<drums rolling> <tum> <tum> <tum> TADA!

[exnewwavedivers]

Hi, it's me. My name is Robert U. Lee and I am a PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer and Medic First Aid Instructor. I also co-own a dive operation in Boracay Island, Philippines.

In case you haven't heard of Boracay before, you can find it all over the net because it is one of the top tropical beach destinations in the world.

Hopefully, I can check this forum more often and meet lots of new friends.

Usually, I am out diving but in the rare instance that I am having a vacation in Manila, I do a lot of updates on our website.

Anyway, hello and happy and safe diving to everyone.

 

[DivingGal]

Hi Robert, a hardy welcome from the other side of the world. Or as some of us say, Hello from the Great White North or Bonjour du Grand Blanc Nord. Canada that is.

 

[exnewwavedivers]

Hi there! Thanks for that nice welcome. Wow! Now I am excited. Never thought this board could be that busy but I can by the number of page views and the number of people using the site now at the same time that it is.

Glad to have found this board.

 

[Mario S Caner]

Hello there Robert, welcome to the boards. This is truely a heaven compared to other scuba sites out there. Make sure you spread the news about us by making a link on your site.

If you are interested in offering a vacation package to members on this site, please let us know and we'll put something together. Natasha is our resident travel guru!

 

[King_Neptune]

Welcome aboard Robert,


We would love to hear about your diving over there, so do tell!

=-)

 

[Ladydiver]

Hi Robert,

Welcome aboard! I noticed you have your website listed in your signature. If you haven't already done it, I would like to invite you to add your listing to our ScubaDirectory and our ScubaSearch. It's another way to get your URL out there to divers looking for information and it's free.

For ScubaDirectory just go to

http://www.scubadirectory.com

and do a quick search to be sure your site is not already listed. If you are not listed, simply click on the "Add Listing" link on the right-hand side of the black bar. Be sure to add the password of your choice and a brief description of your organization.

To be listed is in the Scuba Search Engine. Simply go to

http://www.scubasearch.com

and click on the link for the sub-category that best fits your organization. Then, in the lower right-hand corner, click on the link that says "add your URL". This will bring up the form for your contact information, description and keywords. Just fill in the information and click the submit button. The site admin will then review the submission and add your listing to the search engine.

Cheers,

 

[DiverCCRN]

Welcome to the boards. I'd love to go to the Phillipines, but I'd have to sedate my wife for the long flight. When I say sedate, I mean general aneshtesia!!!! Again, welcome and nice to meet your cyber-aquaitenance.

 

[kyleterry]

Welcome on board...love to hear about diving there. I have only been to the Carribian Islands.

 

[exnewwavedivers]

Hi. Philippines may be in the news recently and mostly negative but the truth is, almost all visitors to the country likes it here. Ok, ummm, I can probably say that for visitors who went to the countryside.

The reason for that has to be the Filipino people in general. Very hospitable and warm.

I will tell you a story...

Once upon a time, someone organized an adventure tournament. There were participants from different countries including USA and most from Europe. It was held in Samar (a province somewhere in the middle of the Philippines). The objective for the participants is to race from one point to another point which would take them virtually around this big island. The competition would last for a few days and the route was revealed to each team only the night before the tournament started. It involves hiking through knee-deep muds, white-water kayaking, running, climbing mountains... etc. In the remote places, some participants would knock on the huts of the locals and ask to stay for the night or rest for awhile. According to one German participant, they would do that and not one would refuse. The locals would even insist that they sleep on their bed while the hosts sleep on the floor. They would give them everything they have even though they have nothing.

Filipinos, poor as many are, will not refuse someone in need and offer whatever they have. That is genuine hospitality and not the Filipinos in most cities who have been influenced by other culture.

Another trait in general would be friendliness. Filipinos smile a lot although many are shy especially when talking to foreigners.

This is the reason why it is great to live here. I do hope that in the future, many of you would have the opportunity to visit the country, especially the countrysides and meet the locals. These are my people and our way of life.