Late News... 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.

GD

Click on the image and go direct to
the Digital Photo Center

ALL - NEW DIGITAL PHOTO CENTER AT SAM'S TOURS IN PALAU

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. No other photo center in Palau comes near!

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.

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.
The Nature Lovers and Divers Choice.

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.
GD

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.
His tour has just been in the top listing of the Concierge,
Best Adventure Trips 2008, read on below:
GD



http://www.concierge.com/ideas/

Best Adventure Trips 2008

A Masked Ball in the Philippines

This is the stuff of cubicle fantasies. Pristine coral reefs where parrot fish and angelfish swim. Tiffany blue snorkeling waters. Palm trees, brown-sugar beaches, and you, kicking back with a fruity cocktail to the ting of tropical music. Welcome to Palawan, a spray of 1,760 islands in the Pacific, most often overlooked by the Fiji- and Tahiti-bound. This April, you can spend 13 days snorkeling, paddling, and simply floating around Palawan's remote regions courtesy of Wilderness Travel. Mingle among the world's greatest concentration of whale sharks at the Bay of Donsol before kayaking into caves. Should a tiny bit of discomfort creep in, a masseuse will provide seaside therapy. 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. Your office mates really will hate you.

Departure: April 14–26

http://www.concierge.com/ideas/

_________________________________

The Boys are back in town...the boys are back in town... remember that song?

Welcome back to a warmer climate... now that is what I call a Climate change!
Alex and Jem are back from the cold European weather, London was the the place for their endurance and the climate change...
Alex and Jem from Blue Horizons attended the World Travel Market show this month, Jem send me yesterday a short report from the show, Alex and Jem are back in Manila, so if you need any travel arrangements just give them a call at Blue Horizons I am sure they are only to happy and work out some nice packages from the Alliance partners for your next island-hopping adventure or explore the deep, you never know what you might find, a sunken Galleon or even the lost city of Atlantis. Try and get that perfect shot? We have so many critters around who will model for you, just press the shutter on your camera, all of our partner resorts and dive centers are fully equipped for all your photography needs. GD

No matter where... we get you there.
The Divers Choice.

© Gunther Deichmann - This is what Alex and Jem dreamed about during their
sleepless nights in London, one of the Alliance destinations - a great beach in Palawan, Philippines

Now the first hand report by Jeremy Kemp:
The WTM in London was attended by over 30,000 global representatives (from over 200 countries) of the travel industry and the Philippines Dept of Toursism stand attracted a great deal of attention over the four days of the event. A large 160m area featuring a beach hut and dramatic colorful posters where hundreds of people came to discuss travel within the Philippines and the development of new destinations.
 
Alex Stutely and Jem Kemp from Blue Horizons our travel partners held many meetings greeting old friends and making new contacts. They report an impressive interest in diving opportunities and many visitors were particularly interested in the concept of two centre holidays combining Boracay, Busuanga or Club Paradise and Palau or Truk.
 
In fact many visitors were impressed to learn that Manila is one of the best routes through to Micronesia with regular direct and connecting flights to both Palau and Truk. The idea of combining great diving with excellent beach and adventure holidays in the Philippines and Micronesia is increasingly attractive. Additionally there is much interest in land based and water based activities whilst diving in this part of the world such as kayaking, biking and trekking.
 
As well as existing travel partners Alex and Jem report that there are exciting new possibilities with tour operators and agents from the UK in particular but also Spain, South Africa, Netherlands, France, Lithuania, Russia etc. The combination of tropical waters and weather, blue seas, sandy beaches and of course fantastic diving is proving irresistible.
 
Courtesy of our Alliance partners there were also some great raffle prizes on offer. Everyone that visited Blue Horizons on the stand was encouraged to leave extra business cards behind with the promise of great diving offers for the winners. The last day of the event saw the raffle and the first prize was a combined Boracay and Puerto Galera package with accommodation and diving for two people at Calypso Diving and Pinjalo Resort Villas (Boracay) and Asia Divers and El Galleon Beach Resort (Puerto Galera) with Manila Hotel accommodation included. The lucky winner of this great prize was Eric Prins of Namaste Reizen (Netherlands) who are looking to promote diving activities in the Philippines for the Dutch market.
 
