17 replies to this topic

[echeng]

UPDATE - TRIP IS FULL
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Splash into the world of underwater digital photography at the third annual underwater Digital Shootout in Fiji, May 6 - 15th, 2004! Far beyond a standard photo safari, the Digital Shootout is an in-depth learning experience. Meet fellow beginner and advanced shooters and rub elbows with our team of professional photographers and industry experts for a week long program that includes free digital demo gear with professional assistance and critiques, and hands-on workshops. Experts from Adobe will empower you with the essential skills of Photoshop image control and premiere video editing.

Wetpixel is proud to annouce our involvement in this year's event. We'll be giving a seminar on digital underwater photography, and will be doing a daily webcast of shootout events.

For more information, check out theshootout.org.

For booking information, contact:

Uncommon Adventures - 888-390-9675
email: theworld@uncommonadventures.com
Space is limited to 50 attendees.
$500 to hold you space, balance due 2/1/2004.

The Digital Shootout Package includes:

• Roundtrip Airfare from Los Angeles to Taveuni.
• 2 Dives per day.
• Accommodations and transfers.
• Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner daily.
• Fijian Meke (Cultural Dinner).
• All seminars and use of digital demo gear.
• Price $2399 based on double occupancy.

[randapex]

Hi Eric,
I'd signed up for this a few weeks ago. Look forward to meeting you. See you there.
Rand

[jimbo1946]

We just returned from Fiji. I wish I had known about this a few months ago! No $$$ left now.

[james]

Hi Gang,

It's getting closer and I'm excited. I'll be on the trip as well just to make sure it's not a total Canon love-fest...:-)

Cheers
James

[yahsemtough]

As another "VIP" or just as James Wiseman, man about town?

[Lionfish43]

I signed on to this trip a couple of weeks ago so there'll be at least one more S2 user in attendance. This will be the first real trip were I have my new rig and I'm excited about shooting those soft-corals with a 10.5.

Does anyone know what the weight allowance is for the hop to Taveuni and if any special consideration is being extended for the shootout. I may have to leave my film stuff at home.

Larry

[james]

Larry: Great! It will be good to have another S2 shooter there. My first trip to Taveuni in 2001 I was shooting my Coolpix 990 - ah the memories. There are GREAT wideangle opportunities there - perfect for the 12-24 or the 10.5

Todd: Eric and I will be helping out w/ the Shootout. I don't think I will be doing anything important though - so I'll be more like a "gofor" than anything else...:-)

Cheers
James

[randapex]

James, are you coming over with the group? I'll be there four days early.
Look forward to finally meeting you.
Rand

[james]

Cool! Yes, I'm coming over with the group on the same flight to Nadi as everyone else.

Looking fwd to meeting you too Rand (and everyone else).

Cheers
James

[echeng]

Hi, guys. James and I (and some of the other "staff") are both staying in Fiji until May 20th.

Anyone have tips for where to go from May 15th until May 20th? We'll be in Taveuni on the 15th, and have to be back in Nadi for a flight on the 20th.

[james]

Yes, has anyone been to Beqa? If so, I'd like some details - I have never been down to the South of Fiji to dive the "famous" spots like Beqa lagoon, Hi-8, E-6, etc.

Any tips appreciated.

James

[Lionfish43]

E-6, Hi-8, etc. are located in the Bligh Water area that's accessed from the Northeast side of Fiji. I did the Naia a couple of years ago and that is where the best diving is. Bamboo Beach Resort is a new dive resort in that area that's getting a lot of buzz.

Bega Lagoon is on the south (rainy) side and I don't think the diving is as good as Taveuni

[james]

US based office - (949) 646-8091

[divingkam]

Just got back from Fiji - it was gorgeous the diving better then I remembered, but then again. i dived there last when i was 11... The water temp was at 30m was 31 degrees celcius. I have dived mostly wrecks, i love rusty metal. and usually only because of the lack of really good coral to enjoy looking at. Good news, I saw some of the most beuatiful coloured hard and soft corals ever, it was really amazing my father who is like old salt of the sea couldn't believe the colours we were seeing, it actually looked painted - unreal. Had a great time, great diving, warm water, my son is snorkelling now and he is only 2years and two months, i have him hooked. Will be going back to Fiji for X-mas this year.

[echeng]

E-6, Hi-8, etc. are located in the Bligh Water area that's accessed from the Northeast side of Fiji. I did the Naia a couple of years ago and that is where the best diving is. Bamboo Beach Resort is a new dive resort in that area that's getting a lot of buzz.

Bega Lagoon is on the south (rainy) side and I don't think the diving is as good as Taveuni

So... what about really inexpensive accommodations on the NE side? James said he stayed in Taveuni for $30/night in the past, and I assume that you might be able to get similar rates somewhere up there? We are being quoted really high prices for Bamboo Beach Resort.

All I need is a bed, a shower, and electrical plugs.

[Lionfish43]

Try this
http://www.kaivitidi....com/index.html
there links to other accommodations in that area

[james]

Thanks Larry,

Yeah, when I stayed on Taveuni I was at Allan Peterson's Tovu Tovu where I got a bure for ~$30 a night. Allan would drop me off at the dive shop every morning, I had a nice clean bure w/ hot water and electricity until 9pm, etc.

Here's what I think is the list of hotels where kaiviti divers pick up their divers for diving the Bligh Water reefs:

Viti Levu
Wananavu Beach Resort
Raki Raki Hotel
Nananu-I-Ra Island
Backpacker Facilities
Nananu Beach Cottages
Beethams
Senitoa Cottage

Any suggestions on which one would be best to stay at to do the "good dives" in Bligh Water? Like Eric said, we are looking for something simple.

Cheers
James

[Lionfish43]

I've only dived Bligh Water from a liveaboard. From what I've researched on the Internet there are a number of cottages and inexpensive backpacker type accommodations on Nananu-I-Ra island but I couldn't make any recommendations.

You might try to contact Dan Grenier at http://www.bambooree...com/index.shtml
He, along with Rob Barrel of the Naia, is responsible for opening up the diving in the Bligh Water area and he can probably point you in the right direction.