Planning a Red Sea Trip. Anyone interested? [Archive]

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Neptune7

10-09-2009, 04:06 PM

Hi,
Jonathan and I have been planning to go to Egypt for a while. Jonathan needs to go to shoot a dugong segment. I need more stuff for my own show. We have discussed our project with our Senior Vice President of European Operations, Mister Jukka Sorvisto, who has been there often.
The three of us are working on a plan for a 10 days dive trip (7-8 days on a liveaboard (the whole boat for ourselves) and a day or two land based) plus a couple of days in Luxor for a visit of the Valley of Kings, Karnac temple,...). We haven't yet finalise any dates or cost. We are sccouting.

If interested, reply to this thread so you get the invitation first...

Pierre

scubagirl

10-09-2009, 05:20 PM

I'm interested, just depends on when it's scheduled.

Natalie

Neptune7

10-09-2009, 11:40 PM

Hi Scubagirl,
I am taking note. We will keep you posted.

Pierre
P.S. See you in Lembeh! :)

scubagirl

10-10-2009, 12:24 AM

P.S. See you in Lembeh! :)

Yes, see you in Lembeh in a couple of weeks!

tkelly

10-10-2009, 10:38 AM

I would be interested but it depends on the details.

Neptune7

10-10-2009, 10:50 AM

Hi Todd,

I would be interested but it depends on the details.

Naturally!
We will keep you posted.
Pierre

sorvju-f

10-10-2009, 10:55 AM

I would be interested but it depends on the details.

We are working with details...preliminary time is between mid September to mid November 2010. 7-9 days liveboard to deep south / Daedalus, St John Elphinstone and maybe Brothers Island. About 16 team members are needed and there is already about half, who have confirmed.

Separately we are planning the visit to Thistlegorm ( famous wreck ) and maybe some other wrecks. Also Dennis the dugong is on the wish list...but latest news are telling that it is totally forbidden to dive that site...further checkings going on...let's see.

Price is under asking offers at the moment.

Jukka

Ken Hawk

10-10-2009, 06:21 PM

sorvju-f

10-10-2009, 07:31 PM

Try and take in the 1st of October (our wedding anv) and we may be there :D work depending.

The Thistlegorm is a long way from the south, and a very early start by dayboat, the only way to dive it is by liveboard IMHO
I think I have dived it about 12 times now, a great wreck when its just your boat on it, but when all the day boats are there it's a right PITA.

What company are you thinking of booking through?

I have done 4 southern trips now and still not seen a Dugong :( a bit hit and miss.

There is no idea to have Thistlegorm and deep sout with same boat...takes just time to and wastes many dives. What we are thinking is to have separate boat for Thistlegorm visit and separate boat for safari to deep south. If we have 2 days one night visit to Thistlegorm there is possibility to visit some other wrecks also like Abu Nuhas.

Dugong site name Abu dabab was earlier only allowed to visit trough land based visits but now there is some information that even that is not allowed any more...I will get more info next week.

Your time wish have been writen down.

Jukka

Jonathan Bird

10-21-2009, 09:22 AM

me me me! Pick me!! I wanna go!!

nhdivenut

10-22-2009, 04:06 AM

I am also interested in diving the Red Sea!!!!! Keep me posted!
brandy

Neptune7

10-23-2009, 08:00 AM

Hi Brandy,
We have taken notice of your interest. See you in Manado.
Pierre

Clay Coleman

11-20-2009, 07:56 PM

Hi Pierre. Please keep me posted on this. -Clay

fred13

11-21-2009, 02:46 PM

hi everybody I'll dive in the red sea in january , but may be interested for october 2010.Just afraid:o ,if nobody exept me speaking french.:D

Andrew

11-21-2009, 03:52 PM

Red Sea... Didn't see this one before, definitely interested in this one! Are there any possible dates yet...

Andrew

Jonathan Bird

11-21-2009, 05:17 PM

hi everybody I'll dive in the red sea in january , but may be interested for october 2010.Just afraid:o ,if nobody exept me speaking french.:D

Fred, October is when we are planning, and Pierre ("Neptune7" here speaks French--he is from Quebec).

Jonathan

Jonathan Bird

11-21-2009, 05:17 PM

And I'm learning French from Pierre. Slowly.

Brandon Cole

11-21-2009, 07:02 PM

I am interested too, if it's still allowed to dive with the dugong,

Brandon Cole

David White

11-21-2009, 09:10 PM

Count me in. I can speak Frenglish.

fred13

11-22-2009, 05:07 AM

so,if evrybody learn or speak frenglish,It's not used for me learning better english. keep me posted.:)

Jonathan Bird

11-22-2009, 03:01 PM

I am interested too, if it's still allowed to dive with the dugong,

Brandon Cole

That is definitely part of the plan, except I think we are going to do that as a side trip before or after the live aboard. (Or maybe I'm wrong about this...Jukka?)

Brandon, Jukka is planning this and he is our resident Red Sea expert. It would be great to have you along.

Jonathan

sorvju-f

11-22-2009, 03:57 PM

That is definitely part of the plan, except I think we are going to do that as a side trip before or after the live aboard. (Or maybe I'm wrong about this...Jukka?)

Brandon, Jukka is planning this and he is our resident Red Sea expert. It would be great to have you along.

Jonathan

Marsa Alam is the town near Dugong site name Abu Dabab about 300 km from Hurghada, which is our starting point. If we will do side trip there it will take 4 hours drive by bus there and 4 hours drive back to Hurghada...little bit waistig of time as we are driving to Marsa Alam to start our liveboard from there anyhow.

I have not yet full plan, but we have to take Abu Dabab dugong dives somehow to liveboard part ( just before, really beginning or really end ) and have only one bus drive to Marsa Alam ). One big limitation to Abu Dabab dugong dive is that it is only allowed to do as shore dive...after Dennis ( the name of local dugong ) had accident with one boat propeller...I accept the limitation.

Couple of year ago Dennis was away from Abu Dabab long time so that everybody thought that it will never come back...but one day it came back with the baby ( I don't know male or female ). One diver came up and was very disappointed as he saw "just the tiny one".

As a secret information ( nice to say it in net ): we have secret information from another place with the dugong...

Brandon, as a pro you know that there is no warranty to see rare UW-creatures and also no warranty to behaviour of authorities:cool:
As looking your pictures, maybe you have some secret info about above we don't know:D

Seriously, last info I have is that Dennis had not been visiting Marsa Alam / Abu Dabab during whole November...

Jukka

Andrew

11-22-2009, 04:43 PM

I can vouch for the difficulty in Dugong spotting... 10 days in Mozambique which is meant to be one of the biggest breeding groups and not even a whisker... So 8 hours is along way to go if he is on holiday that month!

Dugong or not, sure will be a good trip. Which boat are you thinking of Jukka?

Andrew

sorvju-f

11-22-2009, 05:41 PM

Which boat are you thinking of Jukka?

Andrew

Here is the link to boat:

http://www.cassiopeiasafari.com/english/boats/andromeda/information/

At this point I have to say that list of interest have already close to 30 names and 16 members will be the group size.

Dates for whole adventure will be 1-12.October 2010 and itself live board 6-12.October to deep south ( St John, Elphinstone ).

Beginning of the trip will be "history day" in Luxor...Temple of Karnak:
http://www.touregypt.net/karnak.htm

and Valley of the Kings:
http://www.touregypt.net/featurestories/valley.htm

From Hurghada we will have visit to famous Thistlegorm wreck:
http://www.mysterra.org/webmag/thistlegorm-wreck.html

and maybe Abu Nuhas
http://egypt.greatestdivesites.com/hurghada/shaab_abu_nuhas

Jukka

Andrew

11-22-2009, 05:52 PM

sorvju-f

11-22-2009, 06:05 PM

Looks very nice... have you been on this boat before Jukka? Is 16 the whole boat? Is the Thistlegorm a day trip or is that from the liveaboard as well? Is this the best time of year to go and is the water warm?

When are you hoping to get the trip booked and get final numbers?

Andrew

1 No I have not. But to arrange this kind of things I use my Egyptian friend Marcos ( Nagah Mohammed Mohammed Abdou Abdelfattah ), who used to live in Hurghada as dive quide and nowadays living in my hometown as I arranged him the working place here...now for 4 years

2 16 + crew, we have experience of big groups and small zodiacs from Antarctica, where nearly everybody had problems with gears as they were stepped on, scratched etc

3 Day trips or smaller boat with one night/two days

4 Against my experience it is the best time and the water is warm 3 mm suit is OK.

Jukka

sorvju-f

11-22-2009, 06:30 PM

When are you hoping to get the trip booked and get final numbers?

Andrew

I cannot give final numbers until I know them. This trip is nonprofit trip...just the expences will be shared...I am doing this as a private person just to get nice group having fun with dives/pictures and videos.

I wait to have contracts and final numbers during couple of weeks.

Jukka

Andrew

11-23-2009, 05:04 AM

Thanks Jukka. I have never been or really looked into it which is why I am asking as it is quite close to us in Europe so sorry for so many questions. I agree with you (from my very limited experience) with the larger numbers, the more people you have crowded on a dive deck the more equipment gets damaged or scratched... especially when they are divers and cameras/video! 3mm, it must be quite a nice temperature then.

I mean't final numbers on the people front (not money), how many people you have got which are definite so far verses those interested? I am certainly interested if you can go with those dates and have space for one more. It would be good to finally meet up with you guys and also our European leader! :D

Andrew

PS. how do you get Marcos out of that name... :cool:

sorvju-f

11-23-2009, 05:23 AM

sorvju-f

11-23-2009, 05:32 AM

Thanks Jukka.
PS. how do you get Marcos out of that name... :cool:

They are taking some more understanable nickname for tourists by themself:p

Jukka

Andrew

11-23-2009, 11:58 AM

I think the priority to at least 'reef shark' should be considered :D

Andrew

sorvju-f

11-23-2009, 12:27 PM

I think the priority to at least 'reef shark' should be considered :D

Andrew

Absolutely;)

Jukka

sorvju-f

01-02-2010, 06:33 AM

It looks like the team has been built.

All those who wanted definitely to join are IN.

If you want your name to waiting list ( if cancellations ), let me know.

The team members are soon getting from me detailed describtion of adventure by mail.

Jukka

sorvju-f

01-06-2010, 04:24 PM

Here is video from the trip to deep south with the boat we will have. This trip was guided by Sanad, who will be our main guide.

We are not visiting Brothers...we are going more south! Elphinstone we will visit.

Jonathan you can see in this video also treshershark.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFlgYqhTmdg

Jukka

sorvju-f

02-06-2010, 03:26 PM

One of our team member and our other guide were inspecting our liveboard and it is HUGE...quality even better than Aggressor-boats:p

Hope to get you some pictures.

Jukka

Jonathan Bird

02-06-2010, 05:52 PM

Pics!!!! We need pics!!

Andrew

02-06-2010, 06:02 PM

Yeah Jukka... Pics and a FULL report :cool:

Andrew

sorvju-f

02-06-2010, 06:09 PM

Yeah Jukka... Pics and a FULL report :cool:

Andrew

My friends are not yet back, so you just have to wait:o

The boat is now moving to Sudan area for 6 months and then returning to take care of us.

Jukka

sorvju-f

02-16-2010, 03:46 AM

Unfortunately it was night and dark, when my friends visited our safariboat...so there is no out side pics...but here is couple.

Note the upper sundeck itself is 100 m2 and we will have good size plazma TV to see all the PAL blu-ray movies.

Jonathan Bird

02-16-2010, 08:07 PM

Nice looking boat. What's the deal with the red mattress in the wheel house? Do they make the captain sleep at the wheel?

sorvju-f

02-17-2010, 03:35 AM

Nice looking boat. What's the deal with the red mattress in the wheel house? Do they make the captain sleep at the wheel?

I have no idea, but I feel we have to check that while there:eek:

Jukka

sorvju-f

02-27-2010, 04:14 PM

I got news today that there have been regularly 3 dugongs south of Marsa Alam in a new place I have not heard earlier...

Also our divesafari boat have had success of meeting these nice UW creatures.

Abu Dabab ( regular place to see them ) situation...no news sofar.

Jukka

Jonathan Bird

03-01-2010, 08:22 PM

After all this, I better see a dugong!!! :D

sorvju-f

03-02-2010, 11:11 AM

After all this, I better see a dugong!!! :D

:cool:

Jukka

Neptune7

03-04-2010, 12:10 AM

After all this, I better see a dugong!!! :D

I will bring my dugong costume just to be sure you get it.

Pierre

sorvju-f

03-04-2010, 05:25 AM

I will bring my dugong costume just to be sure you get it.

Pierre

I thought the same...but at the moment I have only this one:p :

http://hollywoodcostumesandparty.com/Food/ri7140.jpg

Jukka

Andrew

03-04-2010, 06:40 AM

Great one Jukka... now to see you with your scuba gear on and camera in hand (or claw?) in that thing! Not sure if anyone produces a dugong outfit so maybe Pierre you have the only one... no wonder they are so rare! :D

scubagirl

03-04-2010, 12:27 PM

I will bring my dugong costume just to be sure you get it.

Pierre

That would be something to see! LOL

Jonathan Bird

03-05-2010, 06:25 PM

That would be something to see! LOL

I agree. Pierre swimming by in a Dugong costume. You could have the scuba bubbles come out the ***! ;)

sorvju-f

07-02-2010, 04:21 PM

There have been oil spill in Red Sea also in the area we are planning to do our wreck dives ( Thistlegorm and Abu Nuhas ). There are mixed info from where it has come...boat passing Suez-canal...drilling platform...

Our guide Marcus ( living here in Finland ) called there to his diving friends and reported as follows:
- cleaning work going on
- it might be reason of two simultaneous cases mentioned above
- overall situation seems to be under control

Jukka

Ken Hawk

07-03-2010, 10:21 AM

http://www.aziab.com/LATEST%20RED%20SEA%20NEWS.htm

sorvju-f

07-04-2010, 02:26 PM

http://www.aziab.com/LATEST%20RED%20SEA%20NEWS.htm

This will for sure leave it's marks to corals and creatures.