Second prize of a diving and accommodation package at Sam's Tours and West Plaza Hotels was won by Kate Philipps of Regaldive (UK). Regaldive feature Boracay, Puerto Galera and Club Paradise on their website or in their brochure.
 
Lastly, Chris Hawkins of Blue Lizard Travel (UK) won a 10 dive package at Dugong Dive Centre, Club Paradise Resort, Busuanga. We wish all the winners a great holiday with their prizes.
 In addition, t-shirts and cuddly soft turtles and dugongs supplied by Club Paradise Resort were enormously popular and were presented to many of the visitors.
 
Overall a highly succesful event with the message on diving in the Philippines and Micronesia being spread to an ever wider audience.

 ______________________________

Download the full article as pdf file: http://www.deichmann-photo.com/publications.html

New guidebooks on Palau Micronesia and Puerto Galera in the Philippines have been given some nice write ups in the i-mag Photography Magazine, a paradise pair, Palau and Puerto Galera two of the best dive destinations in the Asia pacific region. Thanks to i-mag Magazine for publishing this four page article in their current issue.
They have also published in the same issue a nice article on the recent GD PhotoWorkshop in Cambodia with the Philippine Center for Creative Imaging or PCCI.
You can download all of the articles as pdf files under Publications/Spread on this website at:
http://www.deichmann-photo.com/publications.html

For dates on photo workshops in Cambodia, Palau and Tibet please go the link provided below:
http://gdphotoworkshop.com/

Dive in paradise - yes, you can have the time of your life with the Philippine - Micronesia Alliance partner resorts and dive centers throughout the
Philippines and Micronesia.
Dive the famous wrecks of Truk Lagoon, experience high voltage shark dives in Palau, or explore the ultimate in marine bio- diversity in the Philippines from Palawan, Puerto Galera and to Boracay with its famous white sandy beach. All the Alliance partner resort and dive center offer you very special island hopping tours and safaris, join us to explore the sea and its marine life. As the saying goes in German, inselhuepfen und nach dem tauchen, einfach ausruhen am strand.

Remember the Philippine-Micronesia website is now in 9 languages and soon we add one more:

Welcome to the The Philippine-Micronesia Alliance, your partners in quality diving holidays!,
Willkommen bei der Fillippinen-Mikronesien Allianz, ihr Partner für erstklassigen Tauchurlaub!
ДОБРО ПОЖАЛОВАТЬ К НАШЕМУ ФИЛИППИНЫ - МИКРОНЕЗИЯ АЛЬЯНСУ ЭТО ТВОЙ ЛУЧШИЙ ПАРТНЕР ДЛЯ ПЕРВОКЛАССНОГО ПОДВОДНОГО ОТПУСКА
Bienvenue à l'Alliance Philippine-Micronesia, vos partenaires pour des séjours plongée de choix.
Benvenuti nell’Alleanza Filippine – Micronesia, I vostri partners per vacanze di qualita’ nel campo delle immersioni!
Bienvenidos a la Alianza Filipinas-Micronesia , sus compañeros para esas vacaciones de buceo de calidad!
and of course Japanese, Korean, Chinese and very soon Polish.

For all your diving needs and or next vacation please check out the Philippine-Micronesia Alliance. The Divers Choice.
It is here where you can order these latest books direct online at:
http://www.alliancediving.com/book-orders.html

_______________________________________

Aerial View of Blue Corner, Palau, Micronesia
© Gunther Deichmann, Courtesy of Sam's Tours
for more images on Palau and Micronesia click here.

Two of our Alliance partner destinations are featured in an article by the prestigious Forbes Travel Magazine.

It was pretty much the consensus among our panelists that Palau,
a group of over 200 islands in the western reaches of the Pacific Ocean is one of the best destinations for diving right now. Amy Christopher, Operations Manager of Ocean First Divers, an eco-friendly dive operation based in Colorado, calls Palau a "true one-stop shop." Corals, animals, caves, ship wrecks—this is the place.

