Hello from Papeete

LoloTahiti · 12th January 2006, 01:59

Hi everyone,

I am a newcomer on this site.

I live in French Polynesia because it's one of the best spots in the world to dive. I've been diving here for a few years, and have switched to CCR last June.

I dive with evolutions, and am still struggling a bit with all the logistics ... Being on the other side of the world doesn't only have advantages ;-)

Hopefully, I'll have everything fully operational soon (oxygen boosters, sofnolime, etc.), both for Tahiti and the islands (Rangiroa, Tikehau, Fakarava, ...)

For those of you who haven't heard of these destinations, the Tuamoto islands, about 200 miles north east of Tahiti are one of the best dive spots I've ever been to.

In any dive, you might encounter dolphins, manta rays, eagle rays, marlin, a dozen different species of sharks, humpback whales, etc.

Diving here with a rebreather is an experience to remember ...

silentscuba · 12th January 2006, 02:23

Some of the first diving I ever did was at Club Med in Papeete in the 70's, and you are very right the diving there is great. I hope to go back someday!!!!

Welcome to Rebreather World, I am sure you will enjoy this site.

Explorer · 12th January 2006, 10:48

Welcome to Rebreather World.

Now that's the ONLY way to travel with a rebreather. Nice pic.

***caveseeker7*** · 14th January 2006, 21:43

I knew a stripper in Van Nuys once who called herself Lolo ...

Her legs were much less hairy, though.

Thanks for the pics, the one on the scooter is cool.

Tahiti ...

.... sounds like a place that makes for good diving.

How did you sort training and supplies?

LoloTahiti · 20th January 2006, 01:08

Quote: (Originally Posted by caveseeker7)

I knew a stripper in Van Nuys once who called herself Lolo ...

Her legs were much less hairy, though.

That can easily be solved. She can always buy implants

Quote: (Originally Posted by caveseeker7)

Tahiti ...

.... sounds like a place that makes for good diving.

Indeed. We are very fortunate to have some of the best dive sites around.

The Tuamotu archipelago (Rangiroa, Fakarava, Tikehau, etc.) is simply amazing, with a lot of big fish (dolphin, sharks, rays, whales, etc.), warm water (27-30°C all year long), clear water, nice coral, tropical sand beaches.

Quote: (Originally Posted by caveseeker7)

How did you sort training and supplies?

We organised a session here with Penny Glover and Cedric Momas. It was a quite complex expedition, and the training took place in Rangiroa, where there is no rebreather friendly facility at the present time.

Unfortunately, Penny has since had a fatal diving accident and we shall miss her dearly.

For the past few months, I have been struggling with the 20 000 km or so that seperate us from civilised countries to set up everything we need to dive safely here (2 evolution rebreathers, oxygen, air and nitrox bailout systems, oxygen 50 l tanks, oxygen transfer equipment, oxygen booster from Hydraulics, 200 kg of sofnolime, spares for the rebreathers, extra computers VR3, dive planning software V-Planner, etc.).

I had no idea it was going to be this difficult (and expensive). Especially since the best dive spots are not in the island of Tahiti but on other islands around (about 1 hour plane away).

But things are well under way, and I shall soon have everything in place, for Tahiti, Tikehau and Rangiroa.

And it has all been worth the while. My last dives were simply amazing.

I have been diving for the past few years here in OC, a few hundred dives a year. Without exageration, this is probably one of the Top ten places in the world.

But with a rebreather, it's an entirely different world I am discovering. It's as if I had never dived here before (well almost anyway).

On every dive, I see ten times as much wildlife as on OC.

ROB DAVIE · 20th January 2006, 01:39

Quote: (Originally Posted by LoloTahiti)

On every dive, I see ten times as much wildlife as on OC.

Lolo,

That is one of best, if not THE best, reasons for diving a rebreather!

Welcome aboard Rebreather World, you lucky dog, living where you do!

Rob Davie
Rebreather World Admin

steevke · 20th January 2006, 06:51

Quote: (Originally Posted by LoloTahiti)

quite complex expedition, and the training took place in Rangiroa, where there is no rebreather friendly facility at the present time.

That is really unfortunate. My best dives EVER were in Rangiroa in the Tiputa pass, and that was on OC in august/september 2001. It's definately on my wish list to dive it again on CCR.

Keep us posted on your progress setting up Rebreather friendly destinations in FP.

It's a marvelous spot for a holiday. The gauguin museum, the 'roulottes' for a quick dinner, the fabulous nature on the less touristic islands, the French 'après-plongée' which alone is worth the trip - not as good though as on Martinique

where we got served a 54° 'p-tit feu' BEFORE

the 8:00 AM dive

Steven

***caveseeker7*** · 20th January 2006, 14:36

Thanks for the detailed reply, Lolo. It sounds spectacular.
I can only imagine the endeavor of turning a remote island paradise into a rebreather friendly place, cheers for your effort and dedication.

When you have it up and running add the location(s) and contact(s) to our data base.

LoloTahiti · 23rd January 2006, 20:58

There are a few other Evolution divers in Tahiti.

One of them, Bertrand, is in Rurutu (in the Australes archipelego, in the south of French Polynesia), and is going to set up a rebreather friendly facility there.

Rurutu is an interesting destination because it is one of the best places to dive with humpback whales, as you can see on the picture attached.

***caveseeker7*** · 24th January 2006, 15:57

That's awesome, Lolo.
I see them twice a year, migrating along our coast, but they never stay for a dive.
Tahiti just moved up another notch.

