Travel

As if Sipadan didn't have enough to worry about right now, Malaysia's local news service is reporting that an increasing number of divers are traveling to Pulau Sipadan illegally. The permitted number of divers per day is 120, but dive operators have actively ignored that law. In January, the average number of divers visiting the island was 141; April received the most visitors with an average daily diver count of 235.

When Parks officials discover illegal divers, they eject them from the park. Obviously, this has resulted in a strained relationship among divers, local dive operators, and the Park system. ...

Having recently traveled through western Texas' Chihuahuan Desert (and only barely escaping!), I know how lip-crackingly, nose-bleedingly, palm-chappingly dry it can be out there. Diving in the area is one of the last things I would ever consider...unless by "diving," you meant diving into sand. Consequently, I was surprised when I read the headline "A spring-fed pool in dry west Texas has become ... A divers' oasis." Yeah...right.

But it's true! Texas' Balmorhea State Park -- literally, an oasis in the desert -- offers the unusual opportunity to do some diving in the Chihuahuan Desert. Located just south of Pecos, Texas ...

Please, please, please don't do this. I'm not begging you to restrain yourself because it's bad, or dangerous, or expensive. You won't be disappointed, or injured, or even upset. In fact, if you do it, you'll probably be happy. Nevertheless, please don't do it. So...what is "it"? Scuba Diving Magazine and the Florida Keys are co-sponsoring an easy-to-enter contest, and the winner receives a free week of diving in the Keys PLUS a free set of Scubapro dive gear! So why shouldn't you do it? Because I really want to win!

What's so great about the Florida Keys? The Florida Keys ...

Episode 5 of the Jean-Michel Cousteau's excellent 6-part Ocean Adventure series continues tonight (September 20th); the final installment is next Wednesday. According to PBS, the final two episodes will cover all 13 of the US' National Marine Sanctuaries and the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands National Marine Monument.

In addition to showcasing the Sanctuaries' beauty, Cousteau and his team will also document how these sites are conservation challenges. Over the course of the expedition, Cousteau and his team will dive among goliath groupers; humpback whales; the giant Pacific octopus; spawning coral; and numerous shipwrecks. If you want to whet your appetite, check ...

Last night, I watched the fifth installment of Jean-Michel Cousteau's excellent Ocean Adventures series. Called America's Underwater Treasures, the episode profiled 6 of the US' 13 National Marine Sanctuaries. While Part V looked at some of the threats facing marine creatures in American waters, it concentrated on the successes people have achieved in protecting and encouraging awareness of these animals. Consequently, I found it very enjoyable to watch. Featuring Jean-Michel's son, Fabien, and his daughter, Celine, the show was an intriguing, exciting family affair. Boasting a lot of great underwater footage, Part V spotlighted several relatively simple measures that can ...
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Follow up to the Irwin story, Cousteau, who was assisting Irwin at the time of his death, will keep working on Ocean's Deadliest film.

This should be a fitting tribute to a Steve, as long as it doesn't turn into another "Jaws", and lead to the destruction of a creature ...
Places
What Is Panama Like?

by Iva Skoch   Sep 25th 2007 @ 9:30AM

I am planning a trip to Panama. Not sure why. I don't know much about the country but I have a free Continental voucher to use up and they fly there directly from New York. That's a good ...