Grand Cayman Group Trip 2003

[Natasha]

Hello divers, and friends,

Grand Cayman Trip
Dates:
April 5th 2003 to April 12th 2003
Place:
Sunset House (1 mile from Georgetown, Grand Cayman)
Includes:
7 nights ocean view rooms
3 days of two tank dives
unlimited shore diving on those days
shore diving on other days 8.00 a tank.. 5.00 a second tank
daily breakfast from the menu
1/2 day Photomania class with Cathy Church & free gift
Welcome cocktail party
Dive Trip T shirt
Farewell Party
Price: 1150.00 per person
deposit due .. 200.00 per person

Hope you can make it!

[Bob]

Natasha,
Beth and I have decided to make the trip to Grand Cayman instead of Bonaire. It's been awhile since I've dove the Cayman's and Beth has never been there, so we're in for the trip. We look forward to seeing you, David, and all the other diver's that'll be making the trip. Hey, March isn't that far away! :tree: Bob.

[scywin]

You've chosen a great place for this trip. I was there a couple years ago and had a great time.

BTW: This will be the fourth trip I have taken with you. Will there be some of the folks from past trips on this one?

Thanks!

[Natasha]

You guys are great. Thanks for the quick response!
Steve, time sure flies. Four trips already. Thanks for being a loyal client. Bob same to you and Beth. Already your third trip!
I'm really looking forward to Cayman too. I think it's the only 'world class' diving in the Caribbean/ Mexico that I haven't had the pleasure to dive yet.

Meeting Cathy Church at DEMA, and the owners of Sunset House made me know this is the right place for us.
They are very excited about us coming down.
:)

[Denton]

Hey guys,

Natasha, good to see you've got the thread up and running so soon. Now I only have 3+ months to think about another great trip!

Steve, I'll be on this one. It's my fourth trip as well. This one is going to be tough for Natasha. Every trip I do with her gets better. Hmm, how will she make this one better than Bonaire 2002?

I was really looking forward to a new toy for this trip; an Ikelite housing for my Canon G2. After seeing the great photos Sandy took in Bonaire I decided to put the 35mm film away and go down digitally. The only problem is my Christmas gift for myself this year will be a new transmission instead :^( Don't worry, I'll find a way to get my toys!!!

Ok, let's talk Cayman! Anyone that's been wanna share info? What does the dive shop offer? It might be time for me to take another class or two. Natasha, is Dave coming? Can I talk him into another class?

Oh dear, I'm going to be spinning my wheels at work now. I HATE day dreaming about dive trips!

;^) Denton

[Natasha]

Hi Denton:
Now we're going to be finally be able to add Cayman to our list, huh?
Yes, David is coming. Probably the best classes to take at Sunset House would be with Cathy Church. She is a very special lady, and fantastic photographer. She does offer several classes. Once we're down there we can set them up. She will be there the whole week we are there.
I hope Sandy can make it on this trip too.
Nancy Denver already sent me her money. And there's a good chance Susan Florida will share a room with her.
Hopefully we'll get some more new people when they find this thread, eh?
;)

[Denton]

Susan? Nancy? Woohoo! Two of my favorite divers! ;^)

I haven't seen Susan since Bonaire 2000. They were part my first N_trip to Belize. Hmm, I'll work on Dave C. which could bring us up to six from that trip. Very cool. I'm going to have to talk to Jim C. and the rest of the Chicago crowd.

Are Nancy and Susan on this chat thread? Nancy? I'm gunning for you. In Bonaire I was diving 60s and coming up with more air than most... hehehe. One of these days I'll be able to keep up (or down) with you.

As for the photo classes... hmmm, I better order that housing soon. Who needs a transmission anyway?

Denton ;^)

[Drew Sailbum]

Seriously, I think you will be pleased with Sunset House.

As far as other training... Sunset House also offers superb training in rebreathers and other techie stuff. The dive shop manager Erika is the former National Director of Operations for IANTD Canada.

Onsite is Cathy Church's photo shop. Cathy is a skilled u/w photographer, and I think everyone will enjoy the photo session.

[Natasha]

Drew:
That's great! Feel free to answer any questions, and add whatever you can. I met Erika at DEMA. Dee and Keith too. All great people. They were very excited about us coming down. I like that.
If you need anything from the states before we're there, let us know, and we'll see what we can do.

[Natasha]

Hi guys:
Just to let you know here's the list of who is going so far. Also Steve, Dave & Suzanne your checks came today. Thanks!

Denton
Steve
Bob & Beth
Natasha & David
Dave & Suzanne
Nancy & friend


Still have 4 rooms left. After those are filled I'll have to see if I can get more. I just blocked 10 rooms for this trip.

Denton:
No, Nancy and Susan are both not on this board. Not that I haven't given them the link many times. :)

[Bob]

Anyone know what water temps to expect in the Caymans during late March early April ? I'm thinking mid 80's. How about it? :tree: Bob

[Drew Sailbum]

Bob once bubbled...
Anyone know what water temps to expect in the Caymans during late March early April ? I'm thinking mid 80's. How about it? :tree: Bob

Plan for the low 80's, say water temps between 81-83F. Winds likely will be from the ENE which may favor diving southern dive sites. Look for north wall diving on days with less wind.

[Bacchus]

Natasha, I spoke with Allison tonight and she's a go! Now all I halve to do is figure out if I'm in Spain or the US in late March. How soon do you need a deposit. Hard to believe that I may be going back to the Sunset House after 25+ years.

