World Travel market is still on going with Jeremy and Alex from Blue Horizons Travel, poor guys freezing most likely in London, we have introduced some of our Partners the other day and bring you now some more Alliance partners from the Philippines and Micronesia, check with the boys at the WTM in London for all our packages and make sure you part of their Raffle, for more info check the previous blog.

The Philippine-Micronesia Alliance in London
at the World Travel Market Show.

Calypso/Pinjalo Dive Resort, Boracay, Philippines

Sam's Tours Palau, Micronesia

Truk Stop Hotel and Dive Center, Truk Lagoon, Chuuk, Micronesia

We have also made some more improvement to our web site, you find it easy now to go direct to certain articles and read all about Did You Know? (see the image on this blog)
If you have never tried or checked it before click on our build in Photo Gallery in our Blogs, marked with a red circle, once you click here you see the amazing Photos from all our partner destinations, images from above and below, Island hopping, Palau Micronesia, Marine Bio-diversity, the amazing wrecks from Truk Lagoon, or check the location of our beaches.
GD



left Image; find articles easy now. - right : check out our Photo Gallery
You find all of this on the right hand side of our blog!

____________________________________

Get to know the Philippine-Micronesia Alliance and their representatives at this years World Travel Market in London, meet Jeremy and Alex from Blue Horizons.
On todays blog we introduce to you Asia Divers with El Galleon from Puerto Galera which has one of the best Marine Bio-Diversity in the world, a sheer heaven for underwater photographers, and there is Club Paradise with Dugong Dive Center with a spectacular house reef and the only place in the Philippines where you can spot Dugongs, it is a real natures paradise. Tomorrow we bring you our other partners from Boracay in the Philippines and Palau Micronesia so please stay tuned, check with Alex and Jeremy for all you dive vacation and island hopping needs at the WTM.

Thanks to the generosity of the Alliance members, members who have pledged something for the raffle so far include:
Asia Divers, Puerto Galera Philippines, Calypso/Pinjalo Dive Resort, Boracay, Philippines, Club Paradise and Dugong Dive Center in Palawan, Philippines, 
Blue Horizons Travel, Manila and Sams Tours our partner in Micronesia.  
There is also a grand price. is it real big? I guess you have to find out when visiting the WTM. Maybe a trip for a two week vacation? I keep it a bit of a secret now, you just visit Alex and Jeremy at the Show and find out, hope to see you all there.
Good Luck!

_______________________________________

As promised here it is: "The Philippine-Micronesia Alliance" at the World Travel Market with our representatives from Blue Horizons
Jeremy and Alex at the show.
We are happy to announce some very cool Raffles and a lot more...

We will be giving away several prizes during the WTM.... and all travel agents who visit us during the WTM and leave their calling card with us (Blue Horizons) will be included in the draw. So if you ready for your next dive vacation or holiday, or just go island hopping from one island to another, check out our great white sandy beaches after your dive... and there is so much more we can arrange for you, just talk to Alex and Jeremy for all the details at the WTM.
 
You can win minor prizes - such as stuffed toys - every day (Monday 12th November - Thursday 15th November), and we will be giving away one or two 'major' prizes on the afternoon of Wednesday 14th November. If the winners are not present during the draw, it does not matter because they will also be notified by email.

 

Thanks to the generosity of the Alliance members, members who have pledged something for the raffle so far include:
Asia Divers, Puerto Galera Philippines, Calypso/Pinjalo Dive Resort, Boracay, Philippines, Club Paradise and Dugong Dive Center in Palawan, Philippines, 
Blue Horizons Travel, Manila and Sams Tours our partner in Micronesia.  
There is also a grand price. is it real big? I guess you have to find out when visiting the WTM. Maybe a trip for a two week vacation? I keep it a bit of a secret now, you just visit Alex and Jeremy at the Show and find out, hope to see you all there.
Good Luck!

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



Your passion is diving... ours is service.

The Divers Choice.

