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Book Review: Small Blue World – Massive Imagination
Having followed Jason Isley’s work on the Small Blue World Facebook site for some time now, this was another eagerly awaited book that we were looking forward to delving into. It is a compact hardback packed with imagination, humour, excellent photography, marine life and conservation messages. So what it is all about?
Set over 200 years in the future, Climate Change has caused devastation to planet earth and mankind has had to take to a life underwater to survive the rising sea levels. At first, the tiny people that inhabit Small Blue World are determined to conquer the initial life that they encounter, fearful of these strange creatures that they encounter for the first time. This first chapter depicts this conflict with images of soldiers battling scary eels, bobbit worms and blue ring octopus. In time, humans learn that they will only survive by “living in Harmony” with the marine life they now share their lives with. This wonderful chapter depicts a more day to day story of home life, holiday adventures and work-day tasks in the new underwater utopia. The final chapter is a masterpiece called “The Future” where Jason depicts humans falling back into their old ways and ruining the environment they live in. From toxic waste being dumped to dynamite fishing, the tiny humans in Small Blue World ruin everything. These are by far the most potent and thought provoking images on current marine issues that I have ever seen and they make up a superb final chapter.
Jason Isley
Each image gives the reader a bit of knowledge about the marine creature depicted with the tiny humans, so as well as telling his apocalyptic story, Jason also hands out snippets of information to enhance the narrative.
The imagination and hard work that have gone into making this book is incredible. Each image must have taken a great deal of time to capture. Finding the models, adapting them not to float away, thinking of the marine life and dive site to get the perfect shot to tell each story, and then actually getting in the water and getting the right conditions to nail the shot – it is hard to comprehend the work involved. Having spent many an hour frustratingly trying to photograph mating mandarin fish, we can only imagine how long getting this one shot took to get. All we can say is that it was worth it.
Peeping Tom
The foreword is written by “Her Deepness” Sylvia Earle and it is hard to beat what she has written:
“In this book, skilled photographer and storyteller Jason Isley artfully combines fact with fantasy, whimsy with reality, and mischievous fun with serious messages, yielding a captivating journey among little-known creatures of the sea where humans are the diminutive visitors.”
If we have one complaint about the book, it is that is left us badly wanting more. We greedily digested the images and text on the pages of Small Blue World, and now wish we had more! Perhaps this is deliberate, and a second volume is already planned?! For now, you will have to make do with this wonderful book that packs a heavy weight punch with its tiny inhabitants. We are already having fun deliberating on which is our favourite image in each chapter. It will make a great present for the diver who has everything. Underwater photographers will love it too. But the best thing is that even for those that have never dived, this is a book that will please any reader, of any age and, we hope, will make them want to get behind the conservation messages at the end of the book.
Small Blue World: Little People. Big Adventures by Jason Islay is published on 28th April, £12.99 (Michael O’Mara, hardback) and is available for pre-order here.
Dive Travel Curaçao is thrilled to announce the launch of the Curaçao Dive Vacation Guide – 2024 DEMA Special Edition, an expertly curated resource that unveils the unparalleled dive experiences and vacation possibilities awaiting you in Curaçao. Produced exclusively for the Diving Equipment & Marketing Association (DEMA) Show 2024, this special edition guide is packed with exclusive insights, travel tips, and limited-time DEMA offers that make it easier than ever to explore Curaçao’s stunning underwater landscapes and vibrant culture.
Explore Curaçao’s Unmatched Diving Opportunities
With over 70 diverse dive sites along its southern coastline, Curaçao is a bucket-list destination for divers of all experience levels. From thriving coral reefs and intricate marine ecosystems to historic shipwrecks, the island offers a variety of underwater experiences that are hard to match. The Curaçao Dive Vacation Guide – 2024 DEMA Special Edition provides detailed recommendations for both shore and boat diving, making it a valuable tool for divers seeking the best entry points, pristine reefs, and hidden treasures along the coastline. Whether you are an avid wreck diver, or a beginner interested in shallow reefs, Curaçao has it all.