:)

[Natasha]

Steve:
Whenever you know for sure about Spain, you can send the deposit. For now I'll pencil in that you have the 7th room. Sound good?

[scywin]

A couple of you asked about Sunset House. I was there in late 2001 with a buddy of mine, who is an outstanding photographer, both above and below water. When he wants photo lessons, he signs up with Cathy Church. If you want to learn about underwater photography, or if you want to improve your underwater photography, this is the place to go.

One tip for those who have not been diving with a bunch of camera buffs: There are camera buckets on the boats and if you stick anything other than a camera in one of them you have committed a MAJOR fopah. Don't do it. Some of the divers have cameras more expensive than my car and they are understandably touchy about them.

The dive shop has nitrox and lockers, but not much floor space. The boats and dive masters are cool and will do all they can to make the diving safe and fun. The briefings at each dive site are the best I have seen on any dive trip. There is also decent shore diving right in front of the Sunset House.

The restaurant is decent and the walk into town is short enough to provide variety. The rooms are okay for a dive operation, but this isn't The Plaza at Bonaire.

Overall, those who have been on one of Natasha's trips should find the Sunset House to be an excellent choice. You should have a great time.

Steve

[Natasha]

Hi Everyone:
This is an important update.

Please post what will work for you.

I looked at the air prices today. If we go one week later it drops the cost of air from Chicago down to 500.00 per person non stop from 800.00 per person.
I haven't contacted the resort yet, to see if they have the rooms open then. If they do, is it a problem for anyone to switch dates?

The new dates would be April 5th to the 12th 2003.

[Bob]

Moving the trip back one week is better for me. :tree: Bob

[Natasha]

OK I talked to Cayman today. They were able to give me 7 top floor ocean view rooms and 3 bottom floor ocean view rooms for the new dates.
And we purchased our air today since the prices were so good.



New dates now written in stone because we bought our non refundable tickets!

April 5th to April 12th 2003.
To both Steve's will this work for you? And Denton?

[Bacchus]

I've got to call overseas and get some other schedules confirmed. I'll get back to you as oosn as possible. We'd hate to miss....

Steve

[Denton]

Done deal ;^)

I can't wait. Hmm, what new gear should I get for this trip?

Denton

PS. Natasha, I suppose I need a new picture for my profile... See ya soon.

[Natasha]

HI Everyone!
OK, the new dates are in place, and I ran tons of airline tickets this week!
Also, please welcome our newest diver Dan the Man Johnson to the trip.
Dan will be doing his OW down in Cayman with us.

Nancy is still looking for a room mate. Anyone interested please post here or PM me!
Thanks.

[Natasha]

HI Caymanmaniacs!
I just got off the phone with Cayman. We have 4 rooms left for this trip.
And I need to know who wants lower ocean view rooms and who wants the upper ocean view rooms.
Also Denton, tell Dan his OW price does include equipment.
He also will have 3 days of two tank dives to do with the group after he is certified. He will do the OW Sunday and Monday.
Thanks!

[Natasha]

Dave and Suzanne had to cancel for this trip.
I very much want to fill this space so we can keep our group benefits.
So anyone that can help I will now be offering you a future gift certificate for another trip value $100.00 if you help fill a room with two new people.
I believe even non divers, and just snorkelers would like Grand Cayman.
Thanks everyone!

[caymancase]

Hey Natasha! I'd take that opportunity for a gift certificate if I didn't already live here! :) You're right... non divers and snorkellers would love Grand Cayman as well as divers. What's not to like??
I've got your Caymanmaniacs trip on my calendar...want to make sure I can slip in a dive or 2 with all you great folks!!
Casey

[Natasha]

Hi Casey:
I've been meaning to write back. So sorry for the delay.
It's great to hear you will be able to do a few dives with us. I know last time we spoke, you said you hadn't dove the Mermaid yet. Have you now?
If not, let's have that as one of our dives together.

I'm still hoping to fill one last room at least, for this trip, to secure our own boat. Cross your fingers!

[caymancase]

Hey Natasha :)
Nope... still haven't seen that mermaid yet so you're on!
Fingers and toes are crossed for ya... it sounds like you've got a great bunch of folks coming down with you!

[bridgenet]

Hey Natasha,

I didn't realize it until just now but I'll be in the Cayman's the same time as everyone :). I'll be at the Marriot from 4/2 to 4/9. Did a spur of the moment booking last weekend to do my tech training then instead of the end of May, when I come back to enjoy a week with my daughter prior to Key Largo.

I can't join you for diving as I'll be with Dive-Tech from 7:30AM till 5PM every day but possibly I can crash dinner some night? I'll be alone, Kim is working to support my dive trips :D.

Kev

[Natasha]

Kev:
That's great news. Of course you can join us for dinner.

Plans changed again slightly on this trip. Because it did not fill up, I could not stay at Sunset House. The 5 others will be there, but David and I will be at the Hyatt. {We had Hyatt points so we used them}
We will be diving at Sunset with everyone on 1:30 PM 2 tank dives everyday, and shore diving in the mornings.
Call us when you get there and we'll work out the details.

Casey and Drew we still want to meet and dive with you too!

[bridgenet]

I'm staying on Marriot Points :). So we'll be neighbors :clap:

Will be good to see some familiar faces,

Kev