The holidays may be over but the festivities continue. Join us Saturday evening, January 20, 2007 at 7pm at Liburdi’s Scuba Center for a gala potluck (pizza/finger food, salads and desserts all welcome) event featuring videos and digital slide shows from our Komodo and La Paz trips. We are quite proud of the photographers who travel with us and I can assure you that you will enjoy some very excellent shows.

You get the airline ticket and we’ve got the boat. And the hotel room. And the best itinerary of dive sites! Only $2749 February 16-26, 2007. Call Joe for last minute sign up.

Fellow underwater photographer Bruce Wight sent me a CD of his images taken at the Kasawari Lembeh Resort, and all I can say is WOW! Here is what he said: “...one of the most unique places we have experienced. The diversity and amount of life there is really something. If you have never been there, you are in for a pleasant surprise for some of the rarer tropical Pacific critters are commonplace.” Bruce will present a short DVD of some of the critters he photographed at our potluck video and digital show on January 20th, 7pm at Liburidi’s Scuba Center.

We have scheduled a trip there for next July. We plan on 8 nights, 7 days of diving, and a 3-day extension in Bali. Please watch our website for details.

Click here for a first-hand review by Tony Wu.

Underwater Photos by Gayle and Judy Schaefer

Mark your calendar for October 2007. Pick one of the following dates for an amazing adventure in the Sea of Cortez.

Wednesday October 3 to Monday October 8
Wednesday October 10 to Monday October 15
Wednesday October 17 to Monday October


Prices and details will be posted on www.joeliburdi.com.

Under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) beginning January 23, 2007, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda will be required to present a valid passport, Air NEXUS card, or U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document.

As early as January 1, 2008, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda by land or sea (including ferries), may be required to present a valid passport or other documents as determined by the Department of Homeland Security. While recent legislative changes permit a later deadline, the Departments of State and Homeland Security are working to meet all requirements as soon as possible. Ample advance notice will be provided to enable the public to obtain passports or passport cards for land/sea entries.

Travel Documents for U.S. Citizens Under WHTI
Under the proposed implementation plan, the following documents will be acceptable to fulfill document requirements:

• U.S. Passport: U.S. citizens may present a valid U.S. passport when traveling via air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda, and may also use a U.S. passport when traveling via sea and land borders (including ferry crossings).
• The Passport Card (also referred to as the PASS Card): This limited-use passport in card format is currently under development and will be available for use for travel only via land or sea (including ferries) between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda. Similar in size to a credit card, it will fit easily into a wallet.

Worldwide USB Charger with Adapter plugs.
This easy-to-use four-in-one adapter allows you to safely power and charge your portable electronic devices in more than 150 countries around the world. Ideal for use with laptop computers, iPods®, video cameras and other mobile devices, the Worldwide USB Charger with Adapter Plugs ensures compatibility with overseas outlets, delivering dual-voltage for AC, plus USB power simultaneously. Features AC and USB power indicators. Includes a safety-release button and surge-protection fuse. A spare fuse is stored neatly inside the unit. Operates on 100-125V and 220-250V power only. Measures 2 ½" x 2 ¾" x 2 ½" and weighs .3 oz. 90-day warranty. Available at the Sharper Image Store for around $20.00

Still hot on the list for 2007:

• Sea & Sea DX-8000 digital camera and housing
• Nikon 80-D and Canon Rebel xti digital cameras
• Sea & Sea and Ikelite housings for the Nikon 80-D and Canon xti.

Just received this e-mail and while I covered this topic in my newsletter last May, thought it important enough to repeat.

Q. My camera experienced massive internal condensation during my last diving trip. What should I have done to prevent this from happening?

A. Water does not have to penetrate the housing to cause malfunction. Water can penetrate the camera through the air. Moisture can be trapped within a camera when the camera is taken outside from a cold air-conditioned room to the hot humid air temperature. The difference in temperature causes moisture condensation within the camera, which in turn causes internal camera corrosion, which in turn causes camera failure. Another problem occurs when cameras are removed from the housing on boats or on shore between dives. Any time you remove the camera from the housing, it is exposed to air which, if moist, can penetrate the camera. How do we prevent this? By following the steps below.

• Make sure the room air temperature is equal to that of the outside air temperature when preparing your system for the diving day. Turn off the air conditioning and let the room air warm up.
• Make sure the camera has fresh batteries and memory card to last at least three dives without opening the housing to change batteries and card. Fire a few test shots to make sure the camera is working before putting it in the housing.
• Prepare the housing by cleaning and lubricating the O-rings. Make sure you have silica gel absorbent packs in the housing (usually included when you buy the housing; if not included, buy some specifically made for u/w housings), insert the camera, and lock the housing. Test fire a few shots again to make sure all systems are working. Before your dive, do a pre-dive leak test of the system.
• Most important, if it’s necessary to open the housing for any reason after a dive, make sure you peel off your wet suit, dry your upper body, arms, hands, and hair.
• Dry the housing completely. Find a dry, clean, enclosed area if possible away from wind and water spray.
• Open and make sure no water droplets have landed on the camera. If so wipe off immediately.
• Never expose your system to the hot rays of the sun. Keep it cool and shaded at all times.

Patrick Fei in Bejing started it. He was referred to me by a mutual friend in Massachusetts and wrote to ask for photo lessons over the telephone. Well, I figured it was worth a try. And I’m proud to say it was a success. Patrick went off to the Philippines and with his new knowledge did a fine job of photographing the great critters at the Atlantis Resort.

We can work this way, too. My fee is just $50 per hour. By appointment only. Call 949-448-0599.