Is your SCUBA showing? 20 signs that you're a diver (and proud of it)

 Divers have a way of spotting other divers, 

no matter how far they are from water.

Because their SCUBA's showing.

Is yours? 

And if so, how much? 

Find out by checking out these 20 signs:

1. You take every opportunity to dress / act /drink like a Pirate. It's ok, you're not alone - find out why.
   
   
2. You have a dive T-shirt for every week of the year. (And wear every one of them.)
   
   
3. You have have dive flags on your shorts, flip-flops and car / truck.
   
   
4. You play scuba videos on your tablet on every overseas flight you take. And most weekends. And evenings.
   
   
5. You can have a complete conversation using only hand signals.
   
   
6. Your truck always smells faintly of neoprene and pee - and you don't notice.
   
   
7. The fact that you're a little hard of hearing has nothing at all to do with the water in your ears.
   
   
8. It never occurs to you to check if you have a mask imprint on your face before you go out.
   
   
9. When you meet a new person, you'd rather know about the places they’ve been than where they work.
   
   
10. You don’t like unfilled blanks, especially in a logbook.
    
    
11. You have a tank rack in the back of your truck - or would if you could / were allowed to / have a truck.
    
    
12. Your pet's name is Deco, Nitrox, Scuba, Diver - or Buddy.
    
    
13. You take longer than everyone else to examine a seafood menu.
    
    
14. You know exactly where P. Sherman lives.
    
    
15. You have several uses for vinegar, besides cooking.
    
    
16. Not unlike Superman, you have an impressive talent for changing clothes quickly, in small spaces, and like wearing tight-fitting suits.
    
    
17. You have a special dive flag wallet for your dive trips, dedicated to your PADI cert cards and your DAN card.
    
    
18. Your watch is almost as large as your hand.
    
    
19. When you see a vehicle with a dive flag bumper sticker, you use the hand with the giant watch to give the driver an OK sign.
    
    
20. Your non-diving friends / partner / colleagues think you're a bit bonkers.

*** End of test ***

So, how many of the above did you answer a big, loud, "hell yeah!" to:

• 0 - 5:
  It's ok, you still have a life outside of SCUBA. If that's disappointing news, click here to fix it.
  
  
• 10- 15:
  It's unlikely you'll be happy with the parts of your life outside scuba. So stop with the denial, embrace it and set your sights on ...
  
  
• ...15 +: 
  You're a dive nerd - or dive nerd in training - and you know it. There is no hope for escape, no turning back, no cure.
  
  So embrace it and use the above tips to seek new dive nerd friends. Or sell everything, become a PADI Dive Pro and buy a dive center in the islands. And use this video to explain to your loved ones:

> Not a diver but want to become one? Here’s how.

> Fallen off the wagon? It’s easier than ever to refresh your dive skills and climb back onboard - here's how.

> Dive nerd and you know it? You can't help it (refer to video above) so embrace it, and take your diving to the next level - here's how.

So, go ahead: let your SCUBA show.

#padi #gopro #divemaster #gopropadi #thedivebus #divebuscuracao #divemastercourse #scubanerd
 #yourscubaisshowing #divepirates #divebackin #refresherdive #reactivate

This Blog post inspired by PADI. 

Enjoy it? Share it and spread the love :)

Lionfish, Spice Girls and the Curacao Dive Task Force

A highly successful collaboration for Flavours of Curacao 2016.
(Not so great for the lionfish.)

The 2nd edition of Curacao's annual gastronomy event, “Flavors of Curaçao”, was a great success.

Superbly well organised and very well attended, 30 restaurants participated in this upscale culinary event, preparing delicious 'taster' portions of their signature dishes, so visitors could get a taste of everything on offer...

The CHATA Dive Task Force, comprised of Curaçao Tourist Board approved dive operators committed to quality, safety and sustainable tourism, used Flavors of Curacao as a platform to create awareness of lionfish - and showcase just how tasty they can be...

Crew from DTF members, Atlantis,Ocean Encounters,
Curious2Dive and The Dive Bus showing their support

The delicious lionfish burgers, offered by Spice Girls, went down extremely well - particularly with the members of some of the Curacao Dive Task Force dive centers...

