Scuba Diving Mask Tips

A scuba diving mask is an essential part of your scuba gear. Without it, we wouldn't be diving. It's simple to take care of with some basic maintenance tips. And once you are underwater, there's not much more annoying than a mask that constantly fogs up. Follow these simple steps for mask care and defogging so your mask will last you for many more dives.

Scuba Dive Mask Maintenance

Many times, new dive masks have an oily film over the surface. What works best to remove this? Good 'ol toothpaste! Put a small drop on the lens and rub it over the areas that have this residue on them. This would also include the strap. Thoroughly rinse the mask in fresh water and reinspect to make sure it is clean. Repeat if necessary.

Just make sure it is not a gel toothpaste. I have always used plain Crest for this (and to clean my dive slate) with no ill effects. Removing this film will stop the mask from fogging.

Maintenance of your scuba dive mask is straightforward. No rocket science here. Here are some simple steps to follow:

• 
  Rinse your mask in freshwater after diving. You need to clean out any sand or grit that may have gotten into the mask and get rid of any salty residue.




• 
  Never dry your mask in direct sunlight. Direct sunlight can start to degrade the silicone so keep the mask out of the sun.



• 
  Thoroughly dry mask before storing. You don't want anything to start growing on your mask. Not to mention possible odors.




• 
  Periodically clean your scuba dive mask. You should clean your mask with a little bit of toothpaste every now and then. It will help clean the lens and will also help keep it from fogging (see below). Rinse well after using the toothpaste and you are good to go.
  
  


• 
  Place you mask face-up. Don't put your mask face down when you are not wearing it. The lens could get scratched - which could drive you nuts on every dive!

Mask Defogging Tips

There are basically 3 different ways to keep your scuba dive mask from fogging while you are diving. I have used all 3 while diving and all 3 are effective. I probably use the mask defogger solution the most.

1. 
   Saliva - Yup, good ol' spit. It really does work. I usually dry and put in on my mask when it is dry. Rinse out after rubbing it around your mask. Some people get queasy, bacteria, etc. But we've done it and no harm has come to us! GOOD in a pinch.



2. 
   Prepared Solution - You can buy a commercial mask defogger solution at any dive shop for a few dollars. They last a long time and do work. Just put a couple drops on your lenses and rub it around. Rinse it out thoroughly, you don't want to get solution in your eyes. Be prepared to share with lots of other divers on the boat. There is always someone that ran out, forgot, etc. You'll be the hero.



3. 
   Toothpaste - If the above 2 don't work, it may need a more thorough cleaning with toothpaste as described above (non-gel). This should solve any problem with fogging that you have.

If you follow these simple scuba mask care and maintenance tips, you should have a nice clear dive. With proper care, your scuba diving mask should last for years and many, many dives.

Have fun!
Dianne Rein from http://www.scuba-diving-smiles.com

Dianne Rein is an avid scuba diver and runs an online scuba diving guide. You can find lots more information on scuba masks at http://www.scuba-diving-smiles.com/scuba-diving-masks.html along with information on fins at http://www.scuba-diving-smiles.com/scuba-diving-fin.html and much more.

Fantastic Grand Cayman Diving Sites and Easy Lessons

Need to Get Away?

Thinking of a great get-away with your fins? How about going to those great Grand Cayman diving sites with your friends? The waters are always warm and the scuba diving instructors are certified; plus you enjoy a completely new encounter with exotic underwater species. No other experience can parallel this adventure, so get your gear and take a dive into the great blue.

If this is your first outing, check out the different diving outfits in the Grand Cayman. That is, if you need a patient scuba instructor, or a diving tour. Perhaps you want to avoid the crowds and the traffic. They can pick you up if you are staying in one of those hotels along the 7-mile strip. Seek out those who provide extra service like sanitizing your gear. This will spare you the trouble after a tiring day.

Savor the relaxed setting in the Caribbean. In the evenings, enjoy the rum, the fun, and the pulsating island music along the strip in Grand Cayman. Diving sites are awesome in their sheer beauty, and there are no exact words to describe these. The whole vacation package gives you pound for pound value for your money.

