Link: Why flying cars won't take off | News.blog | CNET News.com.
solves the problems above. Just don't look for one anytime soon.
Link: Why flying cars won't take off | News.blog | CNET News.com.
solves the problems above. Just don't look for one anytime soon.
December 08, 2005 in COOL | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Link: TIME.com: Best Inventions 2005: Home Runs -- Page 2.
Sling Media
Every so often, a handy gadget comes along and changes our TV habits. In the 1990s WebTV married the Net with the tube, and TiVo famously began freeing us from network schedules. Now comes a new appliance to shift not when you watch your TV but where. Slingbox hooks up to your home set and beams whatever is onscreen to any Web-enabled device loaded with special software. Waiting for a plane in Paris? Use your laptop and the airport's wireless network to watch the local news from back home—or a DVD or an old show saved on your TiVo. You can even change channels. Best feature: no subscription fees.
November 14, 2005 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Pizza Startup
Link: Mobile pizza trucks deliver fast food - Wireless - wireless.engadget.com.
Many pizza companies talk fast delivery, but Super Fast Pizza — they talk fast delivery. In fact, before your order is even completed your pie could already be rolling its way to your door, thanks to the wonders of wireless and a small fleet of Chrysler Sprinter vans outfitted with kitchen equipment. You trade off a bit in selection, with only seven possible varieties to order, but you’ll get that dough and cheese in about 15 minutes.
September 27, 2005 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Link: Video Furnace.

Video Furnace has developed the first true "enterprise edition" software-controlled solution for converging live video to the desktop and other IP devices without requiring installed client side players. Our philosophy of a client/server scaleable solution offers the enterprise the lowest possible total cost of ownership combined with the highest level of availability. The Video Furnace solution handles all the heavy tasks of capturing and encoding live video to standards based MPEG streams with quality from VHS to full D1 broadcast, while seamlessly managing the distribution of client viewers to your Windows, Mac and Linux users.
August 22, 2005 in TECH - NEXT GEN NETWORKS | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Link: VIADUX
Viadux has been the leading provider of in-building broadband access solutions for the cable and telecommunications industries since 1997. Our family of broadband gateways and patented technology use existing telephone wiring to deliver high-speed data, video and voice services, effectively and economically within multi-tenant buildings.
Simply put, Viadux connects service providers to new revenue sources with streamlined service deployments and low equipment costs for fast ROI. No matter how broadband is brought to any building-fiber, wire-line, fixed wireless, satellite, optics and cable-Viadux makes it all work. Carrier-class broadband gateways and customer premises equipment can be installed in about an hour, then service can be activated and modified remotely, eliminating the need for special wiring or costly truck rolls.
August 22, 2005 in TECH - NEXT GEN NETWORKS | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Link: 無題ドキュメント.
I just found a taste map of beer. Unfortunately its all in Japanese, but good to know these things exist...check it out..
August 15, 2005 in STUFF - Beer | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)
Link: M&A Rankings 2004.
The best m&a companies ranked by Houlihan Lokey
August 09, 2005 in FINANCE - M&A | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
HMS Repulse
This famous British Renown class Battlecruiser was completed in August 1916. The ship was extremely fast, easily topping 32 knots, due in part to their extreme length - beam ratio, but this also at the expense of light armour. Known as Force Z, together with HMS Prince of Wales, she was stationed in Singapore in the hope that their presence would help deter a Japanese attack.
HMS Prince of Wales
This British King George V Class Battleship was completed in March 1941, only a few month before she was destroyed in the South China Sea. Known as Force Z, together with HMS Repulse, she was the Flagship and stationed in Singapore in the hope that their presence would help deter a Japanese attack.
Soyak Wreck
Right of the shores of Salang Bay you will see this small island; it's so close you could easily snorkel to it from the beach and enjoy its clear fish filled waters. The reef formation consists of large granite boulders which are covered with Soft Corals, Fire Corals, Sea Whips and Turret (cup) Corals, the diverse colors and marine life make Soyak Island, a preferred night dive spot.
If you enjoy wreck diving, than the Soyah Wrecks are the perfect dives for you, lying in 22-26 meters they are densely covered with pink and red soft corals. These wrecks are home to a Giant Grouper (1.8m), Trevallies and Cobias.
