News
Family time in Fujairah – Part 1
First in a three-part blog from regular Dive Travel Adventures contributor Sean Chinn about finding time for both family and scuba diving on a trip to Fujairah and Dubai in the UAE…
It had come to that point in the year where it was time to look for a holiday with my girlfriend and our 2 year old daughter. While searching through different holiday destinations and ideas, by chance a holiday flashed up as an alternative to an unmatched search I’d typed in. It was a holiday to the U.A.E stopping 7 nights in Fujairah and a couple of nights in Dubai.
The price was very inviting and with travelling with a 2 year old we didn’t fancy a long travel with connecting flights. This seemed perfect and I hadn’t heard of Fujairah as a holiday destination before but after some research I also found out the diving’s not so bad there either! So we took the plunge and our holiday took us to the desert in the Middle East.
It was the longest flight journey we have been on with our young daughter and were a little apprehensive as to how she would cope for 7 hours stuck on the plane. Thankfully when flying with Emirates there’s plenty of room on the new Airbus, as well as entertainment to choose from on the screens for each seat. And Relax! With an overnight flight our daughter managed to sleep pretty much the whole journey. I don’t know what we were worried about and soon enough we were at our first hotel of the trip – Le Meridien Al Aqah Beach Resort in Fujairah.
It’s hot here, like, seriously hot. So where better to be than a hotel with an array of pools to choose from to keep cool from the desert sun. Including the world’s biggest pool – our beautiful ocean. Situated on Al Aqah beach at the foot of the Hajar Mountains, the hotel offered great sea views, a choice of bars and restaurants, a lovely outside pool area and friendly helpful staff. It’s ideal for the holiday we were looking for with our 2 year old daughter. The icing on the cake being Al Boom Dive Centre located on site.
Al Boom Dive Centre is your one stop water sports adventure shop. Providing many activities such as parasailing, kayaking, snorkelling e.t.c. While also boasting a retail shop onsite with an array of the latest dive equipment on offer. The main reason for my visit to Al Boom would be the diving in the area. Regarded as the best diving in the U.A.E, you are a stones throw away from the Gulf of Oman in the Indian Ocean. With sites easily reachable no more than a 20 minute boat ride away, it’s not long before you’re cooling down from the hot desert sun.
Check back for Part 2 tomorrow…
Find out more about Sean, his photography and his hosted trips at: www.greatwhitesean.com
After a two-year tour of UK art galleries, community spaces and aquariums, the Shark Trust’s acclaimed Oceanic31 exhibition takes its final bow at the Royal Geographical Society later this month. And the unique collection of artwork, depicting 31 species of oceanic sharks and rays, donated by 31 artists, is now open for bids from art lovers and shark enthusiasts. The online auction, launched today, will close on the 7th December at 8pm (BST). The money raised will support the Shark Trust Oceanics Programme.
People can now bid on 27 of the artworks by visiting this website:
https://superstars-auctions.com/sharktrustauction
It is a chance to own a beautiful piece of original art and to support the Shark Trust. The timing of the auction also means that these would make a very special Christmas gift for any shark-lover.
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- Bigeye Thresher Shark by Janina Rossiter
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- Carcharodon carcharias by Jimmy Higgs
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- Croc VR 2030 by Tom Mead
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- Oceanic Whitetip by ATM
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- Silky Street by ScapaJoe
The diversity of pieces mirrors that of the sharks and rays they represent. You can bid on paintings, digital creations, sculptures, mixed media and more. You can pick your favourite artist or species of shark. Or you can select the perfect artwork to make a statement in your home or office. Whichever you choose, you will be supporting the work to protect these amazing animals.
One of the pieces of art has been selected to be auctioned live by Steve Backshall at the For the Love of Sharks event at the Royal Geographical Society in London on the 29th November. In addition to this, two further pieces will be raffled at this event, giving people a chance to win an incredible piece of shark art. For the Love of Sharks is the Shark Trust’s flagship evening. A night to celebrate sharks. Steve Backshall is the headline speaker at this event that will see other prominent shark advocates join him on stage.
Tickets for the event can be snapped up here:
https://thesharktrust.org.uk/Event/flos24
Those that would like to see the Oceanic 31 exhibition have one final chance. It is being displayed at the Pavilion at the Royal Geographic Society from 26th November until the 7th December. Entry is free.
Find out more here:
https://www.rgs.org/events/upcoming-events/oceanic-31
Paul Cox, Shark Trust CEO, Said “This exhibition has given us the opportunity to reach out to a new audience. And inspire more people with the wonderful sharks and rays on which our Big Shark Pledge campaign is based. We are immensely grateful to the 31 artists who have worked so hard to create these works.”
Bid for your favourite Oceanic 31 artwork here:
https://superstars-auctions.com/sharktrustauction
Banner Image: Smooth Hammerhead by Alicia Hayden
Cozy and warm in cold water.
It’s drysuit season all year round. With the new RS series premium drysuits from DYNAMICNORD, divers are perfectly equipped for all cold waters.
The sophisticated cut of the RS drysuits allows complete freedom of movement, providing maximum comfort. The high-quality 350 g/m² ripstop material with double ripstop zones on the elbows, knees, and crotch protect ensures extreme robustness as well as long life.
The suit’s features leave nothing to be desired: A high-quality TiZip zipper, easily adjustable inlet and outlet valves, upgradeable with electrically heated underwear, HP bottleneck cuffs made of high-strength latex on the wrists, a 3mm neoprene neck cuff for maximum comfort, a 7mm hood with air outlet and 3mm boots made of double-sided, cross-layered neoprene with ankle straps and fin strap stoppers and a protective but very flexible sole.
Noteworthy is the Molle fastening system, which can be used in a variable and compatible manner. This way, the two detachable leg pockets can be attached easily, safely and comfortably.
Alterations of boots to a different shoe size or adjustments to neck or wrist cuffs are done free of charge at the own DYNAMICNORD service centre in Germany in only a couple of days.
The matching Dynaskins made with high-quality Polartec® technology are available in various designs. As an undersuit under the drysuit, as a single suit in warm waters or as a two-piece suit. Polartec® technology’s main features are neutral buoyancy, breathablilty and quick-drying.
Dynaskins are made largely from recycled plastic bottles.
The drysuit RS-351 for men and RS-352 for women are now available at your DYNAMICNORD dealer and in the online store.
Colors men and women: Black-Blue and Black-Burgundy
Sizes men: XS-4XL incl. intermediate sizes MS, MT, MLS, MLT, LS, LT, XLS, XLT, 2XLS, 3XLS, 4XLS
Sizes Women: XS-XL incl. intermediate sizes MS, MT, LS, XLS
DYNAMICNORD – Your Outdoor Companion.
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