Prepare for the Grand Cayman Diving Sites

Before you can jump into the sea, you will undergo training in the pool. When you are ready, you will be introduced to the ocean dives. The scuba instructor will take you along to the open sea on a custom built dive vessel. For the pool training, you will be charged $85. You will get your certificate after completing four ocean open dives. That is after you master and pass the exams defining your comprehension of scuba diving principles.

For your first dive, an instructor will lead you along. This is called the two-tank dive. The 20 minute wall dive will plunge you to 100 or 70 feet below. For first timers this can be scary and exciting, but as the first dive leads to another, again and again. For a single two-tank dive, you will cough up $79 to $95.

A three to five two tank drive package will cost $109. If you want to experience the depths with friends, get a 3 tank safari for $149 per person. There are also night dives between six to seven, but this depends on the season. If you want to steer clear of the diving peak hours, get a dive at three in the afternoon. Sheer heaven!

Water Edens

There is an endless list of great Grand Cayman diving sites. Snorkeling is great in Eden Rock; here you can swim through the Devil's Grotto, a massive underwater coral structure. At the wreck of the Gamma, which lies in the depths of the Cali, you can investigate the sunken freighter; or flirt with the stingrays in Stingray City. For shallow snorkeling, go to sunset reef. Do not forget the Coral Gardens for a startling view of undersea corals.

Also, visit the Turtle Reefs and other Grand Cayman diving sites. This will be an unforgettable experience in your life. Get online information for Great Cayman diving sites and lessons now. So what are you waiting for?

One grand and great escape is the grand cayman diving sites in the Caribbean. You can also check out the sea fever here for bahamas scuba diving and fantastic diving bonaire sites also here.

Low Cost Airlines

When Malaysian businessman Tony Fernandes launched a no-frills, low-cost airline in 2002 with only two planes, few people realised the effect it would have. From only four routes, Air Asia set off a low-fare revolution that changed the face of the airline industry in the region. It is a stunning success story and now has 35 aircraft and flies millions of passengers across south-east Asia every year.

If you want to book a ticket with a low-cost carrier, the first trick is to find out which airlines serve your intended route. With lower advertising budgets than traditional airlines, this is often quite difficult. For your convenience we have listed the major budget carriers serving the two prime destinations - Singapore, Thailand.

Singapore:

The major budget carriers operating to and from this island state are JetStar Asia and Tiger Airways. JetStar Asia covers most major destinations in south-east asia, as well as Bangalore and Kolkata in India.

Tiger Airways covers Bangkok and Phuket in Thailand, Macau, and Padang in Indonesia. It is the only budget carrier direct to Vietnam from Singapore and the only budget choice to Australia, flying from Singapore to Darwin).

Thailand:

The three main operators in Thailand are Thai Air Asia, Nok Air and One-Two-Go. Thai AirAsia was launched in January 2004. Based primarily in Bangkok, the airline serves Thailand's major domestic destinations, as well as Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Kota Kinabalu), Singapore, Macau, Xiamen and Hanoi.

Nok Air, a subsidiary of Thai Airways International, flies from Bangkok to domestic destinations such as Phuket, Chiang Mai, Hat Yai and Udon Thani. One-Two-Go covers the major domestic routes within Thailand with fixed-price tickets.

As the number of people flying has increased, so has the demand for hotel accommodation and other products. Both Thailand and Singapore hotels are experiencing boom times as more people can afford to visit.

Chris Bonds is a consultant for HotelTravel.com - a leading international online travel information and hotel reservations service offering discounted hotel rates in top destinations world wide. Visit http://www.hoteltravel.com for additional travel information.

A Guide to the Food of the Thailand and the Islands

Think Thai food and the first image that comes to your mind is usually a spicy dish or one with a lot of curry. This is partly true - to an extent. Believe it or not, you might have probably had Thai food at least once in your life without knowing it, or maybe you do. Thai food is internationally famous, and for many a reason. All Thai dishes are rarely ever bland and always have that one special ingredient that makes you wonder how it's done.

