Scuba Diving in the Caribbean for the NON Diver

by Calvin Crane


With the whole world at my fingertips (YES I know I am lucky) I keep coming back to the Caribbean for my travel. So I have to ask myself why I never get to Truk Lagoon, the Philippines nor back to the Great Barrier Reef in Australia? And let’s not forget the Red Sea as well– a world class dive destination.

The Caribbean for Diving doesn’t get the best diving in the world badge. But you typically dive for an hour and a half of the day then some more time on the boat and your back – but where are you back to. Not to mention 2 days of travel for me to get to the barrier reef (the great one as we have one in the Caribbean ;) )

So the argument is that it’s not just your holiday its also your families. Unless you are all nuts about diving then chances are they are not going to let you dive every day as tours run on a schedule as well. But my argument is not just about what can you do outside of your dive time ! In fact I proffer that the diving is actually very very good. Some of the target places to dive are:

• Tobago – Amazing drift diving is just the start of the variety.
• Bahamas – A great place to dive if you are a shark enthusiast.
• Tobago Cays (St Vincent and the Grenadines)
• Mexico (Cozumel)
• Barbados
• St Lucia
• Belize (Check out the blue hole)
• Roatan (Amazingly cheap place to learn to dive)
• Bonaire (dive with a pick up truck)
• Grenada – with the regions biggest wreck dive the Biannca C

I was fortunate to be stood knee deep with a rum punch in hand on one of Antigua’s best beaches and was chatting to a chap from LA. It was an eleven hour trek to Antigua – so it’s quicker to get there from the U.K. for some visitors but generally the North Americans (that includes you Canucks) can get to a range of islands easily. This is also defining the season to some extent as it gets cold up there the winter migration begins ! It happens to be outside of Hurricane season as well as that is tailing off after November. All the boats come out of the dry docks refurbished for the season to come.

If your not a diver already then you won’t have been spoilt and the amazing 30ft visibility in ‘winter’ will make you feel like you’re diving in an aquarium ! With the chance to see some amazing species of fishes like parrot fish, moray eels to turtles is really a special time.

If you are new to diving then why not visit Caribbean Diving and see their guide to learning to dive with PADI. It really is as easy as sinking and breathing..You will never be asked or tasked to do something you don’t feel comfortable doing.

It really is step at a time. Starting off with theory and shallow work in the pool or confined water (like a swimming pool).

If I have something to say about learning to dive is that I wished I had done it earlier !

Calvin Crane is a PADI divemaster who knows a lot about the Caribbean in general and loves nothing more than ‘harassing’ the underwater zoo.

Cambridge Advertising Online | Digital Marketing

If you run or manage a Cambridge based business chances are you need online advertising and digital marketing. At cambs.eu we have a price point that is attractive for more modest businesses but gives you great online visibility through online search and other touch-points such as within social discussions.

Fire up your SEO to get value traffic that gives the most over and over 24/7.

Tune down or up your social activity to an optimum level. Yes you can have too much social media going on.

Organic Search

Organic search (natural Google search results (not the ‘Ad’ results at very top and bottom of the page)) is the natural non paid for advertising that is the holly grail. We can help you achieve the best scenario for this FREE TRAFFIC. Do spend some money on SEO it keeps repaying you vs the Social Media Tap that stops giving the minute you stop investing.

Paid Search or PPC

If Social Media is a tap, that is also true of PPC or pay per click (‘Ad’ placements in Google results). Depending on your business this might be a good idea in some circumstances. However you need to be careful that you don’t build a dependency on them. They can be useful for new businesses to get fast customers. Make sure you do this alongside SEO and offsite SEO.


Pay Per Click advertising is really critical on setup so that you don’t pay for clicks in Cambridge Massachusetts results as an example. Using negative words and geographic targeting is just the start. Again the tap is only good while your balance is not zero. It also doesn’t go towards constructing anything (It doesn’t help your natural organic position). If you don’t convert from the clicks it’s wasted money.