Welcome to World Travel Market 2007
Register Now
World Travel Market (WTM) 2007

Staged annually in London under one roof, World Travel Market is a must attend, business to business exhibition. WTM provides a unique opportunity for the whole global travel trade industry to meet, network, negotiate, conduct business and stay abreast with the latest developments in the travel industry. Read more about WTM...

http://www.wtmlondon.com
/App/homepage.cfm?moduleid=4066&appname=100539

The Philippine -Micronesia Alliance is represented by:
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.
Check with Jeremy and Alex about our special dive packages, our exotic destinations, island hopping, your next dive vacation in the Philippines, the Pacific, China Sea and Micronesia,
and remember the Alliance website is in 9 languages, English, German, Russian, French, Spanish, Italian, Korean, Chinese and Japanese.
You can find Jeremy and Alex at the Philippine Department of Tourism Booth (DOT), just ask for the Guys from Blue Horizons.
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.

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

See you there!

______________________________

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

Some excerpts from the Souvenir Program,
Celebrating the Sea, Philippines 2007

Welcome message from the President of the Philippines

Warmest congratulations to Ocean N Environment Australia,
the Department of Tourism and the Philippine commission
on Sports Scuba Diving for organizing the “Celebrate the Sea
Marine Imagery festival Philippines 2007.”
This festival is the biggest annual international event of the
sea ever staged in the Asia Pacific region. Since 2002, the festival,
held in Singapore and Malaysia has attracted entries from
38 countries.
“Celebrate the Sea” is held in association with the World festival of Underwater
Pictures, Antibes, also known as the “Cannes of Underwater Film Festivals.” The
organizers are bringing “Celebrate the Sea” to Manila in 2007 with the intention
of making the city a permanent home for the Festival, thereby positioning Manila
as the capital of underwater imagery in the Asia Pacific region.
I enjoin everyone to be part of “Celebrate the Sea Festival” and actively take part
in preserving our natural environment.
More power to all of you and Mabuhay!
MALACANAN PALACE
GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO
MANILA
21 September 2007

The Philippine Department of Tourism the major sponsor was represented by Hon. Joseph “Ace” Durano, Tourism Secretary and ASCE . Cyntia L. Carron, PCSSD Executive Director.

WHO IS WHO at Celebrate the Sea

Gunther Deichmann, Eric Bettens Music
Composer from Belgium and Allan Nash
from Asia Divers and El Galleon Resort
Puerto Galera.

Jimmy Christrup, Allan Nash and
Shahram Saber PADI PACIFIC ASIA


Steve White, Emory Kristof
and Benny Gomez

Photographer David Doubilet signing one of his Books.


Steve White Editor from Action Asia, Emory Kristof,
Underwater Discoverer, and Gunther Deichmann from the
Philippine-Micronesia Alliance.
Emory created the designs of the camera system which
found the Titanic.
He led photographic surveys of the 6th-century wreck
San Diego in the Philippines in 1993.,

