This Newsletter has just came in from PADI & Palau....

Alii (Hello) Everyone!

The PADI Diving Society and TY Sawyer are headed for Palau in September 2010. Yes, PALAU!
 
PADI Travel Network along with hosts Sam's Tours
and Palau Royal Resort are set for this awesome event
September 15-24, 2010. Sam's and Palau Royal are known for their Five Star service and attention to
detail

, you will not be disappointed. 
 
Palau, the eighth marine wonder of the world is known for its world-class diving, including famous sites like Blue Corner, German Channel and Ulong Channel.  Experience drift diving over spectacular walls, explore WWII wrecks and amazing close encounters with exotic marine life. In September 2009 Palau was named the world's first Shark Sanctuary so you'll see plenty of 
these magnificent creatures first-hand. Palau's wonders

are not just limited to the sea - the breathtaking Rock 
Islands are a sight worth traveling for and a snorkeling
trip to famous Jellyfish Lake will show you that not all jellyfish are created equal. 
 
Pricing starts at $2250 US per person for eight nights accommodations, five days of three tank boat dives, three meals daily, free enriched air, and much more.
And with all the Society shenanigans you can handle

(aka, parties, contests, prizes and your loyal staff!)
you wont want to miss this week. I hope you'll
consider joining us in Palau and discover where the rainbow truly ends.
 
If you want more information, Karin Sahm is standing-by to answer all of your travel questions. Email Karin or give her a call at 800 736-7021, ext. 165.
Of course, you can email me or call 800 729 7234 or
+1 949 858 7234, ext. 2322, as well. 
 
Hope to see you all in Palau!
 
 Kind regards,
 
Theresa Kaplan (formerly Gulledge)
Manager, PADI Diving Society 

Just in from Palau...

June 18 - 25, 2010
GD Photo Workshop in Palau
@ Sam's Tours



Click this Link or the Image above for
Testimonials from previous Workshops...

We're taking a big break from diving here  ..... a surface interval so to speak! This workshop is targeted at photographers...... not divers or underwater photographers, but those photographers who wish to explore Palau's topside secrets with a master of lens and light, Gunther Deichmann. Gunther has just returned from a whirlwind of exotic travel that included Cambodia, Nepal and India where he conducted his highly acclaimed workshops. While Gunther has been to Palau and other islands of Micronesia many times...this will be the first workshop he's conducted here since launching the program more than three years ago.
For more info contact Sam's Tours @ http://samstourspalau.blogspot.com/

Join Us. See Life. In Palau.

A PADI Diving Society Event; 15 - 24 September 2010

Photo Courtesy © Gunther Deichmann

Join PADI Diving Society for nine adventurous days and eight magical nights in Palau at the Palau Royal Resort. You'll enjoy five days of three-tank boat diving with PADI Five Star Dive Center Sam's Tours.
When you arrive, you'll be welcomed with traditional leis and a welcome basket from Sam's Tours. Plus, a welcome pak filled with PADI Diving Society goodies. Over the next nine days you'll be treated to some of the world's best diving, an opening night celebration complete with traditional dancers and war canoes, parties, contests, prizes, and special guests, including Sport Diver's Ty Sawyer. Read more @ Join Us. See Life. In Palau.

Shark Savers' "Thank you to Palau"
book presented to Palauan President Toribiong

Photo: Copyright PALAU HORIZON;
Courtesy www.sharksanctuary.com

You may recall that Shark Savers fielded two petitions regarding Palau. The first one opposed a bad shark fishing law and the second one thanked Palau for subsequently protecting sharks by creating the National Shark Sanctuary. We created a book consisting of your signatures and comments for presentation to President Toribiong. Today, our book was presented to the President on our behalf by our friend, Dermot Keane of the Palau Shark Sanctuary. Here is Dermot's report: Read the complete article @ Shark Savers' "Thank you to Palau" book presented to Palauan President Toribiong

Tiny Palau has warned the world...
TV report on Palau Shark Sanctuary just in...

Tiny Palau has warned the world it will protect its natural resources, but with only one patrol boat, can the shark sanctuary ever be enforced?

Dateline video journalist David O’Shea takes his first ever scuba dive and plunges into the controversy over saving the ocean’s top predator. read more Click this LINK or the Image above.

Watch our report and take a look at our photo gallery of behind the scenes photos and underwater pictures from David's story.

In support of the Palau Shark Sanctuary & Sam's Tours

Sam’s Tours Palau at the Duesseldorf

Boat Show 2010 in Germany.

www.samstours.com

Sam's Tours participates in the Q Divers stand for the first time. We joined the Quality Divers network at the last BOOT Show and attended the Birmingham Dive Show in late Oct 2009 as our first show with QD. This is our first BOOT.  Traffic at the show was quite good with lots of interested shoppers who seemed serious about traveling and ready to buy.
Sam's Tours is also participating at the Palau - Yap Booth with other Palau operators including NECO MARINE and Palau Pacific Resort.

 

As always, the Stemmer Family is there in full force to support Sam's Tours with Kristina staffing the Palau Booth for Sam's Tours and mom Gisela covering the Quality Divers stand, while dad Bernd attends the BOOT representing China Airlines who offers direct service from Frankfurt to Taipei, with connecting service to Koror, Palau 4 times per week.starting at 990 EU in economy class.
 

 
Dermot Keane GM from Sam’s Tours and Vicktor at the
Sam’s Tours Booth in Germany

Sam's Tours good friend, sculptor Vicktor stopped by the booth. Vicktors granite sculpture of Hans and Lotti Haas will be unveiled at the show this week and then go to Vienna for display. http://www.vuam.net/
Presently Vicktors "Legends of the Sea" collection is on display at GOOGLE'S HQ in Cupertino, CA.
 
Vicktor has dived in Palau with Sam's Tours
His Pioneers and Heroes collection includes Valerie Taylor, Jacques Cousteau, Dr. Sylvia Earle, Stan Waterman
 
http://www.vuam.net/pioners_and_heroes.html
 
http://www.vuam.net/education.html

Vicktor the sculptor  www.VUAM.net  

Happy New Year from all the Alliance partners have a
fantastic 2010 and some great scuba diving.



Happy Holidays... have some great diving with us in 2010!

A very happy New Year - prost Neujahr - bonne année - onnellista uutta vuotta - gelukkig Nieuwjaar - ath bhliain faoi mhaise - selamat tahun baru - godt nytt år - szczliwego nowego roku - feliz ano novo - gott nytt år manigong bagong taon - sawatdii pimaï - kung hé fat tsoi - xin nian kuai le / xin nian hao - godt nytår - eutichismenos o kainourgios chronos - felice anno nuovo, buon anno - S novim godom - sreno novo leto - Cung Chúc Tân Xuân
yeni yiliniz kutlu olsun

PALAU KIDS SEA CAMP @ SAM’S TOURS
LET THE FUN BEGIN....


© Gunther Deichmann - discover the magic of Palau

THE PALAU KIDS SEA CAMP has started... just in from Palau; fun and education for Children another first for Palau and Sam’s Tours, locally sponsored by Continental Airlines, Palau Royal Resort and Sea Passion Hotel & of course Sam’s Tours our Partner in the Philippine Micronesia Alliance.

This is another first for Palau the first one being the Shark Sanctuary...not only is Palau a Shark Sanctuary but now contributing to Childrens education... learning about our environment while having real fun.

Special thanks to all the International sponsors: Sport Diver Magazine - PADI Diving Society - PADI Project Aware - SCUBAPRO - Uwatec
UK Underwater Kinetics - Sea Life Camera - DAN Divers Alert Network.

Good luck to all Kids and adults who
have joined this fun trip to Palau...
have lots of fun and be good.

Due to this international event we have provided an additional Photo Gallery just click this LINK.

Further more we try to update you in the coming days on all of the activities from one of Natures best kept secrets...PALAU.
Please Note: all Photos in the Gallery and on this Page are © and courtesy by: Sam’s Tours, Nick Martorano, Margo and please forgive me if I have forgotten some one.

EXECUTIVE BRIEFING - FINAL

Kids Sea Camp – Palau:
November 22 – 28, 2009, Koror, Palau

Local Sponsors:
Sam’s Tours
Palau Royal Resort
Sea Passion Hotel
Continental Airlines

International Sponsors:

Sport Diver Magazine
PADI Diving Society
PADI Project Aware
SCUBAPRO - Uwatec
UK Underwater Kinetics
Sea Life Camera
DAN Divers Alert Network

Click thisLINK & go to the Special created Gallery for more Photos
or Click on the Images.

About Kids Sea Camp: www.kidsseacamp.com

Kids Sea Camp was founded in 2001 by Ms. Margo Peyton, a scuba diver and mother of two children. Kids Sea Camp now visits over 8 countries around the world and is a two time Emmy Award winning prestigious program coveted by top diving destinations. Kids Sea Camps are hosted by PADI 5-Star Dive Centers in exotic destinations that include Bahamas, Bonaire, Belize, Costa Rica, Fiji, Grand Cayman, Galapagos, and now Palau!

Kids Sea Camp is a fun-filled vacation for families who love the ocean and promotes greater awareness of the marine environment with a strong focus on conservation. During Kids Sea Camp, students enjoy multiple educational activities teaching them new and fun things about the oceans in both classroom environment and hands-on programs.

There are approximately twenty families attending Kids Sea Camp Palau, mostly from the United States. All participants will stay at the Palau Royal Resort hotel while educational activities and evening programs will take place at Sea Passion Hotel.

Click thisLINK & go to the Special created Gallery for more Photos
or Click on the Images.

Children will attend daily marine educational programs, based on their age groups, which include learning to snorkel and scuba dive. Dive certified adults and teens will enjoy snorkeling and diving on Palau’s world renowned outer reefs. SEEDS OF PROMISE, a Palau non-profit group, will conduct the educational activities and programs for children. Evenings will be spent together as families with themed entertainment following dinner.

Sam’s Tours is very pleased to have secured this much sought-after event for Palau with over twenty families attending the very first Kids Sea Camp to be held this side of the globe. We are also happy to report that we have secured Kids Sea Camp for Palau again in 2010, and expect more than fifty families to participate in an expanded program.

Kids Sea Camp - Principals & VIPS

EXECUTIVE BRIEFING UPDATED EFFECTIVE 11/22/09 – FINAL

Kids Sea Camp – VIP Attendee List

Margo Peyton: Founder Kids Sea Camp

Margo, who began diving in 1989 and is a PADI Dive Master with thousands of logged dives, founded Kids Sea Camp in 2001. She is also a photographer and an artist who works with local schools providing marine oriented educational presentations. Margo contributes to Oceans for Youth, Ocean Pals, Sea of Tomorrow, Ocean Wishes and many other charities, donating, proceeds, trips and art work for silent Auctions where proceeds go to her favorite charities. She has won two Emmy Awards for her educational programming.