June 21, 2005 in STUFF - Diving | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Conch: (Depth 12-21m)
The Conch is a steam-powered oil tanker. One of the first oil tankers in the world, it was built in 1892 in Stockton for Shell. She weighed 3555ton and was on a journey from Novorossisk to Madras when on 2nd of June 1903 she hit a rock and sank.
The wreck is well preserved, with penetration possible into the cabin which is filled with cave-dwellers. Visibilty is stable because of the rocky bottom. Good for groupers, napoleons, queen angelfish and all other reef fishes.
Alliance: (Depth 23m)
The Alliance is a British wooden sailboat that sank carrying a cargo of charcoal. Lying on a sandy bottom it is ideal for all kinds of reef fishes
Arcturus (Depth 18m)
The Arcturus is a British steam ship wreck built in 1870. Lying on a large rocky bottom area called Mada Gala, the wreck has some beautiful marine life and lots of soft corals.
Earl of Shaftesbury: (Depth 15m)
The Earl of Shaftesbury is a 4-masted iron sail ship. Built in July 1883 by Ramage and Ferguson in Leith, it was made for D. Brown and Sons and captained by R Irvine. In May 1893 it was on a journey from Bombay to Diamond Island when it capsized here. This is a beautiful wreck on a sandy bottom, ideal for any level of diver. Good for rays, groupers, and schools of medium size reef fishes.
Orestes (Depth 16m)
British steam ship that sank carrying a cargo of bricks. Lying on a sandy bottom near Galle harbour. It is possible to find wine and soda bottles around the site.
No name II (Depth 24m)
We have not been able to find any information on this ship, other than that it belonged to the Ocean steam ship Company in Liverpool and built in 1866. It is lying on a sandy bottom in front of Galle harbour. Lots of reef fishes and possible to see eagle rays
Rangoon (Depth 30m)
The Rangoon is a steam ship built in 1863 by Samuda Bros, London. It was part of the P & O fleet and did regular trips from Suez to Calcutta. The ship weighed 1776 ton and had 400hp engines, it was captained by GF Henry.
One of our most beautiful wrecks, the Rangoon is upright in full sailing position. Teeming with marine life with anything possible to see. Trips are done as part of a day trip to Galle.
Lord Nelson (Depth 18m)
Modern boat that sank in a storm in 2000. Was carrying a cargo of cement. Penetration is possible in most of the wreck and lots of reef fishes
Crispigi Cross (16m)
This is a boat from Panama carrying rice and paint that sank in the 1980's in front of Galle Hospital. Penetration is possible into the stern. The massive engine is still in place and there are lots of fish to be seen.
Norsa (Depth 8-14m)
British steam ship built in 1889 in West Hartlepool. The wreck is lying on a big reef near to the Conch and Earl of Shaftesbury.
May 21, 2005 in STUFF - Diving | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Tanduk Rusa wreck (Mawali wreck Nr. 1):
Lies at 1° 26.778' N and 125° 13.536' E. This Japanese freighter burnt and sank in 1943. Rob Sinke from Divers Lodge Lembeh has found a fused compass and melted bottles. He thinks the reason why so much hard coral grows on the wreck is because all the paint was burnt off. It lies on the starboard side, large poles sticking out. It is nicely covered with beautiful hard corals. Depths start at 16m and go to 31m. I visited this wreck first in 94 and we had to get a local fisherman to find it, since there was no buoy attached. You can enter the large cargo holds in front which is very interesting but watch out for your deco time! Don't go into the machine room, this area is much too unstable! When there is a current, the wreck is just chock a block with large lionfish, no place to really hold on to the wreck, because they are everywhere. We also saw shonefish, jacks, batfish, cuttlefish, quite a few nudibranchs and mantis shrimps. There used to be two frogfish sitting on the poles and a school of glasfish always around them, but our dive guide told us they are gone.
Rina's wreck (Nr. 2):
Is sunken Taiwanese fishing vessel. I don't know much about it except that there should be a large group of batfish in the vicinity.
Kapal Indah (Nr. 3):
This is a cargo boat about 45m long and lies between 17 and 24m deep, upright on its keel. Close to it lies Kapal Baru, a boat that burned and sank recently and lies between 4 and 14 meter. This is a nice place for night dives (only for small dive groups), you see a lot of crabs, nudibranchs and perhaps a ghostpipefish.