... however, collecting the 'stock' of lionfish was no mean feat. 


The use of spears and spear guns is illegal in Curacao, in order to minimise impact of hunting on the reefs, and responsible dive centers restrict hunting to professional divers only. 

So for 'stock' for the lionfish burgers, a team of pro diver volunteers from CHATA Dive Task Force dive centers (including The Dive Bus's own Zoe, Nanne and Mark) removed 15kg of lionfish from Curacao's beautiful reefs, cleaned them and filleted them, one evening - after a regular day at work. Not a pleasant or easy job - many thanks to all who gave up their time to do it.

But my, how tasty those lionfish were - and what a great collaborative effort.



So - what's the big deal about lionfish?

According to reef.org, ecologists and the media define lionfish as "invasive" and are:


1) Voracious predators, eating native fish and crustaceans in large quantities, including ecologically and economically important species like grunts, snapper, nassau grouper, and cleaner shrimp

2) Not known to have any native predators

3) Equipped with venomous dorsal, ventral and anal spines, which deter predators and can cause painful wounds to humans

4) Capable of reproducing year-round with unique reproduction mechanisms not commonly found in native fishes (females can reproduce every 2-4 days!)

5) Relatively resistant to parasites, giving them another advantage over native species

6) Fast in their growth, able to outgrow native species with whom they compete for food and space

So make like the sticker:

Better yet, do it in Curacao
at next year's Restaurant Week and Flavours of Curacao. 

(Before then also works.)

More about The Dive Bus:

 #curacaorestaurantweek #flavoursofcuracao #lionfish #CuracaoDiveTaskForce #divebus

Thursday is the new Friday: new JetBlue direct flight New York - Curacao

Your weekend just got longer

JetBlue's just made it even easier to get to sunny Curacao, direct from New York, adding a third weekly flight on Thursdays. More info here.

The timing is perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years - or any other excuse for an awesome winter-sun dive vacation.

More info here

If you are planning on diving with The Dive Bus around these dates, hurry hurry and get your booking to us NOW - we're already filling up with fun divers - yippee :o)

According to JetBlue:

"Curaçao, which is part of the ABC islands that also includes Aruba& Bonaire, is considered a hidden gem amongst all Caribbean island destinations, renowned for its diving, beaches and unique architecture. The historic island is already a popular destination for European travelers and its capital, Willemsted, is a UNESCO World Heritage City."

“This well preserved island is our 31st Caribbean destination, and is a favorite among diving enthusiasts for its healthy coral reefs, considered one of the nicest Caribbean escapes for discerning travelers thanks to its pristine beaches and clear water. These natural attractions make the island a natural choice for JetBlue.”

We couldn't agree more. See you soon :)

#divecuracao #jetbluecuracao #divebuscuracao 

UPDATE: Because diving makes you hungry ...

... Curacao Restaurant Week is perfect for divers!

And the following week, it's Flavours of Curacao weekend

According to PADI, a typical cold water shore dive can burn 600 calories per hour. Which is about the same as jogging, but a lot less sweaty.

Warm-water dives burn, on average 300 calories per hour, the equivalent to a brisk walk - and somewhat less sweaty. (To burn more, make it into a colder water dive - don't wear a wetsuit...)

So it's no wonder that most folks are hungry after diving.

Which is why you might be happy to learn about this year's Curacao Restaurant Week, when the entire island focuses on FOOOOOOOD and plenty of it!


A record number of 48 restaurants are participating in this 12th edition of Curacao Restaurant Week, offering special three-course dinners for a little over $30!

Whilst some restaurants are offering your favourite culinary classics, others are going for a slightly different approach with bizarre dishes such as gorgonzola parfait, shrimp sandwiches, Curacao-style cheese fondue, zucchini spaghetti, fried clams, nutella pizza, pumpkin couscous and slow-cooked pickled rib-eye....

And if that's not enough, it's Flavours of Curacao the following weekend.