In 2009, Margo was inducted into the prestigious Women Divers Hall of Fame, an international not-for-profit organization established to recognize the elite and outstanding women divers whose achievements have enriched the worldwide scuba diving community. Margo resides in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida after moving from the Cayman Islands.

Ron G. Steven “Rogest”: Marine Artist

Ron Stevens is a renowned marine artist, dive instructor, and North American Group representative for Mike Ball Expeditions Australia. Ron has worked with Kids Sea Camp since 2003, sharing his interests in painting, poetry, song and dance with kids and adults alike. Ron’s work has been featured in many diving and marine environment magazines.
For more information visit: www.rogest.com

Ms. Carolyn Pascal: Publisher, Bonnier Corp www.sportdiver.com
Sport Diver Magazine
Scuba Diving Magazine

Mr. Jerry Beatty Associate Publisher
Dive Training Magazine

For Immediate Release:
 
KOROR, PALAU, 9/28/2009, 7:45 p.m.
 

A Hero’s Welcome for Palau President Johnson Toribiong who
has just arrived back from the United Nations in New York where
he declared the Worlds fist Shark Sanctuary in Palau.

 
Welcome Home and thank you Mr. President!

Palau President H.E. Johnson Toribiong arrived home moments ago to a hero’s welcome at Koror International Airport, Palau. The founder of Palau Shark Sanctuary, Dermot Keane, Managing Director of Palau dive shop Sam’s Tours, was on hand to greet the President and thanked him for declaring Palau a Shark Sanctuary.
 
The large welcome committee included grateful members of the Palauan community who greeted President Toribiong with flower leis and loud applause upon his arrival. Palauans are understandably proud of their President who declared Palau as a Shark Sanctuary during his recent address to the United Nations, General Assembly, on Friday, September 25, 2009.
 

A warm welcome from Dermot Keane from the Palau Shark Sanctuary to President
Toribiong upon his arrival only a few hours ago at the Palau international Airport.

Despite his long journey from Washington D.C. to Palau, the President was clearly moved by the warm reception and graciously thanked everyone for showing up to welcome him. Palau Shark Sanctuary once again thanks and admires President Toribiong for his landmark declaration of Palau as a Shark Sanctuary.
 
Palau Shark Sanctuary was founded in 2001 with a goal of securing a declaration by Palau that the waters of their Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) are a Shark Sanctuary.
For more information visit: www.sharksanctuary.com   or  www.sharksanctuary.blogspot.com

Palau pioneers 'shark sanctuary'

For the latest news on Palau's Shark Sanctuary, a World first, go to: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8272508.stm

We are proud that Dermot Keane the GM from Sam's Tours is the Founder and driving force behing the Shark Sanctuary in Palau. Sam's Tours very strong supporter of Palau's environment and the protection of Sharks world wide.

Sam's Tours is also a founding member of the Philippine - Micronesia Alliance www.alliancediving.com

We have just picked up this fantastic NEWS from http://www.deichmann-photo.com/blog.html

Environmental NEWS from Palau, a world first towards the conservation and protection of Sharks. We are proud to be associated with the Shark-sanctuary in Palau.

Breaking News and a breakthrough in Conservation
from Palau Micronesia! Palau Does Care!


© Gunther Deichmann - aerial over the famous 70 islands in Palau.
for more images on Palau please visit the PhotoShelter Gallery at:
Marine Life and other Palau images

Palau President Toribiong has announced only a few hours ago at the UN in New York that Palau is the first WORLD SHARK SANCTUARY ! This is a milestone in the conservation and preservation of Sharks in Palau, setting an example for the rest of the World. More information and updates as they become available soon.

The original message:
Just been advised that Palau President Johnson Toribiong will announce in 30 minutes at the UN Conference in New York that Palau is the first WORLD SHARK SANCTUARY !!!!!!!!!!! 

© Gunther Deichmann - aerial over the famous 70 islands in Palau, for more
images on Palau please visit the PhotoShelter Gallery at:
Marine Life and other Palau images

Excerpts from the announcement by President Johnson Toribiong;
As many as 100 million sharks are killed each year around the world."These creatures are being slaughtered and are perhaps at the brink of extinction unless we take positive action to protect them," said President Toribiong.
Other related LINKS:

http://www.palautours.com/

http://www.palautours.com/blog.html

http://www.sharksanctuary.com/index.html

http://sharksanctuary.blogspot.com/

http://www.samstours.com/

We have picked up this story from the Palautours.com Blog post and since our Partner Sam’s Tours is located in Palau we thought we share this with you.

Exclusive Travel Report: Palau or better known as the Pearls of the Pacific. Natures Kaleidoscope below and above the waves.

01/09/09 18:15 Filed in: Palau Articles | International Articles | Environment
Natures Kaleidoscope below and above the waves. Photographs... The Pearls of the Pacific...

Read the complete story and check out the Photos from Palau in Micronesia...the place is awesome. CLICK THIS LINK


© Gunther Deichmann - the Magic of Palau

Latest News and info on the Kids Sea Camp PALAU 2009!

Please follow the links below for the latest updates on the very first Kids Sea Camp (KSC) to be held in Palau.
Sam's Tours is the host tour operator for Kids Sea Camp Palau with accommodations provided by Palau Royal Resort. The program is limited to 50 persons on this inaugural year.
Kids Sea Camp is an award winning educational program for children and is supported by major sponsors including PADI, SPORT DIVER MAGAZINE, SCUBAPRO and DAN.

KSC is a very important and prestigious event for Palau and one that Sam's Tours should be very proud to have been selected to host. Top dive destinations go to great lengths and compete heavily to be selected as KSC destinations and it is no small feat to have been chosen as a KSC destination. Other KSC host destinations include Grand Bahama, Grand Cayman, Bonaire, Curacao, Costa Rica, Galapagos, Roatan, Fiji, and now finally PALAU!
More information is forthcoming and in the meantime, please visit the URL's below and familiarize yourself with Kids Sea Camp PALAU 2009 and start speading the word!

http://www.kidsseacamp.com/
http://kidsseacamp.com/palau/palauhomepage.html
http://kidsseacamp.com/palau/palaudivesams.html
http://kidsseacamp.com/palau/palauresort.html

Dermot Keane,
GM Sam’s Tours Palau

The Kids coming to Palau Micronesia…maybe a bit older then the image below, but then it is never to early to find out about the Environment, our Marine life or Scuba Diving.

© Gunther Deichmann - It is never to early...learn how to dive.

We have picked up this post from Sam’s Tours Palau, see below the details.

Monday, May 11, 2009
Late Breaking News! KIDS SEA CAMP coming to Palau!
We’re delighted to report that Sam’s Tours has been selected to host the very first KIDS SEA CAMP (KSC) in Palau slated for this November. Kids Sea Camp is an award-winning educational vacation program for families that love the ocean.
Kids Sea Camp PALAU 2009: November 21 – 28, 2009.

Kids Sea Camp is the brain child of Margo Peyton, a scuba diver since 1989. This Scuba mom with husband Tom, two kids of her own, Jen and Robbie, decided it was important for her family to spend time together doing what she loved the most, scuba diving & travel.
Kids Sea Camp is a full week's schedule of events and educational programs that promises great times and learning experiences for families with kids age 4-15. Each week includes 7 nights accommodations, diving, meals, excursions, activities for both adults and kids including, diving, snorkeling and many PADI Specialty courses.
KSC is hosted at PADI 5 Star Dive Resorts around the world which include Cayman Islands, Bonaire, Roatan, Fiji, Curacao, Galapagos and now in PALAU! Sam’s Tours and Palau Royal Resort, a Nikko Hotels International partner http://www.palau-royal-resort.com/ are teamed up to host this exciting event. Space is limited so get in touch with Sam’s Tours right away if you’d like to participate.
Families can spend a week scuba diving, snorkeling, swimming, kayaking, discovering underwater photography, meeting other families and making friends from all around the world. Kids Sea Camp is the perfect family vacation for those that love to scuba!
Sam’s Tours PADI Five Star National Geographic Dive Center is proud to have been selected to host Palau’s very first Kids Sea Camp and we are already in full swing planning an exciting action-packed week of fun in the sun!
For more information on Kids Sea Camp please visit http://kidsseacamp.com/ although details of the Palau Kids Sea may not be posted yet.

For bookings please contact: kids@kidsseacamp.com or e-mail Sam’s Tours Reservations Desk at: reservations@samstours.com
Kids Sea Camp PALAU 2009: November 21 – 28, 2009.

Jem Kemp from Blue Horizons Travel reports... his Journey continous in
Palau Micronesia... Diving and Touring the Rock Islands with
Sam’s Tours.

For those who have not yet dived or spent time with Sam’s Tours here is some information on how it all works:
Sam Scott, Dermot Keane and the team have established themselves as one of the regions most highly regarded Dive Operators – check their excellent website for the awards. Sam’s is located on Malakal Island which is connected by a short road bridge to Koror. It is within walking distance of the Palau Royal Resort, West Plaza Hotel and, critically, very near to Kramer’s restaurant and bar!

© Gunther Deichmann - Sam’s Tours Facilities from the air

Sam’s provide a full range of day tour options including diving (of course) but also guided kayaking tours (perhaps the best and lowest impact way to visit the Rock Islands), land tours, Rock Island Tours, snorkelling trips, WW2 history tours, fishing, private sailing etc. Dermot points out that the non-diving trips are increasingly popular as more and more guests appreciate the wide range of above water attractions in and around Palau. There is also the full range of PADI courses available.

The logistics for the day tours are perfectly organised for all clients – guests are collected in the morning at their hotel by Sam’s Tour staff and transferred by road or boat to Sam’s centre. Here they are briefed for the day’s activities by tour guides, dive leaders etc and then head out for adventure. Sam’s have a large compliment of fast modern boats that are ideal for travelling out to the islands and beyond.

© Gunther Deichmann - cruising the amazing Rock islands

During our trip we were lucky enough to have a days diving with Sam’s. In all there were six of us guests on the boat and experience levels ranged from Instructors through to novice. By careful use of different dive sites and locations throughout the day Sam’s provided the best possible day for everyone.