Uncover Eco-Friendly Dive Resorts and Top Dive Operators
This DEMA 2024-exclusive Curaçao guide goes beyond diving to feature insider information on Curaçao’s eco-friendly accommodations, dive resorts, and top-rated dive operators committed to sustainable dive tourism. From all-inclusive resorts that support coral reef restoration initiatives to charming boutique hotels near prime dive locations, the guide helps travelers find the ideal stay to match their vacation goals. It also spotlights trusted dive operators on the island who prioritize environmental preservation, offering travelers a way to enjoy the underwater world responsibly.
Immerse Yourself in Curaçao’s Culture, Culinary Delights, and Adventure
Curaçao offers a vibrant Caribbean culture rich in history, music, and culinary fusion. The guide reveals Curaçao’s hidden gems, including culinary hotspots, historical sites, and eco-tourism opportunities that will appeal to both divers and non-divers. Visitors can explore the island’s iconic architecture, savor a diverse range of dishes influenced by Caribbean, European, and South American flavors, and embark on land-based eco-adventures, such as hiking, cave exploration, and visiting national parks.
Exclusive DEMA 2024 Specials and Limited-Time Dive Packages
This special edition guide features limited-time DEMA 2024 offers on dive packages, accommodations, and excursions. Travelers who book through Dive Travel Curaçao, or our Curaçao dive travel partners attending DEMA, will have access to exclusive discounts on custom dive vacation packages, making it easier to plan an affordable, high-quality dive trip that fits your preferences. The Curaçao Dive Vacation Guide – 2024 DEMA Special Edition is designed to simplify your travel planning and help you dive deeper into the incredible experiences that Curaçao has to offer.
It’s Time to Dive Curaçao!
Now is the time to discover why Curaçao is a top dive destination in the Caribbean! Dive Travel Curaçao invites you to experience an unforgettable dive vacation with exclusive DEMA 2024 specials tailored just for you. To secure your spot, download a copy of the Curaçao Dive Vacation Guide – 2024 DEMA Special Edition and contact the Dive Travel Curaçao team to start customizing your Caribbean dive adventure today.
For more information and bookings, please visit Dive Curaçao’s website or contact our reservations team directly.
Ho Ho Ho! Vobster Quay’s recording-breaking charity Santa diving event returns on Sunday 15th December 2024 for another round of festive fundraising frivolities. Run in aid of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and Help For Heroes, this ever-popular annual fundraising event aims to raise sack-loads of cash for these two very deserving charities.
Divers of all levels are invited to grab their Santa outfits – and as much festive cheer as they can muster – and head down to Vobster Quay near Mells, Somerset for a mass sponsored Santa dive in aid of charity. In previous years, the event has attracted divers from the far corners of the UK to join in the festive merriment for a final festive dive before the Christmas and New Year break. Back in 2015, the event smashed the world record for the most Santa divers with 188 divers taking to the waters donning their festive finery – a record that remains unbeaten to this day!
Vobster Santas isn’t just about setting records – it’s also about raising some serious cash for charity. Vobster Quay encourages all divers to get into the spirit of the season to raise much-needed funds for two very deserving charities – the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and Help For Heroes.
Through individual sponsorship and online donations, divers can invite their friends, family and work colleagues to sponsor them to plunge into the balmy waters of Vobster Quay dressed in full festive finery. Since the very first Santa dive in 2007, the event has raised over £52,000 for charity. “It’s been over 17 years since the very first charity Santa dive took place at Vobster Quay and every year the event just keeps getting bigger and better” enthused Vobster Quay owner, Amy Stanton.
“Vobster Santas is a great way for divers to say a massive thank you to the both the RNLI and Help For Heroes – two very deserving charities close to our hearts. We’re immensely proud of all that Vobster Santas has achieved and hope that even more divers will join this year’s event on Sunday 15th December. I’m confident that we can make Vobster Santas 2024 the biggest yet!”.
Divers wishing to participate can get involved by simply registering their attendance at
www.vobster.com/event-vobstersantas.php.
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