Jukka

Andrew

07-29-2010, 02:16 PM

sorvju-f

07-29-2010, 03:00 PM

OK.. now I know I am starting early but am already excited about the trip and meeting everyone and especially with diving royalty organising the trip and flying in from where was it... Sweden or Norway? :p

The reason for also planning in advance is that I am also away from the end of August and all September (until 2 days before I fly back out to Egypt) so was planning to pack everything before I go and order anything new that I need... like new dome port as mine is seriously scratched from Galapagos!

As I have never dived in the Red Sea before and many of you have, I have no real idea of what to take lens wise? It is mostly wide angle as most magazine shots I see seem to be of wrecks etc? Is there a decent amount of small macro (105mm) or better with a 50mm Macro? :confused:

Andrew

Andrew, if i give my feeling about Red Sea: it is mixture of everything. Whalesharks, tresher sharks, oceanic whitetips, white tips, black tips...mantas, eaglerays, stingrays, bluespotted rays, mola molas, dolphins, hammerheads, dugongs, napoleon wrasse, schools, butterfly fishes...some very beutiful schools, moray eels many different kind of, nudis, seahorses, frogfishes, lot of small stuff and also wrecks...this was short list came to my mind immediately.

My lenses will be:

- 7-14 wide angle
- fish eye with telecon 1,4
- 50 mm macro
- 105 mm macro ( maybe not so often as limiting objects )
- 50 - 250 for topside

Next week I will send out updated info about our adventure to all the members.

Andrew, you are also joining to our minisafari (3th and 4th October ) 2 days and 1 night to wreck of Thistlegorm and Abu Nuhas ( place of 4 different wrecks )...that is absolutely wide angle place.

During main safari we will get briefing so that we are able to make our lens choices.

Jukka

Answer to your first sentence...it is SUOMI

Andrew

07-29-2010, 03:54 PM

Even more excited now... didn't realise that we would be seeing so much diversity!! Looking forward to the mini safari as well for some good wrecks. What you are saying is pack everything then!!

Andrew

PS. prefer the King Finn.. has a better sound and goes with diving theme ;)

sorvju-f

07-29-2010, 05:06 PM

Andrew

07-29-2010, 05:14 PM

Just glad I do not shoot video (yet) for overweight luggage... serious $$$ :eek:

Ken Hawk

07-29-2010, 05:49 PM

Andrew, if i give my feeling about Red Sea: it is mixture of everything. Whalesharks, tresher sharks, oceanic whitetips, white tips, black tips...mantas, eaglerays, stingrays, bluespotted rays, mola molas, dolphins, hammerheads, dugongs, napoleon wrasse, schools, butterfly fishes...some very beutiful schools, moray eels many different kind of, nudis, seahorses, frogfishes, lot of small stuff and also wrecks...this was short list came to my mind immediately.

You may be lucky, hope you are.
I saw a whaleshark on my 2nd dive in the Red Sea not seen another one in the following 8 trips.

The Thistlegorm is a great dive if you are the only group on it :rolleyes:
And a night dive on it is great ;)
Make sure you do the Giannis D a very photogenic dive :D

Ken

sorvju-f

08-11-2010, 07:13 PM

Lately they have spotted several times GREAT HAMMERHEADS in Red Sea just deep south area...lets see:p

Jukka

Jonathan Bird

08-11-2010, 11:50 PM

Arrrrrrrgh!!!!!!!

Andrew

08-12-2010, 04:48 AM

Sounds like a trip not to miss ;-)

Andrew

08-23-2010, 05:17 PM

Jukka... is it possible to get me more excited about this trip... how many dives do we have there? Andrew

sorvju-f

08-23-2010, 05:53 PM

Jukka... is it possible to get me more excited about this trip... how many dives do we have there? Andrew

My fingers are crossed and I am ready to pay some tip to have a night dive there as we are staying during this minisafari whole night there. Captains don't really like to stay whole night that area because they can be in **** if weather changes. Night dive there would be something really great...pictures in the dark. Remember to take good light with you. Let's see.

Jukka

Andrew

08-23-2010, 06:03 PM

Sounds cool Jukka... fingers crossed! Maybe you will have to use some of that Finnish charm on the captain...

Andrew

sorvju-f

08-23-2010, 06:09 PM

Sounds cool Jukka... fingers crossed! Maybe you will have to use some of that Finnish charm on the captain...

Andrew

I feel only charm helps is dollars, euros or Egyptian pounds:p

Jukka

Jonathan Bird

08-23-2010, 08:48 PM

I feel only charm helps is dollars, euros or Egyptian pounds:p

LOL! So true!

Ken Hawk

08-24-2010, 05:38 AM

If your talking about a night dive on the Thistlgorm, every boat does it now.
I have had 2 night dives on it.

sorvju-f

08-24-2010, 06:33 AM

If your talking about a night dive on the Thistlgorm, every boat does it now.
I have had 2 night dives on it.

Ken...did you have to pay extra for the night dive?

Jukka

Ken Hawk

08-24-2010, 07:59 AM

No Jukka.
All the Liveaboards do night dives on it now.
They anchor up on the reef near by after the dive and sometimes go back in the morning.
I think we did 2 dives and a night dive on it, it could have being 4 dives though.

If yours is a min safari and your sleeping on the boat they should do it too,
Don't offer any money untill you really have too. (and I still wouldn't offer any )

You need to be the only divers on it, as if another boat has divers on it at the same time it turns into diver soup :rolleyes:
I have being lucky when we did most of the dives was just our group.
On one of the night dives there was only 4 of us :D
Watch out for the currents sometimes they are very strong, take a SMB and reel.

Make sure you do the Giannas D, its a great dive ;)

Wish I had the money to join you on the trip :(

sorvju-f

08-24-2010, 01:20 PM

Ken Hawk

08-24-2010, 02:22 PM

You will be fine Jukka.
The Liveaboards try to space the divers out in turn, It's the dayboat you need to worry about :D :D

Have you not dived the Thistlegorm before?

sorvju-f

08-24-2010, 02:50 PM

You will be fine Jukka.
The Liveaboards try to space the divers out in turn, It's the dayboat you need to worry about :D :D

Have you not dived the Thistlegorm before?

Several times, but daytime. Always more than 30 divers...

Jukka

sorvju-f

09-20-2010, 06:23 PM

It is time to give short description about our Red Sea adventure, which is knocking the door...

First I have to take up unfortunate simultaneous assignment of Jonathan, which led to situation that he had to cancel our Red Sea adventure...but for sure he is demanding full report here with tons of pictures and video high lights.

There will be close to 20 members during the trip from USA, Canada, England and Finland.

The most active members will start the trip end of this week having fabulous program in Cairo: Giza-pyramids, Cairo famous museum, nile-cruising dinner, sunrise camel-rides etc.

28th October main group is gathering to Luxor to visit famous sites there: Valley of the Kings, Karnak- temple and lot of other historical places...rumors are telling that there might be balloon ride over the Luxor and nile...let's see?
During our Luxor program we will stay in rather pricey hotel....Hotel Winter Palace, the place where Lord Carnarvon and Howard Carter announced their historical founding of tomb of Tutankhamon. People say that hotel spirit is like jumping back 100 years in time.

Assuan might be in our program with Abu Simpel temple, which is one of the biggest project in the world due to building of dam of Assuan, main source of electricity to everywhere in Egypt. When building the dam the water was rising in the area of Abu Simpel and the whole temple and mountain had to cut to pieces and rebuilt it to higher place.

After Luxor we will move to Hurghada and have one day free program there ( I feel everybody are ready to go UW at this point ).

Then we will have our minisafari ( 2 days + one night ) to famous wrecks of Red Sea: Thistlegorm and Abu Nuhas.

After that packing again in Hurghada and heading to startpoint of our main safari: from Marsa Alam to Red Sea deep south for one week...I have feeling that we will meet dugongs, great hammerheads, giant rays, oceanic whitetip sharks and as opposite lot of macro stuff also. Corals in Red Sea are in deep south as their best.

There will be also visit to secret place name Fanadira.

So I feel that this is once in the lifetime trip, before it has even started.

Jukka

Jonathan Bird

09-22-2010, 02:11 PM

sorvju-f

09-23-2010, 12:32 PM

Ken Hawk

09-24-2010, 06:49 PM

I am bummed that I am missing this adventure!! :(

I am packing at this very moment however for a shoot in Bonaire so at least I will be somewhere with nice diving. But it's not the Red Sea, that's for sure.

Have a great trip and please post millions of pictures so we can all live vicariously through your adventures!

Dive safe and have fun all!!

Jonathan

If I had the choice I would be in Bonaire, we loved the place.
Think I have done the Red Sea a doz times now.

Never seen a Dugong yet, tell a lie I saw one on the surface swimming away, once before we got in :D

I did see a Whale shark on my first ever dive there, couldn't understand why the dive guide who stayed on the boat was so upset :D :D

Jonathan Bird

09-30-2010, 06:48 PM

C'mon guys, where's the pics???

Andrew

10-01-2010, 02:02 AM

Just leaving for the airport now for the flights down to Egypt. Thought we might also se some pics by now of their land adventure and air adventure...

Will have words Jonathan...:D

Andrew

Andrew

10-04-2010, 04:14 PM

Hi All,

Sorry no pictures to post as have not downloaded them from my camera yet!

But I can tell you that we are all having a good time and had some fantastic dives yesterday and today on the Thistlegorm. It is one brilliant wreck especially when you are the only ones on it during a night dive and again this morning at 6am.

Pictures to follow... I promise (at some stage)

Liveaboard starts tomorrow :D

Andrew

David White

10-05-2010, 08:12 AM

At long last we have a rest day. By this I mean that we can sleep in and there is no rush to go somewhere and see something. And we have internet connections. For several days the internet was down in the entire country, no credit card charges, no bank access, no e-mail and no uwphotochat, hence no pictures and no reports. Suffice it to say that we are having a great time with a great group of people. The exhibits and side tours have been amazing and the diving on the wrecks was awesome. It only took the videographers one dive to make our dive guide realize that our cameras are our buddies. This afternoon we take the bus to go to our main dive safari and the excursion to the deep south.

Jonathan Bird

10-05-2010, 09:36 PM

Have fun! Still awaiting pics!

Jonathan Bird

10-10-2010, 08:32 PM

Do you think the boat sank???

HELLOOOOOOOOO!!!

Sharp

10-11-2010, 03:49 PM

Do you think the boat sank???

HELLOOOOOOOOO!!!

Lets hope not. :)

Ones when I was on that area on liveaboard it took four days when we could even use mobilephones. I think they have to come dry land after they will have internetconnection.

mailato

10-12-2010, 05:08 AM

Hope this is not the case.

tkelly

10-12-2010, 11:34 AM

If that's the boat, at least the entry and exit are easy. They really are bringing the boat to the divers.

Carl

10-13-2010, 08:44 PM

All,

That particular sinking dive boat was present in the harbor at Hurghada (spelling) and quite well afloat that I could see.

As to dugongs, we did the usual snipe hunt and came up empty handed again. There is absolutely NO guarantee that you will find a dugong anywhere in the Red Sea. The areas we searched as "feeding grass" areas were miserable, with grass about 1/2 inch high only, which either means the muchers had finished up breakfast, lunch, dinner and night time snack, or the dugongs wouldn't bother feeding such a lousy feeding ground. Supposedly some of the dive operators were claiming view of a dugong within hours of our dive. NO PICTURES ! NO DUGONG !

More to follow on the Red Sea but an initial impression is that it is being over fished and over dove. That means it goes the way of other great diving sites...
Oh well !

Caaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrrllllllllllllllllllllllllllll l

sorvju-f

10-17-2010, 06:23 AM

Hi gang!

I arrived home last night!

I want to thank all the team members, who were making once again great adventure.

Unfortunately the big stuff was not having the show to us even we all wanted ( we all know that there is nowhere guarantees to see certain creature UW ), but otherwise we did the the dive program covering all the main diving activity that is possible to do in Red Sea.
Personally I had best dives in famous wrecks of north Red Sea I have ever done during my 13 trips to Red Sea. I also loved the healthy corals we saw during our deep south safari, specially in the site called Fandira ( extra fee was paid to enter this site ).

Big thanks also to Brenda and Tim, who arrange the program in Cairo. I hope we will get separate report from that even it is not UW, but being part of our whole adventure...with pics thanks!

Top side program in Luxor was fantastic with balloon flight...and what a great hotel we had there thanks to Pierre's earlier experience.

Part of the team made also sun set visit to beduin village....getting some idea about native life in desert.

David promised to post daily report of our adventure.

I was waiting that multinational team could have some co-operation problems, but comments I got from finnish team members were just positive...maybe too positive:)

To adjust permissions, transportation, balloon flight, visit to historical sites, safaris, guides, hotels, food, birthday cake, refreshments, lost baggage etc was hard every day work to do. Special thanks to our own Marcos ( Nagah ) and Sanad. Marcos used his holiday to serve us and Sanad joined to our mini safari during his own time just to get familiar with us. Maybe some of the first time visitors thought that all the trips in Red Sea area are like this, but I can assure you with 13 visits there that our program was unique and costs level at it's minimum.

Rules in Red Sea diving are different than in many other dive places. It is not allowed to dive without dive guide present. Currents are causing deaths every year and guides are putting main priority to safety. Our team got some feedback due to having just cameras like puddies ( me too ). Sometimes guides can do decision to dive without cameras to remind the safety rules, but luckily we were not the case.

Personally to me it was great to meet Andrew and Natalie for the first time. Really beginning of our dives we agreed with Andrew to have fun picture competition ( England against Finland ) and Bill promised to do judging operations last evening. I hope Bill will give some report from this competition.

More to come...

50 years old Jukka

We arranged to team members T-shirts with the slogan Tim has created and I feel it was suiting well to our adventure...some team pics:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Team%20Red%20Sea%201%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Team%20Red%20Sea%202%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Team%20Red%20Sea%203%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Team%20Red%20Sea%204%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Team%20Red%20Sea%205%20800.jpg/full

Andrew

10-17-2010, 08:50 AM

Hi All,

Thank you for your post Jukka, I just want to quickly add that we had a great time and I think between Jukka's message and Davids report (to follow??), I think you will all see we had a great time and had a fantastic team of people together.

I just want to say a BIG THANKYOU to JUKKA (the true King of Finland) for all his hard work on organising the trip and also for letting us celebrate his BIG birthday with him. Without his organisation and putting the trip together, there would have been no trip at all.