12th January 2006, 02:23	#2 (permalink)
silentscuba rEvo CCR Driver Current Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss rEvo Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic rEvo Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Mill Creek, WA USA Posts: 566	Re: Hello from Papeete Some of the first diving I ever did was at Club Med in Papeete in the 70's, and you are very right the diving there is great. I hope to go back someday!!!! Welcome to Rebreather World, I am sure you will enjoy this site. __________________ Curt McNamee rEvo CCR Diver KISS CCR Diver www.silentscuba.com
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12th January 2006, 10:48	#3 (permalink)
Explorer Be vewy vewy quiet.... Current Rebreather/s: Evolution Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 748	Re: Hello from Papeete Welcome to Rebreather World. Now that's the ONLY way to travel with a rebreather. Nice pic. __________________ TRAIN WRECKED.....
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14th January 2006, 21:43	#4 (permalink)
*caveseeker7* Who loves ya, baby Current Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Prism Topaz Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Too far from Neverland Posts: 5,281	Re: Hello from Papeete I knew a stripper in Van Nuys once who called herself Lolo ... Her legs were much less hairy, though. Thanks for the pics, the one on the scooter is cool. Tahiti ... .... sounds like a place that makes for good diving. How did you sort training and supplies? __________________ Cheers Stefan Be Water, My Friend - Bruce Lee Sponsor Lou in Race For Life!
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20th January 2006, 01:08	#5 (permalink)
LoloTahiti New Member Current Rebreather/s: Evolution Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Papeete, French Polynesia Posts: 12	Re: Hello from Papeete Quote: (Originally Posted by caveseeker7) I knew a stripper in Van Nuys once who called herself Lolo ... Her legs were much less hairy, though. That can easily be solved. She can always buy implants Quote: (Originally Posted by caveseeker7) Tahiti ... .... sounds like a place that makes for good diving. Indeed. We are very fortunate to have some of the best dive sites around. The Tuamotu archipelago (Rangiroa, Fakarava, Tikehau, etc.) is simply amazing, with a lot of big fish (dolphin, sharks, rays, whales, etc.), warm water (27-30°C all year long), clear water, nice coral, tropical sand beaches. Quote: (Originally Posted by caveseeker7) How did you sort training and supplies? We organised a session here with Penny Glover and Cedric Momas. It was a quite complex expedition, and the training took place in Rangiroa, where there is no rebreather friendly facility at the present time. Unfortunately, Penny has since had a fatal diving accident and we shall miss her dearly. For the past few months, I have been struggling with the 20 000 km or so that seperate us from civilised countries to set up everything we need to dive safely here (2 evolution rebreathers, oxygen, air and nitrox bailout systems, oxygen 50 l tanks, oxygen transfer equipment, oxygen booster from Hydraulics, 200 kg of sofnolime, spares for the rebreathers, extra computers VR3, dive planning software V-Planner, etc.). I had no idea it was going to be this difficult (and expensive). Especially since the best dive spots are not in the island of Tahiti but on other islands around (about 1 hour plane away). But things are well under way, and I shall soon have everything in place, for Tahiti, Tikehau and Rangiroa. And it has all been worth the while. My last dives were simply amazing. I have been diving for the past few years here in OC, a few hundred dives a year. Without exageration, this is probably one of the Top ten places in the world. But with a rebreather, it's an entirely different world I am discovering. It's as if I had never dived here before (well almost anyway). On every dive, I see ten times as much wildlife as on OC.
(Offline)

20th January 2006, 01:39	#6 (permalink)
ROB DAVIE Administrator Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: HOUSTON, REPUBLIC OF TEJAS Posts: 1,120	Re: Hello from Papeete Quote: (Originally Posted by LoloTahiti) On every dive, I see ten times as much wildlife as on OC. Lolo, That is one of best, if not THE best, reasons for diving a rebreather! Welcome aboard Rebreather World, you lucky dog, living where you do! Rob Davie Rebreather World Admin __________________ [SIZE=2]"CC Rebreathers will become a viable part of tech diving [U]WHEN PIGS FLY[/U]!!"--GI3[/SIZE]
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20th January 2006, 06:51	#7 (permalink)
steevke Custom Title Allowed! Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Other Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Belgium Posts: 307	Re: Hello from Papeete Quote: (Originally Posted by LoloTahiti) quite complex expedition, and the training took place in Rangiroa, where there is no rebreather friendly facility at the present time. That is really unfortunate. My best dives EVER were in Rangiroa in the Tiputa pass, and that was on OC in august/september 2001. It's definately on my wish list to dive it again on CCR. Keep us posted on your progress setting up Rebreather friendly destinations in FP. It's a marvelous spot for a holiday. The gauguin museum, the 'roulottes' for a quick dinner, the fabulous nature on the less touristic islands, the French 'après-plongée' which alone is worth the trip - not as good though as on Martinique where we got served a 54° 'p-tit feu' BEFORE the 8:00 AM dive Steven
(Offline)

20th January 2006, 14:36	#8 (permalink)
*caveseeker7* Who loves ya, baby Current Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Prism Topaz Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Too far from Neverland Posts: 5,281	Re: Hello from Papeete Thanks for the detailed reply, Lolo. It sounds spectacular. I can only imagine the endeavor of turning a remote island paradise into a rebreather friendly place, cheers for your effort and dedication. When you have it up and running add the location(s) and contact(s) to our data base. __________________ Cheers Stefan Be Water, My Friend - Bruce Lee Sponsor Lou in Race For Life!
(Offline)

24th January 2006, 15:57	#10 (permalink)
*caveseeker7* Who loves ya, baby Current Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Prism Topaz Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Too far from Neverland Posts: 5,281	Re: Humbpack whales That's awesome, Lolo. I see them twice a year, migrating along our coast, but they never stay for a dive. Tahiti just moved up another notch. __________________ Cheers Stefan Be Water, My Friend - Bruce Lee Sponsor Lou in Race For Life!
(Offline)

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