The 2nd edition of this awesome outdoor food festival is a great way to try out and lurve a wide array of dishes from participating restaurants. They'll be preparing smaller versions of their signature dishes, so you can try as many dishes as you like / can squeeeeeze in... (Just do more diving ;) )

New to this year's Flavours of Curacao weekend is a special feature on lionfish, our unwelcome, uninvited ocean predators. Prepared in all sorts of tasty, unusual ways, as well as good ol' Curacao style: deep fried, head 'n' all.

And some of lionfish will have been be freshly caught and cleaned by none other than The Dive Bus's lionfish slayer extraordinaire, Zoe. (She may look nice and gentle, but you should see her when she's hunting!)

Zoe will be part of the Lionfish Hunters A Team, all volunteer dive professionals from Curacao's leading dive operators, to collect 'food stock'. So wish them all happy hunting...

And if you'd prefer a romantic meal for 2 without the kids, there's a special offer running from Kidwatchers Curacao babysitting service - contact them here.

For more info:

• Curacao Restaurant Week website here (sorry, it's in Dutch only for some strange reason) and their facebook page here (also in Dutch but at least there's a 'translate' button...)
  
•  Flavours of Curacao website here.

• And for fun ways to work off the calories before they take up permanent residency, check out your dive workout options with us at The Dive Bus (any excuse, right?)

 

Can't make it for Curacao's food festivals
this year? 

Put it in your schedule for the same time next year,
and we'll see you then instead :)

In the meantime: eet smakelijk ;)

#curacaorestaurantweek #divecuracao #divebuscuracao #eatlionfish #diningcuracao

5 reasons why Christmas and New Years in Curacao ROCKS

1. It'll be at least 85 degrees of sunshine
   
   
2. Water temperatures will be a balmy 82 degrees or so...
   
   
3. The Caribbean festive-feeling is hard to beat
   
   
4. Your nearest and dearest will be freezing their butts off back home
   
   
5. It's just FUN!

Planning on coming down to dive with us in sunny Curacao? Awesome!

But get in touch soon because...

....we're already filling up for some of the dates during Christmas and New Year and have changes to our regular opening hours:

Saturday 24 December::
AM:

• Open for pre-booked, pre-paid guided dives + courses
• Limited availability remaining  

PM:

• Closed; no afternoon activities 

Sunday 25 December: CLOSED


Monday 26 December:

• Later start: 9.45am check in, until usual time  (4.30pm-ish)
• Limited availability remaining  

Tuesday 27 - Friday 30 December

• Regular hours: 8:30am check in, until usual time  (4.30pm-ish)
• Limited availability remaining

Saturday 31 December:
AM:

• Open for pre-booked, pre-paid guided dives + courses
• Limited availability remaining

PM:

• Closed; no afternoon activities

Sunday 1 January:  CLOSED

Monday 2 January:

• Later start: 9.45am check in, until usual time  (4.30pm-ish)
• Limited availability remaining 

Tuesday 3 January onwards

• Back to 'normal for The Dive Bus'
• Limited availability remaining

Got questions? Need info? Start here:

 And keep a look out on our facebook page for any Christmas / New Years Curacao flight / accommodation offers we find.

Happy planning, ho ho ho ;)

#curacaochristmas #caribbeanchristmas #christmasdivevacation #divebus #divecuracao #divebuscuracao #@newyeardivevacation

#divepackagecuracao

More time on your Curacao vacation, less time in line: new eGates open at Curacao airport!

If you've already been to Curacao, then you already know that your first hour or so on this lovely island is usually not all that great, if we're honest.

Whilst the sun shines outside and cold beer calls your name, you're stuck in a never-ending line, waiting to clear Immigration at Curacao airport, before your vacation can finally begin.

But, a few months ago, the new Curacao ED (Embarkation and Disembarkation) card was launched, enabling you to start your clearance process before you even leave home, meaning less time in line at the airport, and more time on vacation.

How to do it:

At least 24 hours before you leave for Curacao, go to: http://immigrationcard.curacao.com/ 
and complete your ED card online.  

Remember to print it out and bring it with your other / regular travel documents to hand in at Immigration.

Look - blue ribbons an' all!
Photo courtesy of curacaochronicle.com

And as of April 2016, the lines got even shorter as six new e-gates were officially opened in the Arrivals Hall.

