UKDivers Red Sea Liveaboard II - MV Tala The Return

[Davey_Willo]

UKDivers Red Sea Liveaboard II - MV Tala The Return

Righty Ho, this is the official thread.

I'll make this a sticky thread and then update the first post in it as we go along, that way its easier for people to see immediately where we are as far the oganisation goes, otherwise it gets too messy with too many posts to read.

Trip Date: Fri 27th June 08 to Fri 4th July 08

Itineray: Northern Wreck Fest and Reefs including Ras Mohammed.

Vessel/Company: MV Tala/Red Sea Explorers

I'm booking the Tala again, I'm sure that many of you are aware from previous posts or actual experience that we are guaranteed a top time with an awesome crew on this particular boat, and we also know that we'll be treated like real divers and real friends, allowed to dive rather than be led (Unless you prefer a dive guide of course where upon one shall be provided)

Total Boat Cost: will be 800 Euros, included in the price are, Airport transfers to & from, 3-4 Dives a day, 2-3 dives on last day, Dive Guides, All Food (Vegetarians, Celiac sufferers and all others are catered for with notice)
Soft Drinks (Tea/Coffee/Biscuits/Fruit Juices always available, Chilled water dispensers on all decks)
Single Tanks, Weight Belts Air & Nitrox are all included.
Both Indoor and Outdoor towels are provided, the rooms are cleaned daily and the sheets are changed midweek.

Other expenses that will be incurred are:

Your flights: (organised by yourselves) Local airport to Hurghada.

Alcohol: Usually purchased at the airport (Although the Tala stocks enough space juice to keep you more than happy should you run out of your own supplies)

Other expenses that may be incurred are:

Extra equipment hire: such as X-Scooters, BP's, Harness's, Twinsets, extra stages, Wet Suits or any other equipment availabe for hire from the crew of the Tala, all costs are very reasonable if you do want/need to hire something.

I think thats everything, forgive me if I've missed something but I'll update this thread regularly anyway.

Ok, so far the team sheet reads like this.

1)Me (Dave) Flight (Still looking)
2)My Missus (Diane) Flight (Still looking)
3)My Son (Brad) Flight (Still looking)
4) Sazza: Flight Booked (Details to follow)
5) Homer Flight Booked - TCX716K Gatwick/Hurghada 10:00/18:05
6) Air Guzzler Flight Booked - TOM1417 Manc/Hurghada 12:55/20:30
7) Phil O Flight Booked - XLA558V Gatwick/Hurghada 09:00/16:15
8) furryman Flight Booked - FCA714 - Gatwick/Hurghada 13:55/21:10
9) Pawel Flight Flight Booked - FCA714 - Gatwick/Hurghada 13:55/21:10
10) Adam77 Flight (Still looking)
11) SIMON (provisional)
12) Badknees (Ugly and Provisional)
13)
14)
15)
16)
17)
18)
19)
20)

This will be a fully recreational trip, all dives will be within recreational limits, although the Tala is fully equipped for technical diving for those of us who may venture a little deeper and longer given the opportunity, penetration of the Rosalie Moller springs to mind

Links to write-ups/reports of what you can expect from this fantastic boat and crew of the Red Sea Explorers follows, the first link is to a trip report on DIRx forum which is fundamentally the same trip that we'll be doing ourselves, John Kendal booked the MV Tala after my advice on DIRx, I think everyone was suitably pleased that he did..

Click me for Tala Trip Report 1

This second link is a write-up in Divernet by Chris Boardman who joined a DIR trip that I'd organised last September, everyone was blown away by this trip too, some of whom have booked back on this trip even though we're repeating the itinerary...

Click me for Tala Trip Report 2

Enjoy the read and imagine yourself there already, I know I will

Please be aware, this is NOT a DIR trip, its divers from all agencies and all skill levels bonding and having a fecking great time

Davido!!

[Badknees]

Oh i so want to go.......... need to sort work out............June you say.........dave put me near the bottom as a provisional. I will need to get work sorted then fingers crossed..........

[Davey_Willo]

Done!!

[Badknees]

for that "ugly" comment willo you shall be forced to dive my bungied death wing with as many dangly bits i can find to chuck on it!

[sazza]

yup just have to confirm folks this trip and the boats rocks you will not get better!!!! you will enjoy every single moment and you will be fed and looked after like a king......

[Polly]

At the moment I don't have any work booked in for that week and there's a chance I might be heading off to work as a Tour leader somewhere lovely the following week. This year, work has already started looking up so there is a small chance I might be able to afford it....really can't confirm anything yet but I've got the dates pencilled in and will let you know if I can go as soon as possible. I'll keep my eye on the list and how quickly it's filling up!

[Davey_Willo]

Nice one Polly, heres hoping that you can make it again mate, shall I update the list with you as a provisional?

[Phil O]

Polly Wrote:At the moment I don't have any work booked in for that week and there's a chance I might be heading off to work as a Tour leader somewhere lovely the following week. This year, work has already started looking up so there is a small chance I might be able to afford it....really can't confirm anything yet but I've got the dates pencilled in and will let you know if I can go as soon as possible. I'll keep my eye on the list and how quickly it's filling up!

Would be good if you can make it - I did not get kidnapped once on the last trip!!

[Polly]

Best not to put me on for now as I'm still waiting to hear about the summer job and a few other projects that might end up going ahead in that week....will let you know as soon as things are confirmed.

[Davey_Willo]

No problem mate.

While I'm on, can the guys who have already booked flights send me their flight details please, i.e. Departure Airport, Flight No.s and Departure/Arrival times and I'll update the thread, this way it will help others who might want to try and get onto the same flights to know where to look.

Cheers
Dave