: www.deichmann-photo.com The very first Photo Workshop utilizing Sam's Tours new facilities will be held together with Tony Wu and Gunther Deichmann in April 2008, for inquiries please contact Sam's Tours at: info@samstours.com]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Survivor fever? Palau Micronesia&#x2c; great News.</title><dc:creator>gdeichmann@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Sam&#x27;s Tours Articles</category><dc:date>2008-01-11T21:48:58+08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/0ab53db390110060123427e061975f35-164.html#unique-entry-id-164</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/0ab53db390110060123427e061975f35-164.html#unique-entry-id-164</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[No it is not the Survivor show, but never less very cool news from Sam's Tours.

...If you can guess what is going to happen on the 15th of January at Sam's Tours...

...Note: Sam&rsquo;s Tours staff, Gunther Deichmann and Team, family members and close associates are not allowed to participate.

...Next week starting on the 13th I be reporting direct from Sam&rsquo;s Tours from where we will fire up our big surprise....  After the 15th things will be very different at Sam&rsquo;s concerning &hellip; opps&hellip; I almost slipped and let the cat out of the bag, and after Palau around the 18th of this month I am leaving with my web master for Truk Lagoon to prepare for some major work for our Alliance Partner Truk Stop Hotel and Dive Center.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Die R&#xfc;ckkehr der Dugongs -  return of the Dugongs&#x2c; new PADI Magazine in German soon available.</title><dc:creator>gdeichmann@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Club Paradise Articles</category><dc:date>2008-01-03T21:03:58+08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/8a0a1101500047a4ae0ec53ad43bc0d6-163.html#unique-entry-id-163</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/8a0a1101500047a4ae0ec53ad43bc0d6-163.html#unique-entry-id-163</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[2008 Wir sprechen auch deutsch, click here I am leaving for Palau Micronesia and Chuuk tomorrow until the 24th of January, my blogs going to be a bit light during this time.  However a major announcement will be made direct from Palau from our Alliance partner Sam's Tours, a very first in Palau and Micronesia....  Surviving in Palau Micronesia is going to be easy, with good friends, like Sam Scott, Dermot Keane and many others.

...A new PADI magazine is soon available in German, please see below some excepts from the very first edition, reproduced with permission from Dirk Fahrenbach from Dugong Dive Center and Club Paradise in Palawan, Philippines.

......viel mehr in der neuen PADI Zeitschrift in Deutschland fragen Sie auf der Messe Boot 2008 in Duesseldorf nach Dirk Fahrenbach.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Did You Know? Sea Cucumbers a New malaria weapon...</title><dc:creator>gdeichmann@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Did you know?</category><dc:date>2008-01-01T03:20:01+08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/9d439aa7e21c69835aadfc6d7910d363-162.html#unique-entry-id-162</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/9d439aa7e21c69835aadfc6d7910d363-162.html#unique-entry-id-162</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Ultimately, one aim of our field is to find a way of genetically engineering mosquitoes so that the malaria parasite cannot develop inside them Professor Bob Sinden Imperial College London Malaria causes severe illness in 500 million people worldwide each year, and kills more than one million.

...Researcher Professor Bob Sinden, from Imperial College London, said: "These results are very promising and show that genetically engineering mosquitoes in this way has a clear impact on the parasites' ability to multiply inside the mosquito host."  You would have to get the modified version to become the predominant species, and that has never been done in any setting before Dr Ron Behren London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine However, he said much more work still had to be done before the technique could be used to curb the spread of malaria.

...Professor Sanjeev Krishna, an expert in malaria at St George's Hospital Medical School, London, said new treatments for malaria were vital, as there was some sign that the parasites which cause the disease were developing resistance to the current artemisinin drugs.

...Dr Ron Behrens, of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, said the technique showed promise in theory - but he warned that introducing genetically modified mosquitoes could be fraught with practical difficulties.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Surviving in Palau Micronesia...&#x26; the Philippines is easy with...</title><dc:creator>gdeichmann@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Alliance News</category><dc:date>2007-12-29T19:01:27+08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/6668d7d6c090178933a894fa86490da6-161.html#unique-entry-id-161</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/6668d7d6c090178933a894fa86490da6-161.html#unique-entry-id-161</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[We wish you a successful New Year, from all the Alliance partners, take care and happy diving.

Surviving in Palau Micronesia and the Philippines is easy when diving with the Philippine - Micronesia Alliance in 2008.