So now when you arrive at Curaçao International Airport with your ED card, the official estimated time to clear Immigration and Passport Control is "about half a minute".

That's a significant reduction in your landing-to-beer /cocktail-to-beach timeline, which surely calls for appropriate celebration.  

Especially if you're staying at Sunscape Resort, as it's all inclusive - wooHOO! - and literally just across the road from the best dive shop on the island. (The Dive Bus is also close by ;) )

And for those of you for whom your vacation just wouldn't feel right without extensive, unnecessary airport lines, there are six 'manned' counters also available.

Departing the island may be a little slower than entering, however, as there are only three e-gates in the Departure Hall.

If you don't believe us (understandably) check out the full story here. Or better still, come on down to sunny Curacao and see for yourself.

 

Start your planning here and if you haven't already, 

click here to get more news, offers and info from us, 

delivered direct to your Inbox weekly (ish...)

#curacaoairport #divecuracao  #thedivebus  #curacaotouristboard #curacaoimmigration

The Dive Bus, Curacao adopts Pierbaai Reef and Car Pile with Project AWARE's Adopt a Dive Site Program

 ... and becomes the first Project AWARE dive operator to Adopt a Dive Site™ in Curacao.

We found Pierbaai Reef not long after arriving in Curacao back in 2004. It happened to be just off the beach at our little local bar. 

It took us a few months before we got around to diving it, and we hardly saw a soul diving there in the meantime.That changed the following year, when we opened up The Dive Bus on the same beach. Yup, the reef was that awesome.

Since then, in 2005, thousands of Dive Bus divers and Crew have dived Pierbaai Reef and Car Pile, and taking have been taking care of and keeping it clean ever since.

Although we've since moved to a bigger location just across the road, it's still The Dive Bus house reef, and we're still taking care of it - and it's still stunning. Check out this short, sweeeet video and see for yourself:

So when Project AWARE recently launched their Adopt a Dive Site™ campaign, we were right on it.
 
And we're thrilled to announce that The Dive Bus has officially adopted Pierbaai Reef and Car Pile at Marie Pampoen, Curacao - aka The Dive Bus house reef. 
 
And The Dive Bus is the first Project AWARE dive operator to Adopt a Dive Site™ in Curacao.

Doubly cool :)

What's the Project AWARE Adopt a Dive Site™ campaign all about?

Click above for more info.

"Project AWARE’s Adopt A Dive Site™ aims to involve dive centers and resorts around the world in ongoing, protection and monitoring of their favorite underwater playgrounds.

Monitoring actions are based on Project AWARE’s flagship citizen science program: Dive Against Debris™  – the only underwater global survey of its kind involving scuba divers in the removal, recording and reporting of marine debris found under our ocean waves on the seafloor."

 

OK, great - but so what?

Dive Bus owner, Mark, has this to say about the new Adopt a Dive Site initiative from Project AWARE:

"It's really cool that through this new Project AWARE initiative, we're continuing to do what we've been doing all along, which is keeping 'our backyard' clean, to protect the marine life living here. 

Except now, before "properly" disposing of the trash cleaned from The Dive Bus dive site, we'll be logging it and sharing the data with Project AWARE - like we do on our quarterly Clean Up dives at other Curacao dive sites that need help.

More importantly, we're inviting divers to do the same - and making it easy for them to do it, and recognizing them for doing it.

We've seen over the years that divers become much more engaged once they start taking care of the reef, with a mindset-shift towards protecting the reefs whilst diving them, instead of 'just' diving them.

It's really really cool that so many of our divers are more than happy to join in and make a difference. And actually quite a few of them now feel naked diving without a line cutter, gloves and a mesh bag tucked in their BCD pocket!"

Suzy, the other Dive Bus owner added:

"Our divers like that Project AWARE actually use the data that they capture, to build trash maps, identify key areas of concern and monitor change - hopefully positive, like we've seen on our reef over the years. They know that they're helping make a difference on two levels.

Project AWARE's programs, education and information help dive professionals like us put actions into place to, amongst other things, ensure less trash makes it into our oceans, and motivate more people to help keep them clean.

