Remember the sadness of September

10 years ago, I was happily strolling the dirt roads of Koh Tao after a wonderful dive at Sail Rock with Miz. We passed shops and restaurants, with people glued to the television, of what looked like then an action film. Needless to say, when we finally stopped to see what all the excitement was, we realized we were watching replays of the planes crashed into the World Trade Center. My country and my life had not been the same ever since.

3 years ago, my friend Dave Purkeypile passed away, on the night of a rather superstitious day, 09/09/09. I am trying to remember Dave as best as I can every September, and striving to make sure that I live my life as intended, full of passion and love. Well, here to America and my friend Dave, I raise my glass and spill a couple of splashes for you both.

A few photos of Dave back in CA during our Captain Frog Scuba IDC from 2004-2006. Click here.

Thien & Scuba Junkie Confirmed PADI IDC for November 2011

Thien next PADI IDC schedule for Scuba Junkie PADI 5 Star IDC Center in Semporna & Mabul Island, Borneo is released. Our next program for November 2011 is confirmed as followed:

DM Reviews & IDC Prep: 9-10 November
IDC & EFRI: 11 - 18 November
Specialty Instructor Course (Deep, Digital Photo, Night): 19 November
IE Prep: 20-21 November
IE (Seafest Hotel, Semporna): 22 - 23 November

Our 'Mabul PADI IDC' Special package starts from only 49,500 THB, include:

• PREP course + EFRI + IDC + 1 Specialty Instructor Course
• complete 2011 IDC Crew Pak and EFR Instructor Manual (value 750.00 $AUS)
• 10 nights Shared room, 3 meals daily, and equipment rental
• FREE unlimited dives off the world famous house reef, Froggies & Awas.

Other Instructor programs available include MSDT Prep (from 19,000 THB), IDC Staff Course (18,500 THB), and dive and room package starts from 3,500 THB / day (3 dives, including dorm accommodation & 2 meals, full set equipment rental).

How about it? Are you up for a PADI IDC in one of the best dive destinations in the world? Thien and the team at Scuba Junkie are looking to host our potential candidates in Asia's top destination, where diving, practical training sessions, room & board are just steps away...

Come for the IDC or just come hang out and dive, we hope to see you in the water. Contact us at dive@rumblefishadventure.com or thien@gopro-thailand.com.

We have a "Price Match Guarantee," do let us know if you receive the same written offer at a lower price, we'll match it.

Riskiest Places to Use Your Credit Card - CNBC

Even if you use the utmost caution, you can still be a victim of credit card fraud. Credit card companies and banks are more and more often putting the onus of catching phony or incorrect credit card charges on the consumer.

The most important thing is to check your billing statment, of course. And there are organizations like Creditcards.com that offer tips on how to keep your cards safe as well.

Riskiest Places to Use Your Credit Card - CNBC

(In Memoriam) David Purkeypile, PADI Master Instructor

It is with deep sadness for us at Rumblefish Adventure and GoPro Thailand to announce the passing of our good friend and colleague, 'Big Dave.'

What led to his death is mostly hearsay, and I gathered as much info from his girlfriend, his ex-business partner of his new restaurant, and Mike Marchbanks. I found out about Dave's condition from Mike in the morning of the day after...

The story..."Dave went to Phuket International Hospital for severe stomach pain on the 9th September, 2009. After 3-4 hours of waiting for tests and x-rays etc, PIH doctor diagnosed that he has pancreatitis, however, PIH does not have the facility or equipment to treat him. He was directed to Vachira Hospital, after he went into unconsciousness and was unable to confirm his ability to pay for his treatment (eventhough he does have insurance, credit card, cash in the bank etc). His girlfriend finally contacted Mike Marchbanks hours later, and Mike authorized his admittance into the ICU. During that same evening, his liver failed and Dave went into a coma. Blood dialysis was initiated the next morning, however he never regained consciousness."

He passed away at Vachira Hospital, succumbed to acute pancreatitis, which led to failure of his liver and kidneys, on the evening of the 10th September, 2009.

We will always remember Dave for his wicked laughs, hearty smiles, a larger than life personality and generosity to all those in our dive communities of Kata Beach, Phuket and Bakersfield, California.