The Divers Choice.  scuba-uitrustings duik - plong&eacute;e de scaphandre - Tauchen mit Unterwasseratemger&auml;t - diving dello scuba - diving do scuba - salto de la escafandra aut&oacute;nom Filippijnen - Philippines - Philippinen - Filippine - Filipinas - Philippines - Filipinas - Micronesi&euml; - La Micron&eacute;sie - Mikronesien - La Micronesia vreedzaam - Pacifique - pazifisches meer - pacifico  A very happy New Year - prost Neujahr - bonne ann&eacute;e - onnellista uutta vuotta - gelukkig Nieuwjaar - ath bhliain faoi mhaise - selamat tahun baru - godt nytt &aring;r - szczliwego nowego roku - feliz ano novo - gott nytt &aring;r manigong bagong taon - sawatdii pima&iuml; - kung h&eacute; fat tsoi - xin nian kuai le / xin nian hao - godt nyt&aring;r - eutichismenos o kainourgios chronos - felice anno nuovo, buon anno - S novim godom - sreno novo leto - Cung Ch&uacute;c T&acirc;n Xu&acirc;n yeni yiliniz kutlu olsun]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Sam&#x27;s Tours speaks Spanish...</title><dc:creator>gdeichmann@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Did you know?</category><dc:date>2007-12-28T16:50:02+08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/7af1767ea6273fb1918400b5682dc32e-160.html#unique-entry-id-160</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/7af1767ea6273fb1918400b5682dc32e-160.html#unique-entry-id-160</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[La vasta e remota regione delle Filippine e della Micronesia include le acque piu&rsquo; abbondanti e tropicali del Pacifico rinomate per i sommozzatori per le ricche bio diversita&rsquo; marine che includono pellicani, infinite variet&agrave; di soggetti per macro fotografia, pi&ugrave; di 700 specie di coralli, pi&ugrave; di 1300 specie di pesci ed una massiccia collezione di naufragi ancora intatti.

La nostra rete esclusiva di resorts di prima classe per subacquei in tutte le Filippine, la Repubblica di Palau e la Laguna di Truk negli stati Federati della Micronesia, in associazione con i nostri selezionati e professionali agenti di viaggio, trasforma i viaggi e le immersioni in questa regione sbalorditiva del Pacifico, pi&ugrave; convenienti, pi&ugrave; comodi e pi&ugrave; divertenti che mai per i subacquei!

L'alleanza Filippine-Micronesia e&rsquo; formata dai piu&rsquo; importanti operatori per le immersioni subacquee, direttamente selezionati dall&rsquo;Alleanza per garantire ai subacquei il meglio per vacanze di qualita&rsquo;, il pi&ugrave; alto livello di sicurezza, eccellenti servizi agli utenti e professionalita&rsquo; del settore industriale.

...I Vostri partners per vacanze di qualita&rsquo; nel campo delle immersioni, includono resorts Filippini e centri Asiatici per subacquei come il &ldquo;Resort Galleon, a Puerto Galera; il &ldquo;Club Paradise & Dugong Diving Center, a Palawan; il &ldquo;Pinjalo Diver Resort&rdquo;, a Borocay; il &ldquo;Sam&rsquo;s Tours&rdquo; a Palau, in Micronesia e il &ldquo;Truk Lagoon Dive Center, negli Stati federati della Micronesia.

...Il nostro centro per immersioni include un servizio fotografico subacqueo professionale e un negozio videofotografico, tecniche di immersione e trimix, autorizzate dal settore vendite e servizi di Scubapro e Aqualung, una lunga serie di esperienze subacquee, programmi preliminari attraverso certificazioni di istruttori, e un caffe' sul lungomare che guarda la bella isola andare verso la fine della giornata.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Calypso/Pinjalo speaks German...</title><dc:creator>gdeichmann@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Did you know?</category><dc:date>2007-12-26T17:14:38+08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/3b83aa4bfdd6484bd08978251ab35beb-159.html#unique-entry-id-159</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/3b83aa4bfdd6484bd08978251ab35beb-159.html#unique-entry-id-159</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Das riesige Gebiet des Pazifiks zwischen den Philippinen und Mikronesien mit seinem warmen tropischen Wasser ist unter Tauchern weltber&uuml;hmt f&uuml;r die enorme maritime Vielfalt an z.B. gro&szlig;en pelagischen Tieren, &uuml;ber 700 Arten von Korallen, mehr als 1.300 Fischarten.