Rice is the main staple food of Thailand and this is usually what accompanies a set meal, if weren't a meal on its own (eg.fried noodles). There are two kinds of rice the Thais love: standard white rice and glutinous sticky rice. Glutinous rice is more loved by the northern Thais as you see it more frequently in their meals. Thai food differs from one place to another. Spice is famous in most dishes but the Thai's balance out their spicy food with ingredients such as lemon, lime and lemon grass.

For the northern areas, apart from the glutinous rice, a lot of their food has influence from neighbouring countries like Laos with most of their food highly seasoned and spicy E.g.: spicy roast pork. A favourite dish of the northerners would be khanom chin nam ngiao (Thai vermicelli in spicy soup). Vegetables are seen a lot in the dishes here as well because most northerners are agriculturists.

If you're in the Central region, the cuisine is somewhat "Royal cuisine", as some dishes are inspired by the kitchens of the Royal Court back when Thailand was known as Siam. The dishes are more elaborate and tend to look like beautiful masterpieces that took hours to make instead of something that's whipped up in 5.

For the southern region the dishes get really interesting. Coconut is a prominent ingredient in many dishes. It usually is present to offset the heat of curries and chilli based soups and its oil is widely used for frying. As the southern bit tends to be near the coastal regions, fresh seafood such as crab, lobster and prawns are usually the centre of many dishes and curries.

The most popular Thai dishes of today include those such as Tom Yam Kung ( Spicy shrimp soup ), Kaeng Khiao Wan Kai ( Green chicken curry ) , Phanaeng ( meat in coconut cream ) and Pad Thai ( fried noodles ) which is probably Thailand's most famous noodle dish.

Orson Johnson writes for Holiday Velvet, a website providing Phuket Villas & Vacation rentals.

Adventure Trips For All, in Phuket

Phuket has a lot of holiday enjoyments for those who opt for the island as their next destination. Many beautiful beaches are available, as well as a lot of day or night activities that can be experienced by all. One of the richest province in Thailand, Phuket has everything for vacationers, including 3 famous football 7-a-side tournaments.

Tourists to the island can enjoy the many excursions available, by themselves or with a tour company. From elephant riding to bungee jumping, there are different adventure trips to fit everyone's liking. Other thrilling activities are scuba diving, rock climbing, kart racing, snorkeling, or motorcycling.

Riding a motorcycle in Thailand is nice, especially in Phuket, but very dangerous. A couple of hundred tourists end dead on the road each year, not only due to their intake of alcohol, but also the careless driving style of the natives. It is refreshing to ride with the wind going in the hairs, but wearing an helmet could save many lives.

In Phuket, it is much safer to experience speed in a kart on a speed track in the Patong Go-kart Speedway facility. Spectators can also enjoy seeing the karts racing safely while eating Thai food at the place's restaurant. Wearing an helmet is compulsory and safety rules taken seriously as having someone injured is not an option.

Snorkeling is a safe activity everyone can do. Exploring Phuket's beautiful sea floor and admiring coral reefs with very colorful fish around them is a kind of experience. Snorkeling is a good activity for children under supervision and also cheap. There are plenty of interesting known snorkeling spots in Phuket.

Scuba diving is for those who want to experience an even more beautiful sight of fish and corals in the ocean. New divers can be trained by a qualified diving instructor on the basic theory and equipment. A supervised dive in a swimming pool, and then in shallow water near the shore, can get anyone ready for an open ocean dive.

Phuket also has a rock climbing wall that attracts many climbers of all levels. There, at the Quest Laguna Phuket, one can receive instructions in climbing and practice on a 15 meters tower with different faces. At just a few hours from Phuket, Krabi is the place to go climbing in a stunning environment.

Two-day international football seven tournaments are organized three times per year in Phuket, in November and February. Football lovers who want not only a vacation but wish to enjoy sport in a friendly competition may join and play against teams from Hong-Kong, Singapore, Australia and many more countries.

Phuket is only the sixth province of the kingdom in terms of population. With all the quality activities and entertainment it is able to provide, Phuket is certainly the first tourist destination in Thailand.