Here are some of Dave's photos at our Picassa Site.

Stop Whining & Dive Already...

I'm ranting, so be prepare to hear some harsh comments that may offend you...

All I hear lately is how the global economy crisis affecting every part of everyone daily activities. People are shelving their plans, postponing their lives just because apparently all of this current economic problems suddenly thrusted upon us without any warnings. Of course, the way some people carried on with their lifestyles in the last few years had nothing to do with this... NOT!
Don't believe me? I can name a few non-essential junks that many of you spent your good diving money on: Do you really need another iPhone? iPod? "Something" handheld devices supposedly will make your life better & work more effectively?

So, now suddenly even the friendliest of people in the world, you know... us, the scuba divers, also joining in on the "whining wagon." Yep, living in the center of Thailand's diving world, I get to see and hear loads of bitching and whining. We hear divers complaint that, "Diving is too expensive; it cost too much for a dive trip; we need discounts, give us more if you want us to go diving with you... blah blah blah! Geez, want more cheeze with your whines?" But, they had no problem plunking down cold hard cash for another "useless toy" that probably will be replaced with a newer, faster and more expensive model in a couple weeks.

The price of dive trips in Phuket hadn't change since Bill Clinton was the president of the United States. Really! it's still around 2,500 - 3,000 THB for a daytrip, not much has changed in boat diving price since the late 90s and early 2000s. However, Phuket's dive services today are much better than they were a few years ago, and back then, we were already pretty good. Today, Phuket is shuttling divers between their hotels & boats with newer minibuses and better equipped passengers trucks. Most operators have Breakfast & lunch on-board for guests, and even pan-cakes for the boat ride home. Tanks are filled during service interval, super attentive boat staff to care for your every needs, three chambers available to respond to any dive emergency, newer and larger boats etc. I can go on and on with the goods... And Phuket does all of this depsite year after year of challenges with natural disaster, political unrests, fuel costs etc. And I bet not much has changed either in other part of the region, Bali, N. Sulawesi, Borneo, Philippines and more.

So, please get over yourselves and be mindful next time you ask for discounts, or giving up your dive trip because apparently you are trying to save money to buy another "iSomething." When your dive shop or boat operator had to discount, something or someone had to be given up. And, usually it will be the cheerful boat staff, the nice office attendant, that cool Dive Guide who will have to do more and get less... Just because some of you are stingy for a 5-10 bucks discount.

With a little planning, you don't have to miss your dives or spend too much for some great diving. Take advantage of many operators offer, multiple trip discounts can add up your savings. It's more affordable to travel by air today than the past, thanks to Air Asia, Tiger Airways and many others regional airlines in learning how to earn without taking from the travelers. I know this because I use these airlines regularly. Want an example? Here's what a little planning result for my next diving trip, using only Air Asia. and please don't even try to tell me that I don't watch my spending because I'm a Yank. I am Vietnamese by birth, and we as people don't waste money by paying full price for anything if we can help it :-)

• 24th June - 12th July (Flight: AK823 & AK836, Phuket to KL to Phuket, fare 2,383 THB Return)
  
• 24th - 28th June (Flight: KL - Tawau AK5154, fare 87.50 RM one way)
  
• 29th June - 1st July (Flight: Tawau - KK AK6127, fare 50.50 RM one way)
  
• 2nd - 3rd July, (Flight: KK - KL AK5109, fare 84.00 RM one way)
• Prices for flights are inclusive of fees, 15kg baggage allowance, Goinsure Premium and Advance Seat Selection.
• Total: approx. 4,603 THB or 460 RM (135 USD)

The cost of diving is pretty much the same in Semporna and Sabah as in Thailand. Though I highly doubt the boat service will match Phuket standard. However, I am a Scuba diver and a lover of the sea. I care deeply about the dive industry. So, I'm going to dive on published price during this trip and many more this year.

I plan to spend more of any money I save in the diving industry in 2009. Yes, I am cutting down on my eating habits (most expensive in my monthly budget :-) so that I can dive, and support the dive businesses around the region. If you are passionate about the sea, about diving, I challenge you to do the same... Get in the water, it's good for your soul!