...Unser exklusives Netzwerk von erstklassigen Tauchressorts auf den Philippinen, in Palau und Truk Lagoon in Mikronesien sowie ausgew&auml;hlten Reiseveranstaltern macht Reisen und Tauchen in diesem fantastischen Gebiet des Pazifiks bequemer und komfortabler als je zuvor.

...Die Philippinen - Mikronesien Allianz besteht aus den besten Tauchressorts, die die Region zu bieten hat. Unsere Partner werden sorgf&auml;ltig ausgesucht damit Sie einen erstklassigen Tauchurlaub genie&szlig;en k&ouml;nnen, und wir Ihnen Sicherheit, Service und Professionalit&auml;t auf h&ouml;chstem Niveau bieten k&ouml;nnen.

...Ihr Partner f&uuml;r ein hochwertigen Tauchurlaubt sind: Auf den Philippinen: Asia Divers with El Galleon Resort, Puerto Galera - Club Paradise & Dugong Diving Center, Palawan &ndash; Pinjalo Diver Resort, Boracay Auf Palau, Mikronesien: Sam&acute;s Tours und auf Truk in den F&ouml;derierten Staaten von Mikronesien: Truk Lagoon Dive Center

...Unser Team von freundlichen und zertifi zierten Padi Ausbildern, bietet Ihnen egal ob sie Anf&auml;nger sind, oder als Fortgeschrittener weiterf&uuml;hrende Kurse machen wollen, Ausbildungen f&uuml;r jede Art von Bed&uuml;rfnisse an.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Asia Divers speaks italian...</title><dc:creator>gdeichmann@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Did you know?</category><dc:date>2007-12-23T17:31:09+08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/a28f921e13cdbcca097b540f352af6f4-158.html#unique-entry-id-158</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/a28f921e13cdbcca097b540f352af6f4-158.html#unique-entry-id-158</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[La vasta e remota regione delle Filippine e della Micronesia include le acque piu&rsquo; abbondanti e tropicali del Pacifico rinomate per i sommozzatori per le ricche bio diversita&rsquo; marine che includono pellicani, infinite variet&agrave; di soggetti per macro fotografia, pi&ugrave; di 700 specie di coralli, pi&ugrave; di 1300 specie di pesci ed una massiccia collezione di naufragi ancora intatti.

La nostra rete esclusiva di resorts di prima classe per subacquei in tutte le Filippine, la Repubblica di Palau e la Laguna di Truk negli stati Federati della Micronesia, in associazione con i nostri selezionati e professionali agenti di viaggio, trasforma i viaggi e le immersioni in questa regione sbalorditiva del Pacifico, pi&ugrave; convenienti, pi&ugrave; comodi e pi&ugrave; divertenti che mai per i subacquei!

...I Vostri partners per vacanze di qualita&rsquo; nel campo delle immersioni, includono resorts Filippini e centri Asiatici per subacquei come il &ldquo;Resort Galleon, a Puerto Galera; il &ldquo;Club Paradise & Dugong Diving Center, a Palawan; il &ldquo;Pinjalo Diver Resort&rdquo;, a Borocay; il &ldquo;Sam&rsquo;s Tours&rdquo; a Palau, in Micronesia e il &ldquo;Truk Lagoon Dive Center, negli Stati federati della Micronesia.

...Situ&eacute; dans une des plus belles baies du monde, Puerto Galera , qui veut dire en espagnol, le port des galions, se compose de nombreuses plages et criques tranquilles, qui vous permettent soit de vous &eacute;vader soit de vous rendre sur d'autres plages plus fr&eacute;quent&eacute;es pour plus de plaisir au soleil.