Speakers and supporters

Daniel Mercier President – World Underwater Pictures Festival: www.underwater-festival.com
David Doubilet www.DavidDoubilet.com: National Geographic Photographer in Residence. David
has shot more than 60 stories for National Geographic magazine since 1972.
Emory Kristof is a pioneer of innovative, high-tech underwater photography using robot cameras
and remotely operated vehicles, Emory created the designs of the camera system which found the
Titanic. He led photographic surveys of the 6th-century wreck San Diego in the Philippines in 1993.
Amos Nachoum www.biganimals.com : Underwater photographer Amos Nachoum has led National
Geographic expedition teams with Dr. Eugenie Clark, Dr. Sylvia Earle and astronaut Buzz Aldrin.
Bryan Dias is the Pacific Program Manager for the Coral Reef Alliance (CORAL), an NGO based in
San Francisco dedicated to protecting the health of coral reefs by integrating ecosystem management,
sustainable tourism, and community partnerships.
Mathieu Meur Singapore: www.mathieumeur.com : Mathieu co-authored “An Essential Guide to
Digital Underwater Photography” and as well as the Advanced edition with Michael Aw
Michael Aw Director, OceanNEnvironment, Ocean Geographic www.michaelaw.com: Michael is
the founding director of OceanNEnvironment, a charity organization whose mission is to promote
preservation of coral reefs and endangered marine animals.
Jen Hayes is an aquatic ecologist who has collected a couple of graduate degrees in zoology, marine
and fisheries biology.
Gunther Deichmann www.deichmann-photo.com : Gunther Deichmann is an internationally
multi-awarded Australian photographer. He is the author of The Dive Sites of Puerto Galera, and in
2001, he published his book on Palau, Micronesia.
Eric Bettens, Music Composer,Belgium
Lynn Funkhouser was inducted into the inaugural Women Divers Hall of Fame. She is an internationally
published photographer, author, lecturer and environmentalist. www.lynnfunkhouser.com
Scott Tuason is the author of ‘Anilao’ – the book won the grand prize at the 27th World Festival
of Underwater Images.
Ferdie Marcelo is the Seacology Field Representative for the Philippines. Prior to joining Seacology,
Ferdie worked for six years with the Philippine Senate where he often backstopped for the Committee
on Environment and Natural Resources, as well as the Committee on Education.
Domingo G. Ochavillo PHD is a Coral Reef Ecologist/Fisheries Scientist and he is currently the
Chief Scientist (Philippines and Indonesia) for the management of the aquarium trade.
Brad Norman PHD is a whale shark specialist; Brad was a Rolex’s laureate 2006 and also the
the winner of the 2007 Peter Benchley Shark Conservation Award.
Joe Moreira is the Managing Editor of Ocean Geographic and the Chairman for the event’s forums.
Doctor Ben Luna, from Dan Philippines
Sharam Saber, Manager Marketing, PADI ASIA PACIFIC, major sponsor of the event
Jimmy Christrup, Regional Manager, PADI ASIA PACIFIC
Allan Nash, Asia Divers with El Galleon, Puerto Galera, co-sponsor of Celebrate the Sea and member of the Philippine–Micronesia Alliance.
Steve White, Editor of Action Asia Magazine attendet with Benny Gomez.
John Thet, Publisher, Asian Geographic Magazine
and many, more…..

Below are some drawings from the Children competition, very nice, passing on an Environmental message,
well done kids, our future is in your hands.

Additional Sponsors

I just got back from my GD PhotoWorkshop in Cambodia, now I am right into the Celebrate the Sea Festival, held currently in Manila, Philippines.
Allan Nash and Tommy Soderstrom from Asia Divers in Puerto Galera are sponsors of the festival, as you know Asia Divers with El Galleon is our Partner from the Philippine - Micronesia Alliance in Puerto Galera, Philippines. The Philippine - Micronesia Alliance is proud that one of our partners is part of this event. For a reminder the Philippine - Micronesia Alliance website is now in 9 languages, check out the link above.

Asia Divers with El Galleon is located on one of the most beautiful bays in the world, Puerto Galera (Spanish for Port of Galleons) has some wonderful secluded beaches and coves that allow you either that private get away; or to cruise to other livelier beaches for some fun in the sun. If you like trekking, kayaking, golf we can easily arrange this for you. Or just have a lazy day at our pool.
Don’t forget the Point Bar; a great place for sunset cocktails, cold beer, chat about the diving and activities from the day, drift into the evening with some of the coolest music in Puerto Galera, and meet new friends. Let Asia Divers guide you through some of the best marine bio-diversity in the world.
The Divers Choice.

The Festival started yesterday with the judging of films and speakers like David Doubilet, Emory Kristof, Amos Nachoum, Mathieu Meur, Daniel Mercier the President of the world Underwater Pictures Festival, Steve White from Action Asia Magazine, Scott Tuason, Michael Aw and many others, I was part part of the Jury panel for the film Category going through some real cool videos almost all day, the winners will be announced later tonight.
The festival is being held at the famous Coconut palace and the Hotel Sofitel, later tonight is a grand dinner with the President of the Philippines Her Excellency Gloria Macapagal Arroyo for the awarding of the best films and images.
Cheers GD

The Coconut Palace in Manila

Gunther Deichmann, Tommy Soderstrom and
Allan Nash at the Celebrate the Sea festival in
Manila Philippines

Tommy, Gunther and Allan


Exhibition area at the Coconut Palace
all photos by Hermes Singson.