Photos will follow when I get a moment, but lets not mention the England vs Finland photo competition... I still think that it was lacking an English judge :D

Andrew

sorvju-f

10-17-2010, 10:52 AM

Hi All,

Photos will follow when I get a moment, but lets not mention the England vs Finland photo competition... I still think that it was lacking an English judge :D

Andrew

Looks like re-run competition coming;)

Jukka

Andrew

10-17-2010, 12:45 PM

Maldives 2011! :D

David White

10-17-2010, 02:46 PM

Hi All,

Photos will follow when I get a moment, but lets not mention the England vs Finland photo competition... I still think that it was lacking an English judge :D

Andrew

Actually I am British by birth, even hailing from the island of Jersey, although I will admit that if Natalie had been the Canadian judge the Spanish Dancer picture would have taken first prize.

David White

10-17-2010, 02:49 PM

I converted the trip report into a .pdf file for upload but it exceeds the size limit. Now I know why I should not use ten words when two would suffice.

sorvju-f

10-17-2010, 02:54 PM

I converted the trip report into a .pdf file for upload but it exceeds the size limit. Now I know why I should not use ten words when two would suffice.

David we all know how perfect and detailed your reports are...just copy and paste;)

Jukka

David White

10-17-2010, 02:56 PM

Egypt – 2010

My flight path is from Toronto to Paris with a seven hour layover before embarking on the connecting flight to Cairo. By the time I arrive at my destination I am tired from all the traveling and lack of sleep. There is nobody to greet me at the airport so I wait for about thirty minutes until the driver shows up. By North American standards the Egyptian drivers give dangerous driving a whole new meaning. It is a three lane highway from the airport to the hotel but by straddling the broken white lines they are able to change it into a five lane highway. They all drive as close to each other as possible and are constantly changing lanes, their only warning being the incessant beeping of horns. Many vehicles show evidence of close encounters of the third kind and it is a wonder to me that we only see one accident on the way. After checking into the room Tim offers me some liquid refreshment which ensures that I will have a restful sleep.
Day one:
05:15 a.m. – The driver picked us up to take us to the stables where we mounted camels for an early morning ride to the pyramids at Giza. It was still completely dark when we turned down a dusty earthen alleyway to the stables giving me cause to wonder just what we had gotten ourselves into. There are mounds of garbage strewn everywhere and the smell, even without the hot afternoon sun, is distressing. The pyramids are completely fenced off and only accessible through the entrance gates. Still, it was my first ride on a camel and my first view of the pyramids. After taking some pictures of the sun rising at the pyramids we rode the camels back to the stables and headed for the entrance to the pyramids. The pyramids are roped off to keep people away and there are armed guards everywhere. I lagged behind the group and was accosted by a local who insisted that I mount his camel. Being jet lagged and naïve I climbed aboard and almost immediately we galloped off at speed away from the pyramids. Fortunately this camel jockey was honest enough to just charge me ten dollars for taking a picture of me on his camel with the pyramids in the background. Our guide had run after me since the more unscrupulous have been known to ride you off into the desert where they relieve you of all of your money. After getting all the requisite photographs we next went to the sphinx but once again you cannot get very close. After this we made a quick trip to the papyrus museum and then it was off to Sakkara. This is the site of the step pyramid, the first one ever constructed. The surrounding palaces are spectacular and it must have been something special when it was used as a ceremonial site. Now it was time for the Cairo museum where most of the Egyptian artifacts are on display. Our guide informed us that if we only spent ninety seconds at each exhibit it would take us nine months to see all the displays. Of particular interest was a copy of the Rosetta Stone and the treasures from King Tutenkhamen’s tomb. One hallway holds the beds, chairs and all the containers that housed the sarcophagus and, in an adjoining room are the jewels, the golden head dress, the golden sarcophagus and the gilded outer coffin. The display is truly impressive. Given that he died when only nineteen after ten years of rule it would have been incredible to have found one of the Ramses’ tombs before they were plundered. For one hundred Egyptian pounds you can go into another room that houses a number of mummies, the most significant of these being Ramses II. Worn out from our days activities we headed back to t he hotel to take a few shots of the Nile at sunset, and then it was time for dinner and bed.
Day two:
We had another early start to get to the airport for the trip to Luxor. Pierre and Jukka have booked us into the Winter Palace, the same hotel that Lord Carnarvon stayed in during his time in Egypt. This hotel is truly impressive with 15’ high ceilings, wide hallways, solid brass hardware everywhere, fine furnishings, original paintings, exotic floral arrangements, chandeliers etc. etc. etc. The grounds are also magnificent with specimen plantings throughout, an exotic bird cage the size of a small garage, a shiska area, an outdoor restaurant and, of course, the pool. Today is supposed to be a rest and recuperation day and, although I did manage a few hours sleep, by evening it was time to visit the temple at Luxor. This temple is more spectacular than anything that we have seen thus far and is only a short walk from the hotel. We arrived shortly before sunset, were able to get some good shots of the temple with the setting sun as a back drop and it was well after dark when we returned to the hotel. By this time some of the group from Finland had arrived so we assembled in the Royal Bar for a few drinks. By the time we finished trying to make itinerary arrangements it was after 11:00 p.m. so we ordered room service and lounged at the end of the hall while we ate our sandwiches and drank more beer. The advantage to being in the hall was that we were able to get a tour of the Royal Suite. Then it was off to bed for much needed rest. Unfortunately, with the heat and the dust and the dry air, I have contracted a really sore throat which kept me awake half the night.
Day three:
Once again we set off early for the bus ride to the Valley of the Kings where we first stopped at the tomb workers housing area and viewed a couple of their grave sites. Although only workers on the tombs for the pharaohs these tombs were still quite ornately decorated. We were able to go inside four of the tombs of the pharaohs and all of them are spectacular in their own way. Some of them comprise probably more than ten thousand square feet of space with rooms off the halls and with decorations and/or carvings on all of the walls and ceilings. Most of the paint is still intact giving a very good impression as to what the tombs looked like when they were first finished. Construction of the tombs started the day that the Pharaoh came to power and ceased on the day that he died. Although it is incredibly hot outside in the sun, after spending several minutes inside these tombs it feels as though you have stepped into an air conditioned environment once you set foot outside again. I cannot imagine what it must have been like to work inside the tombs, either carving or painting without any air circulation or adequate lighting. Now we were off to Deir al Madina to visit the temple of Hatshepsut, the only female pharaoh to have reigned for a significant period of time. This site is also impressive with its stairs, terraces and statues. By the time we had finished filming, the sun was at its zenith and it was really, really hot so we went back to the hotel for a relaxing afternoon. That evening we went to the Karnak temple for the sound and light spectacular. We have been continuously harassed by the Egyptian guards wherever we go because they think we are all photographic professionals. There are extra charges for using a tripod or video equipment. The show was O.K. but I certainly would not consider it spectacular.
Day four:
Another early start to the day this time to cross the Nile by boat for a short ride to the hot air balloons area. Twelve of us were going to get a bird’s eye view of Hatshepsut’s temple and the workers village. This gave us very good idea as to how extensive the construction was in this area. After a safe landing we headed to a couple of tombs of notable Egyptian citizens. Although not as large as the tombs of the pharaohs they are also ornately decorated and one of them was perhaps as much as 50’ deep. Once again the heat of the day was upon us so it was back to the hotel for lunch and an afternoon of relaxation around the pool. No evening excursions were planned so Natalie and I ate dinner at the hotel.
Day five:
Another early start, this time to visit the temple at Karnak during the day. We arrived early enough to be ahead of the crowds which is a good thing since it is imperative to avoid the crowds if you want to get pictures without a throng of tourists in them. The site has impressive columns and statues and the ceilings in some areas still have the original paint. After filming here for awhile it was back to the hotel to pack for the bus ride to Hurghada and the next leg of our trip. The desert is endless and, apart from a couple of rest stops, there is nothing but sand as far as the eye can see. It took us about five hours to reach Hurghada. We checked into the hotel, went to the restaurant for dinner and then it was off to bed.
Day six:
Since we were not leaving for the Bedouin village until 01:00 p.m. we were finally able to sleep in and have a relaxing morning. I set up the housing for the camera to make sure everything was operational for when we start diving. We met in the lobby and were picked up by our driver. He had a Toyota Land Cruiser with no air conditioning and very little tread on the front tires. Once we left the highway and started out across the desert we realized that there wasn’t much suspension either. It was a long, bumpy, hot, dusty ride. The Bedouins have managed to survive in the desert for millennia and live a very simple life. Their shelters are constructed of bamboo rods and woven reeds although some of the buildings are mud brick. They offered us rides on their camels and the guides showed us around the village. One woman was making flatbread over a fire and it was quite tasty. They have a well that is over fifty feet deep although that water is quite salty so they only use it for the animals or for cleaning. Several of the younger girls were fabricating rugs on a loom and they even had a general store where many of the herbs that they use as medicines were available for sale along with some of their handicrafts. We enjoyed a traditional dinner seated on cushions in the tent and then it was back to the hotel for much needed rest.

David White

10-17-2010, 02:57 PM

Day seven:
True to form we had another 05:30 a.m. start to the day when the bus driver picked us up to transport us to the first dive boat. We loaded our gear, set up cameras and enjoyed a hearty breakfast. It will take us between three and four hours to reach the first dive site so there is time to relax and enjoy each other’s company.
Dive one
The first dive was on the wreck of the Carnatic in the area of Sha’ab Abu Nuhas reef. The wreck lies in 24 meters of water. This English ship was transporting wine from England bound for the colonies in India. The Carnatic was a splendid steam-sail ship of the Peninsular & Oriental Steam Company, launched on December 8, 1862. She conducted her maiden voyage on April 27, 1863 and ran aground September 12, 1869 and, although she remained afloat for a couple of days, when she sank on September 14, 1869 it was with the loss of 27 souls.
Dive two
Our next dive was on the wreck of the Ghiannis D, also on the reef of Sha’ab Abu Nuhas. Although a relatively recent wreck, sinking six weeks after she hit the reef on April 19, 1983, there is an abundance of marine life that has taken up residence. Of interest on our dive were a blue spotted lagoon stingray and several extremely large moray eels.
Dive three
Our original plan called for a late afternoon dive on the Thistlegorm but by the time we arrived the sun was already starting to set. So we opted to do a night dive on this World War II wreck. Fortunately the current was light and for the most part we explored the exterior of the stern.
Day eight:
Dive four
We stayed overnight moored to the wreck of the Thistlegorm and awoke at 05:00 a.m. so that we would be the first divers on the wreck in the morning. This afforded us an opportunity to see something that most divers do not, the Thistlegorm with no divers around. We explored the stern section and the train engine that was blown about 100 yards further away. There are also a couple of light armoured vehicles and numerous shells littering the sea bed. Two large guns give an indication that this was a vessel geared for war. We entered one of the holds where numerous motorcycles and trucks are still stored. At the completion of this dive we went back to the boat for breakfast.
Dive five
After a lengthy surface interval, more boats had moored at the site so we would not have the luxury of being the only divers on the wreck. Our group headed to the bow against quite a strong current and descended to the sand at about 100 feet so that we could film the bow from below. Then we entered the holds once again. The Thistlegorm was an important cargo vessel for the British army carrying numerous supplies including trucks, motorcycles, light armoured vehicles and munitions. We explored the holds for the remainder of our dive and then as we exited the hold we were met by a group intent on entering. Not sure where these divers learned how to dive but there was no courtesy offered as they tried to force themselves into the same small orifice that we were exiting. There were only a half dozen dive boats at the site but I would not want to dive this wreck when there were twenty or more boats moored which apparently is quite common.
We started the long trip back to Hurghada, stopping at a reef along the way for lunch. After docking we loaded the gear onto the bus for the trip back to the Marriott Hotel. We enjoyed the buffet dinner and, although some brave souls ventured into the bar, I went straight back to the room for some much needed rest. The bus to transport us to Marsa Alam was not scheduled to pick us up until 01:00 p.m. so we were able to take our time over breakfast. Several of us occupied the internet café to catch up on e-mails and contact people at home. After checking out we loaded the bus and started out on the five hour bus ride to Marsa Alam. It was dark by the time that we arrived so entering the zodiacs for the trip out to the dive boat was a bit of a challenge. There were several boats moored in the harbour and ours was the largest and the furthest out. I have enjoyed several live aboard excursions but never have I seen a dive boat as luxurious as this one. There is a lounge upstairs that comfortably accommodated our entire group and you could probably hold a small wedding reception and dance in the salon area. Several of us have the added luxury of private rooms which makes it easy to stow all the camera gear. After an introductory meeting we went to the salon for a delicious dinner and then back upstairs to the lounge where the embroidered shirts commemorating this auspicious dive trip were laid out, each individually identified with the person’s name. We received the boat briefing and then assembled our scuba gear. Once again it was time for bed.