Three of us were lucky enough to dive at Blue Corner and it really is as good as people say. In fact it’s better still! A howling current meant that we held on to the edge of the wall at about 15m deep and watched the marine world go by. For lovers of big stuff this is way cool – countless Grey Reef sharks, a huge school of jacks, an equally big school of barracuda in the deeper blue, Spanish mackerel cruising by and inquisitive Napoleon wrasse ducking between our fins. Plus of course dozens of other species made this a very special dive.
All this on free Nitrox!

© Gunther Deichmann - aerial view of the Blue Hole and Blue Corner

Lunch and surface interval was spent on a beautiful sandy beach with a super lunch provided by Sam’s. Each guest is asked for their choice of food for the day and magically a Bento box full of goodies appears at lunchtime. Our boxes included sushi, prawns, rice and a spicy beef course.

© Gunther Deichmann - Reef Sharks at Blue Corner

The end of the days diving brings us back to Sam’s Tours and a welcome ice cold drink (or two) at their Bottom Time Bar and Grill which overlooks the Rock islands. We were then assisted back to the hotel by a complimentary transfer.

Sam’s Tours facilities include a well stocked dive shop, new equipment rental, lockers, very impressive digital photo centre, free Nitrox for certified divers, the bar and restaurant and of course the very best staff whose attention to detail make for very happy guests from around the world. They also have very clean toilets!

Thanks to Dermot, Adela, Russelle, Jim, Joe and everyone else at Sam’s for making it a memorable day.

Part 2: a trip to Palau by Jem Kemp from Blue Horizons Travel
a partner of the Philippine Micronesia Alliance...

Palau Day 2:

It’s an early start with a full day ahead of us. We are staying at the Palasia Hotel located in the centre of Koror. The room I am in has views across the tree-tops out to the sea, other rooms have town views. The Palasia is one of Palau’s better hotels and has approximately 165 rooms configured around a central open atrium. The hotel is especially popular with Asian tourists (mainly from Taiwan, Japan and Korea) although there were also a number of European divers staying there as well.

Aerial View © Gunther Deichmann - I wonder if Jem had the chance to visit the three Cococnut Island on his recent trip, I guess not... otherwise he might not have returned to Manila. Lets see what he has to report on his next and 3rd day.

Breakfast (and indeed Dinner) was on a buffet basis and although there do appear to be ‘a la carte’ options many of the hotels provide buffets for their meals. Interestingly the dining room was very busy between 07.00am and 08.00am and thereafter pretty much empty. Primarily this is because many people visiting Palau are taking part in daily tour activities such as diving, island tours, kayaking etc. Operators like Sam’s Tours (see more later) collect their guests from the hotels and then assist them back later that day. Very few of the hotels actually have their own dive operator or tour centre in-house and instead the typical model is for the hotels to concentrate on accommodation and for the tours and trips to be provided by external operators. Similarly, very few of the Dive Centres appear have their own accommodation or resorts.

Just a word on tourism in Palau; it’s proximity to the rest of mainland Asia means that it is a popular destination for Japanese, Taiwanese and Korean visitors. There are also a number of arrivals from China. However, diving is the main draw and it is rightly considered to be one of the best diving destinations in the world – this means that there are also steadily increasing numbers of European. Australian, SE Asian and US divers coming to experience the underwater world.

Breakfast at the Palasia was similar to many others – a combination of Western and Asian flavours. We were then met by our guide and Marketing Representative from the PVA – the excellent Mr Kadoi Ruluked – who was to be with us for our trip. Kadoi was a fountain of knowledge and an obvious love of all things Palau related. Our plan today was to see as many of the hotels, resorts and operators as possible during the course of the day. First stop was West Plaza by the Sea.

The West Plaza group own 5 hotels throughout the Koror area and they are very popular with visiting divers. Indeed Sam’s Tours provide some excellent value Diving / Touring packages using West Plaza as the accommodation. West Plaza hotels have basic but clean and efficient rooms, with television, a.c, tea and coffee making facilities etc and are ideal for those on a budget who wish to concentrate their resources on diving and touring. Blue Horizons will provide you with more details of flights, accommodation and diving packages for these hotels.

Next stop was Palau Plantation Resort which has more traditional buildings set in tropical gardens on the side of a small cultivated valley. Definitely popular with the Japanese market the rooms range from simple to high end.

Our final stop prior to lunch was to call into the Palau International Coral Reef Center. The PICRC is located on the water on the south west tip of Koror. It is an autonomous government project and non-profit organisation designed to highlight Palau’s marine bio-diversity and to act as an educational / tourist tool. Of course nothing beats seeing the marine world in its natural habitat but this is an interesting place to visit for an hour or so. There are a number of themed aquariums and a great deal of visitor information is available.
Lunch was spent at the impressive Elilai Restaurant. Elilai is a set on a side of the hill of Ngerkebesang and has stunning views across the sea to the neighbouring islands. It is just 5 – 10 minutes drive from downtown Koror. Owner Takuya Mizokami and his team have prepared an interesting fusion menu and a modern dining space that is open and breezy. This is well worth visiting during a visit to Palau. The highlight of lunch for many was a perfectly fresh piece of tuna lightly fried and served ‘fish and chip style’!
Our afternoon continued with a visit to the Cliffside Hotel. Previously this was a very popular choice with Diving guests but has undergone a number of management changes over the past couple of years and some feedback has been a little negative. Rooms are big and spacious and it is to be hoped that the current management can restore the Hotel’s reputation.

Our final stop of the day was at Sam’s Tours where I met old friends and some new ones (hello Adela and Russelle) for the first time. Sam’s Tours are fellow Philippine-Micronesia Alliance partners and are widely considered to be one of the Best Dive Operators in the Pacific and probably the world. No space here to do them justice so a full report on Sam’s to follow tomorrow.

At day end we returned back to Palasia for a tour of the hotel and facilities (include fitness centre, pool area, bar, restaurant etc) and a very pleasant meal where we joined by Janine Wong (General Manager) and Janice Aguon (Asst Manager - Sales and Marketing).
Finally, after wrestling with the vagaries of wi-fi access, it was time to head off to the room. The next day was a Rock Islands tour day and one which everyone was very much looking forward too….

Sam Scott & Dermot Keane from Sam’s Tours in Palau and Dirk Fahrenbach from Dugong Dive Center met for a few hour in Manila recently; check out Fins online Blog for more at:
http://www.finsonline.com/category/blog/

Baby boom? A New diver was born today...

Congratulations to Dermot Keane and his wife Kaud who gave birth today of a new healthy Baby Boy.
Sorry no Name yet, Dermot Keane the GM from Sam’s Tours is currently in Manila where he received this great news only minutes ago.
Dermot and all the other Alliance Partners attended a mid annual PMA meeting yesterday in Manila at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel...more on the meeting later, now we have to celebrate the good news and new addition to the Keane Family.

From all of us the very best wishes and Congratulations again.

Yesterday 19 02 09 Dirk Fahrenbach from Dugong Dive Center Palawan
and Dermot Keane GM of Sam’s Tours Palau on the way to
the PMA meeting in a Manila Taxi

The happy couple...did Dermot know already or what was he thinking about it.
19 02 09 waiting for Dinner after the PMA meeting


Exposed under the light! Dermot and Dirk, Dermot had of course no idea until today that he became a father again.
Just as well otherwise we would have celebrated until the early hours, it was already early enough.

The PMA Meeting at the Mandarin Oriental International Hotel, Manila

Dermot is leaving later tonight with Continental Airlines for Palau with great anticipation to meet and check out his Son,
he has just run out of the office for an hour or so to buy a wetsuit, snorkel and dive gear for his newborn.
Good Luck Dermot... I know your name is Keane but I am not sure if you find the right size for him, that is even difficult in Manila.
GD

Finally...

Shark Weeks 2009 is a year long shark education and awareness program offered by Sam's Tours Palau, a PADI 5-Star National Geographic Dive Center and eco-tour operator, in conjunction with Palau Shark Sanctuary a shark conservation organization, in support of the International Year of the Shark 2009.
The Philippine-Micronesia Alliance is proud to have Sam’s Tours as their partner in Micronesia.

Shark Weeks is a One Year Programme initiated by Sam's Tours – where every week is a shark week.

© Gunther Deichmann - Dive with Sharks... NOT Kill the sharks!

Quote : “In the 21st century, shark-finning* is barbaric”
Dr. Sylvia Earle, Oceanographer
Explorer-in-Residence
National Geographic

More on Dr Sylvia Earle, Oceanographer who has just recently visited Sam’s Tours in Palau with Actress Daryl Hannah.

Photo © Dermot Keane - from left: Dr Sylvia Earle, Dermot Keane GM
of Sam’s Tours and Actress Daryl Hannah

In response to our very recent blog post on...Dr. Susan Lark is proud to announce that she is reformulating her squalane skin care line. The new line will contain squalane sourced from olives rather than sharks.
It is so nice and rewarding to get sometimes a feedback from our blog posts, in this case a very nice and humorous comment from Sam Scott at Sam’s Tours in Palau Micronesia. Sam is a very staunch supporter of our Marine Environment in particular of the preservation and protection of Sharks... and not only in Palau.

“Thanks for the heads up Gunther. Perhaps all us older people should give the new wrinkle crème made with olive oil a try and see if we can turn back the clock;)”
Take care,
Sam
Thanks Sam for sharing this with us and once I get more wrinkles I certainly give it a try...
GD

http://www.year-of-the-shark-2009.org/
SAVE SHARKS FROM
E XTINCTION

This Happy New Years event is brought to you direct from Manila with connection to all our partner destinations in the Philippines and Micronesia.

It is 2009 in Palau NOW… HAPPY NEW YEAR from Sam’s Tours!

I am still waiting for some info…from Palau but if something arrives later I share it with you no worries. I about and hour Asia Divers has hopefully something and for sure I share Manila with you…
Our first report was from Chuuk about an hour ago, they are ahead of us, Palau is next and of course the Philippines. The Alcohol has taken its toll… they all having a great and fantastic time at the Dive Centers and Resorts, but I try my very best to connect with them all. Please stay tuned and if you missed it tonight then check it tomorrow afternoon, I don’t think morning is a good Idea in particular for our divers, after all we should NOT go diving after a heavy night. So, sit back and have a relaxing day at the Beach, go snorkeling or sleep all day, it is after all your well deserved vacation.
Remember Safety First!
Happy New Year from the virtual office of the Philippine–Micronesia Alliance and all the partners. The Divers Choice.
GD

Early Christmas Gifts for Palau...

We are proud of our partner destination and of course our partner Sam’s Tours who was recently awarded the Tour Operator of the Year. Now Palau in Micronesia has scored big, see below the details from Scuba Diving Magazine.

