Here’s a photo of a place that might not be with us much longer. According to some reports and research, the Maldives might someday disappear beneath the ocean waves due to rising sea levels and global warming. Bad news, especially for Maldivians. I understand, actually, that the diving in the Maldives is fantastic, and this photo from YXO seems to bear that out. Just look at the lovely turquoise water.
Another Top Ten (Scuba) List
Here’s a list that will certainly be challenged.
Tim Ecott of The Guardian has put together a list of the “Top 10 Dive Sites of the World.” As is usually the case with such lists, divers will look it over and one of three things will happen:
1. They will be aghast over some of the selections
2. They will be shocked that their favorite sites weren’t mentioned
3. They will learn about a couple of places they’ve never heard of before
When it comes down to it, Top Ten lists are always very biased and subjective. They are never entirely right, nor are they always wrong. Personally, I enjoy them because I always learn about new places to visit–such as Rocktail Bay in South Africa which Ecott has identified as the very best dive site in the world. In fact, nearly all of Ecott’s Top Ten list is new for me.
Now, I’m not a diver, but I do pride myself in knowing nice tropical spots where other people dive and I merely snorkel or lay on the beach. As a result, the new locations I gleamed from this list has made it one of the better Top Ten lists I’ve come across this season. Pop on over and check it out and perhaps you’ll agree.
Dive Photos
It occurred to me that it’s been a whle since I did a diving post, and since I may be doing some diving soon, I figured I’d dig one out. taking a stroll around the Web just now, I found this site featuring the photography of Tony Wu. Wu lives in Singapore and his mind-blowing, colorful images have received international awards in Japan, Europe and the US.
Turns out he also won the “Best Book of the Year” award at the 28th annual Antibes Festival of Marine Images in France. His book is called “Silent Symphony” and features many of his images from sharks to gorgeous, almost unreal photos of dolphins to images of sea horses and Nudibranchs. It’s a real treat and has got me fired up big time to do some diving.
Magnifique Martinique
After lounging around and doing as I please during the long weekend and after reading this article in the South Florida Sun-Sentinel on Martinique, I can’t keep from wanting to purchase my ticket to zoom off and away. I’ve long been interested in the French caribbean island, Martinique and for no good reason other than my affection for islands. The story which looks to have originally appeared in the NY Times at some point in the past takes island deprived readers down the 50-mile stretch that has somewhat been forgotten by American travelers. They note that 84 percent of the annual visitors are from Europe, but even with decreased American interest Delta will start weekly direct flights in December. So it sounds as though American interest is back on the rise. I’m down to go.
From their detailed travel tale you’ll learn Martinique is more than a French speaking island paradise. It offers Gallic Creole food, snorkeling, hiking and tons of history if you dig combining time on the beach with a visit to attractions like “La Savane des Esclaves.” Oh, and in case you’ve forgotten Martinique is also the birthplace of Napoleon’s love, Empress Josephine. One week should be enough for the average visitor though I think I could use three right around my own annual celebration of my birth in May if not sooner.
Diving the Crystal Waters of Iceland
Last week we posted about surfing in Alaska. This week we take you to Iceland to scuba dive.
I’ll spare you the regular clichés on why it’s humorous to even think about diving in Iceland and jump right into the reality: Iceland boasts one of the ten best dive spots on this planet. Many people might argue this, but after reading about the dive at Iceland Review, I would have to believe that it certainly ranks up there with the very best.
The dive takes place within a deep crevasse named Silfra, near Thingvellir Lake. It is a fresh water dive unlike any freshwater dive you’ve ever experience. This is because the water actually originates from melting glaciers. To reach Silfa, it has traveled underground and, according to Iceland Review, has been cut off from both oxygen and sunlight. This, combined with very cold temperatures, ensures that almost no organisms live within the water, making visibility extend beyond 100 meters. That’s more than 300 feet folks!
As if this isn’t cool enough, the crevasse itself is part of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge–the result of the slow separation of two tectonic plates: the North American Plate and the Eurasian Plate. What this means is that you can begin your dive in Europe and finish it in North America.
Sound fascinating? You bet it does. The folks at either DiveIceland.com or DivingInIceland.com can help you get set up and also point you to the island’s other fantastic dives–such as the Strýtan thermal chimney in case Silfra is a wee bit too cold for your liking.