David White

10-17-2010, 02:58 PM

Day nine
We were allowed to sleep in the next morning and after a hearty breakfast received the dive briefing and group assignments for the check out dive. The Sha’ab Marsa Alam site is ideal for new divers with a maximum depth of only about 40 feet. There is a wreck and several swim throughs in the reef. We filmed several blue spotted lagoon rays, a crocodile fish and numerous other fish that I have never seen before. About 10% of the marine life is endemic to the Red Sea so there are going to be many first sightings for me on this trip. We set out for our next dive at Sha’ab Sharm and arrived within a few hours. This reef has deep drop offs although we limited ourselves to about 90 feet. There was a school of barracuda patrolling the reef, a turtle enjoying his lunch completely oblivious to all of the photographers, anemone fish, scores of anthias and other small colourful reef fish. All in all, this was a very relaxing and enjoyable dive. We stayed at this site for the night dive where we encountered a Spanish Dancer, a couple of large moray eels out hunting for their dinner and other assorted night creatures.
After we had stowed our gear it was time for dinner. This was a special occasion since Jukka was celebrating his 50th birthday. The chef outdid himself by roasting a whole lamb along with all the requisite side dishes. After dinner we retired to the lounge for the birthday cake and several toasts of the birthday boy. After a couple of drinks I retired to my cabin but the revelry was continued by the Finnish delegation.
Day ten:
We were woken at 05:30 a.m. for the dive briefing and shortly after 06:00 a.m. were loaded into the pangas for the first dive of the day. We are on Sha’ab Habiley Ali, a large reef with deep drop offs. Since the current is quite strong we are required to do negative entries with our camera gear. Once near the reef we descend to 100 feet to film the large gorgonians. There is a myriad of small reef fish darting in and out of the reef which makes for some colourful photo opportunities but we did not really see anything of consequence. After the dive we had our breakfast and awaited the next briefing. Since the Finnish group did the dive backwards, fighting the current all the way, it is decided to do the dive again so that they can do it at a more leisurely pace. This time we were able to film the long-nosed hawkfish which inhabit the strands of black coral. At the end of the dive a pod of dolphins were swimming by so we had the opportunity to jump back into the water and snorkel with them. Bob Pitasi was fortunate enough to see the dolphins while completing his safety stop so was able to get some good footage. After lunch we are on our way to the next site.
Abu Fandira is is a pretty dive site with coral mounts of hard and soft corals with all the requisite small reef fish and several coral mounts smothered with anemones and clownfish. There are swim throughs, coral canyons and fantastic photo opportunities everywhere. The current once again necessitated a negative entry with cameras and, unfortunately, Jukka’s housing clasp got caught on one of the panga lines forcing it open and flooding the housing and camera. After a lengthy surface interval we dove this site again for the night dive. By now we are moored on the inside of the reef so were able to enter and exit from the dive deck of the Andromeda. Although there were numerous opportunities to film during the day, this night dive did not provide much in the way of interest. After 45 minutes in the water I came back to the boat with 1500 psi still in my tank. We packed up our gear, assembled for dinner and then went to the lounge to watch Jukka’s video from last year’s Galapagos trip. Then it was off to bed.
Day eleven:
We spent the night moored to the reef and, once again, a 05:30 a.m. the wakeup call got us out of bed in time for the dive briefing and then we prepared for our early morning dive. There are so many coral mounts here and so much to see and film that you could dive this site over and over again without getting bored. The maximum depth is only 60 feet so long bottom times are the norm here. Of special interest are the coral heads with several anemones and numerous anemone fish darting in and out. After our dive we assembled for breakfast and then awaited the journey to our next site. It took only about a half hour to sail to Habiley Abu Faudira and this time we entered from the boat deck and swam to the coral mounts. The first part of this dive and the last part were quite pleasant with lots of photo opportunities. However, due to the depth of the middle part of this dive, in excess of 100 feet, it became an exercise in experiencing nitrogen narcosis and exceeding no decompression limits. There was nothing to see, and nothing to film and, as far as I am concerned no point to the dive. I would have preferred another dive at the previous site. That is it as far as our deep south safari is concerned as we are now making our way back to the north.
We arrived at our next destination a little past 04:00 p.m. so we will be doing a combination dusk/night dive for our last dive of the day. This site, called Dangerous Reef, is a maximum of 60 feet deep but the light is already failing by the time we hit the water. Nevertheless, there are photo opportunities with a nudibranch, lionfish and several stonefish out and about for their evening meal. Pierre saves me from kneeling on a stonefish that has swum beneath me while I am filming the lionfish and so we both take the opportunity to film this venomous creature. There is a cavernous swim through and although several fish are using it as shelter for the night there is only a white anemone that provides any real interest. At the exit of the cavern it is a completely different matter though. Once again there are numerous anemones with their requisite clown fish as well as anthias and other small reef fish already seeking shelter in the coral crevices. A lionfish stalks its prey over the reef and a large moray is swimming about actively involved in the nightly hunt. We stretch this dive out to almost 90 minutes and then swim back to the boat, break down our gear and prepare for dinner. That evening we watch the award winning documentary, “The Cove” on the large screen TV in the lounge.

David White

10-17-2010, 02:59 PM

Day twelve:
Our early morning wakeup call coincides with us arriving at Small Gouta, our next dive site. Already two other boats are moored at the site and more are on their way here. This site is a large pinnacle with deep drop offs to more than 130 feet. Natalie and I decide to stay above 100 feet to conserve air. There are many interesting photo opportunities including stands of black coral, nudibranchs, lionfish, puffers as well as all the numerous, assorted small reef fish. Regaining the boat at the end of the dive is a bit of a challenge due to encountering the current once you leave the shelter of the reef. However, we all make it safely back to the boat in time for breakfast. After breakfast is cleared away we secure all the camera gear for the rather bumpy ride to St. John’s reef, our next stop on our way back to the north. There is a cave system that runs through this reef, aptly named as St. John’s cave which provides many photo opportunities of the various openings. The play of light and shadow on the reef is quite picturesque. There are a few nudibranchs within the cave and various fish are seeking shelter there as well. After lunch we do a second dive at this site but four of us opt to dive the pinnacles rather than do another cave dive. There are plenty of interesting specimens including several morays but, while filming a blue triggerfish, I become separated from the group. I can see Pierre and Tim off in the distance and shortly am joined by the Finnish delegation but there is no sign of the group that I am supposed to be with and I am not about to go wandering through the caves in search of them. I swim with the Finns in the direction of the boat and Marcus starts to toss an egg up into the water. This quickly attracts the attention of a small Napoleon Wrasse. Within a couple of minutes another wrasse shows up and they are then joined by two huge ones. Marcus tosses his egg into the water, snatching it from the gaping jaws of the largest wrasse until the fish finally wins the battle. Tim then starts tossing his egg and the attention turns to him. He manages to keep it away from the hungry mouths for a while but eventually the largest wrasse comes in from behind and very nearly takes Tim’s hand along with the egg. This activity provided lots of photographic opportunities. As we reach the boat and complete our safety stops the rest of my group shows up and we all get back on the boat together. It is a short boat ride to our mooring for the night at Sernaka Island. We do our night dive here and, although not a particularly nice reef there are a few things to occupy our attention. There is a large lionfish out hunting for dinner and it is hounded by all the photographers but, since the lights give it a distinct advantage over its prey it doesn’t seem to mind. I leave it for the rest of the group but re-encounter it on the way back to the boat. It darts to the bottom sucking a length of rope into its mouth. It chews on this for a few seconds before realizing that there is not much nutritional value involved and then spits it out again. After sorting out our gear it is time for a hot shower and then dinner.
Day thirteen:
Our first dive is at Sha’ab Malahey, a relatively shallow reef comprised of numerous coral mounts forming canyons which provide some interesting swim throughs. We are greeted on the entry by a large Napoleon Wrasse that literally just lay on the sand probably waiting for breakfast hand outs. We continue the dive through the canyons and although it is very scenic there are few opportunities to film the marine life. However, the backdrop of the canyons with the blue water beyond makes for very dramatic shots. During breakfast we travel to Sha’ab Claudia, the site for our next dive. We begin our dive at the entrance to a cave and swim into the depths of the coral. The light filtering through the openings at the surface makes for a nice play of light and shadow and we follow each other through the maze in a single file. Upon exiting the cave system we are confronted with huge stands of hard corals and, once again, the numerous small fish that call the reef home. This is another beautiful dive site with many photo opportunities. After a little more than an hour we exit the water and break down our gear in preparation for travel to the next site which will take about 4 hours to reach. We enjoy a hearty lunch during the journey and I head upstairs to work on my tan on the top deck. Eventually we reach Wadi El Gemal National Park but, by the time we enter the water, dusk is approaching. We encounter a turtle at the beginning of the dive and I am able to film it enjoying a hearty meal. This would be an excellent site for photography if the light were right. We are surrounded by hard corals on all sides and encounter marine life that we had not seen previously on this trip. Mustapha, one of our guides, calls the dive early since apparently we need to set sail for the next site before dark sets in. We go around to the back side of the reef and, after a surface interval, enter the water for our night dive. Unfortunately there is not much to see and it is almost eerie diving at night without a cacophony of flashes going off. Still, we are entertained by several pairs of lionfish out in search of a meal, a couple of puffers as well as a stonefish lying in wait, half buried in the sand. After breaking down our gear and taking a hot shower it is time for dinner. A special dinner has been prepared with chicken, fish, lamb, beef or chicken shiskebobs and an assorted selection of salads. Nobody was likely to go hungry. We were also informed that the boat was not docking in Marsa Alam as originally planned but would be traveling on to Hurghada instead. This gave us a choice, either take the bus back to Marsa Alam to make our flights or change our flights to fly out of Hurghada instead. Fortunately, Brenda took on the task of making all the necessary arrangements and, with luck, we will all eventually arrive at our respective destinations.
Day fourteen:
We sailed during the night to the Elphinstone Reef. A 05:30 wake up- call had us ready to dive by 06:00 a.m. The strong currents and deep water necessitated a negative entry with cameras but unfortunately Carl got clipped on the head by a cylinder. This caused a gash in his skull that was bleeding profusely and so ended his dive early. We all appreciated him taking it on the chin for us to see if any oceanic white tip sharks would come close to investigate but it was all for naught and nobody saw any sharks. The currents are really strong and it was a bit of a struggle to get close to the reef but even in the relative shelter of the coral we were still whisked along at a rapid pace. It was virtually impossible to get any decent shots. One we came to the end of the reef and were able to seek some shelter from the current I was already low on air so completed my safety stop and rose to the surface. There were quite a few dive boats in the area and pangas all around. I was offered several lifts before our panga arrived to take us all back to the boat. Breakfast was served and then we completed a surface interval before venturing back into the water for another opportunity to see the oceanic white tip shark. We repeated the process and this time spent several minutes swimming out in the blue at a depth of about 30 feet but still there were no sightings. Due to the mix up with the travel connections we have been offered a dive in the grass beds in the hopes of seeing a dugong. Brenda and Marcus are still attempting to sort out all of the arrangements for our transfer to Cairo, a daunting task given that the internet connectivity at sea is slow and sporadic. We weigh anchor again at Marsa Mobarak in a vain attempt to locate and film the dugong. There are persistent rumours of its existence but we cannot verify them. After about 30 minutes combing the sandy bottom with precious little to see we regain the pangas, go back to the boat and rinse and dry all of our gear. That brings our dive safari to an end. Now we just have to figure out how we are all getting back to Cairo for the journey home. Rumour has it that Jukka flooded another camera due to an O-ring issue with the Ikelite housing. At least his Amphibico housing has stood up to the rigours of daily diving.

David White

10-17-2010, 02:59 PM

Day fifteen:
Since we docked in Hurghada and not Marsa Alam, everyone had to change their flight arrangements. Brenda had managed to change every ones flights except mine. So, after breakfast it is necessary for me to go to the Egypt Air office to change my flight before embarking to Cairo. It was a relatively easy process and I upgraded to business class at the same time. Once we arrived at the airport it was realized that, although the reservation confirmation was sent to Brenda, no tickets had been issued for their group. Shortly after Pierre checked in the ticket handlers went on break and just left us standing in line. Eventually they showed up again and I was able to get my boarding pass. The rest of the group was still trying to sort out the mess with their arrangements. To make matters worse they will only accept cash so Tim went on a merry adventure to see if he could find a bank. He couldn’t, but after conferring with a group of armed guards, some interested bystanders, and a couple of people wearing suits he handed over a wad of cash to a janitor who hurriedly disappeared behind a locked door. Strangely enough, especially for Egypt, the janitor returned within a few minutes with Egyptian pounds and did not accept any compensation for his efforts. There is hope for Egypt yet. We boarded the plane and an hour later arrived in Cairo. Once we had retrieved our luggage some of the group headed to a hotel while several of us went straight to the international departure terminal. Once we got there we thought that perhaps we should have opted for a hotel since the facilities are meager at best. They even have beggars charging for toilet paper in the airport washrooms. I only have 12 hours to kill before I can board my flight to Amsterdam and am already worn out by the process. This is definitely the worst part of traveling. The flight to Amsterdam was uneventful but it is an incredible relief to be out of Egypt. Never before have I been so grateful to leave a country.
After spending several hours in the airport it is time to board the plane for Toronto. Unfortunately I cannot sleep on planes and so, by the time we arrive in Toronto, I am exhausted. My housing case is the last one to be unloaded from the plane so I am left waiting for my luggage for a long, long time. I manage to make it home by about 07:00 p.m. thoroughly worn out from the process.

Jonathan Bird

10-17-2010, 03:00 PM

Thanks for the great reports so far!! I can't wait to read it all, see the pictures, and cry in my wine glass that I had to miss it.

If you had found the Dugong, I would have to kill myself for missing it though.

Happy Birthday Jukka!!! (You are making me look bad with these cool team T-shirts though.)

Jonathan

David White

10-17-2010, 03:05 PM

O.K. so there is the trip report. However, it is important to note that none of this would have been possible without the tireless efforts of Jukka ensuring that we all enjoyed the ultimate experience in Egypt. A lot of planning and preparation went into this trip before we even arrived in Egypt and there were several nights when Jukka and Marcus were still up into the wee, small hours of the morning making sure that everything worked out smoothly. A hearty thanks to Jukka and Marcus and Sanad for everything that they did on our behalf.

Andrew

10-17-2010, 03:25 PM

Actually I am British by birth, even hailing from the island of Jersey, although I will admit that if Natalie had been the Canadian judge the Spanish Dancer picture would have taken first prize.

The Spanish Dancer was actually my favourite too and I thought was going to be the winner... strange that no one else liked it :confused:

Great trip report David or is that a novel you have written :D

Andrew

sorvju-f

10-17-2010, 05:36 PM

The Spanish Dancer was actually my favourite too and I thought was going to be the winner... strange that no one else liked it :confused:

Great trip report David or is that a novel you have written :D

Andrew

There was great variety of opinions...my favourite was Andrew's fish face.

Maybe it is good to show what we are speaking about...here are my candidates.
Andrew add you candidates also...I don't have them:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/B%20WM%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/C%20WM%20800.jpg/full

Jukka

sorvju-f

10-17-2010, 05:37 PM

sorvju-f

10-17-2010, 05:43 PM

If you had found the Dugong, I would have to kill myself for missing it though.

It is terrible to say it, but we knew it and even tough we did our best to find it;)

The truth is that we really missed you there.

Actually I got news that itself the Dennis have died and in Abu Dabab no dugong have been seen for tree months.

Happy Birthday Jukka!!!

Thank you very much...maybe it is time to start planning your own 50's:p

Jukka

dascubanut

10-17-2010, 10:58 PM

Thank-you David for taking the time to write such a great trip report. Sounds like it was another wonderful trip with a great group of folks. Now I'm really ready to start seeing some images and vidio from the trip. I'm pretty sure there's enough to carry us through the next month or so. :p

sorvju-f

10-19-2010, 05:20 AM

As waiting others to start posting here is one I like:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Lion%20c4_1%20c%20WM%20800.jpg/full

Jukka

chillinwithbill

10-19-2010, 10:15 AM

Jukka,

I really like how you use other's video lights to backlight your night photos - very creative.

