Malpelo Rebreather Trip 07.23-08.03, 2008

RebreatherNut

Hi all,

I have signed up for the Malpelo Rebreather trip from July 23 to August 3rd of 2008 aboard the catamaran Inula.

Diving in Malpelo, Coiba, Panama with Catamaran Inula - Inula UAA Adventures

Two Swiss friends, who both dive Inspiration, will also be coming on this trip.

There are some more spots open in case any of you are interested in coming along for some action packed diving.
6 days of diving in Malpelo and 2 days of diving around Coiba Island (Panama).

You will find all the info in the above linked web site, or you also can send me a PM and I will try to answer any questions.

cheers,
RBN

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"One minute to go, Luck-meister! Then I'll be down on you like a buzzard on a gut wagon." - ALF

teksimple

You aren't flying Continental economy class, by any chance, are you?

I was just about to commit to this trip a few days ago, but the strict Continental baggage embargo during that time is basically a show stopper. The only way around it is to ship very expensive stuff ahead of time and risk it getting hung up in customs, or buy an extra first class ticket so that a bag-less friend can fly with one's extra luggage. This is an absolute, 100% embargo, with no exceptions. Nothing over 50 pounds in economy class, period, end of story. I have a Mk 15.5, and even if I brought my Sport KISS, my HD camera housing would be the problem. I suppose there are other airlines that are less restrictive during that time, but then again, those tickets would not be be free with my mileage program.

When I went to the Galapagos, the only way I got around it was because I flew first class and had that extra baggage weight allowance, and my girlfriend had almost nothing.

Thanks to the wonderful baggage policy of Continental, my money will probably be aimed at one of the Micronesian exploration trips on the Ocean Hunter III.

So RBN, what airline are you flying? Maybe I would even consider actually *buying* an airline ticket if the baggage policy would work for me.

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"I don't know the percentage of the Internet that's valid, do you? Jesus, it's scary." - Hunter S. Thompson

silent running

Thanks for the info RBN, sounds like it will be a great trip.

If I weren't planning a trip to PNG in Sept, I might join you.

Not sure I like the idea of an open ocean passage to Malpelo in a catamaran. The Capt's suggestion to plan an extra day on return just in case the conditions are too rough, doesn't help any either... -Andy

silent running

Hi TS, isn't Micronesia also a Continental monopoly destination?

I looked at that exploratory trip on the Hunter, looks like it will be a great trip. But wow, $7775 for 14 days, hey why not $10,000? $550+ a day is a lot of money to dive with 15 other divers. I don't understand why this boat is always so expensive, how could fuel be tripple the price in Palau it is in Indonesia or PNG? Are all of the crew ivy leauge lawyers on loan from an investment bank? Is there any cosmetic dentistry included in the price?

RebreatherNut

Hi all,

@ Teksimple:

Belive it or not, I am flying Continental
Yes, I am aware of the Baggage Embargo and it does suck. However, since I always fly coach, there is really nothing new(I can check in 2x50pounds), except that you can't check additional bags, or "upgrade" from 50 to 70 pounds.

I am diving with a Sport Kiss and that will travel in my carry-on. So that will leave me with one checked bag for clothing and some sorb, and the other bag for dive gear and maybe some more sorb.

But I do understand your frustration. Especaily when traveling with your MK 15.5 plus an entire HD Video Rig plus housing. The pounds add up quickly.

Anyway, I did some looking around. If you do decide to "buy" a ticket , you might want to have a look at Delta Airlines and AA, they don't have an Embargo for Panama in the summer months:

Excess Baggage

As far as AA goes, they don't have an Embargo for Panama at all. And AA seems to have the best excess baggage fees:

50-70 pounds 25$ per bag
71-100 pounds 100$ per bag
extra bag 100$

Or, if you have a gazillion frequent flyer miles with Continental, you always could redeem some more miles and buy your rebreather a seat. That in turn would mean you could check a total 4x 50 pounds.

I hope that helps.

@silent running

Well PNG sounds great too. But it sure is a heck of a longer flight than flying down to Panama.

And speaking of the catamaran, if the wind is blowing from the right direction, I hope we sail!

cheers,

RBN

__________________
"One minute to go, Luck-meister! Then I'll be down on you like a buzzard on a gut wagon." - ALF

silent running

Hi RBN, yes indeed PNG is far, far away and the airfare is borderline obscene. But of course, it also has WW2 wrecks, many times the marine diversity and also big anaimals, though not in as great concentrations as Malpelo.

May you have the wind in your sails, not at the dinner table... -Andy

RebreatherNut

Hi Andy,
I sure hope to have the wind in the sail and not at the dinner table. Well, let's hope the wind comes out of the right direction for sailing, and not head on

cheers,
RBN

__________________
"One minute to go, Luck-meister! Then I'll be down on you like a buzzard on a gut wagon." - ALF

teksimple

I have heard of people buying a ticket for their cello etc, but how you actually do that? I mean, would I redeem two tickets with my name on both of them?

You are right. My contempt of the policy is only in proportion to how I *feel* I am getting screwed. Shipping to Micronesia from Hawaii is dirt cheap and the customs is very diver friendly. But yes, I could do two Malpelo trips for the price of a Micronesia trip.

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"I don't know the percentage of the Internet that's valid, do you? Jesus, it's scary." - Hunter S. Thompson

RebreatherNut

I have read here on RBW somewhere that a guy bought a ticket for his Rebreather. So when he booked his trip, first name was his "Joe Blow" and the second Name was something like "My Rebreather". And it seemed to have worked apperantly.

I can see the point that shipping from Hawaii to Micronesia is cheaper. If you were to check all your gear with the airline, instead of shipping it ahead, how many bags/boxes would you have to check in?

Well it sure would be fun to have some faces here from RBW on the Malpelo Trip.

cheers,

RBN

__________________
"One minute to go, Luck-meister! Then I'll be down on you like a buzzard on a gut wagon." - ALF

teksimple

This is too tempting. Well, looks like I will have to eat up *all* my Continental miles on this one. One round trip First Class Honolulu-Panama City=150,000 miles. Waiting for the confirmation email from Arvid. My German was not good enough to convince Arvid's parents to take my credit card # over the phone.

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"I don't know the percentage of the Internet that's valid, do you? Jesus, it's scary." - Hunter S. Thompson