Bimoli wreck (Nr. 4):
This is also a Japanese freighter which sank during the second world war. It lies now close to Bitung in the middle of the shipping area. You can sometimes hear ships going by, so it can be very noisy and the visibility is not always very good - also be careful when you surface! The wreck lies on the port side and is about 100m long so it is actually too long to dive the whole wreck in one go. The top is at 18m, the propeller lies at 31m. The Bimoli (real name not known) was torpedoed either from air or by submarine (the last is what the locals say) and sank. The middle of the ship is very badly twisted and destroyed. Ammunition (Bakelite) can be found, but should not be moved. There are some interesting structures, poles etc. and very few objects have been removed, you can still see the bull eyes for example. The wreck is not covered very much, but there are always a lot of fish swimming around it. We saw mackerels and tunas and the other group even encountered a large cobia (Rachycentron canadum).
May 21, 2005 in STUFF - Diving | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Wallduwa (Coral Garden Rocks) (Depth: 3 - 10m)
Ideal for beginners and SCUBA reviews. A nearby spot just in front of Coral Garden Hotel, good for small reef fishes and turtles. Cave (Depth 8 - 6m)
A small but beautiful cave, near Wallduwa, again great for turtles and nudibranches. Next to a reef with lots of soft corals
Hikkaduwa Gala (Depth 5 - 18m)
Beautiful rock formation with many reef fishes, ideal for beginners and experienced alike.
Sunil Gala (Depth 6 - 18m)
Dive starts with a large rock near the surface, following this down to the rocky bottom where you can see reef fishes, groupers and moray.
Kadavara Gala (Depth 5 - 18m)
A pretty rock formation similar to Sunil Gala.
Goda Gala (Depth 8 - 26m)
Stunning large rocky area with lots of friendly moray to be found. Also good for big groupers, trigger fish and schools of small fish.
Teli Gala (Barracuda Point) (Depth 12 - 28m)
Large rocky area good for sting ray, barracuda and groups of small fishes.
Napoleon Point (Depth 24m)
A combination of rock and reef, well known for finding big Napoleons, groupers and also for colourful reef fishes.
Black Coral Point (Depth 16 - 30m)
Deep dive for experienced divers where you can see lots of beautiful black coral as well as many reef fish and soft corals.
Kirala Gala (Depth 21 - 38m)
Amazing deep dive. Dive starts at bottom of large conical rock formation and spirals around to the top. For advanced divers there are plenty of reef fishes, soft corals, groups of trigger fish, barracudas, travellys and groups of batfish to be found.
Pathapara (Depth 32 - 36m)
Near the Conch, this site is a very long reef with big rocks, good for big barracuda, seer fish, groupers and can see spotted eagle rays.
May 21, 2005 in STUFF - Diving | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Lembeh strait
This is one of the most interesting marine habitats that I know and a great place to do scuba diving. I first dived here in 1994 but have come back several times and know the place relatively well. There are over 25 dive sites around the Lembeh strait, most of them are either sandy areas or small reefs. Don't expect spectacular walls or huge reefs, here you are doing so called muck diving - searching for the rare and the special (for more good places for muck diving look at Secret Bay in Bali, Dauin in Negros and Cabilao in Bohol in the Philippines and Mabul in Borneo). I am a frogfish specialist and the Lembeh strait is just full of them. But its also a good place to see other shy critters such as the mimic octopus, the flamboyant cuttlefish, harlequin shrimps, wonderpus, skeleton shrimps and many nudibranchs. The fish at this place are also a collection of weirdoes: Ambon scorpionfish (Pteroidichthys amboinensis), stonefish, sea robins, stargazers, devil fish and even the weedy scorpionfish (Rhinopias frondosa). There are also beautiful seahorses (pygmy and others), pegasus, ghost pipefish and the endemic Banggai cardinalfish. This area is not a national park unfortunately. The main town, Bitung can be reached by car (1 - 1 1/2 hour depending on traffic) from Manado. Bitung is a large harbor full of containerships and fishing boats, some of them really rusty and a large smelly fish factory outside the town. Situated on the eastern side of the tip of North-Sulawesi, the Lembeh strait (Selat Lembeh) runs between the Sulawesi mainland and Lembeh island to the east and is 16 km long and 2 km wide. There are some interesting white limestone walls and a few smaller islands or rocks (Batu Sandar, Sarena Kecil, Kai-nah) in the middle of the straits and a lava flow visible around Batu Angus (= burnt rock). Water temperatures are generally rather cold for the tropics between 24 and 27°C (76 - 82ºF). The sheltered condition of Lembeh Strait makes for year-around diving.