As is usually the case on these long dive excursions, the best part of the trip is the group of people you are travelling with. It was great meeting Natalie and Andrew whom I have not dove with in the past. The Gang of Fins was a special treat and I really enjoyed seeing many of them come up from their first dive outside of Finland - they could actually see farther than their hands!

In the wee hours one morning, Andrew and Jukka entered into a photo competition with eachother which became a great coming together event for all of us at the end of our trip. I had the priveledge of selecting an international Olympic-style panel of judges (secretly, so as to be immune from bribery) and the judging was held blind (not knowing who took each photo). It was great fun (at least for me!). I'm looking forward to the Maldives rematch.

This was my first trip using strobes, so I got some good experience in the Red Sea (though I didn't see many fish). I've attached a coral shot that wasn't too bad.

Well, dreaming about warmer waters here in Boston as the air temperatures hover in the 50's (Fahrenheit).... A shock to the system after the 100's in Egypt.

sorvju-f

10-19-2010, 01:00 PM

erkkiolkkola

10-19-2010, 02:09 PM

I just wanted to thank everybody making enjoyable adventure in Egypt.

Attached one of my best UW-pictures.

Erkki Olkkola

Sharp

10-20-2010, 11:00 AM

I just wanted to thank everybody making enjoyable adventure in Egypt.

Attached one of my best UW-pictures.

Erkki Olkkola

Wow, what a jaw with that moray!:eek:

Well came to the forum Erkki. You must have had an excellent trip on the Red Sea.

scubagirl

10-20-2010, 01:07 PM

Sorry I haven't been on since the trip; I was out of commission with a bad ear problem.

I'd like to thank Jukka for organizing the trip, Naga for all his help in Luxor and on the liveaboards, Brenda for all her logistics work throughout the trip, and everyone else who made this trip a success!

Nice coral shot, Bill.

Great moray shot, Erkki!

I guess I should start going through my photos and posting some soon...

Andrew

10-21-2010, 06:35 AM

Sorry guys for not posting anything yet, just been busy traveling and have not had time to sit in front of my laptop for long... maybe it is just a touch of Jukka style to keep you waiting ;)

Erkki... it is good to see you on here and great picture! I don't think I have seen a moray yet with the mouth open as wide as that one. Great work.

Bill... Great coral shot... :D and I am looking to seeing more of those shots I saw you downloading... (oh and what about some of those waterlilies ;) )

Natalie... I hope you are feeling better and that you were OK on the flight back from London?

Andrew

Andrew

10-21-2010, 01:15 PM

OK... here's the first of my pics...

First 2 were my England vs Finland ones and the last one is our very own Scubagirl doing her thing...

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs021.ash2/34430_453739314783_846444783_5143788_5379620_n.jpg http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs794.snc4/67431_453793354783_846444783_5144485_7321359_n.jpg http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs021.ash2/34430_453739329783_846444783_5143791_7749441_n.jpg http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs021.ash2/34430_453739334783_846444783_5143792_7793745_n.jpg http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs789.snc4/66946_453740824783_846444783_5143809_4804395_n.jpg http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs789.snc4/66946_453740829783_846444783_5143810_5523171_n.jpg

sorvju-f

10-21-2010, 02:05 PM

OK... here's the first of my pics...

First 2 were my England vs Finland ones and the last one is our very own Scubagirl doing her thing...

I still love that straight forward fish face...in my opinion should have been the winner!

Mouth open anemon fish is rare and taking attention that's why.

Natalie and Napoleon fish is having the feeling of our trip...the show we got from them was fabulous!

Thanks for posting Andrew!

Jukka

sorvju-f

10-21-2010, 02:16 PM

OK... here's the first of my pics...

First 2 were my England vs Finland ones and the last one is our very own Scubagirl doing her thing...

Spanish dancer with dark background is typical Red Sea beauty...like our t-shirts:p

Hawk fish I didn't see at all ( same situation in Galapagos ).

Your second candidate have great composition, but I feel the shrimp is little unclear!

Anyhow it is great to see that our Maldives re-run will be high level ( I feel I will leave video home:D )

Jukka

Andrew

10-21-2010, 02:49 PM

Hey Jukka,

I had better get up to speed with Photoshop before Maldives then! Have you tried amending your spanish dancer picture as per my suggestion :D Its a wonderful picture!

Andrew

PS. Are you referring to yourself as the beauty while wearing our red t-shirt's? :eek:

scubagirl

10-21-2010, 03:09 PM

I agree with Jukka: I like that first photo, Andrew.

I also like your capture of the Spanish Dancer and I love that hawkfish. I didn't see that particular type either, but I did see other types of hawkfish.

Thanks for posting that photo of me with the Napoleon Wrasse. It's rare that I get to see myself in any photos from a trip, and this one is great.

Andrew: I'm feeling better. My ear is almost back to normal, though I have an appointment with an ENT to make sure all is OK. As for getting home, I almost missed my flight to Toronto. I began writng my trip report and was engrossed in the memories of the trip when I realized my plane was already boarding and I was far from the gate, but I ran and made it in time.

sorvju-f

10-21-2010, 03:10 PM

PS. Are you referring to yourself as the beauty while wearing our red t-shirt's? :eek:

I would love to say yes...but the truth is that only t-shirt is beauty:D

Jukka

sorvju-f

10-23-2010, 05:42 PM

I really hope that some of Cairo team members show us some pictures from that part of adventure.

Main group met each other in Hotel Old winter palace. I have heard something about this hotel ( specially from Pierre ), but it was far better than I thought!

The only negative thing was that Pierre had to order pizza for 4 times before getting right fillings to it in pool bar.

The garden with the pool was our place during hotest period of the day. The garden was huge and I really mean huge. Vesa measured with his dive computer 42 Celsius/108 Fahrenheit in shadow in Luxor.

Here some pictures from our hotel:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Winter%20palace%201%20WM%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Winter%20palace%202%20WM%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Winter%20palace%20garden%202%20WM%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Winter%20palace%20garden%203%20WM%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Winter%20palace%20garden%204%20WM%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Winter%20palace%20garden%20WM%20800.jpg/full

Jukka

( report to be continued soon )

David White

10-24-2010, 03:55 PM

The rooms were nice too.

Ken Hawk

10-24-2010, 04:17 PM

You are realy going to drag this one out I can tell ;)

The pics are coming very slowly, even by ''Jukka style'' standards :D

sorvju-f

10-24-2010, 04:52 PM

The rooms were nice too.

Great David...I think your first pictures here....that is where it starts:D

Jukka

sorvju-f

10-24-2010, 04:54 PM

You are realy going to drag this one out I can tell ;)

The pics are coming very slowly, even by ''Jukka style'' standards :D

Ken, I have been sick....just fewer...but you already know that pics are coming...just need help to full fill Cairo part.

Jukka

sorvju-f

10-25-2010, 02:23 PM

It is time to present one person who did a lot to us to have success full adventure.

His real name is Nagah Mohamed Mohamed Abdou Abdelfattah, but we call him just Marcus.

He was dive guide in Red Sea for 8 years. But believe or not you really can get tired of diving and he wanted to try something new in Finland. Today he is working under supervision of Vesa ( the man behind Marcus in the balloon ) in one construction company in my hometown Porvoo.

His main hobby at the moment is to find a wife and create the family.

I personally want to give him big thanks!

Jukka

Couple of pictures from Marcus

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Marcus%20ja%20Karnak%20WM%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Marcus%20in%20balloon%20WM%20800.jpg/full

Andrew

10-25-2010, 02:36 PM

I would like to second that Mr Jukka! He is a great guy (as well a non-snoring room mate) and was on his phone constantly before we got aboard the liveaboard to make sure our mini safari, days diving, pickups, drop offs, finding left behind luggage :p, etc, etc, all went smoothly.

He certainly kept everything moving in the right direction and made sure everyone was happy. :D

Andrew

Jonathan Bird

10-25-2010, 05:10 PM

His real name is Nagah Mohamed Mohamed Abdou Abdelfattah, but we call him just Marcus.

I can see why!

He moved to Finland to find a woman? Or just to find some cool weather?

It must be interesting getting a hot air balloon hot enough to take off when the outside temp is 108!

sorvju-f

10-25-2010, 06:01 PM

I can see why!

He moved to Finland to find a woman? Or just to find some cool weather?

It must be interesting getting a hot air balloon hot enough to take off when the outside temp is 108!

If you would have been with us you would know what kind of huge adjustments/hassling is with everything...even egyptians are pissed of to that.

As Marcus is saying that in Finland his nerves are resting even during work...rules are rather clear here what they really are NOT in Egypt.

Actually he is still in Egypt and trying to get wife from there. He have lot of girlfriends in Finland, but no wife candidates ( means willing to have babies ).

In Egypt your family is your only insurance. One of the biggest punishments is that you will be kicked out from your family.

To get a wife there is rather complicated procedure....when you see possible candidate...you first send you parents to drink tee to girls parents...if this meeting is positive you can meet the girls so that hundreds of relatives are present...not speaking to girl yet...adjusting....adjusting....adjusting...95% results to no wife.

Marcus likes now a days downhill skiing and also hot sauna:D

When we had balloon flight you really felt the heath of fire. I think that the biggest problems during those balloon flight is caused by wind...landing is the most dangerous part. That's is the one reason why they are starting very early in the morning as the wind is lowest.

Jukka

Jonathan Bird

10-25-2010, 07:24 PM

Hey Jukka, I'll bet he can last a long time in a sauna before he gets hot!!!

sorvju-f

10-25-2010, 07:46 PM

Hey Jukka, I'll bet he can last a long time in a sauna before he gets hot!!!

When he had sauna for the first time and first steam came out from heater he run out of the sauna and continued 100m without looking back:D :D :D

Jukka

sorvju-f

10-25-2010, 08:10 PM

Early in the morning whole team was ready to visit the Valley of the kings:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Team%20in%20Luxor%20WM%20800.jpg/full

Cross the street front of our hotel was Nile:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Nile%20WM%20800.jpg/full

We had in our use 24 hours per day dedicated minibus:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Our%20minibus%20WM%20800.jpg/full

Guards of the valley of the kings:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Gate%20to%20Valley%20of%20the%20kings%20BW%20WM%20 800.jpg/full

But...

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/No%20photo%20WM%20800.jpg/full

Our problem was everywhere tripods, microphones and big cameras...that means that you are professional and not allowed to use those without special permission. Since I last visited the site the rules have been changed much more tighter.

Jukka

scubagirl

10-25-2010, 11:34 PM

OK, going back to our first day in Cairo. We visited the Citadel of Saladin, in which is also located the Alabaster Mosque:

http://scubagirl.smugmug.com/photos/1064011543_KCpGV-M.jpg

http://scubagirl.smugmug.com/photos/1064014375_LVDkJ-M.jpg

http://scubagirl.smugmug.com/photos/1064013814_Lb2jo-M.jpg

http://scubagirl.smugmug.com/photos/1064014613_XfYaF-M.jpg

http://scubagirl.smugmug.com/photos/1064016803_cPeiR-M.jpg

http://scubagirl.smugmug.com/photos/1064017781_QWnaQ-M.jpg

http://scubagirl.smugmug.com/photos/1064020433_P5NBk-M.jpg

scubagirl

10-25-2010, 11:35 PM

From the Citadel, you could see a large portion of Cairo. Cairo is a huge city of over 22 million inhabitants.

http://scubagirl.smugmug.com/photos/1064018855_UsyfQ-M.jpg

http://scubagirl.smugmug.com/photos/1064018679_4STRD-M.jpg

It was hazy & smoggy, and you could just barely make out the pyramids in the distance:

http://scubagirl.smugmug.com/photos/1064019319_xpZxG-M.jpg

After the Citadel, we visted Coptic Cairo. Unfortunately we were not able to take cameras into the churches and temples located there.

http://scubagirl.smugmug.com/photos/1064022328_JFrZm-M.jpg

Then we had lunch, where the bread was made fresh in mud brick ovens:

http://scubagirl.smugmug.com/photos/1064022972_oHiZU-M.jpg

On our way back, we stopped by the City of the Dead. It's essentially a large cemetery where a family is allocated a small plot of land to bury their dead. Some people chose to live on that land too, hence the name of the city. The houses/crypts are small and abut each other. The crypts range from simple brick buildings to ones more lavishly decorated:

http://scubagirl.smugmug.com/photos/1064023669_B8aQ6-M.jpg

http://scubagirl.smugmug.com/photos/1064024070_S47As-M.jpg

scubagirl

10-25-2010, 11:36 PM

Our last stop of the day was to an outdoor market (the name of which escapes me). There were many items on available for purchase:

http://scubagirl.smugmug.com/photos/1064025620_nLF4R-M.jpg

http://scubagirl.smugmug.com/photos/1064026282_xrYgM-M.jpg

http://scubagirl.smugmug.com/photos/1064027294_37izY-M.jpg

http://scubagirl.smugmug.com/photos/1064027815_2Yrfs-M.jpg

http://scubagirl.smugmug.com/photos/1064028421_EUdts-M.jpg

sorvju-f

10-26-2010, 02:15 AM

Our last stop of the day was to an outdoor market (the name of which escapes me). There were many items on available for purchase:

Natalie, great thanks of posting this part. Like a pictures those close up pictures of items to purchase with nice colors are effective.

Just one question...do you want to go back to Cairo some day?

Jukka

Sharp

10-26-2010, 02:59 AM

When we had balloon flight you really felt the heath of fire. I think that the biggest problems during those balloon flight is caused by wind...landing is the most dangerous part. That's is the one reason why they are starting very early in the morning as the wind is lowest.

Jukka

Very interested raport of you Red Sea Adventure!

This is of topic but here is one hotbaloon video (http://www.youtube.com/user/syvapurppura?feature=mhum#p/u/10/aK1XeQr3mM0)where my twinbrother and I are flying with my brothers balloon in the midnight in Finland. There where also several baloons from all around europa. Most of the baloon pilots had they first time of they life to fly in the midnight and see the midnightsun.

sorvju-f

10-26-2010, 03:12 AM

Very interested raport of you Red Sea Adventure!

