Storm
Contributor
First off my thanks for your help, advice.
About Us
My wife and I both dive, have advanced certifications, and 50 + dive under out belts (not a lot, but we're not exactly rookies either) in both the cold murky waters here in Ontario and warm clear blue waters of Cuba, and Curacao.
We are not huge fans of drift diving, at least not the type where you drop down, scoot along and watch the wall go by. I like UW photography and that requires that I be able hold my position long enough to get my shot, without blowing a tank fighting strong drift current.
We dive our own gear (even on fly out trips) so we don't want package deals that inflate prices to include gear (other than rental lead and tanks) and we prefer to dive nitrox. We usually prefer doing our own thing via shore diving, if it's decent and available, (think Bonaire/Curacao), but have no issues doing charters. We'd like to get a realistic chance at seeing big stuff, but also understand that there are never any guarantees in that respect.
We're safe divers and respect all environments. We dive with a strict no-impact mentality, dive well balanced rigs and practice good buoyancy control at all times. Here's the kicker we dive with gloves NO EXCEPTIONS. I am insect toxin sensitive (multiple stings and I'm diving for a epi pen), and I have not given marine toxins the chance to see how they get to me, and hope never to do so. My wife is..ummmm thermally challenged. The poor girl gets cold in 90 degree water after two dives. Hence her gloves. We are more than willing to do check out dives so the operators can see for themselves that we pose no threat to reef or wreck. (BTW we LOVES wrecks; it’s all we got up here - dark murky water and century old wooden wrecks).
As to the type of travelers we are, we prefer the local scene and culture. We're not the AI plant your butt on the beach and swill booze until the staff comes by and pours you into your room types; not that there anything wrong with that. It’s just not our style. We like to get out and meet the local folks, see the country's history, and landscape and breathe its culture.
Now the reason for the pre-amble is so folks, who know the area, know a bit about us and what we have to deal with. I find it makes it easier for folks to help us if they know more about what we're about and how we travel.
About the trip
We're looking at doing two weeks in Belize (December 2010) and would like to split the trip, one week of diving, and beach side stuff (week one) the other touring the interior (week two).
Most of what I've read seems to point toward Placencia or Ambergris Caye as to two most popular spots, but my research is just starting so what do I know, right? Some of the sites I've read mention some of the hotel/resorts offer up split vacations between the mainland and the cayes.
My questions about these are,
1. Who they are?
2. Where are they?
3. Are they the same outfit or just two outfits working together?
4. Are they even necessary or is it possible to book these independently and still get the trip coordinated with as little hassle as possible?
5. Who are the better (reputation) dive ops and ground tour ops?
6. What are the "must sees" on land, and in water?
7. Where can I find decent (4 - 5 rating) accommodations for the "sea" portion of the trip and the last two nights of the land portion. The rest of the land portion can be as good as 4 star in the cities or a tent and sleeping bag while on excursion.
8. What and where are the better places to eat, have the occasional drink and experience the local night life and culture?
9. Wwhat are the pre-trip requirements (visa, inoculations, etc.) that we should be aware of.
10. Is the time frame were are looking at a good time to even travel there?
11. Should we use public transportation or rent a vehicle?
Security is of concern for us. While we are well travelled, and know how to avoid problems, we have some security concerns.
The first is our gear, both dive and personal. If at all possible we would like to be able to store the dive gear in a secured place for week two. I don't see much use in hauling around BP/Wing, wetsuits, fins etc if we're rainforest trekking.
The second of course is our person and personal items. We would prefer our accommodations to have an in room safe, or at the minimum, a hotel safe where some items could be secured. (Travel papers, copies of passport, visa ,if necessary, laptop, and photography gear)
I realize this is a lot to ask, so please feel free to take little bites at it. I'll piece the whole thing together later.
If I’ve let out anything, feel free to suggest away.
Agan, thanks in advance for all your help.
P.S. feel free to suggest books, weblinks, etc if you feel they would help me in planning this trip. I donlt mind doing my own leg work either.
