Caradonna’s Exclusive Curacao Fam TripApril 7th, 2011

 

Curacao Fam Trip

Seven nights – six hotels – four days of diving – two ends of the island – and one conclusion: Curacao is one of the most diverse islands in the Caribbean for divers. I’m sure this doesn’t sound like your typical vacation schedule, but it wasn’t meant to be. This was a “fam” or “familiarization” trip which allows select participants from qualified dive stores who sell dive travel the opportunity to gain first hand knowledge in destinations that they are interested in bringing groups of divers to. On this fam, we took 13 dive store owners, managers, and travel coordinators to some of Curacao’s hottest dive properties, dove some of its best dive sites and experienced its culture, nature and cuisine. During the course of the week, we held daily classes to learn about ways to profit from selling dive travel, the history and geography of Curacao, as well as all of the crucial details needed to successfully lead group trips to Curacao (and yes, there was even a test!).

 We started at the new Hyatt Regency Golf Resort Spa & Marina – Curacao’s newest and most luxurious dive resort located on the east end of the island near beautiful Spanish Waters and Barbara Beach. The resort itself has been open for less than a year but was full to capacity when we were there, but it is spread over 27 acres so never felt the least bit crowded. Ocean Encounters (a PADI 5-Star IDC dive center) operates out of a beautiful facility on the property to a number of east end dive sites and is closer to the sites of Klein Curacao (scheduled every Tuesday, weather permitting) than any other location. This resort not only has phenomenal amenities (i.e. a Pete Dye designed golf course, a Peter Burwash Int’l tennis club, the amazing Atabei Spa, pool, beach, fitness, two fantastic resort restaurants plus Bella Italia – a panini/pizza/gelato shop), but its rooms offer 5-star luxury and all have gorgeous views.

 Captain Christian Ambrosi and instructor Jeremiah delivered some beautiful dives including Lost Anchor and Shipwreck Point (fish central!) on the east end of the island. On our second dive day, inclement weather did not deter us from making two beautiful wall dives at East Point and off the small uninhabited island of Klein Curacao (about 15 miles east of Curacao).

During our stay at the Hyatt, we also arranged for our group to see two more of the more popular dive resorts on the east end – the Hilton Curacao and Breezes Curacao. The Hilton is one of the older resorts on the island but you would never know it. The property is just west of the capitol Willemstad and the closest resort to the famous Superior Producer wreck dive. Breezes Curacao is Curacao’s only true “all inclusive” property which even sports a trapeze for guests to try out. Both the Hilton and Breezes also have on site diving provided by Ocean Encounters.

After 3 incredible nights at the Hyatt we headed west under blue sunny skies … but not without a few key stops along the way. The first was at Dinah’s Botanical Gardens – an unexpected GEM of an experience made all the more special by Dinah’s very entertaining and charismatic son, Chasti who kept us riveted with tales of plants and their use in both past and present day Curacao. Next stop was the famous Curacao liqueur distillery where we sampled several flavors of the delicious spirit before heading on to Lions Dive & Beach Resort for a tour of the property and lunch at Hemingways.

 Lions Dive is located next to the Curacao Sea Aquarium, one of the island’s most popular attractions where visitors can also interact with dolphins, hand feed sharks, sea turtles and stingrays, and watch a sea lion show. The Lions Dive Resort has a great beachy feel to it (and of course a beautiful beach) and is also located next to Ocean Encounters original dive facility for convenient and easy access to sites on the east side of Curacao and Klein Curacao. In addition to the special trips out to Klein Curacao, they also offer day trips to the west end of Curacao (including lunch) and even “dolphin dives” with some of the Sea Aquarium’s dolphins and their trainer. We all would have loved to work this into our schedule but will have to wait until next time…

 Heading west from Lions Dive, we passed through Willemstad getting a panoramic view of the two sides of downtown (Punda and Otrabanda) with its floating bridge and quaint Dutch architecture and were soon surrounded by hills, mountains and untouched nature of Curacao’s west end (or “Banda Bou” as it is called locally). Our visit just happened to coincide with the annual yellow bloom of the “kibrahacha” (broken hatchet) trees which contrasted beautifully with the green foliage after recent rains. Mt. Christofel beckoned (a fairly challenging hike to the highest point on the island at 1239 feet) but again, will have to wait until next time…

 Our next three nights were spent up at Lodge Kura Hulanda on the far west end of the island where we had more great dives with Ocean Encounters West (led by Bryan and Pol). Located high on the cliffs overlooking the Caribbean, the resort has a unique eclectic ambience enhanced by owner Jacob Gelt Dekker’s collection of African sculpture, artifacts and collectibles displayed throughout the property. A wealthy entrepreneur, Jacob Gelt Dekker (www.jacobgeltdekker.com) also created the Kura Hulanda Museum in downtown Willemstad which houses part of his incredible collection of African art as well as a collection which delivers an emotional lesson on the role slavery has played in the histories of Africa, Curacao and the United States.