Content Marketing

A common theme that does have basis in improving search results is content marketing. This consists of articles or white papers pdf’s etc that exist online in some location mostly other than your own site or blog. Blogging is a kind of content marketing too. The articles are or should be about some aspect of the business and link to your website or deeper. It is time consuming to get decent articles written and might be best to write from internal resources. It can be hard to find good neighbourhoods (websites) to host your content it’s time consuming. This is why business often choose to collaborate with an agency to get the hard part done regardless of who creates the articles.

SMM Social Media Marketing

Social Media – Often this is something you might consider to keep in house but take an initial guide to work out how often and how to tweet. Make sure you keep it to your business theme and engage with care. Consult with us for good practise given your kind of business.

Traditional Marketing

If you are an actual traditional marketing company with a focus on Cambridge then call us to advertise here. After all people are looking for your services here too. From leaflet drops and newspaper advertising traditional marketing is of interest to readers here. For our readers needing this service we don’t directly offer that. Please see the recommended resources below.

Market both vertically and horizontally.

Please find clever Cambridge advertising companies below:
Be the first (and maybe the only) clever traditional marketing here! Just contact us and ask us to place your Cambridge link here.

Photo by Scott Spedding from Pexels

Reversible Octopus Cuddly For Children With Moods

Buy Yours Here >>


Moodipus 🐙 makes a great companion for a child or even grownup! Reverse the Moodipus so he can join in with your GRUMP or HAPPY time.


PROMOTION FREE SHIPPING NOW ON

😁 😁 Moodipus can make you happy 😁 😁

A perfect gift for the child that has everything else.
SHIPPING

USA Stock 🇺🇸 - please allow 7 days delivery for US orders.
Worldwide please allow 20-40 days delivery.

🐙 🐙 🐙 🐙
SPECIFICATIONModel Number: Plush Toys
Height: 11cm-30cm
Theme: Animals & Nature
Filling: PP Cotton
Model Number: Moodipus00
For Children New Year Gift: Best Toy for Kids
For: Children's Christmas Day Gifts
Toys For Boys And Girls: Children gift/Christmas gifts

KN95 Coronavirus Masks To Play Big Part | Coming out of lockdown

Coronavirus lockdown

After the various places come off of lockdown into a state of controlled separation, masks will perform a vital role. Social distancing will be needed as the coronavirus will still be around albeit in a less rampant amount we want to avoid the contagion previously causing another lockdown.

MORE ABOUT CORONAVIRUS MASKS

Coronavirus arrives in the west

The biggest lockdown was at the origin in Wuhan. They also seemed miraculously as of now Friday, 17 April 2020 to have not spread it all across China. My eyes will be looking to see what happens as Wuhan last week started to re-open. The next hardest lockdown was in northern Italy. They got a particularly bad fast spread of Covid 19. A massive lockdown ensued and now there are controlled experiments you might say in releasing the lockdown. Supermarkets are outlets and have controlled distancing measures in place. Though once inside there you see examples of arrogance where some deniers are still fighting the rules. Staff members are high at risk in these establishments and yet usually wear no protective gear. One of the many puzzling elements of this pandemic.
Spain went into lockdown after a spiralling daily death toll took their ICU units to the brink and their wonderful staff members at high risk.

In the UK we had a later than necessary(?) lockdown but we seem to have flattened the curve in time to stop the ICU from being beyond capacity though many NHS staff have reported horrid long crippling hours of non-stop work.

Mask use 

The use of masks is starting to happen in the West through sheer will over style. We don't appreciate the look and surrender to the virus. Many of us myself included wanted to catch it beat it and move on. We were arrogant and uninformed. Now seeing how much of a brute this is we want to beat it. Cultural acceptance of masks is happening I estimate 40% of people in the supermarket were wearing masks of varying styles. Better than most the N95 or KN95 blocks 95% of the tiniest of particles. and covers the nose. The eyes are still an area of concern. Masks also prevent touching the mouth and nose. They are fine to breathe through for an hour at a time. Masks are disposable but use common sense and the re-use can be made. Surgical-style masks must also help but they cannot block the same level of particles. N95 and KN95 are the same specification just the KN95 is the number given to those coming from China manufacturers. Often these have CE certification. You should check for that.

