After more then 4 months as guide on the Seven7Seas in the Red Sea I finally quit yesterday and will spend the next 2-3 weeks in Europe.
I deserve it… absolutely.
No idea what will happen afterwards… still looking for a job as dive center manager somewhere!
Anybody interested?
Thresher Shark
More news: Moni is still in Germany and will stay there until middle-end of September.
So as I still have time and motivation enough I will stay on the boat until approximately middle of September until Moni comes back.
We had some great safaris on the Brother-Daedalus tours: Hammerheads, Treasure Sharks, Gray and Silksharks, swimming with 50 Dolphins in Habili Radier… there are definitely worse places to work.
Will keep you posted.
Seven7Seas
To cover my jobless time I will be working as instructor on the “Seven Seas” Safari boat in the Red Sea, Egypt, from May 15th to June 12th, 2008. A friend asked me to help her out as she need some holiday! I had enough of these… so here we go!
It’s a great boat and I’m really looking forward to it. Cruising the best dive spots in the Red Sea is what I was missing.>
The waiting is over!
The owner of Machchafushi has sold the complete island to another company and the management contract between the new owner and Lagona Divers has been cancelled!
Consequence:
1 Lagona Divers and me are not going to manage the dive center on Machchafushi.
2 I’m jobless
3 We don’t know when the island will finally open. And honestly… as for me: I don’t really care!
Well…that was a weird adventure. As soon as I have new plans I will keep you posted!
We have another postponing of the opening date of Machchafushi.
New opening date for now: UNKNOWN!
As Alla and me we won’t get another extension of our tourist visa for Thailand we will fly out on Monday, Feb 19th via Bangkok and Cairo to Dahab, where http://www.lagona-divers.com have another Dive Center in the Hotel Tropitel Oasis .
As they desperately need a russian dive instructor we will go there for the time being… until Machchafushi will finally open.
The picture shows the garden of our house in Assala, Dahab.
I will be deported and banned from Oman if I say something against His Highness, Sultan Quaboos!
I will be deported and banned from Thailand if I offend His Highness The King in any way.
but…
I can beat to death a german being a turk in Germany, shouting “Fuck the Germans”, and not even go to prison.
A TV film in Germany is cancelled because it might offend the turkish community in Germany.
So I can understand when John Howard, Ex Prime Minister of Australia said:
‘IMMIGRANTS, NOT AUSTRALIANS, MUST ADAPT. Take It Or Leave It. I am tired of this nation worrying about whether we are offending some individual or their culture. Since the terrorist attacks on Bali , we have experienced a surge in patriotism by the majority of Australians.’
‘This culture has been developed over two centuries of struggles, trials and victories by millions of men and women who have sought freedom’
‘We speak mainly ENGLISH, not Spanish, Lebanese, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, or any other language. Therefore, if you wish to become part of our society . Learn the language!’
‘Most Australians believe in God. This is not some Christian, right wing, political push, but a fact, because Christian men and women, on Christian principles, founded this nation, and this is clearly documented. It is certainly appropriate to display it on the walls of our schools. If God offends you, then I suggest you consider another part of the world as your new home, because God is part of our culture.’
‘We will accept your beliefs, and will not question why. All we ask is that you accept ours, and live in harmony and peaceful enjoyment with us.’
‘This is OUR COUNTRY, OUR LAND, and OUR LIFESTYLE, and we will allow you every opportunity to enjoy all this. But once you are done complaining, whining, and griping about Our Flag, Our Pledge, Our Christian beliefs, or Our Way of Life, I highly encourage you take advantage of one other great Australian freedom,
‘THE RIGHT TO LEAVE’.’
‘If you aren’t happy here then LEAVE. We didn’t force you to come here. You asked to be here. So accept the country YOU accepted.’
On the picture you see the standard beach rooms and the restaurant in the actual condition. The roofs are on and its the final painting and tile work which has to be done now.
In short: I got the announcement that the opening of the island has been postponed and is expected now for end of February 2008.
Alla and me we are still in Thailand, but we will need to leave pretty soon as the Visa renewal after one year stay starts to become complicated.
Happy New Year to everybody!
And yes, I have a wish! Guess what? 
First of all: MERRY CHRISTMAS and a great NEW YEAR 2008
Alla and me we are still in Thailand, waiting for Godot!
Samuel Beckett, remember?
It doesn’t really feel like Christmas here - but we try hard and Alla made a Christmas tree out of our coat rack. Looks great!
So the latest news is: Opening of Machchafushi on January 6th, 2008. And that is the date as well that we are supposed to fly over to the Maldives. Unfortunately that means as well that I will probably not be on the “BOOT” Show in Düsseldorf from 19th to 28th of January 2008.
Two times Dive Center Manager without Dive Center is just not serious!
Bummer. But Lagona Divers will be there if you need any more infos about Machchafushi, Dahab or other destinations.
See you all either in Machchafushi or on the BOOT in 2009.
Will keep you posted here about all new developments.
OK, as I’m in Thailand now since February 2007 waiting for Godot I do what I know second best to diving:
Forex Trading and earning my life with it!
Sitting on my terrace under the Banana-Tree trading and sending Forex signals out. See my “office” on the picture.
I love it! Suits me fine!
Have a nice day and visit me at DXTrade
Anyone willing to buy me a beer?
After spending May in Germany (Alla in Moscow) we are back in Thailand with a 3-Months-Visa!
The latest information from the Owner of Machchafushi is:
Opening on October 2nd, 2007
Well…I’m just telling. Don’t shoot the messenger!
In the meantime Phuket is quiet, most of the tourists gone, some restaurants and bars closed…low season. Actually a great time to be here and appreciate this beautiful country!