 Our dives on the west end were punctuated by the pristine condition of the corals at Watamula, fantastic macro marine life including sea horses, nudibranchs, anemone shrimp, arrow crabs and much more at Rediho, and an extraordinary surface interval at the “Blue Room” (a sea cave with a large air filled interior which is permeated by blue light coming through the water when ocean surge blocks the entrance at sea level – very cool effect!). Alice in Wonderland, the house reef right off Playa Kalki (the beach right at the foot of the cliffs at Lodge Kura Hulanda) was also a favorite dive (including a very friendly sea turtle).

 Our final stop on this trip was the Renaissance Curacao in downtown Willemstad where we spent our final day either shopping or exploring Punda and Otrabanda, visiting the Kura Hulanda Museum (or relaxing at the Renaissances “beach” and infinity pool on the 2nd floor of the resort… you’ve gotta see it to believe it!

 In as much as diving is an integral element of our fams – we would be remiss not to mention some of the amazing dining experiences we enjoyed during the trip. Hyatt’s breakfast buffet was without a doubt one of the best we’ve ever experienced – and as mentioned the panini/gelato place, Bella Italia (www.bellaitaliacuracao.com) was a huge hit with our group as well. We also were treated to a beachside dinner under the stars at Breezes, a hearty lunch at Hemingways at Lions Dive, a local dining “experience” sponsored by Curacao Department of Tourism at Jaanchie’s up in Westpunt (fresh seafood, “funchi and tutu” – both cornmeal based staple dishes, and even iguana!), a wonderful group dinner at Watamula Restaurant at Lodge Kura Hulanda with their charismatic manager Philippe (from Lichtenstein!) and a mouth watering barbeque at Playa Kalki sponsored by Curacao Department of Tourism and put on by Louis Lopez-Ramirez, owner of All West Apartments and co-owner of Ocean Encounters West. On our final night, we gathered at a courtyard table under the stars at De Gouverneur Restaurant, located in a historic waterfront building in Willemstad for our farewell dinner, also sponsored by Curacao Department of Tourism.

 Last but not least, we want to acknowledge all of the support and effort that was provided by the Curacao Department of Tourism in helping us plan and execute this exceptional fam. Our guide during the week, Chernov Rozier, kept us entertained with tales and points of interest about Curacao and assured that our fam trip, despite a busy non-stop schedule, went smoothly.

 The final kudos go to our “Almighty Scholar”, Tim Corcoran of Aquatic World in North Syracuse, NY who achieved the highest score on the exam – although each and every participant passed and received a certificate as a “Dive Travel Expert of Curacao”.

 Thanks to the Curacao Department of Tourism (especially Andre Rojer and Chandra Smouse), Continental Airlines (especially Sandy Everett and Ginger Smith), Insel Air (especially Nicole Berenos and Vivian Vlijt), the staff of the Hyatt Regency Curacao (especially Caribbean Wholesale Director Joan Lamana, General Manager Diego Concha, Wanda Mangual, Gerald Griffith, Vanessa Vinck and Germaine Illidge),  the staff of the Lodge Kura Hulanda (especially General Manager Philippe Real and Director of Sales Jody Deleon), Jeffrey Berend of Explore Curacao, the staff of Ocean Encounters and Ocean Encounters West (especially Nolo Ambrosi and Luis Lopez-Ramirez), Nitza Christina and Jeanette Bonet of Breezes Curacao, Maritza Molina of Hilton Curacao, and the staff of the Renaissance Curacao(especially Director of US Marketing Mari-Elena Baldwin, Suzanne la Pas and Janien Huistra).

Share

The Yap/Palau trip was perfect!March 25th, 2011

Dear Doris and Caradonna,

  The only bad thing was the grueling flights and you didn’t have anything to do with that.  Dieter, one of the owners of Yap Pacific Dive Resort met us at the airport, bussed us to the resort, and had keys ready so we could go to bed right away.  He had plenty of help and the process went very efficiently.  Upon waking, we went to breakfast.  The food at the hotel was very good, but the service very slow so we just planned for the meals and everything was great.