Michel Gerard is a Travel author living in Asia. Visit the Thai Football 7s website to know more about the International Football 7s tournaments in Thailand. => http://www.thai7s.com

Top 5 Beach Experiences in Thailand

Australia is reputed to have one of the strongest beach cultures in the world, but many Australians still choose to travel to Thailand to experience their beaches. Although there have been some suggestions that Thai beaches are not as safe as Australia's, and many tourists suggesting that ordinary travel insurance will not be sufficient, this is largely an exaggeration.

Of course, the main difference is that Thai beaches do not offer the same rolling surf that can be expected in Australia. Instead, you can look forward to peaceful tree-lined tropical beaches, with pure white sand and friendly locals that will make your stay a magical one.

As with all tourist destinations, choosing the top five beaches in Thailand is a near impossible task, but we will try to narrow it down so you can plan your holiday with at least a little more certainty. And you won't have to worry about your travel insurance being in adequate!

• Phuket. This is possibly the most famous Thai beach destination for Australians attracting tens of thousands every year. Despite its popularity however it is not the most peaceful destination but it is certainly the most developed. Some tourists appreciate the choice of accommodation and the nightlife but if this is not your scene you can give it a miss. Nevertheless it needs to be included in the top five list because of its reputation and popularity.


• Songkhla. This is a virtually unknown beach destination located in the deep south. It consists of a beautiful beach punctuated by rocky outcrops and tropical jungle. And lack of tourists is the main attraction in this area but there is limited accommodation. As far as other attractions are concerned you can visit nearby temples and still enjoy the wonderful food distributed by the many street vendors. If you're looking for peace, serenity and quiet then this is the destination for you.


• Lamai Beach. Located just south of Chaweng, this sparsely populated area is attractive to those in the know. It is not quite as remote as Songkhla, and has a much wider choice of accommodation and nightlife. The beach is beautiful and relaxing making Lamai a great choice for those wanting a beach without the crowds, but still with a semi-tourists feel to make your stay a comfortable one.


• Maya Bay, Ko Phi Phi Ley.This beautiful beach is often described as the most picturesque in Thailand. Surrounded by limestone cliffs and nestled in a small bay, the beach is the perfect place to completely unwind in natural surroundings. Although it is a little remote, you won't have to worry about your holiday insurance being inadequate!


• Ko Chang. A long-time popular destination for backpackers, many other tourists have now joined in the throng of tourists who visit the west side of the island. With beautiful white sand and gentle sloping hills, all set against a backdrop of coconut palms, this is a quiet haven for tourists who are not afraid to get off the beaten track.

So, from the many hundreds of choices, we have narrowed your search down to five Thai beaches any tourist will enjoy.

Save money on your travel insurance today. For a free quote, visit Cheap Travel Insurance.

Phuket Hotels - Cozy Retreats For the Beach Lovers

Phuket has turned into a fascinating tourist destination mainly because of its out-of-the world beaches and pleasant weather all the year round. This exotic island in the south of Thailand is located in the Andaman Sea. If you have ventured out on a refreshing vacation the Phuket Hotels are there to pamper you during your stay.

It is a delightful experience, especially for the beach lovers, to spend their vacation in Phuket. Whether you want to spend your honeymoon or you want to relax with your family you will not find any dearth of hotels in Phuket. The wide variety of Phuket hotels are located in almost every corner of the region starting from the Phuket town to the long list of Phuket beaches.

Accommodation

Phuket is segmented into a large island and 39 small islands which are nothing less than paradise for the lovers of nature. The Patong Beach, known as the largest beach resort with a pulsating nightlife, has a number of world class hotels. There is an array of luxury hotels in Patong Beach which are dedicated towards serving unrestrained lavishness to the guests.

Absolute Seapearl Beach Resort, Andaman Beach Suites, Blue Marine Resort and Spa and Club Andaman Beach Resort, are among the noted Phuket Hotels in Patong beach where staying is an exclusive affair. You can expect to get all sorts of modern luxuries in these star hotels that make your vacation really pleasurable.

Kata Beach, another prime destination for those coming to Phuket, has a collection of superior hotels that reflect elegance and lavishness. Katathani Phuket Beach Resort, Alpina Phuket Nalina Resort and Spa, Centara Kata Resort, and Malisa Villa Suites are among the few other luxury hotels in Thailand that have made a distinct identity of their own. Your days will be wrapped in utter comfort.