T here is one resort on the mainland off Lembeh strait (Kungkungan Bay Resor ), and three resorts on Lembeh island (Sulawesi Dive Quest, Lembeh Resort, Divers Lodge Lembeh). You can also organize day trips from Manado. Another possibility is to stay on one of the liveaboards (for example from Murex) and spend a few days in Lembeh strait.
Dive sites mainland Sulawesi:
1. Police Pier 2. Nudi Falls 3. Kungkungan house reef 4. Air Prang 5. Jahir 6. Nudi Retreat 7. Lettuce Surpriz U (Retak Larry) 8. Teluk Kembahu 9. Hairball Two 10. Hairball 11. Aw Shucks 12. Batu Angus Dive sites Lembeh island:
13. Batu Kapal 14. Pulau Putus 15. California Dreaming 16. Angel's window 17. Batu Sandar 18. Tanjung Tebal 19. Pantai (Pante) Parigi 20. Pintu Kota 21. Pulau Abadi 22. Tanjung Lampu 23. Beting Pasir 24. South Lembeh 25. Pulau Susulina
Muck dive sites in Lembeh
I noticed, that there are seasonal changes at the dive sites in Lembeh. On one visit a dive site would be just full with nudibranchs eating certain types of algae, an other year they had all gone to some other dive site. At one time ghostpipefishes or seahorses were everywhere, then we had a hard time just finding one. So it is best to get a dive guide who has recently dived around here, because he will know about these changes and the best places to visit. (Click here for a print version of this list of dive sites)
Police pier (Nr.1):
This dive site is a real muck dive! There is a lot of garbage lying around, but among this garbage are real treasures! I found two harlequin shrimps (Hymenocera picta) on a Linckia starfish, under the large columns of the pier there are special waspfishes, many nudibranchs and there were a lot of Barramundi cods and the Banggai cardinalfishes (Pterapogon kauderi). This fish can also be found snorkeling on one of the islands in the strait just across. They seem to be hiding between the spines of sea urchins and also joining the anemonefish hiding in anemones. The Banggai cardinalfish is endemic to the Banggai islands. It was probably introduced to Lembeh strait by dumping some aquarium specimens. Since there are a lot of orange sponges heer is a really good place for the orange painted frogfish (A. pictus). This year (2003) we found a total of seven while diving here. One of them was a female bloated with eggs with a smaller male guarding her.
Nudi Falls (Nr. 2):
This is a small vertical rock wall and below that a slope with dark grey sand and rubble that ends at about 27m. On one dive we went deeper and searched in between the sponges for the weedy scorpionfish (Rhinopias frondosa) but didn't find it. Instead I saw some rare spindle cowries (Phenacovolva tokioi) and a flamboyant cuttlefish. At the wall there is a Muricella gorgonian where you find pygmy seahorses (we saw 7 of them) and there is a crack with two fire shells hidden. Sometimes there are strong currents around the deep section on the rubble slope. A year later we finally found the Rhinopias there. On a dive this April (2004) I finally found out, why this dive site is called Nudi Falls - there were nudibranchs everywhere and some like Risbecia tryoni were mating in large numbers.
Jahir (Nr. 5):
A dive site with a large sandy area and coral blocks. On my last visit this was an excellent place to see hairy frogfishes. There were three around and to my amazement one was hiding between a dozen of the longspined diadema sea urchins, one fin actually resting on the spines! The other two were busy engaging in courtship. The larger female was bloated with eggs and the smaller male was folllowing her and nudging her all the time. I observed them for quite a long time hoping they would actually rise to the surface and she would release her eggs (read this information about the mating behavior of the frogfish) but this didn't happen and a day later they were still only courting.