We put our gear in the lobby and the guys took it down to the dive operation.  We did all the paperwork and went out that afternoon for two dives:  one manta dive and outside the reef for a wall dive that had lots of life, including lots of sharks. 

We did 3 dives the next two days.  You had arranged for one dive Saturday morning at my request but Dieter said we wouldn’t have enough surface interval before our fights Sunday morning.  So he offered the shark feeding dive Friday afternoon instead which normally costs more.  We took him up on it and it was spectacular.  We also paid to do a mandarin fish mating dive Thursday evening.  The diving was really nice.  We did two manta dives, and saw many mantas as big as 14 foot across.  The weather was good enough that we did 5 dives outside the reef with good visibility and great life.

All in all the Yap experience was really nice.  The hotel was large, spacious, and the AC worked great.  The service was exceptional, if slow.  We probably won’t go back to Yap because we saw pretty much all of the dive sites, but if we did go back we would do the same hotel and dive operation.

 The Yap airport is a zoo.  No less than 6 lines and stops to show your passport.  No x-ray machines, so they have to explore all the bags by hand.  Plan to spend plenty of time here! Upon arrival on Palau, the Sea Passion guys were right there to pick us up.  Arriving at the hotel, they just handed us envelopes with our room keys, took the bags to our rooms, and bid us good night.  The rooms were very large, very good AC, and huge showers.  Betty said it was the best bed she has ever slept on.

We got up late and had a scrumptious buffet breakfast.  Before loading the Aggressor that afternoon, we walked over to the two dive operations near the hotel.  Sam’s Tours is a huge operation, with a bar on site.  We perused the dive shop, and had a beer. 

Loading the Aggressor was simple.  They showed up with a bus and truck to take our luggage.  The crew gave us a briefing on our rooms and dinner was served at 6:30 pm.  The whole Aggressor experience was excellent!  The rooms were large, the food was to-die-for, the whole crew was excellent, and the dive operation was nearly perfect.  We haven’t been on a liveaboard that uses a skiff to dive from before, but the experience was great.

 The diving was superb.  Betty said it best, “after diving Palau, everything else will look like a desert.”  The best dive was on my birthday.  Ulong Gardens and Channel.  We started with sensory overload of coral types and color, with huge schools of fish surrounding us.  After about 50 minutes of this the current switched and we entered the channel to huge turtles, tuna, barracuda and sharks.  Drifting swiftly down the channel we saw huge clams, cabbage corals, and beautiful schools of fish.

 After the Aggressor we were taken back to the Sea Passion hotel.  They were just as friendly and efficient as ever.  We were handed envelopes with our room keys, and bags taken to our room although it was only 8:30 in the morning.  We were allowed to stay in the room until taken to the airport at midnight.  Some tried to nap, some just took showers, and a bunch of us played poker in the area by the pool.  Some went touring.

Then we started the long travel home.  Betty and I are still jet lagged; waking up in the middle of the night.  All in all, I think you did a perfect job.  All of the transfers, hotel reservations, and everything went smoothly.  They even had a local make a thank you plaque with a small puffer fish on top while we were on the Aggressor that they awarded to me at the last dinner.  Everyone said it was the best trip they have been on and raved about the planning, which I give much credit to you.  

 

Thanks,

 Bob & Betty, 3/20/11

Share

Bahamas Diving and Lionfish Hunting!March 21st, 2011

My friends and I were looking for a relatively inexpensive trip this spring, and something easy to get to from Florida. We got both with a trip to Riding Rock Inn and Marina in San Salvador, Bahamas. Spirit Air flies a non-stop flight between Ft. Lauderdale and San Sal (ZSA) on Saturdays. It’s just a 55 minute flight to paradise. The hotel is very moderate and the resort has a pool and upstairs bar overlooking the ocean. The marina where the dive boats depart from is a short 3-5 minute walk from the rooms.

 Gear is stored on the boat, so no loading and unloading of gear each day which was was great!! While the property could use some landscaping and repairs, the quality of the food and diving were so great, it certainly made up for the less fancy accommodations. We dined on delicately prepared wahoo, pork tenderloin, grouper, conch, and many other tasty treats, along with standard American fare of burgers and fries.