...N'oubliez pas de vous rendre au bar the Point, un endroit remarquable pour boire un verre au soleil couchant, cocktail, bi&egrave;re bien fra&icirc;che pour parler de vos activit&eacute;s et plong&eacute;es de la journ&eacute;e en vous laissant glisser doucement au son de la meilleure musique de Puerto Galera, tout en rencontrant de nouveaux amis.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Chris saw a Whale-shark while participating in an Intro Dive &#x26; diving with Mantas in Palau plus Survivor Micronesia</title><dc:creator>gdeichmann@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Sam&#x27;s Tours Articles</category><dc:date>2007-12-22T20:35:43+08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/2437cc71aab97fb0c4ddead75baaf276-157.html#unique-entry-id-157</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/2437cc71aab97fb0c4ddead75baaf276-157.html#unique-entry-id-157</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[I have just picked up this Blog from our friends and Alliance partner Sam's Tours in Palau, Micronesia, interesting reading and the perfect place for your next vacation, if you click on the image below you see all our partner destinations in the Philippines and Micronesia and for our special dive packages please click this link.  Read the story and the encounter with the Whale shark below, Dermot Keane has mention in his blog that he has not seen a whale shark himself, poor Guy, I guess he spend all his time organizing trips and making sure everybody else has a great time at Sam's Tours.  Dermot is the GM and if you have a special requests check with him, or why dont you invite him for a dive, you never know he might get to see his whale shark too.

...It was good to see some old friends that we met during the last Survivor Palau shoot a few years ago. Chances are that TV viewers here in Palau may not even get to see the show when it airs unless that local cable company can work out a deal.

...A very happy New Year - prost Neujahr - bonne ann&eacute;e - onnellista uutta vuotta - gelukkig Nieuwjaar - ath bhliain faoi mhaise - selamat tahun baru - godt nytt &aring;r - szczliwego nowego roku - feliz ano novo - gott nytt &aring;r manigong bagong taon - sawatdii pima&iuml; - kung h&eacute; fat tsoi - xin nian kuai le / xin nian hao - godt nyt&aring;r - eutichismenos o kainourgios chronos - felice anno nuovo, buon anno - S novim godom - sreno novo leto - Cung Ch&uacute;c T&acirc;n Xu&acirc;n yeni yiliniz kutlu olsun]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Dive 2008 with The Philippine-Micronesia Alliance </title><dc:creator>gdeichmann@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Alliance News</category><dc:date>2007-12-21T13:51:39+08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/aeb37874022a266b943036176e0d1e6a-156.html#unique-entry-id-156</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/aeb37874022a266b943036176e0d1e6a-156.html#unique-entry-id-156</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[&copy; Gunther Deichmann If you click on the image above you can view the beautiful places of the Philippine - Micronesia Alliance....  A very happy New Year - prost Neujahr - bonne ann&eacute;e - onnellista uutta vuotta - gelukkig Nieuwjaar - ath bhliain faoi mhaise - selamat tahun baru - godt nytt &aring;r - szczliwego nowego roku - feliz ano novo - gott nytt &aring;r manigong bagong taon - sawatdii pima&iuml; - kung h&eacute; fat tsoi - xin nian kuai le / xin nian hao - godt nyt&aring;r - eutichismenos o kainourgios chronos - felice anno nuovo, buon anno - S novim godom - sreno novo leto - Cung Ch&uacute;c T&acirc;n Xu&acirc;n yeni yiliniz kutlu olsun

...Scuba diving with us in the Philippines, Micronesia and the Pacific in 2008....  scuba-uitrustings duik - plong&eacute;e de scaphandre - Tauchen mit Unterwasseratemger&auml;t - diving dello scuba - diving do scuba - salto de la escafandra aut&oacute;nom Filippijnen - Philippines - Philippinen - Filippine - Filipinas - Philippines - Filipinas - Micronesi&euml; - La Micron&eacute;sie - Mikronesien - La Micronesia vreedzaam - Pacifique - pazifisches meer - pacifico

...If you had the chance recently to watch the Survivor Micronesia show then you know already one of our destinations Palau, now get to know the other ones: In the Philippines Puerto Galera, Boracay, Palawan and in Micronesia Truk Lagoon (Chuuk).]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>A personal small submarine or U-Boat 4U?</title><dc:creator>gdeichmann@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Did you know?</category><dc:date>2007-12-19T12:50:21+08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/fecdfb4dac73be44f4c3bb04e1bc3706-155.html#unique-entry-id-155</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/fecdfb4dac73be44f4c3bb04e1bc3706-155.html#unique-entry-id-155</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[This could be real cool in Palau to explore the great walls or check out the Canyons in Puerto Galera, creeping up on Dugongs in Palawan or take it for a spin in Boracay and check out the Yapak dive site, but what about Truk Lagoon now that could be something else.Stay tuned or subscribe to "Our Blog" and I let you know when and where at the Philippine -Micronesia Alliance.