It's funny. Divers who clear trash from the reefs quickly realise how easy it is  to prevent - or at least reduce the amount of - trash getting into the ocean in the first place. It changes their perspectives about trash and how they deal with it in their daily lives, and that's an awesome bonus - and pretty much exactly what Project AWARE are hoping to achieve.

Like the Project AWARE "The Journey of Trash" - it's strong, serious message, delivered simply. And when you live or vacation on a Caribbean island with limited garbage controls, a one-man army providing recycling services and an enormous landfill station, it really makes you stop and think about the amount of trash you produce - and what happens to it."

Taking care of The Dive Bus House Reef (ADS88)

All of us at The Dive Bus are excited about this great opportunity to keep our favourite dive site clean and healthy - as well as several others around Curacao.  

Watch this space for news of our first clean up on the newest Project AWARE Adopted Dive Site, and how we're making it easy for divers to make a difference on every dive they make on it.

And if you're in Curacao in the meantime, swing by The Dive Bus, grab a mesh bag
and make a difference :) 

 

 

#diveagainstdebris  #AdoptADiveSite #divebuscuracao #divecuracao #projectaware

Why every diver secretly wants to be a Pirate...

Every diver secretly wants to be a Pirate
...but why?

We think we've figured it out. 

For most of the year, us people, us divers, we:

• follow rules and social conventions and generally 'behave'

• work our butts off to save up for our extremely well-deserved and much-needed dive vacation.

And when it's finally time for our dive vacation, we're oh-so-totally ready to let our hair down and enjoy every single minute.

The heck with the 'normal' rules and conventions - they're for back home: we're finally on vacation and are going to please ourselves for a change. We've earned it.

Which is pretty much how Pirates felt, too. 

Put aside the lawless and violent plundering, murdering, raping and pillaging elements of Pirate-hood, and there are a surprising number of similarities between the lifestyles and habits of Pirates and divers:

1. Pirates also had a code and respected other Pirates and the ocean.

 

2. Pirates were also explorers and adventurers, discovering new worlds and countless treasures in the bellies of the oceans, loving the freedom and adventures that the ocean offered them.

 

3. Pirates also liked discovering and collecting treasure...

 
4. Pirates also couldn't care less about salt-encrusted,  oddly-smelling hair - that's what hats and bandanas were for.

5. Extensive wardrobes weren't high on a Pirate's list of concerns either; a shirt or two could easily see them through a week or more...

6. Pirates also wore boots.
Click on the image to find out how you can turn your dive boots into Pirate boots - SUPER cool!

7. Pirates also loved to relax in Caribbean beach bars, drinking rum and cold beer, and eating fish. 
(Note: drinking rum before 10am makes you a Pirate, not an alcoholic.)

 

8. Pirates also carried sharp knives
(ok, technically they were swords which are way cooler - but not great for diving)

9. If he'd been around, Pirates would have loved Jimmy Buffet too.

 

But the coolest thing of all about Pirates? 

In an era where every day could be their last, they lived life to the full and pleased themselves.

Defied laws, rules, conventions. Did what they wanted, when they wanted, how they wanted.

Caring only about their fellow crew, rum, food and the ocean, and not a jot what others thought of them, they lived each precious day to the max.

And honestly, what diver can't relate to - and even envy - 
being able to get away with that?

So here's The Dive Bus list of Top Tips on how to be a Pirate:

1. How and why to talk like a Pirate
   
   
2. How to dress like a Pirate
   
   
3. How to develop a Pirate-like attitude
   
   
4. Learn from the best:
   The Dive Bus does Bonaire Pirate Crew 2015, here.  
 
5. Follow the adventures of The Dive Bus does Bonaire Pirate Crew 2016 later this month
   (once the bribes have been paid and the adventures suitably edited for public consumption.)

 

And here's The Dive Bus Top Tip on how to be a Diver:

 

If you enjoyed this Blog post, you might also like:

the Dive Bus Pirate photos on Instagram

and this

Because every diver secretly wants to be a Pirate.
(And now you know how.) 

#padiopenwater #scuba #paditv #duiken #tauchen #yohoho #pirateslifeforme #divepirates #piratedivers #bottleofrum

#divecuracao #divebuscuracao  #curacao #piratesofthecaribbean