 But the REAL star of the show, was the spectacular diving. Although the water was chilly (approx. 75 degrees) me and my 7 mm full suit were quite fine, doing three dives per day, and enjoying the crystal clear water and abundance of fishlife. The walls drop off into nothingness, and the reef topography is super, with caverns, swim-throughs, and lots of critters: big and small.

 We had reef sharks on almost every dive, turtles (one was so friendly he followed me around almost the whole dive, the dive guide commented that we were underwater “buddies”) colorful fish, eels and rays. One thing that we (unfortunately) saw plenty of was lionfish, which are wreaking havoc on the Atlantic and Caribbean reefs. Although they are beautiful to look at, they are multiplying at an alarming rate (females drop up to 30,000 eggs every 4 days) and eating all the juvenile fish, which will have terrible repercussions for the reef’s future. To do our part to cull the population, we turned to the sport of Lionfish Hunting, where we would spear the lionfish. Some we brought to the surface (they are good to eat) and some we left for the groupers and sharks to dine on. As a talented lobster hunter, I was in ‘heaven’ and got a new hobby out of the trip.

 All in all, the trip was super and the staff and crew went out of their way to accommodate us and make us feel at home. I’ve attached some photos, of some of the highlights of the trip.

 Thank you Caradonna!!  – DP, 3-21-11

Share

“One of the best vacations of my life…Palau”January 4th, 2011

I have just returned from one of my best vacations of my life, Palau.  There were a lot of things that had to come together for this most wonderful time to materialize.  It began with you and your knowledge of the right pieces, location, companiesto work with and it ended with some of the most professional individuals we have met.

 My wife and I would like to begin our thanks with you, Dawn, it was a pleasure working with you.  This was the first time I had worked with a professional travel agent to do “ALL” the planning, you certainly put the “PRO” in that word.  Your listening to my thoughts and working with me to set it up, make the right calls and even when there were some hiccups from my firm’s side you held in there to keep things calm.  Things could not have been better planned.  Planning is nothing without execution and the folks namely the Palau Pacific Resort and Neco Marine were just plain wonderful. 

 The PPR, as we grew to call it, as did everyone we met in Palau, were exceptional with the service, staff and the setting of their fine resort.  Our every want and need were almost addressed before we asked.  From our late night arrival, to the fruit basket to welcome us, to all the little things that a wonderful resort provides it was great staying with them.

 This wonderful and thoughtful service was carried further with the exceptional care that was shown by all of the individuals at Neco Marine.  My wife, who began the trip a bit wary of the boat trips, was made extremely comfortable by all we met at the store and then placed into the care of our masterful dive master Fabio.  Just wonderful.  Why we were even met at the airport by Jennie of NECO and Kel (spelling?) of PPR, what service.

 As Fabio put it upon our last dive, leaving the boat and standing on the pier for the last time (on this trip), A THOUSANDS THANKS to everyone who made our experience so memorable and longing to be back in the water, on the sand and sipping just one more tropical drink in Palau.

- Bill, 12/21/10

Share

Just got back from Tahiti!!December 10th, 2010

12/10/10

Hi everyone – I just got back from Tahiti and it was AMAZING!!  Here are a few details about my trip…

 I stayed at Maitai Rangiroa and loved my lagoon bungalow that was oceanfront and Rangiroa has some of the BEST diving I have ever done! 

 It was EPIC! I saw dolphins, mantas, rays, and sharks (including Hammerheads!)  There were so many different species of fish and TONS of them!!  I really enjoyed the “pass” diving it was such a rush, flying through the water!  I have to say, it was the most fun I have had on a scuba vacation.  

 I also rented a bike and went to the pearl farm and if you like pearls – Rangiroa has the best prices.

 On Moorea, I stayed at the Sofitel Ia Ora in a superior over the water bungalow and loved it as well. It was very nice, the resort was great, and meals were great. No complaints!  I must recommend the 3.5-hour ATV island tour, the 2 hour Jet Ski Tour and the Full Day Catamaran Sail.  All were worth every minute and dollar spent and completely fabulous. Without a doubt, I will be returning to Tahiti!!   =)

- Dawn, Caradonna Worldwide Dive Adventures, Dive Travel Specialist

Share

Tim’s trip to Hyatt Regency CuracaoJuly 15th, 2010

Arrival at Santa Barbara Plantation, Hyatt Regency Curacao…. As you come to the airport you actually check in for the Hyatt at the airport, they have a front desk, you can whisked away by Explore Curacao and enjoy the drive to the resort. The bellmen are waiting for your arrival, and take you to your room without any delay. The new car smell, well the same for a resort, how great is it to be one of the first guests in a room, first one using all of the brand new assets at the resort. A wonderful amenity awaits, with 6, 12 and 24 month aged cheese, accompanied with a honeycomb and flat bread… wow.