Is this a Palau Christmas Tree? hmm...
© Gunther Deichmann - aerial view at sunset
near the 70 islands, Palau, Micronesia

Here are the results of SCUBA DIVING MAGAZINE
Readers' Choice Survey:
SCUBA Diving Magazine Top 100
Readers' Choice Survey Jan/Feb 2009 Issue

Pacific & Indian Oceans

TOP DIVE DESTINATIONS:
1. Palau
TOP WALL DIVING:
1. Palau
TOP UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHY:
1. Palau
TOP MARINE ENVIRONMENT:
2. Palau
TOP MARINE LIFE:
2. Palau
TOP VISIBILITY:
2. Palau
TOP WRECK DIVE:
3. Palau
TOP BIG ANIMAL ENCOUNTERS:
4. Palau
TOP MACRO LIFE:
5. Palau

Congratulation to the Management and staff at Sam,’s Tours in Palau Micronesia for achieving this outstanding Award!


Sam’s Tours location in Palau Micronesia

It's official.......Sam's Tours wins PVA's
Tour Operator of the Year Award!



Sam's Tours - TOUR OPERATOR OF THE YEAR!

The Palau Visitors Authority (PVA), Palau's official tourism board, announced their selection of Sam's Tours as "TOUR OPERATOR OF THE YEAR" for 2008. The announcement and award presentation took place during the Annual Christmas Gala of the Belau Tourism Association (BTA), Palau's private sector tourism industry association, recently held at the Palau Pacific Resort.
Awarding winning is not new to Sam’s Tours which has been consistently recognized over the years not only by government and industry bodies for their commitment to development of sustainable tourism in Palau but also by their customers for consistent service excellence. In 2007 Sam's Tours received a Top 10 Sponsor Award from PVA for "their continual support and sponsorship" and in 2006 the private sector Belau Tourism Association recognized Sam's Tours with their Outstanding Member Award for their "dedication, support and commitment over the years to Belau Tourism Association and its objectives.”
The readers of a leading international dive magazine have recognized Sam’s Tours more than any other dive center in Palau or Micronesia with seven “Readers Choice Awards” since 1997 including a Gold List Award for top dive center, top staff, and top value.
Sam’s Tours is the first and only dive center in Palau to receive the Palau Conservation Society “Ten Year Partner in Conservation Award” and is a Corporate Sponsor of the Palau Shark Sanctuary, a shark conservation organization founded in 2001 by Sam’s Tours General Manager, Dermot Keane, to help bring an end to the destructive practice of shark-finning by foreign fishing fleets operating in Palau’s waters. The Palau Shark Sanctuary received a PATA (Pacific Asia Travel Association) Environmental Education Gold Award for their work.
“Sam’s Tours has consistently demonstrated their long standing commitment to responsible tourism development, environmental preservation, and excellence in customer service and while recognition is not what drives us to excel, we sincerely appreciate the acknowledgment of our efforts by our industry peers and our valued customers alike” said Dermot Keane, General Manager, Sam’s Tours.

This is our first article on one of the Philippine-Micronesia Alliance Members, by Lee Goldman our Marine Biologist

Spotlight on:

Sam’s Tours Palau, Micronesia...Crown Jewel of the Pacific

As a member of the Philippine - Micronesian Alliance, which seeks to combine the diversity and macro-abundant seas of the Philippines with the dynamic and rich meg-faunal realm of Micronesia, I am in a fairly unique position to write about many of the alliance partners. Over the past decade, my work has brought me into very close associations with many of the partners and I currently work directly with three of them (Club Paradise, Blue Horizons Travel and Tours, Asia Divers). I would like, however, to begin this series with the Alliance partner with whom it all started for me way back in 1998:
Sam’s Tours in Palau Micronesia. Sam’s Tours really doesn’t need a lengthily introduction. Almost every diver in the world is familiar with Palau and Sam’s Tours since they are often mentioned in the same sentence. Ask any diver where they most want to go and if Palau isn’t mentioned it’s because they have already been there or are new to the planet Earth. Every diver dreams of the day they can wave in the currents with thousands of reef fish including dozens of sharks at the famed Blue Corner or be swept along vertical walls adorned with a multitude of colorful corals, sponges, and anemones.

Sam’s Tours Website, click on the image and find out more

For me, though, Sam’s greatest asset is their approach to the diversity of tours that can be offered in Palau. Not just diving, Sam’s Tours offers guided trips to explore the magic within the Rock Islands via kayak or boat, fishing expeditions (both reef and deep sea), and land-based tours to the large volcanic island of Babaldoab or historic Pelelui.
Although I feel in love with the diving, it was the beauty and excitement of exploring within the Rock Islands that kept me there. Kayaking amongst the lush, jungle-draped limestone islands provided a sense of tranquility mixed with the excitement of encountering rare organisms, lost WWII wrecks, or colorful birds. It is probably why I gravitated towards the kayaking rather than the diving, and Sam’s Tours made it possible for me explore my own passions and translate them to my guests with their commitment to fostering this adventurous spirit in all of their guides and guests.
Simply put, whenever I talk with divers and we find ourselves talking about Palau, I make sure to tell them to spend time on top of the water amidst the Rock Islands as well as below among the huge schools of fish. And with Sam’s Tours, you can do it all.
By Lee Goldman,Marine Biologist

Dermot Keane the GM from Sam’s Tours had a stop over in Manila on his way back to Palau, he just attended the DEMA Show in Las Vegas in the US.
Thomas Schubert who I saw in Bali a week ago snowed in also on his way to Palau, his second home.
We had a great and for a change quiet evening the at the Café Adriatico in Malate talking about Bali and of course DEMA, more interesting NEWS soon from Sam’s Tours in Palau, I keep you posted in the next few weeks with the latest developments at Sam’s Tours in Palau Micronesia.
GD

Photo: Hermes Singson, good friends at the Cafe Adriatico in Malate, Manila
from left: Dermot Keane, Grace (my better half) GD and Thomas Schubert

Many thanks to our good friends at DivePhotoGuide for announcing our NEW updated website, thanks Guys.

We have just added some very intersting Videos to our collection, you find them in our Podcast and Movie section,or Click this Link
The file size can vary from 2.5MB to 21MB

All video clips are for DSL/Broadband and we reccomend a good connection, these new clip have been produced for Sam’s Tours and Truk Stop Hotel and Dive Center. View the World War II relics of Chuuk or also know as Truk Lagoon get inspirred by the History and dive the sunken Japanese fleet in the Pacific of Operation Hail Stone.
© Video’s by Gunther Deichmann & Dirk Fahrenbach, edited and soundtracks by Gunther Deichmann © 2008 all right reserved
GD

Tags: World War II, History War, Pacific War, Operation Hail Stone

This article is published in the current issue of Fins Magazine…

Discussions with Dirk and Dermot…
“Disclaimer: no person in their right mind should take anything in this column seriously.
We certainly don’t”

If you have a question about diving, life or anything at all that you’d like addressed (but not necessarily answered) by our resident know-it-alls Dirk and Dermot, email us at:
uselessanswers@finsmagazine.com. Selected question will receive a special gift.

As seen in the latest edition of Fins Magazine...
to read this issue go to:
http://www.finsonline.com/magazine/vol_7_3/

Dear Dirk and Dermot,
I was reading one of your answers the other day, and realized it made no sense. What exactly qualifies you to give advice to other people? And are you guys a couple?

-bothered in boracay-

Dear bothered in Boracay,
First of all, we’re not a couple. Dermot’s definitely not my type, and he certainly doesn’t look good in a skirt, despite what he himself might believe.
Second, when you spend all your time on a sun-drenched, idyllic tropical island like I do, you develop a unique perspective on life, which I am happy to share with others. Besides, I’ve found over the years that diver banter generally makes very little sense, so what difference does it make?


Dear bothered in boracay,
As an Irishman, I’m a natural born advice giver, having put in many years of intense apprenticeship at some of the world’s preeminent institutions of (senseless) advice giving…Irish pubs! You should give it a try.
As for whether we’re a couple or not… Dirk only wishes. I’m so out of his league.

Dermot Keane is the general manager of Sam’s Tours in Palau, and Dirk Fahrenbach is the owner of Dugong Dive Center, located on Dimakya Island in the Philippines.
Both Resorts/Dive Centers are members of the Philippines-Micronesia Alliance.

I picked up this article from our good friend Walter Ty again, it made me laugh...GarageBand 400 Million years ago?
Not quiet... but very interesting reading and I thought I share this with you... oh boy, what they all discover these days...
I guess if you at Sam’s Tours in Palau with the fully equipped Digital Photo Center and have a Underwater Housing for your Soundrecorder then there is no problem to up load all of these fishy noises on to your IPod...have fun and thanks again to Walter for pointing out this interesting and amusing story...

Grunting fish have helped scientists to date the origins
of vocal sounds to about 400 million years ago.



Photo: Screenshot Courtesy of the BBC, click on the image
or use the link below for the video and complete article.

Toadfish and midshipman fish use a variety of different sounds to attract mates and scare off rivals. Now US researchers have found that the area of a fish's brain that drives vocalization is extremely primitive. Writing in the journal Science, they say it suggests that the ability to communicate through sound emerged very early in the evolution of vertebrates...read the complete article and watch the Video...
@ http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7510443.stm

Tags: IPod, Digital Photo Center, GarageBand, IMac

Just arrived on my desk posted by palautours.com blog

Late breaking NEWS from PALAU Micronesia!
...brought to you by palautours.com

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. Remengesau signed into law the Senate Bill.
President Tommy Remengesau, Jr. makes it clear, the significance of stopping the exportation of live reef fish yesterday.

Tags: Conservation, PALAU, NATURE, Protect, Environment

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.
What a contrast!
GD

© Gunther Deichmann - Is this what it looked like in Palau???
For some real images go to the link provided below...
this is only an artist impression.

The annual mass spawning of corals on the Palau archipelago in the western Pacific has occurred right on cue. With Sunday night's full moon, coral polyps let forth a huge swathe of sperm and egg, to seed the next generation.

The event was short-lived - only about 30 minutes - but so vast in its scale that it turned the sea water pink. Scientists from Palau, Australia and the UK are studying the practicality of collecting coral larvae to help restore damaged reefs elsewhere.

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. Local knowledge was spot on, as it turned out.
Almost as soon as the boat engine switched off, we got a sense that something might be brewing... you have to see and read the whole story...and images
@ http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7358423.stm

Again I have received this amazing and very cool information from our silent… well not so silent anymore friend Walter Ty…thanks Walter...read this amazing event just about to happen at one of our partners front door…Sam’s Tours in Palau Micronesia…catching corals…I wish I could be there…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.
You could do this right from Sam’s Tours Digital Photo Center, Wi-Fi connected with all the latest software on their iMacs including Aperture; a medium resolution jpg will do just fine, thanks.