Dirk Fahrenbach from Dugong Dive Center and Club Paradise visited the China Dive Expo in Beijing, he represented also at the same time the Philippine Micronesia Alliance,
caught up with our good friends and strong supporters from Fins Magazine, Aye and Mean and traveled to the great wall of China with the Philippine Department of Tourism delegation and a photo session with the DOT delegation and the Philippine Ambassador in China.

More details on the China Dive Expo after I talk to Dirk in more details, please see below some images from Dirk in China.

Great Wall of China

Beijing Dive Expo DOT Booth

Dive Expo DOT Booth, Dirk and Interpreter. Aye, Dirk and Mean from Fins Magazine

Dirk and DOT delegation with the Ambassador

Get ready for the The 6th Celebrate the Sea Festival in the Philippines, please see below some information and links to the official website.
Our partner from the Philippine-Micronesia Alliance Asia Divers with El Galleon Beach Resort is a proud sponsor of this event, and Gunther Deichmann is on the Jury and speaker panel.
For more information on this great event please click on the provided links below, thank you.

Celebrate the Sea is organised by OceanNEnvironment Australia in association with the World Festival of Underwater Pictures




Celebrate the Sea Philippines 2007



6th Celebrate the Sea Philippines 2007

Celebrate the Sea Festival is comprised of an international underwater film and photographic competitions, workshops on underwater photography, seminars of our ocean environment, children painting competitions and Shoot Out competition.

The Speakers and Jury Team in 2007

The Sponsors in 2007


'President Award of Highest Achievement 2007’

US$2000 cash prize

10 categories - with housing prizes from AMPHIBICO, SEACAM and many more

Celebrate the Sea Philippines

WOW Shoot Out Competition

16 to 20 Sep 2007

Dear friends, as promised here are just a few of the images from the ADEX Dive Expo in Bangkok, Thailand,and please forgive me if I have forgotten somebody, thanks.
The Asian Dive Expo was again a great place to catch up with some friends, nature lovers, divers and customers, photography was high on the agenda this year with Michael AW organizing the photo contest, Jason Heller from Dive Photo Guide been one of the judges, and of course "Gutsy" Scott Tuason been around with Yvette Lee at the Department of Tourism Philippines booth, most of the Alliance partners cruising the floor or attended to customers at the DOT Booth.
Lee Blundell from Calypso/Pinjalo Dive Resort, Boracay, Philippines, Allan Nash and Tommy Soderstrom from Asia Divers with El Galleon Dive Resort could be seen everywhere, Dermot Keane the GM from Sam's Tours arrived with Dirk Fahrenbach from Club Paradise and Dugong Dive Center, Palawan, Philippines and Gunther Deichmann from Dream Time, Manila.
I run into some very good old friends, like John Everingham the publisher of some of the best publications in Thailand and beyond, he publishes Phuket Magazine, Tropical Homes, Yachting and sailing Magazines.
The whole team from Fins Magazine was there, the charming Mean and Aye with of course no other than our good friend Tony Wu.
Almost all the Philippine-Micronesia Alliance Partners attended the show, missing where, Truk Stop Hotel and Dive center and our trusted
Travel agent in Manila Blue Horizons.
The Divers Choice and your island hopping specialist, Dive with The Philippine - Micronesia Alliance.

Enjoy the images and dont forget to subscribe to our blog,

P.S. more images from a great evening and a pod cast later,
very funny stuff indeed, video and images, party time at Fins
Magazine office, he,he, after hours of-course!
So, you really have to stay tuned!

Cheers G.D.


The Fins Magazine finsonline.com with Tony Wu and Alliance
partners, Dermot Keane, Dirk Fahrenbach and
Gunther Deichmann from Dream Time, Manila.
Photo on right: Dermot Keane, Sam's Tours, Palau, Allan Nash
from Asia Divers Puerto Galera, Philippines,
Dirk Fahrenbach Dugong Dive Center,Palawan, Philippines.
Is this a pre Alliance meeting? I guess so, since almost all the
partners have been around during ADEX.