Breakfast this morning was incredible, a fruit compote that was out of this world, and then this incredible three completely different tastes. A sweet bread pudding and savory eggs Benedict on a crab cake and a wonder other dish, all completely different and a full compliment of culinary pleasure, so can the day get better…

Oh yeah, east side diving, unnamed spots, virgin reefs absolutely pristine…. Granted now everyone can dive these locations and groups need to be the same level skill and the weather right… Lex and Sean from Ocean Encounters are professional and make you very comfortable for the adventure, the objective is clear get in the water, drop down and drift, after our 45 minute drift and a 3 minute safety stop we come up and there is Lex with the boat to pick us up… East side drift diving in Curacao, (I said Curacao now Cozumel…)

Time to get to the great room for a few adult beverages and then a sunset cruise, once again with Ocean Encounters… We will work our way back to Spanish Waters and look at the incredible homes and then out to the blue ocean in search of the green flash… (And no that does not come from a Heineken bottle as the sun sets)

Share

The Ultimate Shark WeekJuly 2nd, 2010

by Ann Louise Tuke

So I had to find out for myself… would 3 days of cage diving with Great White sharks become a snoozer? or could it hold my attention for a full 3 days of hopping in and out of cages? I had been invited by Mike Lever, owner of the Nautilus Explorer to join them for one of their trips so being a complete sharkaholic - I was on it.  And I took my daughter Natalie along (aka “Nato”) as she had just completed her underwater photographer course with Ralph Clevenger at the Brooks Institute of Photography (how could I possibly go without her?!). What a surprise to also find that my friend and renowned photographer Stephen Frink  was also joining the trip – so with my belief in fate and karma confirmed – we are on our way.

The trip down to Ensenada was interesting enough…  even though we had to pay a small sum for entry visas that had already been paid (Mexican shakedown), the 2-3 hour bus ride delivered us to the boat and we were off for the 20 hour trip to the remote outpost where for some mysterious reason, the great white sharks congregate. Arriving the following evening, we tucked into a calm harbor and had to wait until the next morning to get in the cages but the spectacular surroundings – arrid mountains and sheer rock faces and the distant calls of Guadalupe fur seals -  gave the whole scene an amazing ambiance that just amplified the whole reason we were there – to come eye to eye with the ultimate predator, the great white shark.

What can I say? I was up with the sun the next morning and before I could even finish my first cup of coffee I heard the call I’d been waiting for from the crew on deck…”SHARK” and the image my eyes saw has been etched in my mind for eternity – the image of a HUGE fin cutting a wake through the water just off the stern of the boat. I have never gotten into a 7 mil suit so fast… and once in the cage, that first swim by with the “black hole” eye of a massive great white very deliberately giving me the once over from a few feet away – shook me to my core. While my daughter Nato was shooting with a professional camera system, I had no camera whatsoever, so Stephen was kind enough to set me up with a really cool Canon Power Shot and underwater housing. It took amazingly great photos and even video and I had a great time shooting with it over the course of the 3 days that I spent rotating in and out of shark cages.

The Nautilus Explorer has an amazing set up with multiple cages including “submersible” cages (for certified divers) and a big hot tub on the upper deck with a great view of the action off the stern (the perfect place to warm up after doing hour long cage dives). Evenings were spent comparing photos and videos (no diving at night!) and before we knew it we were heading back to Ensenada and home.

 The Nautilus Explorer has an amazing set up with multiple cages including “submersible” cages (for certified divers) and a big hot tub on the upper deck with a great view of the action off the stern (the perfect place to warm up after doing hour long cage dives). Evenings were spent comparing photos (no diving at night!). 

As for the 3 days in and out of shark cages… it NEVER got old. I’d do it again in a heartbeat, and so would my daughter “Nato” (aspiring photographer!).

These  trips only take place between August and November, so to check out this year’s trips go to Caradonna’s Great White Expeditions page and sign up for an experience you will NEVER forget.

Share

Hello world!June 10th, 2010

Welcome to the official blog for Caradonna Worldwide Dive Adventures! Very soon, we will begin blogging about various topics of interest, including exciting dive adventures by our staff, members, and even guest posts from experts or actual clients. So stay tuned-bookmark this site, and check back often for our latest updates and Specials .

Share