Book your trip with our partner Blue Horizons to witness this spectacular event...but hurry it is very soon, Blue Horizons is a specialist for all your travel in the Philippines and Micronesia.
GD

© Gunther Deichmann - a Turtle is cruising over
the reef in Palau Micronesia

Catching corals' spectacular moment
Courtesy of BBC
By Andrew Luck-Baker
BBC Radio 4, Palau

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.
By the light of April's full moon on Sunday or, quite likely a night or two after, corals will be mating en masse.

Click the image above and go to Sam's Tours in Palau

Along the length of the island archipelago that makes up the Republic of Palau, millions of coral colonies will simultaneously release billion upon billion of eggs and sperm into the dark waters.
An hour or so after sunset, each spawning coral will discharge showers of sex cells, packaged in orange and pink blobs.
They will rise to the surface in such huge numbers that they may form oily slicks metres long.
If the sea conditions are right, spawn slicks can coalesce to be large enough to be visible from space.

Depressing need
Once on the surface, the packages burst open, liberating eggs and sperm for fertilisation.
Countless free-swimming coral larvae then develop and three or four days later, a few will have survived long enough to make it to the sea bed.

There they attach to a suitable hard surface and develop into single baby coral polyps. The next generation of corals on the reefs will be launched.
A team of marine biologists from Australia, Britain and the Philippines has come to Palau to take advantage of this wonder of nature in the cause of coral reef restoration.
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.
The reefs around Palau are in good shape but elsewhere throughout the tropical world, many coral ecosystems are in a parlous state.

Plenty spare
Pollution, over-fishing and coral bleaching events, which are caused by marine heat waves, have reduced the amount of coral to the point where these naturally bio-diverse habitats are at varying degrees of degradation.
Many are nearing ecological collapse - some have gone forever, already.

Collection of Acropora corals (BBC)
Acropora is an important reef-builder and is common here

However, many reefs might be salvageable if they are first protected from pollution and overexploitation, and then are seeded with some surplus spawn from more vibrant reefs.
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.
In the coming experiment on Palau, the scientists will not be using coral spawn produced on the open reefs.
Partly for practical reasons, they will harvest their spawn under more controllable conditions at the laboratory of the Palau International Coral Reef Center.

In the lab
On Saturday, I joined them on a trip to collect 10 dinner-plate-sized coral colonies from Luke's reef about 20 minutes speed-boat-ride from the Reef Center.
James Guest, from the University of Newcastle, UK, and Maria Vanessa Baria from the University of the Philippines dived to the sea bed, armed with hammers and chisels.

They were after a particular species of branching coral which forms large tables or shelves as it grows. It is this type which is one of the most abundant and most important reef builders.
It takes a few taps at the stony stalk base of each colony to break them free. Waiting on the boat to receive the corals was Andrew Heyward of the Australian Institute for Marine Science - one of the first biologists to describe the phenomenon of coral mass spawning in the 1980s.
The colonies were put straight into tubs of sea water, and once the tenth was on board, we headed back at a high rate of knots to the Reef Center.
Back at the Center, the coral were transferred with speed to larger tanks, filled with constantly refreshed seawater.

Setting up home
Now there's a lull before the spawn. The main event could happen Sunday or Monday or Tuesday night (Palau time). And some species will synchronously spawn the day after others.
When the captive corals in the lab release their eggs and sperm, the contained spawn will be transferred to children's paddling pools floating in the sea next to the lab.

Putting corals in a lab tank (BBC)
The spawning for these corals will occur in laboratory tanks

Over the following few days, the researchers will check the developing larvae to see how many are mature enough to settle down and become fixed baby coral polyps.
When sufficient numbers are good to go, the team will take the batch of larvae back to the reef and pump them over areas of potential colonisation.
The new homes for the larvae are artificial reef balls placed there specially for the purpose. They are domes of limestone concrete about a one metre wide and high.

Before the larva can be introduced, the reef balls will have to be covered so the larvae don't just float away.

Big question

So the team will dive the five metres to the sea bed and erect two-man camping tents made of fine mesh over each artificial reef structure.
The baby corals will travel from the boat through the zipped door of the tent via a hose pipe. Andrew Heyward says the aim of this experiment is to be "low tech or no tech".

He feels this approach is vital if the technique of coral seeding is ever to be used on any scale in developing countries.

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. They will do that again in a few months and after a year.

Each time they will compare the number of young corals with those on tiles from control balls which would have been settled by larvae born in the mass spawning on the reef.
Andrew Heyward points out that loading the dice in the larvae's favour before they settle is only part of the issue over whether coral seeding will work to restore reefs.
"If you boost the number of larval corals settling on a coral reef, so what? Does it make any difference to the longer term compared to an area where you did nothing?"
The answer will emerge in the next 12 months following this week's frenzy of mass reproduction on the reefs of Palau.

For the photos and the story go to:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7357121.stm

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.

The Reflection of Excellence continues...

Great NEWS! Soon to arrive...Aperture 2 at Sam's Tours Palau Micronesia...stay tuned for more updates from Sam's Tours Digital Photo Center.
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.

© 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... bring your iPod, but then who doesn't these days and once back home show your friends and family members on TV how great your last vacation has been. We take away all your hassles, you be organized back home, no more looking for hours on end where you stored these great shots... just switch on your TV and enjoy the show.

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... "The Pearls of the Pacific." and a founding member of the Philippine - Micronesia Alliance. The Divers Choice.

For all the latest info and tips on Aperture 2 please visit Gunther Deichmann's Blog @ http://www.deichmann-photo.com/blog.html

GD

With Love from Palau... Sam's Tours timed it right for Valentines day this week... Headphones for all these divers who like to talk to their loved ones, what is the name of the old Bond Movie... from Russia with Love or something like that, now it is with Love from Palau and Sam's Tours.
Sam, you making a lot of divers very happy...not only with the service and diving, but been also very connected to the rest of the world.

"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.
Say hi and see your loved ones on Valentines day on a nice
20 inch iMac screen.

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...
I guess iChat is only around the corner.
You are in the middle of the Pacific and can communicate with the rest of the world after your diving with Sam's Tours, now that is real cool.
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... Sam's Tours is also a founding member of the Philippine-Micronesia Alliance... very simply The Divers Choice. Top dive site and destinations, modern facilities and very, very connected with Wi-Fi and pro photography setups in the Philippines and Micronesia. We keep you in touch no matter how remote the destinations are...

Your passion is diving... ours is service... and the ultimate in island hopping.

Check out the images from our other destinations just click here.
GD

I have received today these images from Dermot Keane the GM at Sam's Tours, Alex one of the Girls and a new DPC staff prepared them for us, thanks Alex.

For our non professionals, Camera rentals with and without underwater housing,
if you like to explore Palau above and below the waves, Sam's Tours got you covered.
___________________________________

I have just picked up this Blog post from our partner and friend Sam's Tours in Palau Micronesia, thanks for sharing this with us.
GD

Sam's Tours Blog now in German too!

Sam's Tours recently appointed TOURISM UNLIMITED as our official Media and PR Agency in Europe. 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. So it was with great pleasure that Sam's Tours appointed Tourism Unlimited to assist with our marketing efforts throughout Europe.
The Tourism Unlimited Team.

I will be working closely with Christoph and Judith in the months ahead and look forward to the many exciting plans we have to improve Sam's Tours support and services to our professional travel partners, diving customers and others in Europe interested in visiting us in Palau, Micronesia. For more information please visit:

http://www.tourism-unlimited.com/de

http://www.tourism-unlimited.com/de/pressebereich/SamsTours/

Für Fan's der Unterwasserfotografie und solche, die es noch werden wollen, gibt es grosse Neuigkeiten: Sam's Tours hat einen Photoshop auf der Tauchbasis eingerichtet, der vom allerfeinsten ausgestattet ist: 7 iMacs mit WLAN/Internetzugang stehen den Tauchern zur Verfügung. 3 der digitalen Arbeitsplätze sind mit Apple Aperture und Adobe Photoshop ausgestattet (Software für Bildbearbeitung), 1 Arbeitsplatz bietet zusätzlich noch Videoschnittsoftware.

Wer noch keine eigene Unterwasser-Fotoausrüstung besitzt, muss trotzdem nicht auf die Mitnahme der schönsten Unterwassererlebnisse verzichten: das Angebot wird ergänzt um verschiedene Kameras und Unterwassergehäuse, die gemietet werden können. Wer seine fotografischen Fähigkeiten unter Wasser wie am Bildschirm perfektionieren möchte, sollte sich schnell für den Fotoworkshop vom 22.-27. April 2008 in Palau bei Sam's Tours anmelden. Weitere Infos zum Workshop findet Ihr hier.
PermalinkPermalink
01/16/08
Permalink 06:15:55 am, by samstour Email , 593 words, 29 views English (US)
Categories: Announcements
Sam's Tours Bites the Apple!

For those of you who’ve been to Sam’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. Included in those improvements were new Guest Lockers, expansion of Bottom Time Bar & Grill, paving our formerly muddy and messy Parking Lot, and lots of other odds and ends to better serve our Guests!

Like many projects, there were a few things that didn’t quite make the deadline and or still remain to be done. Today, I’m happy to report that one of those major “To Do Items” has finally come to fruition (no pun intended!) providing our guests with the very latest in digital photography and imaging services!

I’m pleased to announce the launch of SAM'S TOURS DIGITAL PHOTO CENTER!
Sam's Tours, Palau, Micronesia, Apple iMacs
Gunther and Sam celebrate the opening of Sam's new Digital Photo Center

And I don’t mean just any old workstation where you can download your images and burn a CD or DVD. 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. And all the post-shooting support and services you need to go with it!
Sam Scott, Sam's Tours, Palau, Micronesia, Apple iMacs
Happy Sam with his new Apple iMacs.

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. You shoot. We save! Check out Gunther’s website at: http://www.deichmann-photo.com for more information on his amazing photography. Check out also his interesting blogs at:http://www.deichmann-photo.com/blog\

And even bigger still, Gunther will be back at Sam’s Tours from April 22 – 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. Check out www.gdphotoworkshop.com for more workshop information.