...U-Boat If you&rsquo;re one of those people who has every gadget known to modern diving, or if you&rsquo;re looking for a really special present for someone who&rsquo;s got everything, how about a personal UBoat?Say what?...  Called C-Questers, these oh-so-cool looking submersibles can dive to 50 metres, hold a steady 1-atmosphere of pressure (meaning no decompression issues) If you&rsquo;re one of those people who has every gadget known to modern diving, or if you&rsquo;re looking for a really special present for someone who&rsquo;s got everything, how about a personal UBoat?Say what?...  Called C-Questers, these oh-so-cool looking submersibles can dive to 50 metres, hold a steady 1-atmosphere of pressure (meaning no decompression issues) and come packed with safety features like redundant depth control (meaning you can&rsquo;t sink past 50 metres) and advanced life-support systems (four redundant O2 sensors, redundant fans and CO2 scrubber to keep the air clean)....  Happy New Year - prost Neujahr - bonne ann&eacute;e - onnellista uutta vuotta - gelukkig Nieuwjaar - ath bhliain faoi mhaise - selamat tahun baru godt nytt &aring;r - szczliwego nowego roku - feliz ano novo - gott nytt &aring;r - manigong bagong taon - sawatdii pima&iuml; kung h&eacute; fat tsoi - xin nian kuai le / xin nian hao - godt nyt&aring;r - eutichismenos o kainourgios chronos felice anno nuovo, buon anno - S novim godom - sreno novo leto - Cung Ch&uacute;c T&acirc;n Xu&acirc;n - yeni yiliniz kutlu olsun]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Breaking NEWS&#x21; Photo workshop in Palau...</title><dc:creator>gdeichmann@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Alliance News</category><dc:date>2007-12-17T17:58:30+08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/73272893ced60642d97d85b63ff567e4-154.html#unique-entry-id-154</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/73272893ced60642d97d85b63ff567e4-154.html#unique-entry-id-154</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[I have just received word and given confirmation about the final dates on the Photo Workshop in Palau Micronesia with Sam's Tours....  Tony Wu one of Asia's best underwater photographers ( editor of Fins Magazine) and Gunther Deichmann well renown for his landscape and surface shots (also a certified Apple Pro trainer for Aperture) have organized this exciting event at Sam's Tours.  More details will be announced shortly, for reservations and bookings please contact Dermot Keane from Sam's Tours at:www.samstours.com For other workshop details go to: www.gdphotoworkshop.com, more details and info will be posted soon on this site.  For information on Tony Wu please go to:http://www.tonywublog.com/ Fins Magazine: http://www.finsonline.com/ Plan your trip now for an exciting Photo Workshop above and below in Palau Micronesia, shoot with Tony Wu at Blue Corner and other great dive sites, journey with Gunther Deichmann to some of the best locations above in Palau and learn the digital workflow after the shoot.  For our Mac/Apple friends there is a big surprise waiting for you at Sam's very, very soon this will be announced on this Blog and at : http://www.deichmann-photo.com/blog.html]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Survivor in different languages... with  the PMA... no problem.</title><dc:creator>gdeichmann@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Did you know?</category><dc:date>2007-12-17T16:34:50+08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/e1673c9cb94da8f98e3ffb3f8e0c54b6-153.html#unique-entry-id-153</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/e1673c9cb94da8f98e3ffb3f8e0c54b6-153.html#unique-entry-id-153</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[A reminder for all of those who dont know we can communicate in many different languages, all of our partner resorts and dive centers have qualified multilingual speaking instructors and staff.  OK., not all the languages listed below, but this is our way of saying Happy Holidays we are looking forward to see you in 2008 for some great diving in the Philippines, Micronesia and the Pacific.  In the Philippines: Asia Divers with El Galleon, Puerto Galera, Calypso/Pinjalo Dive Resort, Boracay, Club Paradise and Dugong Dive Center, Palawan.  In Micronesia: Sam's Tours Palau, Truk Stop Hotel and Dive Center in Chuuk, (Truk Lagoon) Travel Agent: Blue Horizons, Manila and Asian Spirit Airlines.  All our dive centers and resorts care about the environment and if you speak Italian, French, German, Russian, Korea, Japanese or Chinese, the Philippine -Micronesia Website is in these languages, all our partners have two pages in these languages, giving you at least some idea why you should dive, explore and discover paradise with us.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Late breaking NEWS&#x21; Why????</title><dc:creator>gdeichmann@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Did you know?</category><dc:date>2007-12-14T21:18:03+08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/ecde1593ca80c60a2dec2e841c354e53-152.html#unique-entry-id-152</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/ecde1593ca80c60a2dec2e841c354e53-152.html#unique-entry-id-152</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[I have just received from our partner Allan Nash, Asia Divers with El Galleon Beach Resort in Puerto Galera, Philippines this disturbing info/news see below the link, it is really worthwhile reading.  All our partners from the Philippine &ndash;Micronesia Alliance care about these issues and our environment....  ------ Forwarded Message From: Michelle Masters <mish.masters@gmail.com> Date: Fri, 14 Dec 2007 09:01:47 +1100 To: <mish.masters@gmail.com> Subject: Please take the time