Aye from Fins Magazine, John Everingham, Mean from
Fins Magazine and the ever so charming Kantara from
Art Asia Press.
Photo on the right: Dirk Fahrenbach, Jamie Stockbridge
Connor from Diveguide.com
Dermot Keane GM of Sam's Tours Palau.
Who is paying for the Taxi?


John Everingham, Publisher, Phuket Magazine, Art Asia,
chatting with Jason heller from Dive Photo Guide.com
Right photo: At the Booth of Jason Heller,
DivePhotoGuide.com


"Gutsy" Scott Tuason and Yvette Lee
at the Department of Tourism Booth,
Philippines

Dear friends, divers, nature lovers, customers and Alliance partners,

Back in Manila, now I try to catch up.



First of all I like to announce that the Philippine-Micronesia Alliance
has a NEW Partner, Asian Spirit is the first airline to join us. Welcome onboard Asian Spirit, shortly we be updating our website
with all the latest info, just stay tuned. Asian Spirit has direct flights to Palau Micronesia and of course major destinations within the Philippines, including Boracay and Palawan our Partner destinations, make your bookings with Blue Horizons in Manila to all the Alliance destinations.
Island hopping and Inselhuepfen is easy now- from the Philippines to Micronesia with Asian Spirit, all the best dive destinations at your finger tips.


A lot more images on the next blog in a few days.

Subscribe or bookmark the Alliance Blog:
http://www.alliancediving.com/blog

The ADEX Dive Expo in Bangkok, Thailand has produced again some good results for the Dive industry in Asia and Micronesia.
A small show in comparison to other international venues but very productive indeed, Cynthia L. Carrion, Assistant Secretary represented the DOT the Department of Tourism of the Philippines with a nice big booth, and it was here where you could meet with some partners of the Philippine-Micronesia Alliance.

Lee Blundell from Calypso/Pinjalo Dive Resort, Boracay, Philippines, Allan Nash from Asia Divers with El Galleon Beach Resort, Puerto Galera, Philippines, other Alliance partners at the show where: Dirk Fahrenbach from Club Paradise and Dugong Dive Center, Palawan, Philippines, Dermot Keane the GM from Sam’s Tours Palau Micronesia and Gunther Deichmann from Dream Time the virtual office of the Alliance in Manila.

Tony Wu from Fins Magazine and his creative team kept busy producing some Pod cast, Had a great party at the Fins magazine office, a lot of Mekong Whisky and Vodka, critter cam fun and more fun, all organized by no other than Tony Wu and his charming staff Mean, Aye and others......
I cant remember all their names, or was it the Mekong?
A lot more on that subject later, via Pod cast, just stay tuned and subcribe.

John Everingham from Art Asia Press, a good friend and the publisher of some of the best travel, sailing, Tropical Homes and Phuket Magazine, in Asia was part of the Boat show, which was held at the same time than ADEX. I caught up with Steve White Editor of Action Asia Magazine, long chats with my friend and Photographer Jason Heller from Dive Photo Guide. Exchanged some views about Aperture the software by Apple for professional Photographers, with underwater photographers “Gutsy” Scott Tuason and Yvette Lee at the Department of Tourism Philippines Booth.
It was really amazing how many familiar faces cruised the floor at ADEX this year, there was Hans Ullrich regional manager from PADI in Asia and long time ago the GM of Sam’s Tours in Palau, Gunter Bernert from Discovery Divers in Coron Island, Palawan, Philippines, I had not seen Gunter for a very long time, real nice guy.