For more information on Tony Wu and to view his stunning underwater photography work check out his website at: www.tony-wu.com

Workshop space is very limited and the last three workshops were sell outs so book now if you want to join us in April. E-mail: reservations@samstours.com for more information and

No other dive center in Palau or Micronesia comes close to the top-of-the-line equipment, service and support that Sam’s Tours provides to digital photographers! If you’re a digital photographer in Palau Sam’s Tours has you covered!
Sam's Tours, Palau, Micronesia, Apple iMacs
New iMacs at Sam's Tours Digital Photo Center

Stay tuned for more exciting updates including the upcoming addition of our new underwater photographer and film-maker who joins us later this month.

Special thanks to Gunther and his team for all their hard work. Well done and many thanks yet again! (Gunther built our website at: www.samstours.com)
Sam's Tours, Palau, Micronesia, Apple iMacs
Gunther during an Apple Aperture course with Sam's Tours staff

Sam's Tours is a founding member of the Philippine-Micronesia Alliance: http://www.alliancediving.com/blog

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As I promised, here is part two (2) of the Digital Photo Center at Sam's Tours Palau, Micronesia.
I am now in Chuuk Micronesia, but where is Chuuk? 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.
Before I give you some more details on the setup at Sam's Tours, you'll be amazed what I have come across in Chuuk, totally surreal and unique, sorry, for this story you have to wait until the 27th.

From left to right: Rhea Richardson newly trained and now in charge of operation,
Arnold Munoz, Sam Scott, Dermot Keane and Gunther Deichmann the first day of operation.
All Photos: Hermes Singson

When we arrived we had to unpack, install and fine tune all the six iMac's including the installation of the additional RAM, oh boy... we though all of it had been done prior shipment but to our surprise well... we had to do it.
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.
Sam's Tours made available two staff for the training, Rhea a Filipina and Alex a Polish divemaster are now running the Digital Photo Center, after receiving a crash course on the operating system we went straight to Aperture for the remaining days.
The system at Sam's Tours was set up in such a way that customers can give the Compact Flash (CF) cards after the dive to the DPC and the staff will import the images direct into the database of Aperture.

Setting up time- left : GM Dermot Keane, Sam Scott
and Arnold Munoz,
right: Gunther Deichmann and Sam Scott
All photos Hermes Singson, thanks Hermes

Since most of the diver photographers come to Palau for about a week or two, the images are uploaded every day and by the end of the week the staff will prepare a CD/DVD for them to take home.
But now comes the good part, if for what ever reason the customer looses his or her CD/DVD up on returning home, they only have to send an email and request a copy.
This is where Aperture comes in very handy, all images are stored as a project (the project name in this case is the name of the Customer/Diver) as reference files and further backed up again to another drive which is independent.
Customer files are usually kept for about 60 to 90 days, but upon request special arrangements can be made for longer storage, in the DPC two iMac's are set aside for photographer who like to use Aperture themselves, a similar back up and storage system is in place.
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.

Aperture installed including your own back up X2
All Photos Hermes Singson, thanks Hermes.

All iMac's are wi-fi connected and have dedicated access to the internet, thanks to Arnold our I.T. guy making the DPC a virtual internet Cafe as well, a Video station is soon to be implemented as well, separate printing via an Epson printer is also available plus external CD/DVD burner with labeling ability.
But there is a lot more... 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.
To round it up, this is the most complex and efficient Digital Photo Center in Palau, Micronesia, the Pacific and I believe a first in the diving industry, in this part of the world.
Stay tuned for this real great news and info, you won't believe the one from Chuuk Micronesia, the things I came across during my travels....
the title will be "The forgotten ones" related to our partner Truk Stop Hotel and Dive Center, Chuuk Micronesia.
GD

________________________________

We all know the slogan from Sam's Tours...
A reflection of Excellence... now it is...
a Reflection of Excellence continues. (Part 1)
15/01/2008 Sam’s Tours Palau, Micronesia



Photo: Hermes Singson -
Finally... it is done! Gunther Deichmann and Sam Scott,
we did have a few glasses of wine afterwards, celebrating another
mile stone at Sam's Tours.

I know I kept everybody in suspense for about a week, as of tonight it is no longer a secret. It is late, I am very tired but it is done and official, a first for Palau, Micronesia and probably in the Pacific and I guess in the diving industry. Sam’s Tours is open for business, a complete Photography-Internet-Digital workstation entirely run on the latest iMac’s loaded with RAM for our photographers and Aperture users.
It doesn't matter if you an amateur or professional Sam’s Tours is catering for all your needs, like to rent a camera for underwater or above, or a small video cam is not a problem.
Our trained staff can assist you after the ‘dive workflow’, show your images to your friends while still on location with a impressive slide show, burn you images on CD/DVD for you to take home. We offer you all the options, do it yourself or let our staff take care of all your images while you wait and enjoy a cold beer at our Bottom Time Bar.

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’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.

We have also installed high-end backups so we can always guarantee that your images will be safe and secure with us after each dive or adventure trip in Palau.
In case you loose your CD/DVD, we backup your images for up to 60 days just send us an email and we will burn another copy of your CD/DVD and post it to you.

Photo: Hermes Singson - Gunther Deichmann training Sam's Tours
staff on Aperture and the digital workflow after the shoot.

For our professional photographers Aperture is installed and if you not familiar with Aperture, you can always use Bridge or Photoshop Elements.

That’s about it for now, I am very tired and need to get some rest, we follow up with part two in a couple of days, and explain in more details of this unique setup in Palau.
Congratulation to Sam’s Tours!
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’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. Thanks to Dermot Keane the GM from Sam's Tours for all his help and assistance.
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.
GD

Stay tuned for part two. (2) or subscribe to our Blog at: http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/
Sam's Tours is a founding member of the Philippine-Micronesia Alliance: http://www.alliancediving.com/

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

Photo: Hermes Singson - From left:
Dermot Keane, Gunther Deichmann,
Rhea Richardson and Sam Scott in the new
total Mac/Aperture Photography-Digital- Internet Center

__________________________________

Direct from Palau Micronesia… more great News!
No it is not the Survivor show, but never less very cool news from Sam's Tours.
A major event is just about to go down at Sam's Tours Palau... great News for... find out on the 15th of January.

If you can guess what is going to happen on the 15th of January at Sam's Tours... the first email with the right answer can win...
...3 days of free diving at Sam’s Tours, Palau.

© Gunther Deichmann - for more images from the
Philippine-Micronesia Alliance destinations please
click the image above.

Clue: It's Simply Digital!

You have 3 days to figure this one out, please send your email to: info@samstours.com

Note:
Sam’s Tours staff, Gunther Deichmann and Team, family members and close associates are not allowed to participate. Sorry guys.

Next week starting on the 13th I be reporting direct from Sam’s Tours from where we will fire up our big surprise. At the moment we are still tied up at the Palau Pacific Resort. After the 15th things will be very different at Sam’s concerning … opps… 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. January 2008 is a real Micronesia month for us.

Our next blog with the announcement re. Palau will be in the evening on the 15th. 01. 2008
GD

__________________________________________

DID YOU KNOW?

Introducing our partners in their different languages, today we introduce
our partner in Palau Micronesia, Sam's Tours in Spanish.
Our previous Blogs featured Asia Divers with El Galleon in Italian
and Calypso/Pinjalo in German.

Philippine-Micronesia Alliance ® 2008

Benvenuti nell’Alleanza Filippine – Micronesia, I vostri partners per vacanze di qualita’ nel campo delle immersioni!.

La vasta e remota regione delle Filippine e della Micronesia include le acque piu’ abbondanti e tropicali del Pacifico rinomate per i sommozzatori per le ricche bio diversita’ marine che includono pellicani, infinite varietà di soggetti per macro fotografia, più di 700 specie di coralli, più 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, più convenienti, più comodi e più divertenti che mai per i subacquei!

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

Per la convenienza del suo progetto di viaggio, i nostri esperti e selezionati agenti regionali pianificheranno le Vostre esplorazioni nel Pacifico, per una tranquillita’ garantita nell’appoggio dei livelli di servizio della nostra Alleanza, nel conforto e nella totale soddisfazione. Per cortesia, rilassatevi, divertitevi e lasciate il piano delle immersioni a noi!
I Vostri partners per vacanze di qualita’ nel campo delle immersioni, includono resorts Filippini e centri Asiatici per subacquei come il “Resort Galleon, a Puerto Galera; il “Club Paradise & Dugong Diving Center, a Palawan; il “Pinjalo Diver Resort”, a Borocay; il “Sam’s Tours” a Palau, in Micronesia e il “Truk Lagoon Dive Center, negli Stati federati della Micronesia.

© Gunther Deichmann - Spectacular Nautilus dives at
Sam's Tours Palau.
Click on the images for more photos from
all the Alliance destinations.

Il Sam’s tour, e’ il primario centro di addestramento e sviluppo subacqueo PADI a cinque stelle di Palau. Eccellenti servizi per gli utenti, attenzioni personalizzate e servizio professionale ha fatto si che il Sam’s Tours sia stato premiato dalla scelta dei lettori dello Scuba Diving Magazine, dal 1997 in poi come “Migliore centro di immersioni”, “Migliore personale di addestramento” e “Migliori costi”.

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.


Situato a Koror, il Sam's Tours e' a meno di 40 minuti di battello dalle meravigliose scogliere esterne di Palau ed e' a 10 minuti da molte navi naufragate ed aerei affondati durante la Seconda guerra Mondiale (WWII). I nostri battelli forniscono viaggi veloci, sicuri e comodi ed includono una visita complimentare allo sbalorditivo Jellyfish Lake (Lago delle meduse) di Palau. Per maggiore sicurezza e comodita' offriamo Nitrox complimentari (con certificazione) e nel rispetto della sicurezza, permettiamo immersioni con un massimo di otto persone per ogni istruttore.

Sam’s Tours e’ un centro di immersioni indipendente che opera in combinazione con i migliori Hotels di Palau ed offre viaggi di andata e ritorno giornalieri, pacchetti che includono Hotel ed immersioni, e charter personalizzati per singole persone o gruppi. Un servizio shuttle complimentare garantisce viaggi di andata e ritorno da e per tutti gli Hotel di Koror.

In aggiunta alle immersioni, Sam’s Tours offre gite per lo snorkel, giri dell’isola, noleggi marittimi ed il piu’ quotato Planet Blue Kayak Tours. Sam’s Tours, e’ l’unico centro di immersioni di Palau che riceve il premio Palau Conservation Society (Societa’ di tutela di Palau) “Partner in Conservazion” (Partner in tutela) ed e’ lo sponsor sociale del Palau Shark Sanctuary Fund (Fondo del Palau Shark Sanctuary).

____________________________________

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.