...I am sending you this link because the cause is very important and the man behind it just happens to be my step-father....  If you feel strongly about animal rights and preventing such despicable cruelty to animals, then let others know.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>The new Year is approaching...Diving into 2008</title><dc:creator>gdeichmann@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Alliance News</category><dc:date>2007-12-14T11:03:57+08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/d617008187268a6c35f8a00b8825af06-151.html#unique-entry-id-151</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/d617008187268a6c35f8a00b8825af06-151.html#unique-entry-id-151</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Merry Christmas and a fantastic New Year from the Philippine-Micronesia Alliance.

...Wishing you all the best for the New Year&hellip; from the Philippines; Asia Divers with El Galleon Beach Resort, Puerto Galera &ndash; Club Paradise and Dugong Dive Center, Palawan, Calypso/Pinjalo Dive Resort, Boracay &ndash; from Mirconesia; Sam&rsquo;s Tours Palau &ndash; Truk Stop Hotel and Dive Center Chuuk (Truk Lagoon) from our travel expert Blue Horizons Travel, Manila and Asian Spirit Airlines.

Join us in the New Year for some exciting island hopping &ndash; inselhuepfen &ndash; discover and explore the Pacific Ocean and Micronesia and if you not a diver yet, dive education is our business, from PADI 5 star to PADI National Geographic Dive Centers, top Nitrox facilities and re-breathers including tech diving, we get you certified in no time.  Your passion is diving&hellip; ours is service....  Happy New Year - prost Neujahr - bonne ann&eacute;e - onnellista uutta vuotta - gelukkig Nieuwjaar - ath bhliain faoi mhaise - selamat tahun baru godt nytt &aring;r - szczliwego nowego roku - feliz ano novo - gott nytt &aring;r - manigong bagong taon - sawatdii pima&iuml; kung h&eacute; fat tsoi - xin nian kuai le / xin nian hao - godt nyt&aring;r - eutichismenos o kainourgios chronos felice anno nuovo, buon anno - S novim godom - sreno novo leto - Cung Ch&uacute;c T&acirc;n Xu&acirc;n - yeni yiliniz kutlu olsun]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>There is still time to join...</title><dc:creator>gdeichmann@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Alliance News</category><dc:date>2007-12-12T15:40:03+08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/eb0098403120e41831e46b41f2bc7280-150.html#unique-entry-id-150</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/eb0098403120e41831e46b41f2bc7280-150.html#unique-entry-id-150</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Send us an email (gunther@gdeichmann.com) or go to the feedback button on this Blog, upper right hand side, with what you think are the most endangered marine animals in the world today, the right answers will receive (we guarantee this) a Book on the Dive Sites and environs of Puerto Galera and Palau Micronesia (only 5 copies in total can be won) we also have 5 sets of Postcards to give away, they come in a sets of eight....  All partners, family members and staff of the Philippine -Micronesia Alliance are are not allowed to participate....  &bull; 136 pages including cover &bull; Full colour throughout &bull; Laminated Soft cover for Durability &bull; Size: 15.3cm x 21.7cm (Folded)...  &bull; Available in English &bull; 160 pages including cover &bull; Full colour throughout &bull; Laminated Soft cover for Durability &bull; Size: 15.3cm x 21.7cm (Folded)

Win these 2 great Guide books, and the cool looking postcards below, just name the most endangered marine species in the world today.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Endangered marine animals-Trivia.. win Books &#x26;...</title><dc:creator>gdeichmann@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Did you know?</category><dc:date>2007-12-08T15:33:56+08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/bd9a0072cc48c28a47c4f149d6022852-149.html#unique-entry-id-149</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/bd9a0072cc48c28a47c4f149d6022852-149.html#unique-entry-id-149</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Learn how to dive, snorkel and appreciate our underwater world, let&rsquo;s leave the Shells where they came from, so our future generations can enjoy them in their natural environment.  If you see them washed a shore on the beach, yes, you can take them home, however check with the various countries first, some have very strict rules on the exportation of different items including artifacts.