Nudi Retreat (Nr. 6):
This dive site is a small and protected cove. On the top resides a pair of pegasus sea moths and a lot of different nudibranchs. We also did a night dive there and found a ghostpipefish in one of the sponges. The highlight was a juvenile batfish with an orange fringe that looked just like a flatworm! Amazing! We also encountered a sea snake and a huge Pleurobranchus snail.
Lettuce Surpriz U or Retak Larry (Nr. 7):
This lies on a nice bay with a beautiful view of the volcano - a good place for the lunch break. A lava flow on the northwestern end of the strait forms a series of crater like depressions filled with lettuce corals and other hard corals. Among these corals are a lot of Mandarin fish (Synchiropus splendidus). During the day they are hidden but around 4 or 5 o'clock (dusk) they start to forage among the corals and it is easy to find them. If you are lucky it is mating season and they rise together for a courtship dance. Unfortunately when visiting this place this year (2003) a lot of the lettuce corals were destroyed. Supposedly somebody caught a lot of the Mandarin fishes for the aquarium trade and in the process destroyed their habitat. Mandarine fishes can be seen also at other places, ask your dive operator.
Teluk Kembahu (Nr. 8):
A good place for species of octopus such as the mimic octopus or wunderpus, but also for frogfishes and seahorses.
Hairball Two (Nr. 9):
This site is close by and is similar to hairball. On the top there are special sea urchins with cardinal fishes and zebra crabs and large yellow and brown seahorses. These seahorses are amazingly fast. I tried to make a photo and it would start moving really fast so I nearly couldn't follow! I also encountered a juvenile batfish, that looked like a brown leaf (Circular spadefish - Platax orbicularis) and another with zebra stripes (Hump-headed spadefish - Platax batavianus).
Hair ball (Nr. 10):
At this dive site there is some of the world's best critter diving, a true muck dive site. A gentle slope covered with black sand and algae. There are occasional patch of sponges - those are the places to look for hidden animals like seahorses, frogfish or the ambon scorpion fish. All these animals are extremely well camouflaged, the frogfish we found was brown and gray with numerous appendages, the seahorses brown or black.
Aw Shucks (Nr. 11):
This dive site is close to the pearl farms in the northern part of Lembeh strait. I liked this dive site since we encountered several times a lot of beautiful ghost pipe fish and two yellow double-ended pipefish that look like sticks of whip coral. On the small reef on top there were two yellow leaffish and a large Notodoris minor slug, also yellow.
Pantai (or Pante) Parigi (Nr. 19):
This lies on Lembeh island just close to the huge white limestone formations. You dive on light grey sand on a gentle slope. This turned out to be a good place for the Ambon scorpionfish (Pteroidichthys amboinensis) and frogfishes (Antennarius striatus and pictus). These animals were hidden between the algae and some ropes that were lying on the sand. There are also quite a lot of broccoli soft corals with tiny porcelain crabs living on them. On one dive there we saw the rare leafy filefish. From far this filefish looks like a piece of seagrass or weed with its many appendages. There are some patches of corals in the upper area of the dive site with nudibranchs (for example seahares) and sometimes a leaffish or frogfish.
Close to Beting Pasir (23):
Close to the beach of the Divers Lodge Lembeh is a small place where Mandarine fishes (Synchiropus splendidus) can be found.
Coral gardens and current around Lembeh
Batu Kapal (Nr. 13): This dive site is not so known, but it actually was one of the highlights of my dive vacation! Rob Sinke from Divers Lodge Lembeh is one of the persons that know this dive site well, so we dived there when currents were strong but not too fierce. You dive on several large submerged rocks which are jutting up from a plateau of about 22 to 27m. Everything is covered with yellow tube corals (Tubastrea) - what a sight it must be during night when they all open - and hard and soft corals. The amount of fish is just amazing, from small Anthias and red tooth triggerfishes, bannerfishes to mackerels, Napoleon wrasses and the occasional shark. The current carries you among the rocks, sometimes you stop and watch the fish soup, sometimes you drift to another current pocket.
Californian dreaming and Pulau Putus (Nr. 14 and 15):
Most people come to Lembeh for the rare critters, but some dive sites like these have very nice coral cover on top!