Coron Island, Palawan,Philippines, is also the idea spot for those looking for the wreck diving rush. "The area is littered with WWII Japanese shipwrecks," says Jackson.

Our partner in Palawan is Club Paradise, and Dugong Dive Center and Sam’s Tours in Palau, Micronesia.

For all your travel arrangement check out our dive packages
(Blue Horizons)
and fly to our destinations with Asian Spirit.
Our other Philippine-Micronesia Alliance destinations are: Calypso/Pinjalo Dive Resort, Boracay, Philippines, Asia Divers with El Galleon Dive Resort, Puerto Galera, Philippines and Truk Lagoon, Chuuk, Micronesia. The Divers Choice.

Read more at Forbes Traveler @ http://www.forbestraveler.com/2007/08/07080701_story.html?partner=fp_scuba_spots

A Marine Scientist- a German TV producer – well myself and one of the best evenings/mornings for a very long time. Kristina just finishing her Masters in Marine Biology, and did some of her research at Club Paradise in Palawan.


1:00 Am things are still normal, Kristina, Martina and Gunther, checking out some critters on the screen, Nudibranchs, Frog-fish and an expert opinion from our
still sober Scientist Kristina. Photos by no other than Hermes Singson, who lasted until about 4:30AM, thanks my friend for hanging around, but how could you
refuse, surrounded by such great company.

Where are we? 5:07 AM at Gunther place of course. Sunrise, just about there, the first light… approaching my windows and Kristina has taken away my Mac, Oh boy, well … shit just happens.

Great friends, good wine and some real cool music at the virtual office of the Philippine-Micronesia Alliance.

Read Kristina’s story below, unedited typed on my Mac, at 4:55 AM.

About 5:30 AM, now the trouble starts, lost my Mac to Kristina, used my cellphone for the images and the wine kept on flowing and the sound got better too.
By the way, not so sober any more.

Well, yes now I remember, after 5 bottles of red wine we are sitting in Gunther’s office in the middle of Manila. A city of smoking angels.
A German TV producer, a marine biologist and our friend Gunther, the photographer. What it comes to is an evening of drinking lunatics bringing creative minds together.
Like every human being each one of us has their own story and melting that into one pot on a reunion like this turns the moment into a bestseller, a blog or even a podcast. The world will know soon. For myself, as a scientist, I just can’t turn my scientific lens from these big goggles in front of me, looking around the room, coming out of a head with furry extensions on the back of it’s head. These critter is even still sitting on it’s nesting area having its good night supper the red wine glass in the one extremity and the smoke in the other. Might it really be a blenny or even Gunther?

Wait, what is that, just let me have another sip…wow, that is unreal; it’s the TV producer Martha. She is spreading out her antenna, no, there are rhinophores. Look at that, right up her forehead there are, chemical receptors, sensing more of the good wine stuff. She is getting up, snuggling around the room and finally finding the bottle. She might even be a sap sucking sea slug regarding her uptake of more wine-sap. And now there a popping up pimples all over her but their are no pimples there are glands, toxic glands. Is that for real or is it the 8th glass of wine? However this might be my story, seeing humans turning into marine animals or marine animals turning into humans…. or are we even equal?
For now I get back to my friends independently they are human or animals.
Hey. Kristina you just called me an Animal, well she is right, what about our German TV producer, Ok. Martina when are we going to be on TV, Martina you better make sure on that one. Okaylang: although my instructor gave me five diving points out of ten – compared to Dirk who got a ten – I am loosing my buoyancy. Unfortunately I forgot my BCD tonight. Is it because of the red wine? One thing is for sure: if I bring a wonderful anihuminals on television this planet would have a magnificent chance to change into a better place.
Are we going to bed, no bloody way, he, he Dirk and Norbert did not last that long, the girls did you in…. they had a great time.

Kristina, Martina (the German TV) and Gunther. One hell of a good evening in Manila with some real good friends, who I love dearly, until our next Blog, but make sure you stay awake.