This is of topic but here is one hotbaloon video (http://www.youtube.com/user/syvapurppura?feature=mhum#p/u/10/aK1XeQr3mM0)where my twinbrother and I are flying with my brothers balloon in the midnight in Finland. There where also several baloons from all around europa. Most of the baloon pilots had they first time of they life to fly in the midnight and see the midnightsun.

How much does it cost to fly in Finland...in Egypt the price was EUR 65 per person?

Jukka

scubagirl

10-26-2010, 02:16 PM

Natalie, great thanks of posting this part. Like a pictures those close up pictures of items to purchase with nice colors are effective.

Just one question...do you want to go back to Cairo some day?

Jukka

I would only go back to visit the museum again (I'll post photos of the outside of it tonight), but I wouldn't go back for any other reason. I've seen the pyramids and the sphinx now, so there's really no reason to go back. I found it very dusty and I developed a cough when I was there.

sorvju-f

10-26-2010, 03:06 PM

I would only go back to visit the museum again (I'll post photos of the outside of it tonight), but I wouldn't go back for any other reason. I've seen the pyramids and the sphinx now, so there's really no reason to go back. I found it very dusty and I developed a cough when I was there.

Natalie I asked this because I guessed your answer...and mine is totally the same ( The museum is maybe best in the world in my opinion ).

Big question I have is that should all the better shape findings be moved to some museums ( Egyptian treasures to all over the world ). Maybe you remember the entrance to Karnak temple...it has been emptied from statues and obelisks to museums round the world.

Same situation was in Alexandria when we were diving the remains of Pharos light house, one of seven wonders of ancient world...nearly everything what you could recognize have been lifted away from there.

Jukka

Sharp

10-26-2010, 04:19 PM

How much does it cost to fly in Finland...in Egypt the price was EUR 65 per person?

Jukka

In Helsinki (http://www.kuumailmapallo.com/index.php?pageid=hinnat&lang=FI)it is over 200€ per person!:eek:

David White

10-26-2010, 07:06 PM

sorvju-f

10-26-2010, 07:44 PM

For those who were on the trip with us this clip should serve as a reminder. For those who were not on the trip with us this it will show some of what you missed. The video is available here:http://vimeo.com/16212881.

David what are you doing...just about week from our trip and video already here....and I saw you have started Yap also:eek: .

...kidding....great done...I hope I can start somewhere next month....but I should decide that Yap or Egypt first:rolleyes: 17 casettes from Egypt....eeek:eek:

Jukka

David White

10-26-2010, 09:02 PM

sorvju-f

10-27-2010, 03:27 AM

Don't feel too bad Jukka. I have 50 tapes from Yap, Bonaire, Galapagos, Lembeh, Raja Ampat and now the Red Sea to go through. That is enough to keep me busy for several years without adding any more trips.

I agree that David...maybe our trips are also to meet friends and have fun. Material we get during the trips is like memories, but best part is itself livin' the dream.

I have to add that your balance with camera is better than many have ( including me ). Sometimes it comes feeling that computer programmed robot is handling your camera:eek:

Jukka

scubagirl

10-27-2010, 10:41 AM

Nice video clip, David! Thanks for the memories. But I don't see any divers in the video (hint, hint) ;)

Bob Pitasi

10-27-2010, 06:12 PM

How are you getting images >175kb attached. I'm trying to send some of my web images, but they are 640 x 480 and are in the 200-300kb range? Jukka, I see most of yours exceed 300kb?

Thanks,
Bob

sorvju-f

10-27-2010, 06:26 PM

How are you getting images >175kb attached. I'm trying to send some of my web images, but they are 640 x 480 and are in the 200-300kb range? Jukka, I see most of yours exceed 300kb?

Thanks,
Bob

Bob, there is no limitation to file size if you add URL address trough this postcard picture up there when writing your post.

Just open your picture in your web folder...copy the address (=URL address )....click postcard icon and paste your address there and choose OK.

I am using longer side 800 pixels....too big is difficult to see in 13 inch laptop.

Hope this helps!

Jukka

scubagirl

10-27-2010, 08:32 PM

Bob, you need to get your photos posted to a website like Flickr or something like that. Then you can just embed the link to the photo using insert your url here.

sorvju-f

10-28-2010, 05:46 AM

The valley of the kings:

As trying to built in Egypt pyramids safe against robbery finally all those were robbed. This lead to situation that new way of entombment was needed. The solution for this problem was to entomb pharaos underground.

During 18th dynasty (1550-1307 BC ) entombent of Pharaos were done in the place called Theba….nowadays Luxor. Until today 65 tomb has been discovered there…latest year 2008 in the area called valley of the kings.

Finally all those were robbed except one. The tomb of young pharao Tutankhamon was founded nearly unrobbed November 26th 1922 by Howard Carter. There have been trials to steal the content of tomb, but grave robbers failed. One thing which is still question mark is that no papyrus documents were not found from inside the tomb.

One reason for this tomb to be nearly untached is that above it was built later the tomb of Ramseses VI and the ground coming from digging that tomb was thrown down on the entrance of tomb of Tutankhamon.

Unfortunately there is no photos or videos from there…cameras were not allowed in whole area, but here is the picture by Erkki from the entrance gate of valley of the kings and one internet picture link to panorama picture of whole area:

First picture of Pierre filming to direction of valley of the kings from hot air balloon. The valley of the kings area is behind that red balloon. In this picture you can also see influence of nile to area...green area is on Nile's side and after that is only sand and dessert:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Balloon%20flight%2027%20WM%20800.jpg/full

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b8/Valley_of_the_Kings_panorama.jpg

Bob Pitasi

10-28-2010, 01:16 PM

Here are several images. Jukka & Natalie- Thanks for helping me get them attached. I set up a Flickr account.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bobpitasi/5123624652/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bobpitasi/5123022643/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bobpitasi/5123020279/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bobpitasi/5123024539/

Bob Pitasi

10-28-2010, 01:23 PM

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bobpitasi/5123624652/

Bob Pitasi

10-28-2010, 01:26 PM

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bobpitasi/5123022353/in/photostream/

Bob Pitasi

10-28-2010, 01:30 PM

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bobpitasi/5123022353/

Bob Pitasi

10-28-2010, 02:17 PM

I thought I was getting the hang of this. I can't seem to get the image displayed, but only the web link. Jukka, I clicked the postcard icon and pasted the URL into it as you suggested.

Bob

tkelly

10-28-2010, 04:23 PM

Bob, I think the link trouble is that you have the photos listed as private in your flickr account. If you make them public, I suspect people will be able to see them.

Neptune7

10-28-2010, 09:35 PM

Same here! It says that your picture are private....
Pierre

Bob Pitasi

10-29-2010, 04:42 PM

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bobpitasi/5123624652/

Bob Pitasi

10-29-2010, 04:58 PM

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bobpitasi/5123624652/

Bob Pitasi

10-29-2010, 05:02 PM

Pierre & Todd,

I took private off my Flickr account and got same result. Pics not showing. Any other suggestions.

Thanks,
Bob

sorvju-f

10-29-2010, 05:04 PM

I thought I was getting the hang of this. I can't seem to get the image displayed, but only the web link. Jukka, I clicked the postcard icon and pasted the URL into it as you suggested.

Bob

Bob...you can also make test....add your URL to your internet browser so that your web host is closed....if working you should see the pic and it is ready to be post here.

I don't know flickr, but there might be privacy question in every folder also

Jukka

sorvju-f

10-29-2010, 05:24 PM

Pierre & Todd,

I took private off my Flickr account and got same result. Pics not showing. Any other suggestions.

Thanks,
Bob

When I open your link in new window it opens and I entered to your site that way.

I copied one picture and added it here...no picture...but when I pasted it like link ( world picture with something black down )...the link is opening picture...strange!

Example here is one picture like a link from Bob's web host:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bobpitasi/5123624652/

This means that straight link to flickr works, but if there is something else written to URL before flickr ( like http://uwphotochat.com/ forums..../flickr.com/photos/... ) it is not working...this is really some limitations from flickr side.

Jukka

Jonathan Bird

10-30-2010, 06:18 PM

I simply do not understand a tourist destination not allowing cameras. WTF?

Bob Pitasi

10-30-2010, 07:23 PM

http://s1185.photobucket.com/albums/z355/rph879/?action=view&current=Egypt-2010-86.jpg&newest=1

http://s1185.photobucket.com/albums/z355/rph879/?action=view&current=Egypt-2010-16.jpg&newest=1

http://s1185.photobucket.com/albums/z355/rph879/?action=view&current=Egypt-2010-36.jpg&newest=1

http://s1185.photobucket.com/albums/z355/rph879/?action=view&current=Egypt-2010-87-Edit.jpg&newest=1

Bob Pitasi

10-30-2010, 07:26 PM

http://s1185.photobucket.com/albums/z355/rph879/?action=view&current=Egypt-2010-87-Edit.jpg&newest=1

Bob Pitasi

10-30-2010, 07:29 PM

http://s1185.photobucket.com/albums/z355/rph879/?action=view&current=Egypt-2010-178.jpg&newest=1

Bob Pitasi

10-30-2010, 07:31 PM

http://s1185.photobucket.com/albums/z355/rph879/?action=view&current=Egypt-2010-119.jpg&newest=1

sorvju-f

10-30-2010, 07:32 PM

Bob you have to use that Image code in table "Share this image"! Copy the text in IMG Code-box...open this post card pic in UWPC-reply and paste and then OK.

It was big work from you to go first Flickr and then Bhotobucket...but that is called learning.

By the way this picture is fabulous!

http://i1185.photobucket.com/albums/z355/rph879/Egypt-2010-119.jpg

Jukka

Sharp

10-31-2010, 05:10 AM

I simply do not understand a tourist destination not allowing cameras. WTF?

We had same problem in Yacatan year 2008 when we vent to dive to cenotes. Right after they saw our tripod and big videocamera they tld that we have to pay 200$ for shooting in cenote topsite. :mad:

When we went to Chichen Itza they didn´t even let us in with our tripod and big videocamera. After we put our tripod and videocamera back to our car and we went in to the area of Chichen Itza there where two local people following us all the time. After we took our DSLR of our backpack they told us again that it is not alloved to soot with those!:mad: I had my little videocamera and shooting with that was ok for them.

sorvju-f

10-31-2010, 05:34 AM

We had same problem in Yacatan year 2008 when we vent to dive to cenotes. Right after they saw our tripod and big videocamera they tld that we have to pay 200$ for shooting in cenote topsite. :mad:

When we went to Chichen Itza they didn´t even let us in with our tripod and big videocamera. After we put our tripod and videocamera back to our car and we went in to the area of Chichen Itza there where two local people following us all the time. After we took our DSLR of our backpack they told us again that it is not alloved to soot with those!:mad: I had my little videocamera and shooting with that was ok for them.

Yes that was rather annoying. I don,t know what they are really targeting with that...I guess money somehow.

On the other hand they are saying that these tomb paintings are suffering from flash light. But it was not allowed to use even outside of the tombs. I feel published videos ad pictures would just help advertisement and tourism:cool:

Jukka

sorvju-f

10-31-2010, 06:24 AM

Our guide was very experienced to Egyptian history. His name is Mohamed and he is also studying in university to become teacher of Egyptian history and will educate future guides.

In the picture he is second from right:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Guide%20and%20the%20team%20WM%20800.jpg/full

As a morning program we had workers area and VIP tombs ( non pharaoh ) Valley of the Kings and Hatsepsut ( lady pharaoh ) temple.

The colosseum of Memnon, death temple of Amenofis III, statues are well coming nowadays tourist to Theba ( town of deaths )...picture by Erkki:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Statue%20e%202%20800.jpg/full

Like mentioned earlier there are no pictures inside Valley of the kings area, but luckily there are pictures from other sites.

We just can imagine how well planned organization there were already thousands years ago. Management, army, logistig, water supply, construction organization, engineering, food supply, religious organization and etc and of coarse it had to be workers to built everything up.

There was own areas for workers and VIP persons, who had also own tomb area called hill of Sheikh Abd-Qurnat:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Workers%20area%20WM%20800.jpg/full

Hatshepsut death temple ( picture by Erkki ):

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Hatshepsup%20temple-Erkki%20and%20Mohamed%20800.jpg/full

Detail in Hatshepsut temple ( picture by Erkki ):

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Detail%20in%20Hatshepsut%20temple%20800.jpg/full

I have newer been sweating so much than these 3 days in Luxor...sometimes I could have paid fortune for a moment in shadow:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Resting%20in%20shadow%20WM%20800.jpg/full

Erkki & Jukka

sorvju-f

10-31-2010, 06:38 AM

Trough Pierre's earlier experience...mid day was the time to spend round the pool area:D

( Pictures by Erkki )

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Pooltime%202%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Pool%20time%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Beer%20was%20tasty%20after%20hot%20morning%20WM%20 800.jpg/full

In the evening we visited the Light & Sound show in Karnak temple The narration was done by Judy Dench and Omar Sharif:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Night%20Karnak%20temple%20ver%202%20WM%20800.jpg/full

Erkki & Jukka

sorvju-f

10-31-2010, 07:27 AM

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Balloon%20flight%2019%20WM%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Balloon%20flight%2025%20WM%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Balloon%20flight%208%20WM%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Balloon%20flight%202%20WM%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Balloon%20flight%201%20WM%20800.jpg/full

Jukka

sorvju-f

10-31-2010, 07:31 AM

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Balloon%20flight%207%20WM%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Balloon%20flight%2014%20WM%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt+anniversary+tour+25.09-16.10.2010/Balloon+flight+24+WM+800.jpg

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Balloon%20flight%209%20WM%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Balloon%20flight%2010%20WM%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Erkki%20ilmapallossa%20WM%20800.jpg/full

Jukka

sorvju-f

10-31-2010, 07:36 AM

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Balloon%20flight%2028_1%20WM%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Bill%20in%20balloon%20WM%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Balloon%20flight%2015%20WM%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Balloon%20flight%2012%20WM%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Balloon%20flight%206%20WM%20800.jpg/full

Jukka

sorvju-f

10-31-2010, 07:50 AM

As I realized that our planned visit to Aswan/Abu Simpel temple was impossible during one day (It is only 3 hours drive to Aswan, but 5 more hours from Aswan to Abu Simpel and this times 2 in one day ) we arranged together with Pierre alternative program with assistance of Nagah and our bus driver---hot air balloon flight over the Luxor:

Very, very early in the morning we went to other side of Nile by boat and then by taxi again to Theba:

Nile in the morning light ( picture by Erkki )

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Nile%202%20800.jpg/full

Balloon flight:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Balloon%20flight%2028%20WM%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Balloon%20flight%2023%20WM%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Balloon%20flight%2021%20WM%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Balloon%20flight%2011%20WM%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Balloon%20flight%2013%20WM%20800.jpg/full

Erkki & Jukka

Bob Pitasi

10-31-2010, 03:03 PM

Let's congratulate Tim on his new job promotion!!!

http://i1185.photobucket.com/albums/z355/rph879/Egypt-2010-86.jpg

sorvju-f

10-31-2010, 03:20 PM

Let's congratulate Tim on his new job promotion!!!