Scuba diving with us in the Philippines, Micronesia and the Pacific in 2008.
The Divers Choice.
scuba-uitrustings duik - plongée de scaphandre - Tauchen mit Unterwasseratemgerät - diving dello scuba - diving do scuba - salto de la escafandra autónom
Filippijnen - Philippines - Philippinen - Filippine - Filipinas - Philippines - Filipinas - Micronesië - La Micronésie - Mikronesien - La Micronesia
vreedzaam - Pacifique - pazifisches meer - pacifico

H a p p y H o l i d a y s


© Gunther Deichmann - Palau, Micronesia
Quiet again in Palau after the Survivor show/filming is over.
Select a beach and have a romantic Vacation, like the couples
on the three Coconut Island.
Click the image for more photos of our destinations.


Blog post from Sam's Tours Palau
SURVIVOR MICRONESIA - Officially Announced!

Survivor 16 or Survivor Palau as it has been generally referred to up until now, is officially announced as Survivor Micronesia. Big Fish Inc., the production company who shot the show in Palau from September through December this year has already packed up and left town. The town is markedly quieter now that the production crews are gone and the beaches in the rock islands that have been off-limits during the shoot are once again open for access.

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.

With Survivor: China concluded, CBS announced the new season of Survivor will be called Survivor: Micronesia - Fans versus Favorites and will feature a tribe of long-time Survivor fans up against fan-favorites from previous seasons.

For more information check out:
http://coldleftovers.com/survivor-micronesia-cast-revealed
http://www.unofficialsurvivorguide.com/

While Survivor Micronesia is getting top billing on the Internet, it is Palau's awesome scubadiving that continues to wow our visitors. Just yesterday one of our guests Chris saw a Whaleshark while participating in an Intro Dive! I've been diving here for 10 years and haven't seen a Whaleshark yet! The mantas have been plentiful and very playfull in the late afternoons near German Channel and there have been a few tiger sharks seen in the area too. Visibility has been spectacular and all in all, the diving has been spectacular these past few months. How can you tell? Just take one look at the divers faces as they get off the boats or listen up at the bar as friends sit around and relive their dives. So, turn off the TV, pack your bags and come on down to Palau and see for yourself what all the fuss is about!

A very happy New Year - prost Neujahr - bonne année - onnellista uutta vuotta - gelukkig Nieuwjaar - ath bhliain faoi mhaise - selamat tahun baru - godt nytt år - szczliwego nowego roku - feliz ano novo - gott nytt år manigong bagong taon - sawatdii pimaï - kung hé fat tsoi - xin nian kuai le / xin nian hao - godt nytår - eutichismenos o kainourgios chronos - felice anno nuovo, buon anno - S novim godom - sreno novo leto - Cung Chúc Tân Xuân
yeni yiliniz kutlu olsun

___________________________________

© Gunther Deichmann

I have just received word and given confirmation about the final dates on the Photo Workshop in Palau Micronesia with Sam's Tours.
The confirmed dates are: April 22nd to 27th 2008. 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


© Tony Wu - learn from the best

© Gunther Deichmann- even aerials can be arranged


© Tony Wu - a smile for you


© Gunther Deichmann, Sam's Tours Palau -
your base, the premier dive center

________________________________________________________

© Gunther Deichmann

The current issue of Fins Magazine is featuring a nice 12 page article on Micronesia, please see below some excerpts from this current issue, you can download the whole article direct from their website at: http://www.finsonline.com/magazine/vol_6_6/ or go to our site in a few days and you find the pdf file under Alliance& the Media at:
http://www.alliancediving.com/media.html

Fins Magazine is also available as a download in the iTunes Store,
just check it out.

Dive or plan your next vacation with the Philippine-Micronesia Alliance in Micronesia or the Pacific, we offer you the very best in marine bio-diversity, wreck diving, wall or real shark dives, explore and have your next adventure with us at any of our partner resorts or dive centers. We like to express our sincere thanks to Fins Magazine for this great and comprehensive article on Micronesia, our partners in Micronesia are Sam's Tours in Palau and Truk Stop Hotel and Dive Center in Chuuk or better known as Truk Lagoon.

The region known as Micronesia, meaning tiny islands, is in fact a vast area that includes over eight nation-statesand thousands of islands ranging from uninhabited atolls to overcrowded coral outcrops. Stretching from the Marshall Islands just west of Hawaii to theCaroline Islands east of the Philippines, and from the Marianas Islands to the north and Gilbert Islands to the south, Micronesia has less combined land area than the smallest state in the United States, yet more ocean area than the entire mainland USA. Located north of the equator, Micronesia sits on the fringes of the epicentre of marine biodiversity, making it a tropical diving paradise second to none. For scuba divers, the islands of Palau (or Belau), an independent republic since 1994, and the island states of Yap, Chuuk,Pohnpei and Kosrae, which make up the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) are of the greatest interest. From
the magnificent mantas of Yap, to the fascinating WWII wrecks of Truk Lagoon (Chuuk) to the schooling sharks of Palau’s renowned Blue Corner, Micronesia ranksamong the world’s top high-voltage dive destinations................ more

Pohnpei is perhaps best known as the site of the ancient ruins of Nan Madol, though in recent years it has also begun to develop a reputation as a great surf spot. Much is still to be learned about the mysterious Nan Madol ruins. Called the Venice of the Pacific, this man-made city with ocean-filled channels once housed a thriving, royal civilization.............

The sleepy islands of Yap (considered the most “traditional” of the territories in the FSM) have managed to let most of the modern world pass by, practicing Micronesia’s most reserved and traditional lifestyle. Many Yapese men still wear traditional bright loincloths and women grass skirts. The people of Yap marry according to custom and still practice traditional handicrafts.............

Although the island has now reverted to using its more traditional name of Chuuk, it’s known to many scuba divers as Truk, a destination world-renowned for its a vast collection of intact WWII Japanese shipwrecks, sunk during Operation Hailstone by aerial attacks launched from US Fast Carrier Attack Groups in 1944..............

Palau, of course needs very little introduction, but read more about Micronesia in the downloadable pdf file at:
http://www.finsonline.com/magazine/vol_6_6/

From the author
www.deichmann-photo.com
“The whole of Micronesia is still relatively unexplored and a sheer paradise, with all its remote atolls and small islands covered with bird rookeries, and islands inhabited by only a dozen or so people.”

GD

_________________________________

© Gunther Deichmann
This image is taken only a few weeks ago at the Palau Pacific Resort the
very best spot for the most dramatic sunsets in Palau right at the sandy
beach and near the pool bar.

Congratulation to the Palau Pacific Resort
from all the Alliance partners.

Congratulations to the Palau Pacific Resort or better know as PPR on their recent selection as Asia's Leading Diving Resort in the World Travel Awards, when YOU as a guest travel with us or book with the Philippine - Micronesia Alliance the chances are you be staying at the PPR, you might wonder why, easy answer Sam's Tours is our partner in Palau Micronesia.
Again our Congratulations to all the management and staff at the Palau Pacific Resort, Palau is one of the Alliance premier dive destination and has now Asia's leading Dive Resort in cooperation with Sam's Tours.

Check out the Philippine-Micronesia Alliance website represented in 9 languages
English, German, French, Russian, Spanish, Italian, Chinese, Japanese and Korean.
www.alliancediving.com

GD
____________________________________

DID YOU KNOW? Is brought to you by the Philippine - Micronesia Alliance, the Divers Choice.
We care about our Environment!

© Gunther Deichmann, Location of
Sam's Tours Palau, (red circle)

© Gunther Deichmann, Sam's Tours Palau

I just arrived back from Palau Micronesia, and so many things happen during my visit, Sam's Tours Grand Opening and 17th Anniversary, all new facilities are fully operational now, read the blog post from Dermot Keane the General Manager below for all the details.
The Survivor TV show shooting their latest episode as we speak, of course they are very secret about everything, then the Discovery Channel shooting at the same time a new story on the Bone Detectives and to top it all an international Canoe Race competition "The Micronesia Cup" was held at the same time, participants from Guam, Singapore, Palau, Australia, Patagonia and many others competing in this race, talking about a buzzing Palau.
Our Alliance partner Blue Horizons Travel and Tours is leaving soon for the World Travel Market Show held in London, England, I am sure I get the full report upon their return so please stay tuned.
Check out some of the images below from some of these events, thanks.
GD

Blue Horizons Travel and Tours, Inc.
Delegates: Alex Stutely and Jeremy Kemp
representing Blue Horizons and the Philippine - Micronesia Alliance
your experts in island hopping and dive travel. The Divers Choice.

The Philippines will again be putting its best foot forward during this year’s World Travel Market, to be held at London’s ExCel exhibition center at the Docklands,
from 12 to 15 November.The WTM, staged yearly in London, is one of the world’s biggest and most important business events. It provides a unique opportunity for people and companies in the travel trade and tourism industry to meet, network, negotiate, conduct business and stay abreast with the latest developments in this global business.

© Gunther Deichmann, New facilities at Sam's Tours
and new paved carpark

Sam Scott opening speech on the 26th of October

It's Done! The New Sam's Tours is officially launched!
(below the blog post from Dermot)

Well, it's been a long time in the making, but it's finally done! Sam's Tours remodel project has come to a close and the new "improved" Sam's Tours PADI 5-Star National Geographic Dive Center has been officially launched! As promised and previously posted, we've got complete new Guest Lockers, Rental Center and Compressor Room facilities, we've expanded our Guest Area, paved the parking lot, extended the roof, expanded and tidied up the bar, removed all the old shipping containers and given the whole place an overall facelift. We've already received very positive comments from the many repeat guests with us this week including Matt Zimmerman of ISLAND DIVERS in Honolulu who leads several trips a year to Palau and Wayne Daniels of Kauai, who extended his stay to join the party! Thanks Guys!

On Friday Night, October 26, on the Full Moon, we hosted a VIP Reception for staff, friends, family and business partners followed by an open house party with Live Music, snacks and lots of free Red Rooster Beer (the great local microbrewed beer). Over 400 people joined the party that went from 9pm to well after 3am, with music by the "no name band" made up of mostly non-resident workers from the Philippines. They did a fantastic job given that they were just a pick up band pulled together with little time to practice. They got the house rocking early on and kept the dance floor packed til the wee hours. Sam's wife Martul who manages Bottom Time Bar and Grill at Sam's and her great staff handled all the food and beverage service and kept the party "well lubricated".