It is my hope that the use of masks can help us get back to being a working nation again and minimise the extent to lockdown. In the UK yesterday another minimum 3 weeks inside has been announced by the deputised leaded Dominic Raab.

Getting masks is easy but delivery is 10 days roughly (if you want a normal price) Anyone stocking in the UK is taking full advantage by tripling the price. They should cost no more than 3 pounds per mask. A mask offering say 5 uses at most. If you can bear the delivery time then order now and lock in a better price. When we start to come out you may need them and then they might be in short supply. 

Places to go backpacking

Embarking on a backpacking journey is akin to opening a treasure chest of experiences, unveiling the world's hidden gems, one step at a time. The allure of this adventure lies not just in the thrill of exploration, but in the profound connection it fosters with nature, culture, and one's inner self.

Picture this: Wearing your trusty backpack, you'll venture into remote landscapes, traversing rugged terrains that defy the comforts of civilization. It's a baptism into simplicity, a symphony of self-reliance where each step is a reminder of the untamed wilderness that lies in wait. The earth beneath your boots becomes your compass, and the rustling leaves your lullaby.

In your nomadic odyssey, you'll discover the beauty of solitude. Far from the madding crowd, the cacophony of everyday life recedes, replaced by the harmonious hum of nature's rhythms. The tranquility is like an elixir, soothing the mind and invigorating the spirit. Amidst towering trees, beneath expansive skies, you'll find a sanctuary of silence.

Backpacking isn't just a journey outward; it's a journey inward. Stripped of excess baggage, you'll unearth your inner reserves of resilience and adaptability. Every challenge is an opportunity, every obstacle a lesson. As you navigate the unknown, you'll redefine your limits and forge a profound connection with your core self.

Moreover, backpacking is a cultural immersion like no other. Each encounter with local communities reveals a tapestry of traditions, stories, and cuisines that paint the world in vibrant hues. Breaking bread with strangers becomes a gateway to empathy and understanding, bridging cultural chasms one meal at a time.

Ultimately, the call to backpacking transcends mere wanderlust; it's a beckoning to reconnect with the essence of life itself. As you step into this world of wonder, know that you are not just an observer but a participant in an epic narrative where the chapters unfold beneath your very feet. Embrace the journey, for it's not just a physical expedition; it's an odyssey of the soul, an awakening to the boundless beauty that our planet holds.

Lets discuss some places that I personally recommend and why.

1) Australia. If its not on the East coast North coast South coast or West coast its to the centre of the biggest island in the world to visit Ayers Rock. I didn’t make Ayers rock myself as I was under too much budget pressure and yes its amazing but it felt as far away as New Zealand. Australia though has cities with dynamic nightlife for the young great wines for the old some of the most fun hostels you are ever likely to find and surf galore. This is what keeps making it the go to destination for many a Backpacker. Its also got massive kudos and you can’t call yourself a backpacker if you haven’t been!

2) Japan. The first myth is that its expensive – not so and the youth hostels or just plain hostels (house some oldies like me now) in style with private rooms and sturdy lockers its all very Japan works every time. Ride across the swathes unique and interesting countryside in the Shinkanson at break neck speed while the crew serve up service with a bow. The karaoke bars are amazing fun. Check out the natural north at anytime of year but in winter you had better go for the powder. Its like no other on earth. Sapporo is the main city in the north. Tokyo will be your gateway and it’s a neon lit treasure trove. You see the greatest thing about Japan is that something every half an hour will amaze you.

3) France. Inter-railing brings many through France often from Spain up from Barcelona they hit Montpellier for its cultural student feel with fun summer nights out or Marseille for its industrial feel old port and calenques (small pristine beaches with the bluest water in the med). Nice is strangely the logical spot most hit and good for day trips into Montpelier. The beach is pebbly but it has such a hub of backpackers passing through you will get hung up in the courtyards of your hostel swapping travel stories then heading down to the pebbles to try it on with that Danish blonde.