Hi Bob!

Now the picture is there, but with text IMG.......IMG. My advices have been wrong...with this IMG code you can paste it straight to post....not trough this postcard....sorry!

Jukka

Sharp

10-31-2010, 03:31 PM

Excellent ballooing pictures!

Did you all get baptise of Duke of Nile after flight? Some balloon pilots baptise all the passanger who are flying they first balloon flight to named with duke of the landing place (very old tradition).:)

I am baptised by duke of Pieksänjärvi in town of Pieksämäki in Finland.;)

Bob Pitasi

10-31-2010, 05:35 PM

Jukka, Thanks for helping me figure out this photo posting issue.....Bob

The peacefulness of hot air ballooning at sunrise.
http://i1185.photobucket.com/albums/z355/rph879/Egypt-2010-16.jpg
I took this shot on one of the wrecks, but I don't remember which one.
http://i1185.photobucket.com/albums/z355/rph879/Egypt-2010-36.jpg
Remember the famous Spanish Dancer?
http://i1185.photobucket.com/albums/z355/rph879/Egypt-2010-87-Edit.jpg
What do you think Marcos is getting ready to do?
http://i1185.photobucket.com/albums/z355/rph879/Egypt-2010-58.jpg

sorvju-f

10-31-2010, 07:32 PM

Let's congratulate Tim on his new job promotion!!!

http://i1185.photobucket.com/albums/z355/rph879/Egypt-2010-86.jpg

Tim really looks like enjoying that:D

Jukka

David White

10-31-2010, 11:22 PM

One of the great advantages of traveling with so many photographers is that all the memories come flooding back when viewing the pictures. Keep up the good work and keep those pictures coming. As the temperatures here approach the freezing mark it is nice to be reminded that we were experiencing 40C temperatures not so long ago.

sorvju-f

11-01-2010, 04:18 AM

Medinet Habu is the death temple of Ramsesses III, Which is still in rather good shape.

First thing there was to fight again to get our "professional cameras" in. Even the trip was one month ago I get pissed off when thinking about it.

The pylon ( means entrance construction ) is 64.8 meters wide and 24,45 meters high. All these numbers ( not in meters and inch ) have their own story why it just that number:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Luxor%20r1%20WM%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Luxor%20r2%20WM%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Luxor%20r3%20WM%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Luxor%20r4%20WM%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Luxor%20r5%20WM%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Tomppeli%20temppelill%E4%20WM%20800.jpg/full

Jukka

sorvju-f

11-01-2010, 04:24 AM

End of afternoon program we had traditional Egyptian lunch:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Traditional%20Egyptian%20lunch%20WM%20800.jpg/full

Jukka

sorvju-f

11-01-2010, 04:39 AM

After lunch everybody had free program. Some had just rest, some went to Luxor museum and I , Erkki, Vesa and Nagah went to Luxor temple.

Again fighting with camera and I decided not to pay...so they didn't get from me even entrance fee...I hope that with this missing entrance fee I will force them to be more friendly to tourists:cool:

So here I am working without paying entrance fee ( picture by Erkki ):

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/No%20to%20professional%20camera%20fee%20800.jpg/full

...and some results...

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Luxor%20temple%202%20WM%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Luxor%20temple%201_1%20WM%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Luxor%20temple%201%20WM%20800.jpg/full

Jukka

Andrew

11-01-2010, 07:33 PM

Great pictures everyone and David, I am really surprised to see the video one so quick after the trip... good work! The weather must be bad up there!! Is that mostly filmed on the day you disappeared from the group :D

Anyway... been looking through my pictures and here are a few to start with as we have not had enough UW photos yet...

WRECKS!

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs391.ash2/66946_453740819783_846444783_5143808_1103485_n.jpg http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs1134.snc4/149638_459083599783_846444783_5237395_6131752_n.jp g http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs1150.snc4/149246_459082219783_846444783_5237366_4818117_n.jp ghttp://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs904.snc4/71732_459083269783_846444783_5237389_942881_n.jpg http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs927.snc4/74048_459082894783_846444783_5237381_5717268_n.jpg http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs574.ash2/149647_459083074783_846444783_5237385_538992_n.jpg

Andrew

11-01-2010, 07:39 PM

Wrecks (Part 2)

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs931.snc4/74438_459074319783_846444783_5237137_3174135_n.jpg http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs1126.snc4/148836_459074729783_846444783_5237153_5729078_n.jp g http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs461.ash2/73399_458960569783_846444783_5234338_6666242_n.jpg http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs442.ash2/71534_458969374783_846444783_5234509_6300727_n.jpg http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs975.snc4/76814_459083414783_846444783_5237392_4766558_n.jpg http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs891.snc4/72460_459083674783_846444783_5237397_1263841_n.jpg

scubagirl

11-01-2010, 11:45 PM

Nice wreck shots Andrew! I have yet to go through mine, but thanks for reminding me.

David: Temperatures only approaching the freezing mark? Lucky you! We got 6 cm of snow on Saturday night. :( It finally melted today, so now I can rake the leaves!

Jonathan Bird

11-02-2010, 12:31 AM

COOL pics everyone! I'm enjoying them and feeling like I was there right along with you!

Jonathan

Bob Pitasi

11-02-2010, 05:08 PM

http://i1185.photobucket.com/albums/z355/rph879/Egypt-2010-56.jpg

http://i1185.photobucket.com/albums/z355/rph879/Egypt-2010-71.jpg

http://i1185.photobucket.com/albums/z355/rph879/Egypt-2010-22.jpg

http://i1185.photobucket.com/albums/z355/rph879/Egypt-2010-21.jpg

http://i1185.photobucket.com/albums/z355/rph879/Egypt-2010-23-2.jpg

Bob Pitasi

11-02-2010, 05:15 PM

http://i1185.photobucket.com/albums/z355/rph879/Egypt-2010-100.jpg

http://i1185.photobucket.com/albums/z355/rph879/Egypt-2010-49.jpg

http://i1185.photobucket.com/albums/z355/rph879/Egypt-2010-43.jpg

http://i1185.photobucket.com/albums/z355/rph879/Egypt-2010-40.jpg

http://i1185.photobucket.com/albums/z355/rph879/Egypt-2010-38.jpg

http://i1185.photobucket.com/albums/z355/rph879/Egypt-2010-32.jpg

http://i1185.photobucket.com/albums/z355/rph879/Egypt-2010-30.jpg

http://i1185.photobucket.com/albums/z355/rph879/Egypt-2010-29.jpg

sorvju-f

11-03-2010, 04:46 AM

Wrecks (Part 2)

Andrew, I am slow:(

Absolutely great set of pictures...I am amazed...our macro man is able to shoot wide angle also:p

I can not even choose my favorite...they are all good!

Just adding some explanations:

One picture is including from middle part of wreck Thistlegorm, picture of tank. The tank is Bren Carrier MK II.

There were 3 different kind of motorcycles inside wreck Thistlgorm:
BSA W-M20, Matchless G3L and Norton 16H...totally there are couple of hundreds of motorcycles.

One is train tank wagon on the deck....both locomotives are on the bottom...other one left side an other one right side of the wreck Thistlegorm.

There are also pictures from wreck Carnatic and Ghiannis D ( first wide angles in first post and two last ones from inside in second post )).

Jukka

sorvju-f

11-03-2010, 04:49 AM

Hi Bob!

I feel that some of the pictures are having great composition...it is not more accident.

Now when you are having own web-gallery...I propose you as a next investment...DSLR:D

Jukka

sorvju-f

11-03-2010, 06:59 AM

Scarabee was saint animal, because it builds up **** balls like sun. When pharaoh died, during mummy preparation the hart of pharaoh was removed and replaced by scarabee.

There is also promised related this specific scarabee...if you walk around the scarabee 3 times opposite direction you will get rid of your spouse. You can see huge amount of people doing that...even one of our member did it;):

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Karnak%20temple%203%20WM%20800.jpg/full

Water is always important...here is saint lake of Karnak, which is in connection to Nile:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Karnak%20L%207%20WM%20800.jpg/full

Some more:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Karnak%20L%203%20WM%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Karnak%20L%206%20WM%20800.jpg/full

Head of obelisk is shape of pyramid which have gotten it's shape from sun rays:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Karnak%20temple%204%20WM%20800.jpg/full

Jukka

sorvju-f

11-03-2010, 07:04 AM

Some more:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Karnak%20temple%202%20WM%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Karnak%20temple%208%20WM%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Karnak%20L%201%20WM%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Karnak%20temple%205%20WM%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Karnak%20L%204_1%20WM%20800.jpg/full

Jukka

sorvju-f

11-03-2010, 07:11 AM

I feel myself next picture like a picture is one of the best I have ever taken...it is really related to Karnak, temple of god of sun. You will get tis circle to picture just in exact angle to sun and it is showing lens curves when it was produced.

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Karnak%20temple%20and%20sun%20WM%20800.jpg/full

Some more pilars:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Karnak%20pilarit%206%20WM%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Karnak%20pilarit%203%20WM%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Karnak%20pilarit%204%20WM%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Karnak%20pilarit%205%20WM%20800.jpg/full

Jukka

sorvju-f

11-03-2010, 07:16 AM

The last day morning we tried to be very early in Karnak temple to have the site just for us.

Karnak temple was built to sun god Amon ( called also RA ). It was built during several pharaos ( Ramsesses II, Ramsesses III, Thutmosis I, Thutmosis III Amenofis II, Ankhenaten, Hatshepsut, SETI I etc ). It was in close connection to Theba area.

Main construction works was done during 18th to 20th dynasty....1550 to 1070 BC.

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Karnak%20temple%201%20WM%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Karnak%20temple%206%20WM%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Karnak%20L%205%20WM%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Karnak%20L%202%20WM%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Pierre%20%20Luxor%20WM%20800.jpg/full

Jukka

Andrew

11-03-2010, 10:36 AM

Great pictures and story Jukka... I feel I was part of the pre-trip now and did not have to endure the heat of all that walking around!

I agree with you, that sun shot is fantastic... it must hurt your eyes though looking through the lens? Did you know you had a great shot straight away or were you trying to take this type of photo when you held up your camera (so luck more than judgement) :cool:

Bob, great pictures and as Jukka said... SLR next?

Andrew

(that is now wide angle or macro man to you Jukka, but you know where my love always is :D )

Andrew

11-03-2010, 12:45 PM

OK, some more diving pics...

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs921.snc4/73399_458960564783_846444783_5234337_3719977_n.jpg http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs882.snc4/71534_458969369783_846444783_5234508_6960459_n.jpg http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs442.ash2/71534_458969359783_846444783_5234506_5858581_n.jpg http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs902.snc4/71534_458969364783_846444783_5234507_7483828_n.jpg http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs1156.snc4/149819_459076199783_846444783_5237185_1423821_n.jp g http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs921.snc4/73399_458960544783_846444783_5234334_3425111_n.jpg

Bob Pitasi

11-03-2010, 01:05 PM

Jukka and Andrew,
Thanks for the compliments!! I'm slowly working my way up to a DSLR.

Jukka great shots of the temple and UW video.
Andrew great UW shots.

Most of my learning comes from the pros like you!

Bob

sorvju-f

11-03-2010, 01:11 PM

OK, some more diving pics...

HA HAA OUR MACRO MAN IS BACK:p

From these ones my favorite is red anemon with fishes. I am sure it looks better in bigger file. Red against dark is he best color combination UW in my opinion.

I still don't know the name of those fishes ( Dark wit one light point ).

I also like " suprised anemon fish" against light anemons.

My " circle pic " was not really planned, but when I noticed sun from the right place I really search for that circle by moving some 10 meters from my origin point.

Jukka

sorvju-f

11-03-2010, 01:14 PM

Jukka great shots of the temple and UW video.

Bob

Surprise! One video ready, but so far posted only to team members.

Coming soon here as UW part starts!

Jukka

sorvju-f

11-03-2010, 01:39 PM

B&W pictures are timeless so here are couple Karnak pics as B&W:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Karnak%20temple%20and%20sun%20BW%20WM%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Karnak%20L%202%20BW%20WM%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Karnak%20temple%202%20BW%20WM%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Karnak%20temple%208%20BW%20WM%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Karnak%20L%205%20BW%20WM%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Karnak%20temple%201%20%20BW%20WM%20800.jpg/full

Now it is time to move to Hurghada!

Jukka

scubagirl

11-03-2010, 02:53 PM

Great shots everyone!

Jukka, I like your use of the sun's rays; looks great!

Andrew

11-03-2010, 07:07 PM

Come on Natalie.... its a bit dry coming from Canada... :D

sorvju-f

11-04-2010, 03:51 PM

As mentioned earlier the first thing reporting of our diving part is video about 5 minutes from the wreck of Thistlegorm.

Have a look:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/Thistlegorm%202010.mov

Jukka

scubagirl

11-04-2010, 07:32 PM

Come on Natalie.... its a bit dry coming from Canada... :D

Maybe this weekend. ;) It's been hellish at work lately and I'm too tired to edit when I get home.

Jonathan Bird

11-04-2010, 08:11 PM

Great shots Jukka! Love the sun shots. I have to wonder how those guys made all that stuff without power tools!

Andrew

11-05-2010, 09:30 AM

This is by far the smallest one I have ever seen.... :eek:

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs941.snc4/73399_458960559783_846444783_5234336_3795293_n.jpg

sorvju-f

11-05-2010, 12:29 PM

This is by far the smallest one I have ever seen.... :eek:

I feel that I would not have seen it at all.