Good morning Vietnam??? No, it is good morning Manila, 6:05 AM, you have guessed right the sun is up, now the closing words from our TV Producer Martina.
Here she is:
Gunther was almost shooting me down. But what he said is:
Going to bed forget it, why?? Because I say so.

Life is so good but I think with friends like this, it only gets better.
Love you all, over and out.

GD

Just got this one from our friends at Fins Magazine, Dermot from Sam's Tours Palau, Micronesia, picked it up and posted it on the Blog, check it out it is real cool, congratulations from The Philippine - Micronesia Alliance, for a job well done. Gunther
Read below the whole story.



Dive into Asia's Best with FiNS Magazine! www.finsonline.com

Our friends at FiNS Magazine have recently revamped their website so check out the third, new-and-improved version of FiNS Online at: http://www.finsonline.com

FiNSonline.com comes to you from the publishers of FiNS Magazine, whose core mission is to provide up-to-date information about the best destinations, personalities and other topics relating to the recreational dive community in the Asia-Pacific region.

They've also started a video version of their popular PixTips column in the printed magazine. In the first one, underwater photographer Tony Wu demonstrates TTL.

FiNS Magazine is owned and operated by dedicated divers. They’re addicted to diving, love the oceans, and practice what they preach, it’s not just a job for them — it’s a way of life.

Check out http://www.finsonline.com and Dive into Asia's Best with FiNS Magazine!

Dermot

Palau 12-04-2007, a very rare event these days!


From left to right: Ethan Daniels Marine Biologist and Photographer,
Gunther Deichmann Photographer and Publisher, Dream Time,
Kevin Davidson Photographer at Sam's Tours.

The Publisher and authors of the Palau Dive site book crossed their
path again at Sam's Tours Palau.
Ethan Daniels just arrived and what a surprise, for the first time in
many years the Authors and Publisher of the Palau Dive Site book
got together again.Ethan Daniels, Gunther Deichmann and
Kevin Davidson checking out the manuscript of the next edition
"The second revised and updated version of the Palau Dive Site book'"
ready to be released in May 2007.
More pages and completely reedited text, soon available at Sam's Tours
and many other places in Palau.

Juvenile Leaf fish, Photo by Gunther Deichmann

One of the destination from the Philippine-Micronesia Alliance
is Puerto Galera, on the charming Island of Mindoro, Philippines.
Only two hours from Manila and a short boat ride to Asia Divers
and El Galleon Beach Resort.
For all your Travel arrangements and Island hopping contact
BLUE HORIZONS our partner for all your travel needs.

www.bluehorizons.com.ph

Find out a lot more about this great diving destination, download the
16 page special article in Fins Magazine as a pdf file below.
Another Partner is also represented with an article in the same issue,
Club Paradise and Dugong Dive Center in Palawan, the place for
Dugongs and nature lovers, read more about it in the download
pdf file below.
The Philippine-Micronesia Alliance has so much to offer for all your
dive vacations, for more details and info contact us at the link below.

The Philippine-Micronesia Alliance.
The Divers Choice.

Download the complete articles from Fins Magazine
as pdf file below:

Dugong Dive Center
Puerto Galera story

Working together we will simplify dive travel in this world-class diving region,
providing divers with consistent, professional and safety minded service."

Bookmark our link for the latest dive/holiday packages and information.
www.alliancediving.com

Article in Tauch Sport - Sea Star Magazine Germany
Dezember/Januar 2007. El Galleon Resort with 
Asia Divers, Puerto Galera, Philippines, a partner of 
the Philippine - Micronesia Alliance.
Inselhuepfen - island hopping and tauchen at its best.
The Divers Choice...



Article in Tauch Sport - Sea Star Magazine Germany
Februar/Maerz 2007. Club Paradise and Dugong 
Dive Center Palawan, Philippines apartner of the 
Philippine - Micronesia Alliance
Inselhuepfen - island hopping and tauchen at its best.
The Divers Choice...

We are at the Duesseldorf Boot Show, Germany 2007
A variety of Dive packages will be on our web site very soon!

