Hi Adel ~

After noticing the fins you used, I just keep an eye on that brand - to see what they are making next. The link below takes you to pictures of a new bi-fin blade design by C4. Good footpocket/blade angle too. Fins don't make a diver, of course, but at least it will help me look like one. hehe. Not for sale in the US yet.

C4 Carbon

Ei Adel,

How's things over there?

I sometimes tell everyone about the 40ºC water in Abu Dhabi. Insane. They usually don't believe it. I definitely look forward to visiting someday. Likewise, do let me know if you will be in Pacific waters. Hope it will be sooner rather than later.

I'm currently in San Francisco, California. Water = 14.4ºC. Visibility = >1 m.

Just been using the 3mm for open water swimming with the local clubs + seals and otters. Not sure if it's hypothermia or the MDR - but I feel *something* kicks in. Still exploring that. It's been fun. However, sometimes you inadvertently kick some kind of jellyfish as big and heavy as a man's head and you think "what the HELL was that?"

Otherwise, it's been nice to slow down for a bit. Most of my family is here. I've been using the time to get my Marine tech certifications in order for work transitions in December. However, the time has been most valuable to re-evaluate finances and logistics for transition to a sailboat life. This has been a very long term goal of mine. I do this once a year. This year, I'm really really close to being able to pull it off.

After reading a lot of posts - some info I read at this DeeperBlue thread (http://forums.deeperblue.com/monofin...th-buying.html) helped me decide on a basic mono from Triton. (Triton Underwater Sport Equipment) Since monofin design still seems to still be evolving, I'm deciding to go with a lower priced model with Omer footpockets - and continue to read updates on the monofin posts. Stoked.

There is a website I want to show you. I just read about a new marine reserve declared in Kiribati. Kinda far away from everything, but I dream of seeing this place too.

Our Imperiled Oceans: Victory at Sea | Science & Nature | Smithsonian Magazine

This is just one place. The more I look at pictures in dive magazines, the more I AM SO AMAZED.

I want to see what is out there.

Hey there Tobin! .. how is it going on with you ? .. any close to this side of the world make sure to ring me up then man ! .. stay cool

Ei Adel,

Well, no diving off the ship allowed here, just a lot of floating on top of it. (sigh) October, November and December will be on land (in the water every day). Looking forward to that.

Meanwhile, I've been researching monofins. Think it would be very fun. Any particular make/models you recommend?

Hey there Tobin! .. yes we do ..

These courses, specially that we are doing it away from home (and even away from big cities) gives alot of time for us to blend with each other and get to conversate and exchange thoughts and knowledge about different cultures, it's awsome.

Now I can't say if finding your diving gear bag again is part of the Ups or downs ?! .. since it has alot to do with the compensation amount you could have received ..
For me, no news yet regarding paying me back for my broken monofin, but I'm it all the way to the end .. and accepting no not even .. but only a clear .. !!

Sorry for the sinuses problem man .. on the airplane!! this is not only physically painfull but emotionally painfull for the freediver! .. hope you recover soon and not need to be away from freediving for long .. do you plan to freedive off the ship, do you have a freediving buddy onboard ? because that would be cool !

Hey Adel! We keep in touch. Definitely. The course transformed the way I enjoy being in the water. The people I met in Spain and Greece changed how I see the world. It was amazing to meet so many others exploring this unusually strong tie to the sea.

Travel back to Honolulu had its ups and downs. The "up" part - was that the airlines lost my diving gear. The thought of having to buy a new wetsuit (likely an Elios with nylon outer lining) was very rough, indeed. Airlines found my bag. It apparently was found in Barcelona - getting extra vacation time. They will be sending it back to Honolulu soon.

Of all places, I had trouble clearing my sinuses on the airplane - and now have this full feeling + 35% loss of hearing + slight ringing in my left ear. My hearing was perfect before the airplane rides (and two days before) - so I can tell it was not from diving. From reading on the deeperblue message boards - it seems likely that there is some fluid on the inner side of the tympanic membrane, and this slowly will go away over the course of a few weeks.

I'm at sea currently - and to verify my prognosis, will have to see if I can visit the doctor the next time we are in port.

Hey there Tobin !
Thanks mate .. that was a great time in Athens ..my trip back to Abu Dhabi went smooth, how about you?
Keep in touch and hope to see you underwater again soon ..
Adel

Hey. Good times in Athens. Hope you had a good trip home.