Surin Beach is growing immensely popular among the travelers coming from all corners of the world. If you choose to stay here you can opt from an array of deluxe hotels like, Amanpuri Resort and The Chedi. Besides all these you will find plenty of Phuket hotels in other popular beaches like, Rawai Beach, Bang Tao, and Laem Singh Beach. Staying in these beach hotels give you the scope to indulge in beach activities and water sports.

Those willing to stay in Phuket town can hold on to a number of world class hotels. Royal Phuket City Hotel and Metropole Hotel are the renowned 4-star hotels in Phuket where you can select from different category of rooms, and relish international delicacies in the in-house restaurants. Fitness center and guided tours are the common features of these hotels.

Log on to AsiaRooms.com Our extensive database will enable you to get a better Phuket hotels deal without any hassle.

Phuket Villa Rentals - Simple Tips To Enjoy A Phuket Getaway More

The province of Phuket in Thailand has truly been one of the most visited and frequented tourist destinations in Asia. That is why the sector for tourist inns and properties has really enjoyed a rise. These days, there is a good and significant market for Phuket villa rentals. And as a vacationer, you would generate more savings if you would rent a place to stay in as you enjoy your Phuket getaway.

As a regular traveler, you surely have been well acquainted and familiarized with the services of hotels. You should be noticing that hotel accommodations all over the world are getting similar to each other that you could hardly distinguish the difference between staying in a US hotel and in an Asian hotel. In that way, Phuket villa rentals are more advisable if you want to know more about the culture of the area in your vacation.

Practical tips

It is important to note that there are simple and practical guidelines that would surely help you make villa rental in Phuket more noteworthy and advantageous. In the planning process, you should first weigh the pros and cons of taking Phuket villa rentals especially in consideration with your budget and other factors.

Take note that on the first glimpse, villa rentals are generally looking more costly than hotel accommodations. But what is good about Phuket villa rentals is that you would be able to generate greater savings especially if you re going in a group and if you intend to stay for a few weeks or even months.

Why villa rentals?

As mentioned, villa rentals in Phuket would help you get to know more and experience the culture not just of the province but also of the whole of Thailand. That is because villas are taking the traditional and genuine Thai home designs. Such structures and homes are also made of the usual and some native Thai home materials.

Villa rentals in Phuket are designed to cater more to vacationers who are in groups or who are intending to stay longer than usual. While hotels could be practical for staying in a just a few days, maybe a day or two, villas are more practical to lease if you are staying for weeks or months. It is just like renting a town home in the area.

When to go

You have the privilege to schedule your vacation as you please. If you are planning to go on a splendid getaway and you want to go to Phuket, you should plan to go there any month except for November to April. That is because in such months, there are practically more tourists going to the area as everyone seems to be going there on the Christmas, New Year and Easter holidays.

Phuket villa rentals would be costlier on such months. That is because as the demand rises up, surely, prices go along. And besides, it would be harder to book villa and even hotel accommodations. All other months are definitely good times to go and take a much needed break in Phuket's beaches.

Get more out of your Tuscan vacation by staying in a Tuscany villa rental by visiting http://www.vacationhomerentalsguide.com, a popular vacation rental website that specializes in finding inexpensive Orlando, Florida condo rentals so you can enjoy your trip to Disney world.

K1 Visa Philippines - Interview Questions Tips

Honesty and consistency are the keys to answering interview questions for a K1 fiancé / fiancée visa. Consular officers conducting interviews are merely basing majority of their questions on the details indicated in the application form as well as the supporting documents attached to it.

Interview questions are usually formulated to discover the true objective of the applicant or the real purpose of travel to the US. In the K1 visa case, the applicant is to marry his/her American fiancé / fiancée once in the US. Apparently, the questions will revolve around the topic.

Officers conducting interviews will determine if there is an intention to get married upon applicant's arrival in the US. They may ask some intimate questions about the future spouses to establish whether or not the couple know each other well enough to substantiate an actual marriage. The succeeding common questions must be answered without concealment or deception.

