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Post by Dive Bunnie on Jan 21, 2004 15:42:22 GMT
Well guys, I only have a week left to go before I hit the reef (well... not literally I hope!) in Madagascar. Whilst I am away Dive Bunnie the site will of course continue to run as usual. And I shall be back before you know it, no doubt full of tales from below the equator. If you wish to find out more about my ventures go to our news page: www.divebunnie.com/news.asp There you will find links to the Blue Ventures project with whom I will be working, as well as being able to see what kind of weather we are encountering. (at the moment it shows thunderstorms and heavy rain!!!  ) Anyway, I as I said, I do still have a week to go, so it is not goodbye just yet!  |
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Post by Dive Bunnie on May 26, 2004 9:39:50 GMT
Well… what can I say?
I am sure some of you will have read by now in my news section, that I have returned from Madagascar, hard as it was to leave! Especially as my two cabin mates were able to stay!!!
The project was incredible, we were among the early volunteers, being a new venture, so were constructive in setting up some of the surveys that are now being continued. We also had the opportunity to sight previously unseen species in the area and add them to the list of sightings, which was cool.
For more information about the project itself, why not pop along to the Blue Ventures website: www.blueventures.org
And now it is back to normal a touch for me, however I am sure I won't be on dry land for long…
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Post by deepdeep69 on Sept 25, 2004 21:16:31 GMT
I am thinking of doing some conservation work and was wondering if you had any advice.
I have had a look at the Blue Ventures site, and it all sounds quite good, do you have any insider information? Is it really what it is cracked up to be? What kind of stuff do you do there? Etc, I am sure you have had all the same stuff asked time and time again...
Deepdeep69 ;D
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Post by Dive Bunnie on Sept 29, 2004 19:24:27 GMT
Hi there Deepdeep!
Welcome to the DB board.
I would recommend that you do as much research as possible before you go ahead with your trip, even before you choose your project. The whole volunteering thing is certainly not cheap, so you do really need to know whether it is going to meet your expectations.
Alternatively go out there with no expectations, or expecting hard graft and not a lot of fun and you will be hugely, and pleasantly surprised.
I think with our project, we were certainly lucky as we did get to dive every day, usually two dives weather permitting. However other projects can be so busy that there would only be a dive every other day if you are lucky.
Projects vary, some are rough and ready where you dig your own latrines and have cooking rotas, sharing one big room between the group, where others are a little tamer, with catering provided, cute little 4 berth cabins (yes this was our project), even access to cold beer and bottled water (for a small price)!
Whilst the setting is idyllic and for me pretty much paradise, you do need to be fit before your departure, and serious dietary requirements should be looked into.
Make sure you download their volunteer brochures, and really read them properly, most will warn you that life is not going to be luxurious, and you should take this on board. Ask plenty of questions both to the people and of yourself. Ask yourself what you personally are expecting from the trip and see if that matches what is on offer.
It is also a good idea to research the destination country too, as many projects are in fairly undeveloped places. Could you cope with this, or would you prefer being involved with a project a little closer to home? Whatever you choose to do, you can only be bringing benefit to the reef, and I can only congratulate you on your decision.
Finally I would say be flexible. Once you have decided where to go and with whom, make the most of it, whatever comes up. Madagascar for example, is a country where mother nature rules the roost, and the best laid plans can change. Cyclones intefered with our travel plans, food supply, even our diving program. If you are prepared for this, then you will have a blinding time.
Wishing you all the luck in the world. Wherever you go, you will have the experience of a lifetime and return full of memories to cherish. It may even change your life!
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