Exchanged some words with famous underwater photographer Michael Aw, a member of the OceanNEnvironment Australia and cracked jokes with Jamie Stockbridge Connor, President of Diveguide.com Yes, a small show, but….. lots of great people and friends got together, I guess seen and be seen seems to be the motto of this year at the ADEX Dive Expo in Bangkok, Thailand.
Celebrate the Sea Festival was announced during ADEX, calling all Divers, Underwater image makes, friends of the sea and lovers of our natural world to Asia Pacific Biggest Event of the Ocean, to be held in the Philippines September 21-23, 2007 at the Coconut Palace, Manila.Underwater Imaging Presentation and Seminars by world leading underwater photographers & scientists. Scott Tuason- Author Anilao/Bahura, David Doubilet- National Geographic Photographer and Michael AW- Author of Beneath North Sulawesi, International Imagery Competition with prizes over US$ 35,000.00, medals, equipment etc.,etc., Contact the Department of Tourism in the Philippines for more information or get in touch with one of our Alliance partners in Puerto Galera, a proud sponsor of this unique event, Asia Divers with El Galleon Beach Resort.
Wow, that is it for now! All the images from ADEX Dive Expo will follow on my next blog in a few days, so stay tuned,

Cheers G.D.

A nice blog from Dermot Keane, GM at Sam's Tours Palau Micronesia
much more to come in the next few days with lots of images from the ADEX Dive Expo
in Bangkok Thailand, stay tuned and check our Blog.
Most of the Alliance members attended the show, and more details from a party at
Fins Magazine a very funny event with Tony Wu being a great host.


Sam’s Tours at ADEX Show, Bangkok, Thailand
Permalink 05:43:30 am, Categories: Announcements

I’m still in transit back to Palau following several days in Bangkok, Thailand, where I attended the ADEX Show (Asian Dive Expo). While the show is small compared to other shows I attend during the year such as DEMA (USA) and BOOT (Germany), it was nonetheless a worthwhile trip.

I ran in to many friends and industry partners including Sam’s Tours former General Manager, Mr. Hans Ullrich, who is now a PADI Regional Manager in South East Asia.

Several members of the Philippine-Micronesia Alliance of which Sam’s Tours is a charter member, were also in attendance including Alan Nash and Tommy Soderstrom of Asia Divers and El Galleon Resort in Puerto Galera, Philippines and Dirk Fahrenbach of Dugong Dive Center and Club Paradise, Palawan, Philippines and Lee Blundell of Pinjaloo Resort and Calypso Divers in Boracay, Philippines. Visit www.alliancediving.com for more information on some great diving with these quality partners just a short hop away from Palau.

Asian Spirit (www.asianspirit.com) the newest airline to serve Palau invited me as their guest from Koror (Palau) to Manila via Davao on my outbound leg to Bangkok. On the return leg later this week I will join Asian Spirits inaugural flight from Manila via Cebu to Koror. Asian Spirit will offer direct service to Koror from Cebu three times per week and once a week direct from Davao. Cebu or Davao to Koror takes about an hour and half onboard Asian Spirits British Aerospace 146 4-Engine jet which can seat up to 100 people. Thanks for the invitation Asian Spirit! Now it’s easier than ever to island hop between some of the best dive resorts in the Western Pacific region.

Also joining me at ADEX was Gunther Deichmann whose company DreamTime created Sam’s Tours new website which features much of his landscape images. Gunther is a professional photographer and recently completed certification as an Apple Certified Aperture” Trainer. Plans are in the works for an Aperture Workshop by Gunther at Sam’s Tours later this year. Stay tuned for more information. Check out his website at www.deichmann-photo.com or search for him on PhotoShelter.com

Gunther is presently on a shoot at the famous temples in Angkor Wat, Cambodia, in preparation for an Apple Aperture workshop in September at the stunning Heritage Hotel, a beautiful boutique hotel in Siam Reap just a short drive away from the famous temples. The temples were heavily featured in Gunther’s recent coffee-table book “A Journey through Colour and Time” which highlights 30 years of his photography. If you’re an Apple user and avid photographer, take the time to check out Aperture. Gunther’s entire book was prepared using Apple’s image management application.

Dermot Keane
General Manager
Sam's Tours
Palau, Micronesia
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Dermot Keane the General Manager from Sam's Tours Palau,
getting some ID Pictures taken at a Bangkok high "end Photo Store".
More to come from the ADEX Dive Expo in a few days,
enjoy these unique images of Dermot.
Sam's Tours is a member of the Philippine - Micronesia Alliance.
Tomorrow we meet up with Tony Wu from Fins Magazine.