Angel's window (Nr. 16):
These are submerged pinnacles off the north coast of Lembeh Island that rises to just a few meter below the surface. The pinnacle has a large swim through at about 25m, and around them are several gorgonian sea fans (Muricella paraplectana) with pygmy seahorses (Hippocampus bargibanti). On the way along the wall we saw many damselfishes mating and on top of the pinnacle we discovered a huge stonefish covered with algae like growth. All around were anthias and damselfish, all the stonefish had to do to get the next meal was to just open its mouth!
Southeast coast of Pulau Lembeh (Nr. 23, 24 and 25):
During the northwest monsoon (November to April - map with weather in Indonesia) it's also possible to dive on the eastern side of Lembeh island.
May 21, 2005 in STUFF - Diving | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Kuda Rah Thila ( Broken Thila )
Broken Rock lies in the southernmost corner of the Ari Atoll, on the eastern side. The closest islands are Dhangethi to the north and Dhigurah to the south. The thila, which seems to have been cleft asunder by a blow from a giant axe, is some 70 metres (230 feet) in length, and rises to a depth of some 13 metres (43 feet) beneath the surface. The remarkable aspect of this coral base is the enormous canyon that runs diagonally across the centre, from southeast to northwest. With a depth of 22 metres (72 feet), this cleft was the source of the name, Broken Rock. On the eastern side is a jutting formation with a remarkable shape, and another small plateau, at a depth of 17 metres.
Aside from the considerable depth of the reef top, diving in this site is fairly easy. There are several decisive factors in any decision regarding the techniques to be used on this dive: the currents, which can be very strong at times, but also the level of experience of the participating divers. With weak currents, one can dive directly on to the top of the reef. The most elegant technique, which is also the simplest in the presence of powerful currents, is to dive at some distance from the reef, in the open ocean, and then to swim in the reef with the current. It is also possible to moor the boat on the reef itself, if it becomes necessary to enter and emerge from the water by means of a line.
Victory Wreck
The wreck of the Maldives Victory lies on the western side of the airport-island, Hulule, precisely near the first quarter of the southern side of the landing strip. The wreck lies parallel to the reef on the sandy sea bed at a depth of 35 metres (115 feet), upright and with the bowsprit pointing north. The location of the wreck is marked by a buoy, to which boats can be moored. The powerful currents between Male’ and Hulule make it absolutely essential to use a line to dive and to return to the surface. Normally one starts from the main mast, which rises to a depth of just 12 metres (about 40 feet) beneath the surface of the water. Once the deck is reached, the superstructure serves as a shelter against the currents. The holds are wide open and one can easily swim into them. In the wheelhouse, there is nothing of any particular interest, since all of the ship’s technical fittings and equipment - such as the compass, helm and even the shipboard telegraph, which was a popular subject for underwater photographers for some ten years’ time - have disappeared. For those exploring the inner bulkheads, which can be reached by swimming down the stairways and along wide corridors, we advise bringing a good flashlight and the assistance of a divemaster, unless of course one knows the ship like the back of one’s hand.
The wreck is 110 metres (360 feet) in length, and one can plan one’s dive in accordance with the air supply and the time available, completing the entire dive in safety and returning to the mooring lines attached to the buoy. It is important to remember that the wreck is studded with extremely sharp jagged seashells and urticating hydroids. Moreover, injuries can be caused by sharp, jagged fragments of metal.
Mushi Mas Mingili Thila ( Shark Thila )
Shark Thila lies within the bounds of the reef itself, but at a considerable distance from the other reefs, in the northern section of the Ari Atoll. The closest islands are Fesdu, Halaveli, Maayafushi and Ellaidhu. The thila, which is about 70 metres (230 feet) in diameter, extends in depth to some 10 metres (33 feet) beneath the surface.
The dives that can be made at Shark Thila are limited to the thila, and the boat must be moored at the peak of the reef; very experienced divers however can enter the water off the reef and reach their destination by following the currents. In any event with thilas such as this one, which stands in isolation, it is wise to make use of this technique only if one truly has sufficient experience. In the area around Shark Thila the currents can sweep along with tremendous force, although in the lee of the base of the formation, calmer waters can always be found.