Anyhow I love the shot...macroman strikes again;)

Jukka

sorvju-f

11-05-2010, 03:51 PM

Very common object in Red Sea is butterfly fishes:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Perhoskalat%201%20WM%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Masked%20bff%202%20WM%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Masked%20buttefly%20fish%20WM%20800.jpg/full

Jukka

sorvju-f

11-05-2010, 03:58 PM

Set of Bodenstein family with turtles.

1 Daniel:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Turtle%20and%20diver%20WM%20800.jpg/full

2 Brenda:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Turtle%20and%20diver%202%20WM%20800.jpg/full

3 Carl:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Carl%20in%20work%20WM%20800.jpg/full

Jukka

sorvju-f

11-05-2010, 04:04 PM

Some more turtles:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Kilppari%202%20WM%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Kilppari%20WM%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Turtle%20fly%20WM%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Kilppari%20C2%20WM%20800.jpg/full

Jukka

Sharp

11-05-2010, 05:41 PM

As mentioned earlier the first thing reporting of our diving part is video about 5 minutes from the wreck of Thistlegorm.

Have a look:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/Thistlegorm%202010.mov

Jukka

I like that video a lot. It seems that you vhere the only divers that wreck? i havent ever been there but I have read that there midght be a lot of divers at the daytime?

Sharp

11-05-2010, 05:43 PM

This is by far the smallest one I have ever seen.... :eek:

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs941.snc4/73399_458960559783_846444783_5234336_3795293_n.jpg

This is absolutely lovely!:)

Sharp

11-05-2010, 05:45 PM

Sharp

11-05-2010, 05:48 PM

Some more turtles:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Kilppari%20WM%20800.jpg/full

Jukka

There looks to be seagrass. That would be a good place to see Dugong?

sorvju-f

11-05-2010, 06:21 PM

There looks to be seagrass. That would be a good place to see Dugong?

Guess why we were there...just no dugongs!

Jukka

sorvju-f

11-05-2010, 06:24 PM

I like that video a lot. It seems that you vhere the only divers that wreck? i havent ever been there but I have read that there midght be a lot of divers at the daytime?

We had 3 dives on Thistlegorm...one of them night dive. Night dive and first morning dive were empty but during second day dive it started to be crowded.

Jukka

Bodie

11-05-2010, 11:01 PM

sorvju-f

11-06-2010, 07:40 AM

Hey everyone!

So after two more HD crashes (not including the one that died on the trip) and a bunch of computer fixing, I've finally uploaded a batch of pictures to my gallery page. There are 102 but you can hit a slide show and cruise through them pretty quickly.

http://gallery.me.com/d.bodenstein#100096

I had captions but for some reason it isn't putting them in the metadata- so use your imagination.

Comments and critiques are of course appreciated! If anyone wants hi-res versions let me know.

-Dan

Hi Dan!

Great that you shared your picture collection with us!

First overview tells that we had lot of different kind of action during 3 weeks. You even had this program in Cairo.

Some comment about the pictures:

Pyramid with the camel driver: With lot of death space ( sky ) this one would be the one to some front page of magazine. I feel this one would be even more effective as B&W.

David having camel drive: This picture is having exitement of David with good composition and background.

Pierre filming Luxor temple entrance: I like Luxor temple pylon more than Karnac because there is left obelisk and statues. Really nice composition indicating little story of our adventure.

Kartush ( visit card of pharao ) in Luxor temple with nice lightning is somehow taking history to present time as also in picture 36.

Statue in Queen Hatshepsut temple, 32, takes your intension…what she is looking for?

Karnac temle 52: Sphinx row…just beautiful.

Karnac temple 18: You got little scary feeling to this one.

Balloon ride ove Luxor 7, 31 and 25: You got different angle view to places which we visited…Hatshepsut temple, Ramsesses III death temple and statues of the entrance to Valley of the Kings.

Karnac temple 29: I tried to avoid this lift in my pictures…that was wrong. This is showing the construction technology difference from the past to today.

Karnac temple 113: I just like this one…lines to different directions makes it perfect.

Diving Hurghada 83: Blue spotted stingray in action….good one.

Diving shaap Abu Nuhas 15: There is something in this picture.

Diving Shaap Abu Nuhas 40: Different…takes you intention!

Thistlegorm 21 and 27: Super pictures….I have seen many pictures from these objects and these really are best ones….congratulation!

IMG 9254: Your father and wooden wreck…great picture.

If I have to choose best UW picture from your collection it is IMG 9756 even I myself is included…
You can find from the picture…Red Sea, action, eye contact, close up, wide angle, colors, light, big lips, abstract, moment, videography.

Jukka

Sharp

11-06-2010, 08:11 AM

Guess why we were there...just no dugongs!

Jukka

Was the diving place Abu Dabab? I tought that it was different diving place becauce the water looks so dark blue. I tought it is much deeper.

sorvju-f

11-06-2010, 08:22 AM

Was the diving place Abu Dabab? I tought that it was different diving place becauce the water looks so dark blue. I tought it is much deeper.

The site was called Marsa Mubarak...not deep. Sea grass was rather small. Anyhow they were saying that one dive from 10 you are spotting dugong there.

Jukka

Andrew

11-06-2010, 10:31 AM

Hi Dan,

Great to see you on here and great set of pictures. The colours are lovely and clear... must be the Canon :D

I agree with Jukkas comments on the various photos... to me Thistlegorm 50 really brings back some memories... not necessarily good ones!

Favourite photos... 9254 as love the composition and colour of this shot and 9273... if only you could have got a more attractive model in this shot ;)

Hows the skiing up there?

Andrew

sorvju-f

11-06-2010, 11:15 AM

sorvju-f

11-06-2010, 09:07 PM

Next picture set is about spanish dancer:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Spanish%20C2%20WM%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Spanish%20C3%20WM%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Heltat%207%20WM%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Heltat%205%20WM%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Heltat%203%20WM%20800.jpg/full

Jukka

Jonathan Bird

11-06-2010, 10:16 PM

Looks almost like I was there!

http://gallery.me.com/d.bodenstein#100096/IMG_9254&bgcolor=black

sorvju-f

11-07-2010, 02:03 PM

Looks almost like I was there!

http://gallery.me.com/d.bodenstein#100096/IMG_9254&bgcolor=black

Yes...first 10 cm:p

Jukka

sorvju-f

11-07-2010, 02:05 PM

Next short video is from our minisafari...site called Abu Nuhas and 2 wrecks...Carnatic and Ghiannis D.

Have a look:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/Abu%20Nuhas.mov

Jukka

sorvju-f

11-08-2010, 04:13 PM

Technology is developing...now you can do Thistlegorm dive virtually...

http://www.fourthelement.com/adventures/3d_wreck_map_projects.php

Jukka

tkelly

11-08-2010, 08:25 PM

Nice shots. It looks like somebody wrecked the place.

dascubanut

11-10-2010, 10:18 PM

sorvju-f

11-11-2010, 12:44 PM

Really beautiful photos and vidio everyone!! I loved the topside tour, it must be amazing to be surrounded by so much history. I imagine the best is yet to come, so I'll be waiting patiently. :D

Doug

Sorry I have been little bit busy, but lets continue...

Here is one very typical creature in Red Sea and nice to play with:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Blue%20spotted%20WM%20800.jpg/full

Jukka

sorvju-f

11-11-2010, 12:56 PM

Here is some diver pictures:

Vesa is good diving buddy to me as he rather patiently wait me working with the camera and after I finished he informs where the main group is ( we got rather much feedback due to being separate from the group ).

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Vesa%20d%201%20WM%20800.jpg/full

This one takes to my mind again the fun drawing Solisti posted once...unfortunately other strobe is little bit out of picture ( Dan in the picture ):

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Dan%20working%20WM%20800.jpg/full

Marcus P:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Marcus%20d%201%20WM%20800.jpg/full

Carl W ( Our newest member ):

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Sukellusta%202%20WM%20800.jpg/full

Corals and Vesa...rather good viz...you can see Sanad left up corner very far:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Korallia%20ja%20sukeltajat%205%20WM%20800.jpg/full

Diver&Corals ( I don't recognize the diver ):

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Korallia%20ja%20sukeltaja%20WM%20800.jpg/full

Jukka

Jonathan Bird

11-11-2010, 05:39 PM

Next short video is from our minisafari...site called Abu Nuhas and 2 wrecks...Carnatic and Ghiannis D.

Have a look:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/Abu%20Nuhas.mov

Jukka

Nice looking wreck with soft coral and color, and well shot. But I enjoyed the part of the video at the end with the critters more, as it gives a little more excitement. I found the change of music in the middle a little abrupt.

Funny seeing Carl with both Force Fins and the big Ikelite with Fathom lens--it looks like me in the background!!

I was there in spirit and I have the shirt to prove it!!!

:)

Jonathan

sorvju-f

11-11-2010, 06:11 PM

Nice looking wreck with soft coral and color, and well shot. But I enjoyed the part of the video at the end with the critters more, as it gives a little more excitement. I found the change of music in the middle a little abrupt.

Funny seeing Carl with both Force Fins and the big Ikelite with Fathom lens--it looks like me in the background!!

I was there in spirit and I have the shirt to prove it!!!

:)

Jonathan

We need picture from you with the shirt!!!!!!!

I start to be in problems with the music...I need more royalty free music...from where you are buying?

Why you told it is Carl?;)

Action is the best!

Jukka

sorvju-f

11-12-2010, 05:32 AM

Some feather star pictures:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Feather%20star%20legs%20WM%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Feather%20star%203%20WM%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Feather%20star%202%20WM%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Feather%20star%201%20WM%20800.jpg/full

Jukka

sorvju-f

11-12-2010, 05:34 AM

Moray faces:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Murenan%20naama%20WM%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Mureenan%20naama%202%20WM%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Mureenan%20naama%203%20WM%20800.jpg/full

Jukka

sorvju-f

11-12-2010, 05:40 AM

Miscellaneous:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Kala%208%20WM%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Half%20face%20WM%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Kala%202%20WM%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Simpukka%20WM%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Pyrst%F6%20WM%20800.jpg/full

Jukka

sorvju-f

11-12-2010, 05:49 AM

We saw lot of lion fishes and it was fun to follow their hunting behavior during night dives. Many UW creatures gives feeling that they are slow and lazy but when it is needed they are really fast. Later I will show you video about this "Hunt", but meanwhile here is couple of pictures:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Leijonakala%201%20WM%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/%D6%20Lionfish%20hunting%20WM%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Kala%203%20WM%20800.jpg/full

Jukka

sorvju-f

11-13-2010, 06:20 AM

Some more coral pictures:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Korallia%202%20WM%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Gorgonians%20WM%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Korallia%20l%201%20WM%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Korallia%20o%201%20WM%20800.jpg/full

Jukka

sorvju-f

11-13-2010, 06:32 AM

The big stuff was missing...one reason might be that water has ever during my previous trips to Red Sea been so warm...up to 32 Celsius...might just be that they were deeper.

Sanad got during safari news by SMS that they have arrested one fisherman boat and founded 18 tons of shark meat and fin pieces from the boat to be sold with good price. The boat has arrived from Sudan area and nobody knows how many of these boats are really moving and killing the sharks in the area. I was very sad to hear these kind of news for the first time:o . Business agains nature is cruel!

Instead we saw lot of beautiful corals:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Korallia%20c%204%20WM%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Korallia%20b%201%20WM%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Korallia%207%20e%20WM%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Korallia%201%20WM%20800.jpg/full

Jukka

sorvju-f

11-13-2010, 06:43 AM

Some top side pictures:

Pierre leading the bus to Marsa Alam:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/the%20way%20to%20Marsa%20Alam%20WM%20800.jpg/full

Kari, Carl W and Marcus P and sunset:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Upper%20deck%20of%20Andromeda%20WM%20800.jpg/full

Between the dives and evenings back deck was place to meet eachother and hear joke in Finglish language...and of coarse famous Waga Waga was sheared to new members:p :

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Meeting%20area%20of%20Andromeda%20WM%20800.jpg/full

Carl ready to go:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Carl%20WM%20800.jpg/full

Kari and Pepe relaxing between the dives:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Pepe%20and%20Kari%20relaxing%20WM%20800.jpg/full

Jukka

Jonathan Bird

11-13-2010, 07:59 AM

Is Pierre singing on the bus? "Weeeeeell, 100 bottles of beer on the wall, 100 bottles of beer...."

erkkiolkkola

11-16-2010, 03:26 AM

Our "Basecamp" during main safari:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Andromeda%205%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Andromeda%204%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/IMG_6314%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Andromeda%20per%E4%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Andromeda%202%20800.jpg/full

Erkki

erkkiolkkola

11-16-2010, 03:30 AM

Diving:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Menossa%20veteen%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Trio%20divig%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Vesa%20and%20Jukka%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Kari%20ja%20k%F6ysi%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Cave%20800.jpg/full

Erkki

erkkiolkkola

11-16-2010, 03:34 AM

Wrecks:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Erkki%20ja%20Carnatic%20b%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Thistlegorm%204%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Wreck%20fishes%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Pepe%20thistlegormin%20potkurilla%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Mureena%20ja%20Ghiannis%20D%20800.jpg/full

Erkki

erkkiolkkola

11-16-2010, 03:37 AM

Creatures:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Thistlegorm%20and%20batfish%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/BSSR%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Pallokala%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Lion%20E%201%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Napoleon%20800.jpg/full

Erkki

erkkiolkkola

11-16-2010, 03:39 AM

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Our%20dives%20during%20main%20safari%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Korallia%20w%201%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Egypt%20anniversary%20tour%2025.09-16.10.2010/Anssi%20kuplittaa%20800.jpg/full

Erkki

Jonathan Bird

11-16-2010, 01:31 PM

That is a large boat!

sorvju-f

11-23-2010, 09:34 AM

One video from our adventure:

( This is very short...worth of having a look )

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/Mr%20Red%20Sea%20biglips.mov

Jukka

chillinwithbill

11-23-2010, 11:15 AM

Here are a couple shots from the Red Sea that I'll add to the bunch.

Because I dive with a prescription face mask to see in the distance better, I learned while shooting macro (for the first time on this trip) that I cannot actually see anything close up while I am diving. I was shooting rather blind alot of the time. I didn't even see the eye sticking out out of the shell in the attached shot when I took it. It was a nice surpise when I downloaded it.