Remember last years ADEX in Singapore?
We are all get together again, see below and check out who is going
to be around for this years ADEX Dive Expo In Bangkok, Thailand.
Tony Wu (FiNS Magazine) Dermot Keane (Sam's Tours, Palau),
Gunther Deichmann (Philippine-Micronesia Alliance),
The Divers Choice.
Paul Lees (FiNS) Jason Heller from Dive Photo Guide, Dirk Fahrenbach
from Club Paradise and Dugong Dive Center in Palawan, Philippines.
Have a safe Journey and see you next week at ADEX.

After finishing the new website for Sam's Tours in Palau I am back
in Manila, but only for a few days.
Check out Sam's Tours new web site at: www.samstours.com
Now we are leaving for the ADEX Show in Bangkok next week with
Dirk Fahrenbach from Club Paradise and Dugong Dive Center,
Palawan, Philippines and Dermot Keane from Sam's Tours Palau,
Ha, ha, Dermot cant stay away from me.

Both members of the Philippine-Micronesia Alliance,
The Divers Choice and your specialist in Island hopping and Inselhuepfen.
top Dive centers and dive education, Tech diving and Nitrox facilities.
At ADEX we catch up with Tony Wu from Fins Magazine and other old
friends, lets see what is new in the industry and all about this
island hoping in Asia, and Micronesia.
You have to see and check out Tony Wu's
website at: http://www.tony-wu.com

That is how you find us at ADEX!


From left: Dirk Fahrenbach, Club Paradise & Dugong Dive Center
Dermot Keane, Sam's Tours, Palau - The good Guys -


Happy Diving, Gunther Deichmann

THE DUESSELDORF BOOT SHOW 2007

and The Philippine-Micronesia Alliance.

The Divers Choice!
Soon we announce complete dive packages from all our Partners on our website;
www.alliance diving.com

Meet the people behind the Alliance at the
Duesseldorf Boot Show 2007!
- Sam's Tours Palau
- Calypso/Pinjalo Dive Resort, Boracay, Philippines
- Dugong Dive Center and Club Paradise, Palawan, Philippines,
- Asia Divers with El Galleon, Puerto Galera, Philippines,
- Truk Stop Dive Center, Truk Lagoon, Chuuk, Micronesia,
(talk to Dermot from Sam's Tours for the ultimate
in Wreck diving)

Now you can plan your next vacation/holiday or einen super
Tauch Urlaub.alle Kurse von PADI - und noch vieles Meer,
traum-straende und Palmen. Inselhuepfen - Island hopping,
action dives, underwater photography. tech-diving and/or
simply having fun in the sun.

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

Environmental message from the Shark Sanctuary Fund of Palau
and from all the Philippine - Micronesia Alliance Partners.
Protect our Environment!

Meet some of the Alliance Partners at the Duesseldorf Boot Show 2007,
at the following booth:
Schoener Tauchen, Sun+Fun, Orca Reisen, Sub Aqua, Palau Visitors Authority
and at the Department of Tourism Philippines Booth.

Meet with:
Dirk Fahrenbach from Dugong Dive Center and Club Paradise from Palawan, Philippines,
Rene Buob from Pinjalo Resort and Calypso Diving, from Boracay, Philippines,
Dermot Keane from Sam's Tours, Palau, Micronesia.
Tommy Sonderstrom from Asia Divers with El Galleon Dive Resort, Puerto Galera, Philippines.

The Divers Choice. Your passion is diving, ours is service!

Inselhuepfen, tauchen and Island hopping is our expertise and we
offer you the best Dive Resorts and dive education in the
Philippines and Micronesia. Puerto Galera, Palawan, Boracay,
Chuuk-Truk Lagoon and Palau.

Nitrox and helium is available!

Have a great BOOT 2007! From the virtual office of the Alliance.
G.D.

Murder by two! Mothers and Babies!
Stop finning and eating shark fin soup!
It is disgusting!