Banana Reef
Banana Reef lies on the eastern side of the North Male’ Atoll, inside the barrier reef. Nearby islands include Fullmoon Island, Farukolhu Fushi and Kurumba. This reef, with its elongated form, which is in fact reminiscent of a banana in shape, stretches from northeast to south over a length of some 300 metres (about a 1000 feet). Ever since scuba divers began to visit this part of the North Male’ Atoll, 20 years ago, Banana Reef has remained an ideal spot. As in a great many other places around the Maldives, the divers have caused no adverse effects upon the seascape and, if we may, fishscape. Indeed, it seems that year after year on Banana Reef the fish population simply continues to grow. The upper section of the reef lies at a depth of just three metres (10 feet) beneath the surface of the water, but on the western side the reef plunges to a depth of 30 metres (100 feet) and more. The western side is also the best place to dive, since there are seven major coral agglomerations here that form an uncanny seascape.
On Banana Reef, only drift dives are possible. The unbelievable abundance of fish and the presence of many varieties of coral are clearly the result of the virtually incessant currents, which are obviously a major factor in determining the direction of one’s dive. It is at any rate possible to halt even in the presence of the strongest currents, by taking shelter in grottoes or in the lee of enormous masses of coral.
Guraidhoo Corner
This site lies on the east side of the South Male’ Atoll, outside of the reef. To be more exact, this is the south side of the channel mouth. Nearby islands are Losfushi, Guraidhoo and Kandooma. The reef top drops from ten metres (33 feet) to 30 metres (100feet) and more; there are grottoes and projections just about everywhere. The edges of the channel drop down to a depth of 30 metres (100 feet). Large isolated coral blocks grow, from the scarp of the reef upward.
At Guraidhoo Corner only drift dives are possible. It is therefore necessary to be quite an experienced diver on the reef; all the more so because there are powerful vertical currents all around the site at certain hours of the day. The direction of the principal horizontal current is towards the interior of the atoll. At the edge of the channel, which is also the deepest point, one comes drifting along the reef. The dive comes to an end along the wall of the channel or at the edge of the reef.
May 21, 2005 in STUFF - Diving | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Here is a list of the best dive spots around! You have to be Padi Advanced or equivalent for most of them. Nitrox or Trimex is required for some deeper wreck dives.
Tiger Reef
A submersed pinnacle between Labas Island and Sepoi Island, it starts at 9 metres and slopes down to 22 metres. This is one of the major highlights of Tioman's under water world. The rock formation is simply amazing because everything is covered by soft coral, hard corals and barrel sponges. Since Tiger Reef is not frequently dived you can find very little human impact upon the corals. And due to the stronger currents, which you can expect here, you can encounter large schools of Jacks, Mackerels, Yellow Fin Barracudas and Rainbow Runners on almost every dive. Experienced divers can zoom in and out of the canyons to avoid the strong currents.
One Tree Bay
This hidden area is just around the corner from Fan Canyon. It is a fantastic spot as a second dive site, especially when the south wind blows. Hhere we are sheltered and can easily dive along the rocks which are sloping down to about 16 meters.
You usually dive down to the end of the rock wall and take a left turn. Here at 18m you find Bumphead Parrot Fish and Spanish Mackerels swimming along some of the loosely lying boulders and if you have a good look you will surely find some nudibranchs.
Sepoi
This small island is the furthest distance away from Salang hence it is not frequent dived. The rock formation on the north western side is the best with a good coral growth and lots of large brain corals. Here we can find several Nurse Sharks sleeping underneath coral boulders, they usually measure around 1m in length. Or observe the six banded Angel Fish gliding graciously along the corals of Sepoi.
Fan Canyon
This dive site stretches out of Genting Bay and slopes down to a maximum of 30 meters. You will swim along the lower reef edge to about 22 meters where we can find our Ribbon Eel trying to catch small Damsels. Right after this you will swim over the famous Fan Canyon. We do not permit divers to enter the canyon due to the fragile Gorgonian Fan Corals. On most occasions, at the deeper part of the dive site you can see large Scorpion Fish, two Napoleon Wrasses and green turtles. At 16 meters there is a nice tunnel worth swimming through because of the millions of tiny anchovies; from here you will swim into Genting Bay to begin a three minute safety stop at 5 meters.
May 21, 2005 in STUFF - Diving | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)