...Send us an email (gunther@gdeichmann.com) or go to the feedback button on this Blog, upper right hand side, with what you think are the most endangered marine animals in the world today, the right answers will receive (we guarantee this) a Book on the Dive Sites and environs of Puerto Galera and Palau Micronesia (only 5 copies in total can be won) we also have 5 sets of Postcards to give away, they come in a sets of eight.

...On this time-scale, where a human lifetime is but the blink of an eye, solid rocks flow like liquid, entire continents move across the face of the earth and mountains grow from flat plains.

...Most other planets have very little water, and on those that do the water exists only as perpetually frozen ice or as vapor in the atmosphere.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Boracay... the things you find in Google</title><dc:creator>gdeichmann@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Alliance Articles</category><dc:date>2007-12-06T13:01:09+08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/59b27aa4ffd381eb3e30d5b0077c1760-148.html#unique-entry-id-148</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/59b27aa4ffd381eb3e30d5b0077c1760-148.html#unique-entry-id-148</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[but some how and rightly so, Boracay is always on the first page, read just some of the things I have picked up recently.  Why not choose Boracay's Pinjalo/Calypso Dive Resort as your next stop for your hard earned vacation, a member of the Philippine-Micronesia Alliance located on one of the best beaches in the world.

...The best beaches in the world With 7,107 islands strung like pearls across 1,840 kilometers of the Pacific Ocean and South China Sea, and a coastline longer than the USA, the Philippines is home to literally thousands of palm fringed beaches, with warm waters, thriving coral reefs and hundreds of idyllic resorts.

...White Beach, Boracay Island, Philippines White Beach on Boracay Island, off Panay, has been called the best beach in the world.  It has four kilometers of fine, bright, coral sand, which is always cool underfoot, shallow azure waters, and a beachfront boasting a huge variety of restaurants and bars offering cosmopolitan cuisine and good entertainment.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>A Manta at the House reef...</title><dc:creator>gdeichmann@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Dugong Dive Ctr Articles</category><dc:date>2007-12-05T13:45:31+08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/7aad93e304be6275a7e3684088b211f1-147.html#unique-entry-id-147</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/7aad93e304be6275a7e3684088b211f1-147.html#unique-entry-id-147</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[I just received a call from our friend and partner Dirk Fahrenbach, they have a Manta hanging around at the house reef at Club Paradise in Palawan, that is great, now these big guys show up in the shallow right in front of this great resort and dive center, I am waiting for Dirk to give me some more info and as soon it is available I let everybody know, no need to go to the Maldives, Mantas have been around for quiet some time in the waters of the Philippines and of course Micronesia.  But having them now at the Club Paradise house reef, well it doesn't get any better, check out the direct link to Club Paradise and the Dugong Dive Center in Palawan.  GD  Dirk Fahrenbach from Dugong Dive Center

Not only Dugongs, but now Mantas as well, right in front of the resort.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Fast train to Polynesia</title><dc:creator>gdeichmann@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Did you know?</category><dc:date>2007-12-03T15:29:05+08:00</dc:date><link>http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/e44d7f519b6ba26d389b316878c422df-146.html#unique-entry-id-146</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/files/e44d7f519b6ba26d389b316878c422df-146.html#unique-entry-id-146</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Some have always thought that humans moved out rapidly from South East Asia, through Melanesia, with very little mixing between the different colonist groups.

...To try to settle the argument, Christopher Austin, an evolutionary biologist, has studied the mitochondrial DNA of the Lipinia noctua lizard, which lives alongside humans on Pacific islands ranging from Hawaii in the northeast to Easter and Pitcairn island in the southeast.

...Genetic similarity Austin, from the South Australian Museum in Adelaide, says his analysis supports the fast hypothesis - humans and lizards caught the "Polynesian express train".  "The extreme genetic similarity between the different colonies indicates rapid colonisation from a single source, which I take as support of the express-train hypothesis," Austin says in the science journal Nature.

...In a