TO REACH US
PHONE:      901-753-2926
EMAIL:        SaralynnT@aol.com
US MAIL:     6161 Shelby Oaks Drive, Memphis TN 38134
WEB:          www.easydiversmemphis.com

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TRAVEL TELLTALE
Our annual trip down to our favorite 'VILLA' on the Homosassa River in Florida was really enhanced this year by adding a dive at the aquarium at Epcot Center in Orlando.  Not only did we thoroughly enjoy the top notch experience, but we found out that the money we paid goes directly to fund and support the Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund and its many projects around the world.  After a thrilling dive we got out just in time to watch the fireworks display and laser light show before leaving the park and heading out for a well earned steak dinner. 

After a great nights sleep we headed northeast to the tiny town of Williston, FL and the famed Devil's Den.  What a great spring dive that turned out to be.  It is very dramatic to climb down the stairs carved out of limestone to the underwater crystal clear pool.  It seemed especially titillating that we dove the Devils Den on Friday the 13th!  I even had the privilege of making dive #100 with our good diver 'Betty bond,' you would have had to have been there to understand the new nickname!  After getting our fill of diving and playing with all the resident cats and dog, we headed over to Homosassa Springs to check into our waterfront home away from home. 

We just loved the screened in porch and the fact that the beautiful river was not more than 15 feet away from our back door.  After a great dinner aboard the Pub houseboat, we headed in to listen to some great local music.  One thing lead to another and even our most reluctant John Travolta got up on the dance floor.  We really left an impression and it is safe to say that fun was had by all.

The next day we got weathered out with high winds and were unable to explore the river.  Lucky for us, the local Manatee Days Arts and Crafts show was going on so we headed in to play and shop.  Lucky for me the new QP (Queen Princess), the guys saw everything they wanted to in about 10 minutes and left us behind as they went home to cook a fabulous dinner.  Not only did they do the cooking, but they did the grocery shopping as well!  Yippee!  Since my good friend and longtime dive girl buddy was along, she starting telling stories about ME and the very early Easy Diver days.  Apparently everyone was fairly entertained and they seem to love that they now have the 'skinny' on some of the early adventures, mayhem and mishaps.

Sunday was an awesome day!  After a nice breakfast (homemade oatmeal is now the ED breakfast of choice) we headed out on our own pontoon boat for a morning with the gentle, giant manatees.  We loved having our own boat and moving at our own pace and schedule.  We were able to hit the best spot for manatee games just about when the other commercial dive boats were leaving so everyone got great personal time with our favorite mammals.  After a great lunch of leftovers we headed to the newly refinished dive shop to meet our favorite guide 'Gene' and a fun afternoon drifting rainbow river.  It is still the clearest water anywhere and the local wildlife some kind of fun.  I decided to drift snorkel instead of dive and that allowed me the chance to snorkel down to the spring openings and get shot up to the surface as the millions of gallons of water come barreling out each hour.  What a blast that was.

On our last morning, we had the most glorious balmy, sunny, weather!  Cindy was relaxing at our deck on the river when her own personal dolphin came frolicking by.  Half of us went out for one more visit with the manatees and had the most incredible experience yet.  One of the manatees was actually hugging Betty's leg!  When it was time to go so that we would not be late for the airport - there were actually so many manatees all around us that I could not start the engine.  We went drifting down the river with the current for quite some time before firing up the engine and heading back.  Not ones to leave one moment wasted, we snuck back over to the Pub and the lovely waterfront tables for a delicious lunch before getting on the road for home.

We had enough fun that we can guarantee that this annual expedition is one of our favorite trips.  The boat and villas have already been reserved for next year and luckily for me, we already eagerly await this fun and fabulous adventure.  Good friends, good fun, good food, good water - it just doesn't get any better than this.

TA...DA...
Our sincere best wishes go out to two of our favorite live aboard boat crew members who married each other in January!  Captain John Skey married his longtime love and our favorite Brazilian beauty, Cristiane Finatti in a private Miami ceremony.  Cris is now the sweet voice that answers the phone and works the stateside office for Juliet Sail and Dive and John is working as a tugboat Captain in Miami.  We wish them all the best!

TO KNOW
We have been asked not to use the back door at the pool for entrance under any circumstances.  All Easy Divers students and guests must enter through the front.  I still suggest parking by the back door since we are allowed to EXIT through the emergency door at the end of class.  We really like our warm water pool and our convenient poolside classroom - so lets follow the rules and make WW glad we are there.