Ask for Tommy, René and Dirk at the Philippines Booth,
have a chat with Dermot at the Palau and
Schoener Tauchen Booth, your hosts for the
ultimate in dive vacation.
Tauchen, diving, inselhuepfen, island hopping, dive education, tech diving
and re-breather, dive site maps, environmental, shark and wreck dives,
wrex expedition, scuba diving, the top dive resorts and dive hotels,
the best wrecks in the pacific,tropical beaches and dive travel,
all of this from Palau Micronesia and the Philippines brought to you by
The Philippine-Micronesia Alliance

Available by March 2007!
The Divers Choice!

Tauchen, diving, inselhuepfen, island hopping, dive education, tech diving
and re-breather, dive site maps, environmental, scuba diving, the top
dive resorts and dive hotels, tropical beaches and dive travel, all of this
from Palau and Micronesia and the Philippines brought to you by the
Philippine-Micronesia Alliance where Nitrox and helium is available!

A must for underwater photographers, description of marine species by
marine biologist, explore the sea with these books and/or plan your next
dive vacation/holidays.
A great guide for all divers and dive operators, action divers, dive instructors
or for just completed open water course/ beginners.

For a preview on the title please click the link below:
The Philippine - Micronesia Alliance Dive Guide Books.


Dive Guidebooks on PUERTO GALERA, PHILIPPINES & PALAU, MICRONESIA are soon available.
You can now make a pre-order by visiting the Alliance web site. alliancediving.com

“ PUERTO GALERA & VERDE ISLAND ”
Dive Sites of the Philippines (Revised 3rd Edition)

Photography by Gunther Deichmann
and Text by Frank Doyle

• 136 pages including cover
• Full colour throughout
• Laminated Soft cover for Durability
• Size: 15.3cm x 21.7cm (Folded)

“ PALAU ” Dive Sites, History & Culture
(Revised 2nd Edition)

By Photographer Gunther Deichmann, Kevin Davidson
& Ethan Daniels (Marine Biologist)

• Available in English & Japanese
• 160 pages including cover
• Full colour throughout
• Laminated Soft cover for Durability
• Size: 15.3cm x 21.7cm (Folded)


“ PALAU BOOKLET ” – A small photo guide through Palau, Micronesia.
Featuring some of the best images on Palau by Gunther Deichmann
world renowned photographer.

• In 4 Languages: English, Japanese, Korean &
Chinese (Mandarin)
• 60 pages including cover
• Perfect Binding & Symthe Sewing
• Hard Bound Cover with Matt lamination for Durability
• Size: 13.01cm x 13.01cm (Folded)

For information on Gunther Deichmann's coffee-table book (360 pages hard-bound)
"Journey Through Colour and Time" please click this link.
Now available online!!!

On November 15th. Gunther Deichmann launched his Book
Journey Through Colour & Time

For all the Party Images please click this link.



All of us had the honor to be graced by the presence of
H.E. President Fidel Ramos of the Philippines.



Some of the Alliance partners came from Palau, Boracay
and Club Paradise.
H.E. Ambassador Tony Hely from the Australian Embassy
welcomed everyone,
followed by a speech by H.E. President Fidel Ramos of the
Philippines.
For more images from this fun filled evening please visit
Gunther's web site in about two days to see who else has
been around.

http://web.mac.com/gdeichmann/iWeb/Site/Welcome.html

Due to the sheer number of Photos this will only be ready in
two days, in the mean time enjoy these few images.


H.E. President Fidel Ramos,
Gunther Deichmann
and Juergen Warnke from Club Paradise
Palawan



Gunther Deichmann, H.E. President Fidel Ramos
and René Buob from Calypso Diving and Pinjalo Resort
Boracay

Dermot Keane from Sam's Tours Palau, René Buob from Calypso
Boracay, Gunther and good friend Thomas Schubert from Palau
and Bali

Wow, nice cold beer!
Dermot Keane from Palau, Sam's Tours

Kailash from LMK (Apple) presents Tony Cook from PADI an iPOD
Tony had one of the lucky draws.


Super big Screen for backdrop, courtesy of Apple and Epson

Juergen Warnke stayed until the very end.

Dermot and Gunther just before the show