About Us
My wife and I both dive, have advanced certifications, and 50 + dive under out belts (not a lot, but we're not exactly rookies either) in both the cold murky waters here in Ontario and warm clear blue waters of Cuba, and Curacao.
We are not huge fans of drift diving, at least not the type where you drop down, scoot along and watch the wall go by. I like UW photography and that requires that I be able hold my position long enough to get my shot, without blowing a tank fighting strong drift current.
We dive our own gear (even on fly out trips) so we don't want package deals that inflate prices to include gear (other than rental lead and tanks) and we prefer to dive nitrox. We usually prefer doing our own thing via shore diving, if it's decent and available, (think Bonaire/Curacao), but have no issues doing charters. We'd like to get a realistic chance at seeing big stuff, but also understand that there are never any guarantees in that respect.
We're safe divers and respect all environments. We dive with a strict no-impact mentality, dive well balanced rigs and practice good buoyancy control at all times. Here's the kicker we dive with gloves NO EXCEPTIONS. I am insect toxin sensitive (multiple stings and I'm diving for a epi pen), and I have not given marine toxins the chance to see how they get to me, and hope never to do so. My wife is..ummmm thermally challenged. The poor girl gets cold in 90 degree water after two dives. Hence her gloves. We are more than willing to do check out dives so the operators can see for themselves that we pose no threat to reef or wreck. (BTW we LOVES wrecks; it’s all we got up here - dark murky water and century old wooden wrecks).
As to the type of travelers we are, we prefer the local scene and culture. We're not the AI plant your butt on the beach and swill booze until the staff comes by and pours you into your room types; not that there anything wrong with that. It’s just not our style. We like to get out and meet the local folks, see the country's history, and landscape and breathe its culture.
Now the reason for the pre-amble is so folks, who know the area, know a bit about us and what we have to deal with. I find it makes it easier for folks to help us if they know more about what we're about and how we travel.
About the trip
We're looking at doing two weeks in Belize (December 2010) and would like to split the trip, one week of diving, and beach side stuff (week one) the other touring the interior (week two).
Most of what I've read seems to point toward Placencia or Ambergris Caye as to two most popular spots, but my research is just starting so what do I know, right? Some of the sites I've read mention some of the hotel/resorts offer up split vacations between the mainland and the cayes.
My questions about these are,
1. Who they are?
2. Where are they?
3. Are they the same outfit or just two outfits working together?
4. Are they even necessary or is it possible to book these independently and still get the trip coordinated with as little hassle as possible?
5. Who are the better (reputation) dive ops and ground tour ops?
6. What are the "must sees" on land, and in water?
7. Where can I find decent (4 - 5 rating) accommodations for the "sea" portion of the trip and the last two nights of the land portion. The rest of the land portion can be as good as 4 star in the cities or a tent and sleeping bag while on excursion.
8. What and where are the better places to eat, have the occasional drink and experience the local night life and culture?
9. Wwhat are the pre-trip requirements (visa, inoculations, etc.) that we should be aware of.
10. Is the time frame were are looking at a good time to even travel there?
11. Should we use public transportation or rent a vehicle?
Security is of concern for us. While we are well travelled, and know how to avoid problems, we have some security concerns.
The first is our gear, both dive and personal. If at all possible we would like to be able to store the dive gear in a secured place for week two. I don't see much use in hauling around BP/Wing, wetsuits, fins etc if we're rainforest trekking.
The second of course is our person and personal items. We would prefer our accommodations to have an in room safe, or at the minimum, a hotel safe where some items could be secured. (Travel papers, copies of passport, visa ,if necessary, laptop, and photography gear)
I realize this is a lot to ask, so please feel free to take little bites at it. I'll piece the whole thing together later.
If I’ve let out anything, feel free to suggest away.
Agan, thanks in advance for all your help.
P.S. feel free to suggest books, weblinks, etc if you feel they would help me in planning this trip. I donlt mind doing my own leg work either.