In addition to celebrating the Grand Re-Opening of Sam's Tours, we also celebrated Sam's daughter Cyndis' 17th Birthday, Sam's Tours 17th Anniversary and the mid-season success of "Sam's Sharks" our staff basketball team who are now 7 and 1 and 3rd place in the league. Last night the Sharks crushed the team from Palasia Hotel in a 102 to 63 victory. GO SHARKS!

We had many great friends and business partners join us for the party including our very good friend and marketing partner Mr. Gunther Deichmann who traveled from Manila on Continental Airlines to join the party. Gunther produces all of Sam's Tours marketing materials, print ads, and built our new website. Gunther is a professional photographer with many books to his credit including the Palau Dives Sites book and his most recent work Journey Through Color and Time. Check out his website at www.deichmann-photo.com
Gunther will join us again in April when he'll run a Photo Workshop here at Sam's Tours featuring training on Apples image management software APERTURE! Stay tuned for more details.

While he was here in Palau, Gunther took the time to do a complete new photo shoot of our new facilities and even managed to jump in a helicopter with Matt from Palau Helicopters and shot the dive center every which way from the air. Palau Helicopters runs everyday (when they're not tied up with SURVIVOR Palau, who are here for the second time) and offers fantastic aerial tours of the Rock Islands. It's a must! Many thanks to Matt, the expert pilot from Palau Helicopters for some great flying!
Gunther is back in Manila tonight and very shortly I'll be posting his new images right here on our blog and on our website.
Sam is in Florida at the moment at the DEMA Trade Show, having left the next day after the big party. Ouch! Hope he's getting some sleep now because he was a man on a mission in the weeks leading up to the Launch Party keeping everyone on schedule and making sure we made our 10/26 deadline.
From all the Philippine-Micronesia Alliance partners, congrats Sam and well done!

"The Sharks" Sam's Tours Basketball Team

Canoe Race competition "The Micronesia Cup"

The team from Guam, "team spirit" red color hair

DID YOU KNOW? Is brought to you by the Philippine - Micronesia Alliance, the Divers Choice.
We care about our Environment!

I am leaving this evening for Palau to be part of the big celebration at Sam's Tours New Grand Opening, please see my previous Blog "Congratulations to Sam's Tours" I give you a full report upon my return next week, hopefully with some fun images from the event, so just stay tuned, please read on below our latest story on Did You know... about Galleons, shipwrecks....
GD

Big business of deep-sea treasure hunters
By Kathryn Westcott
BBC News

The interception of the treasure-hunt ship off the coast of Gibraltar is the latest broadside in a tense battle between a US-based salvage company and the Kingdom of Spain over an unidentified shipwreck and the ownership of its rich haul of gold and silver coins.

Odyssey Explorer. Copyright Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc.
Odyssey says Spain had blockaded its Explorer salvage vessel
On Tuesday, patrol boats from Spain's maritime police intercepted the 76m Odyssey Explorer, owned by underwater salvage firm Odyssey Marine International, three miles off the coast of Gibraltar. It was escorted to the Spanish port of Algeciras.

Spain's Civil Guard has been keeping a close eye on the company's vessel since a Spanish judge ordered that it be detained and searched if it left port in Gibraltar.
The company says its recovery vessel has been effectively blockaded since the ruling in June. Spain believes it could provide clues to the identity and location of the wreck that yielded half-a-million colonial era silver and gold coins.
It suspects that a Spanish galleon is being secretly plundered - or that the wreck lies in Spanish waters.
Odyssey Marine Explorations - which became the most famous deep water treasure hunting company when it announced the discovery last May - says it is keeping the location of the wreck secret, to protect the site from looters.
All it is saying is that the wreck - codenamed Black Swan - is somewhere in the Atlantic.

Photo: © Gunther Deichmann, not a Galleon, but a divers dream to discover and
explore the ships from our past, this image was taken deep inside a wreck in
Truk Lagoon, note the skull, dive with the Philippine-Micronesia Alliance and you
might discover your Galleon or just explore the past.
A reminder, please do not remove any parts or artifacts from any
wrecks in Truk or Palau, there are heavy fines for removing anything for
souvenirs, lets keep it there for other to enjoy too.
GD

Galleon graveyard

The haul, which has an estimated value of $500m, is now at a secret location in Florida, where Odyssey is based.

The 'Black Swan' haul: Copyright Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc
Greg Stemm with the Black Swan haul at a secret location in the US
A court in the state is currently considering motions filed by the company and by Spain concerning the ownership of the booty.
Treasure hunters have long dreamed of discovering hauls of gold and silver in the western Mediterranean. The area, is a graveyard of French, Spanish and British galleons and warships sunk by storms and pirates during Spain's long dominance of the sea.
Once the domain of schoolboy fantasies, the hunt for treasure on the deep ocean floor has become big business for companies like Odyssey. And the company's recent listing on the Nasdaq indicates that it is a business that investors are prepared to take seriously.
Odyssey has several shipwreck projects in various stages of development around the world, but its involvement with the Spanish goes back almost a decade.

RULES OF THE WAVES
Seas and oceans governed by UN Laws of the Sea
Ownership of sunken property in international waters governed by the law of salvage and the law of finds
Law of salvage: If property is owned, those finding it are entitled to compensation for their salvage efforts
Law of finds: Salvor is entitled to all reclaimed property if it is proved to be abandoned
Spain insists it retains rights to all its sunken treasure
Odyssey intends its haul to be dealt with under US federal law, where previous judgements have sometimes granted exclusive rights to salvors
"Odyssey has had an excellent working relationship with the Spanish Government for many years," Greg Stemm, co-founder of Odyssey Marine Exploration told the BBC News website.

"We have always respected Spain's interest in its maritime heritage and have therefore consistently communicated our activities to Spain."
The relationship has soured over the past few months. In July, another of Odyssey's vessels was stopped and forcibly boarded as it tried to leave Gibraltar. A computer was confiscated.
The company told the BBC News website that it intends to seek compensation from Spain for revenues lost because of the kingdom's intervention in its activities.

British warship

The battle over the Black Swan treasure is now jeopardising another more lucrative project: the salvage of a British warship that Odyssey believes it has discovered in the western Mediterranean.
The British Government is collaborating with Odyssey to recover the warship, thought to be the HMS Sussex, which went down in a storm off Gibraltar in the Mediterranean Sea in 1694.

According to the Council for British Archaeology, it was on its way to provide British financial support to the Duke of Savoy during the war against Louis XIV. The council says she was believed to have been carrying bullion, which is estimated by some experts to be worth some £2.5bn today.
The warship apparently lies in waters that Britain and Gibraltar claim are international but that Spain claims as its own.
Diplomatic talks resulted in an agreement being reached with Spain earlier this year but the project appears is on hold.
A spokeswoman from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office told the BBC News website that the "on-going court case between Spain and Odyssey should be resolved first."
It is anyone's guess how long this will take.
This will no doubt please archaeologists - including the Council for British Archaeology - who were enraged by the deal.
Experts describe such activities as commercial treasure hunting under the guise of archaeology, arguing that a dangerous precedent would be set allowing private firms to profit from historic wrecks.

Technology

And in Spain, Odyssey's activities have been painted as modern-day piracy.
The company acknowledges that its primary concerns are commercial but it also has a mission statement that sets out how it also wants to do good archaeology.
It maintains that it works to the highest of standards, employing experts and archaeologists.
Zeus Neil Dobson/Odyssey Marine Exploration
The eight-tonne robot Zeus can reach depths of up to 2,500 metres
"Our contract with the United Kingdom sets an excellent example of how such a collaboration between the public and private sector can produce excellent archaeological work," says Mr Stemm.
And he says that the model - the first of its kind with a government - could be extended to other countries, including Spain.
Odyssey undertakes multi-million-dollar operations, deploying sophisticated deep-sea technology and robotics to scour the ocean beds.
On board the Marine Explorer, for example, is a $4m underwater robot Zeus, which deploys an array of brilliant strobe lights and cameras as it carefully picks through debris at depths of up to 2,500m.
The company's first major salvage venture was in 2003 when it discovered the SS Republic, a Civil War side-wheel steamer that sank off the Florida coast in 1865 and some $75m (£37m) worth of coins.

Odyssey has now filed finders-keepers' claims with a court in Tampa, Florida US on the Black Swan and two other shipwrecks.
But Spain is challenging these arguing that the company is withholding crucial information. It is also claiming a right to share the treasure.

Jim Goold, a maritime lawyer in Washington representing the Spanish government, told the BBC News website that the implications of the case are huge in a era when cutting -edge technology is bringing new gravesites to light.
"Here you have a situation in which a US company is apparently systematically working in the Mediterranean, the English Channel and off the coast of Spain, taking cultural heritage without authorisation and then whisking it to the US and steadfastly refusing to reveal to the concerned governments what it has been doing," he said.

Odyssey says the Black Swan recovery was conducted in conformity with Salvage Law and the Law of the Sea Convention, beyond the territorial waters of legal jurisdiction of any country.
It expects to reap a substantial salvage award regardless of who claims the treasure.

RULES OF THE WAVES
Seas and oceans governed by UN Laws of the Sea
Ownership of sunken property in international waters governed by the law of salvage and the law of finds
Law of salvage: If property is owned, those finding it are entitled to compensation for their salvage efforts
Law of finds: Salvor is entitled to all reclaimed property if it is proved to be abandoned
Spain insists it retains rights to all its sunken treasure
Odyssey intends its haul to be dealt with under US federal law, where previous judgements have sometimes granted exclusive rights to salvors

Courtesy of the BBC for more information and images please go to:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7037192.stm

Congratulations to Sam’s Tours in Palau, Micronesia, they have finally completed their major renovation and the
Grand Opening is on the 26th of October 2007. http://www.samstours.com

Sam’s Tours a founding member of the Philippine Micronesia Alliance, your experts for island hopping, underwater photography, tech diving, wall diving, shark dives and wreck expedition. Explore and Dive with us the Pacific, the China Sea, the Philippine Sea and the amazing walls of Micronesia, plus a lot more, for direct bookings and all our special packages please go to:
http://www.alliancediving.com/packages.html

Your passion is diving… ours is service.
The Divers Choice.

Welcome to Sam’s Tours and the Alliance your partners in quality diving holidays!,

Willkommen bei Sam’s Tours und bei der Allianz ihr Partner für erstklassigen Tauchurlaub!

Bienvenue à Sam;s Tours, vos partenaires pour des séjours plongée de choix.

Benvenuti Sam’s Tours, I vostri partners per vacanze di qualita’ nel campo delle immersioni!

Bienvenidos a la Sam’s Tours,sus compañeros para esas vacaciones de buceo de calidad!

http://www.samstours.com
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