TRAVEL PLANNING AND CONSULTING
Did you know that Easy Divers is a home based travel agency as well as an escorted dive tour company?  Here is what we can offer you.  We can help you plan your perfect vacation, family reunion, destination wedding, or romantic getaway. We will help you determine where you can best have the fun, adventure, and relaxation that you seek.  Our dedicated travel professionals (Saralynn and Laura Mae) are trained to research and advise you on a variety of options for your travel.

Our travel consultation fee allows us to begin planning your perfect custom trip.  This fee is nonrefundable.  If you select one of the booking options we create, the booking consultation fee will be credited to your final payment. 

FEE STRUCTURE
       Travel consultation fee - $40 per trip destination
       Airline Ticket Purchase - $25 per ticket


TRAINING
DISCOVER SCUBA, SCUBA FITNESS AND SNORKELING - $20 activity fee
Want to try diving, update your scuba skills, get familiar with your new equipment, or just practice?  We will be at the pool on the 2nd & 4th Mondays each month to supervise diving and snorkeling fun.  Students who register and prepay 24 hours in advance my take a $5 discount.
Mondays:    Feb 13 & 27, March 13 & 27 at 7:00 PM
Saturdays:   By appointment

ADULT SWIMMING/SNORKELING - $25 per session
By integrating the calm, comfort, and control fostered by using a mask and fins, along with emphasis on breathing, stretching, and focus, adults who have previously been uncomfortable or afraid of the water, learn to relax.  As a result, each student establishes a feeling of safety and skill in the water that can open up a whole new world of fun and adventure.  Each private, thirty minute session is personally targeted to the individual.
Date:     By appointment

SEAL TEAM PRACTICE - $15
This water scuba time is for PADI Seal Team members to practice and keep their skills sharp.  Registration 24 hours prior to event is required in order to insure proper activity supervision.
Mondays:  Feb 13 & 17 and March 13 & 17 at 6:00 PM

OPEN WATER SCUBA CLASS - $350 Group, $510 Private
Now is the time to get started in your PADI scuba diving class so that you can easily be ready for spring and summer diving fun.  Beginner divers love our warm pool and our friendly and caring staff.  We meet for five combination pool/classroom sessions which provide more than enough time for skill development in our small, intimate classes.  Please call today to register and pick up your student kit and materials.
OWC #3  Thursdays:  March 2nd at 6:30 PM
OWC #4  Tuesdays:  April 4th at 6:30 PM
OWC #5  Tuesdays: May 2nd at 6:30 PM

ADVENTURE/ADVANCED CLASS - $40 registration, $25 per specialty lesson
This class is designed to take all certified divers to that next level of confidence and skill.  All candidates will complete the navigation and deep dive specialties and then may select from any three additional areas.  Once registration fee has been paid and the initial water review session is complete, students may pick and choose course topics based on personal interests and pay as they go.  Students must reserve their class space by email or telephone 24 hours in advance for classes to be held as scheduled.  Each student must have their own: personal snorkeling gear, anti fog and gear bag.  Some specialty dive choices may require additional gear or accessories purchase.
AOW 2006
Deep Dive:    Monday, February 13 at 7:00 PM
Wreck Dive:  Saturday, February 25 at 2:00 PM
Enriched Air: Monday, February 27 at 7:00 PM
Fish ID:         Monday, March 6 at 7:00 PM

RESCUE DIVER - $300
Know what to do when the going gets tough!  Help yourself, or help others with this challenging level of dive training.  This emergency response and preparedness training makes you a better diver and is an important step towards the PADI Master Scuba Diver rating or a leadership role as a Divemaster or Instructor.  All students must complete the PADI Emergency First Response CPR and basic First Aid course and have all of their own gear (except tank) to enroll in this class.
RD #1    April 4: Thursdays at 7:00 PM - 4 sessions

TRAVELTIME
VORTEX SPRINGS, Ponce de Leon, Florida
FEBRUARY 18 - 20
How about spending President's Day diving in the clear fresh water springs?  We plan to leave at 7:00 AM from the Well Worx pool on Saturday morning for two days of diving fun, we finish our dives and will be headed home on Monday afternoon (President's Day Holiday).  Our group accommodations at the Otter Creek Lodge give us plenty of space and a great location at the edge of the divesite.  This is a great place for dive training or fun diving for experience under the expert supervision of our Easy Divers Staff.  Trip fee includes: pool practice session, customized itinerary, group accommodations, admissions, airfills, staff supervision, and dinner Sunday night.
TRIP FEE:  $215 Diver, $115 Vacationer (no intention of getting wet)
DEPOSIT:  Trip fee due in full at time of booking
Gear rental and transportation costs are not included.  Carpools are now forming.  Students in Open Water training - $100 gear rental and $30 certification card fee.