"Where did you and your fiancé meet?"

"When and where did he propose?"

"When is your fiancé's date of birth?"

"Does he have any brothers or sisters?"

"What do his parents think about the engagement?"

"Do they approve of it?"

"What do you love about your fiancé?"

"Will you and your fiancé have children?"

"What are your plans for the future?"

Consular Officers also ascertain if the applicant possesses all the qualifications required by the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) by asking probing questions if indeed the applicant is qualified.

Applicants for K1 Visa Philippines should not hold back any information when asked. Full disclosure is the best strategy. Once the officer discovers that the applicant is not telling the truth, or misrepresents facts during the interview, the application will most likely be denied. Worst, the applicant may permanently be disqualified or considered as ineligible from ever entering the United States.

Jose Darrel Bella works as a Consultant for Siam Legal International, Thailand's largest legal service network with offices in Bangkok, Manila, London, Los Angeles, Phuket, Samui, Pattaya, Chiang Mai and Hua Hin. Contact Siam Legal at +66 (0) 253 8100 or info@siam-legal.com to learn more about Philippines K1 Visa.

Top Rated Dive Destinations Across the World

Diving is a very popular water sport today, with more and more people traveling the world over in search of the best reefs. Here is a list of the leading diving destinations worldwide.

Costa Del Sol, Spain
There are great diving opportunities along the entire coastline stretching downwards to Gibraltar to over 160km. The dive sites can be accessed from Fuebgirola and Benalmadena. The Costa tropical is one of the favorite dive sites for many in this destination, home to moonfish, dolphins, and scorpion fish.

Maldives
This destination is home to many wonderful dive sites; House Reef, Reethi Beach, Bat Fish, and Eagle Rays just to mention but a few. Most islands further offer great snorkeling opportunities. Diving in the Maldives is not for beginners, lest you get scared by the turtles swimming along next to you.

Thailand
Phuket in Thailand has arguably the best diving experiences, particularly in the Andaman Sea. If you wish to swim next to Manta Rays, Racha Noi South Point is the best place to visit. Shark point on the other hand offers you an opportunity to see Leopard Sharks and hidden scorpion fish hiding behind the corals.

Costa Rica
As you dive in these soothing waters in Central America, you get an opportunity to see rare fish species such as spade fish, cow-nose rays, and seahorse. There are organized day and night trips that you can take to explore the wonderful sights. With the sea hares and tube worms coming from the corals, Costa Rican waters come to life at night.

Dominican Republic- Punta Cana
Where else can you get the opportunity to experience the soothing Caribbean waters? Punta Cana is home to amazing corals, sponges, and shipwrecks, as well as many caves waiting for you to explore them. Diving at Punta Cana offers you an opportunity to dive with Nurse Sharks and Eagle Rays. The best time to visit Punta Cana is April through to September.

Hurghada, Egypt
This is a red sea beach resort known for offering diving lessons for beginners or those wishing to hone their diving skills. It boasts over 30 diving sites off the coast.

Marsa Alam, Egypt
Equally have spectacular snorkeling and diving opportunities with numerous tropical fish and marine species; sharks and sometimes even Dolphins. The place is less crowed than its counterparts, thus providing a great opportunity for exploring what it has on offer. Elphinstone reef is arguably the best dive site in this destination, spreading over 180m long and 20m wide. You get to explore purple and pink lions, and might even come across the rare Lion Fish.

Sri Lanka
There are also great diving opportunities in Sri Lanka, and many shipwrecks waiting for your exploration, the most popular one being Cargo Wreck, together with cleaner shrimps and thousands of fish. The ruin is always intact save for the propeller that shows you just how enormous the wreck is. You will be amazed by the many Lion Fish and Snappers rushing past you without even noticing your presence.

Akumal
The world's second longest barrier reef is located in the crystal clear waters just yards off the coast at Akumal, Mexico. There are several PADI certified dive shops in Akumal where you can book dive trips, get certified or rent equipment. The diving is world class and only a short trip from the US.

M Gravlee is a retired newspaper publisher who spends several months a year traveling.

You can rent our villa in Akumal and snorkel or dive on the reef just in front of the house.

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