TEMPTATIONS
OUR LUCAYA WESTIN RESORT, FREEPORT, BAHAMAS
MARCH 2006
Let's go have some Bahamas style fun and luxuriate in the Westin Resort.  Divers may plan to get certified, complete some Advanced dives, or just play under supervision of your PADI instructor.  Trip fee includes: Easy Divers Instructor travel escort, customized itinerary, water review session, 4 nights accommodations based on double occupancy, airport transfers, and two days of diving with UNEXSO.
TRIP FEE:   $1026
DEPOSIT:    $300 Due at time of booking
BALANCE:   Due 30 days prior to departure
This trip must have seven participants to go with an Easy Diver Instructor Escort.  Pending traveler response, we will make reservations, all fees are subject to change until that time.

THE SPIRIT, CARNIVAL CRUISE TO ALASKA
JUNE 14 - 21, 2006
There are still a few balcony cabins available for this fun foray into America's last frontier.  There is no diving scheduled, just a lot of great shipboard and port activities.  We are ready for a change of pace and the pampering that comes with a cruising experience.  Call us today for a dedicated flyer on the Northbound Glacier Cruise and optional four day land tour to Denali park.  The trip price does include air from most US Gateway cities.  Prices are subject to change based on availability.
TRIP FEE:   $2695 for seven day cruise in 8E category
DEPOSIT:    $500 due at time of booking
BALANCE:   Due 60 days prior

BAY ISLANDS BEACH RESORT, ROATAN HONDURAS
JULY 1 - 8, 2006
How about a lovely week in an ocean view room of a former private estate?  Great personalized service, plentiful and delicious food, 3 dives daily, unlimited beach diving, snorkeling, kayaking, shopping, botanical gardens, butterfly farms, mangrove tours and lots of resting in the strategically placed hammocks.  Trip fee includes: land package of meals and room, 16% gov tax, airport transfers, 3 meals daily, 15 daylight boat dives, 1 night dive, access to Natural Aquarium, buoyed snorkel trail, hiking trails, kayaks, customized itinerary, and an Easy Divers travel and dive escort.  We have great service on Delta airlines via Atlanta for $781.  Space is limited so call today for your copy of the travel flyer and Bay Islands Beach resort DVD.
TRIP FEE: Seven nights Premium: $1628 Diver, $1513 Vacationer
                           Deluxe:    $1564 Diver, $1449 Vacationer
                           Standard:  $1494 Diver, $1379 Vacationer
DEPOSIT:  $500 per person due at time of booking
BALANCE:  Due 60 days prior to departure

THE JULIET, BAHAMAS LIVE ABOARD
OCTOBER 7-13, 2006
Year after year this is one of our favorite dive trips!  There is nothing like cruising around on a historic 104 sailing schooner while eating, diving, playing, and cavorting with dolphins to make your year perfect. 
TRIP FEE:  $1355 from Miami plus port tax
DEPOSIT:   $400 due at time of booking
BALANCE:  Due 60 days prior to departure

HOMOSASSA SPRINGS, FLORIDA
JANUARY 18 - 23, 2007
Frolic with manatees, drift Rainbow River, explore the local springs, and take a step back into time as we play and relax in the best that old time Florida has to offer.  The waterfront villas and our personal dive boat are already reserved, other details are still pending.
TRIP FEE:  To be announced
DEPOSIT:  $100 to claim a villa bedroom
BALANCE:  Due 30 days prior to departure

THE JULIET, TURKS & CAICOS
FEBRUARY 7 - 13, 2007
Our favorite boat travels in the winter months in search of whales and other big creatures.  Wouldn't a suntan in February be just the thing to make your winter blues abate?  Now is the time to plan ahead for this new and exciting destination on a boat that never disappoints.
TRIP FEE:  $1595 from Providencialess plus port tax
DEPOSIT:  $500 due at time of booking
BALANCE: Due 60 days prior to departure

AUSTRALIA
THANKSGIVING 2007
Trip planning now in progress, stay tuned for further details.

PLEASE NOTE:  ALL trip deposits are nonrefundable, please call us for a copy of the Easy Diver Travel application that contains the full cancellation policy and penalties.  Travel insurance is STRONGLY suggested.  Visit our website for a direct link to Travelex Insurance.



Saralynn
www.easydiversmemphis.com
901-753-2926