Sudan

[Andy Phillips]

Hi,

Sea Serpent is actually owned by Diving World, as it goes, I have had another conversation with him today, it has been suggested that we could take a day in Cairo and spend it looking at the Pyramids, it will add a couple of hunderd to the trip as an overnight stop would be required, I am very tempted at the thought though. Also, there is a chance we could go on the Royal Emporer, she takes 14 people and is in the area at the begining of April. In addition a serious camera man is on the boat (the guy who did the shark CD for Dive magazine). It means we only need to find 13 people by the end of October.

The situation in Sudan can be dodgy, but we will not really stop there, one of the reasons to stop in Cairo is that you fly straight into Port Sudan and the boat is 20 mins from the Airport. Can't say as I am particually worried about that.

I am looking for interest at the moment, I can promise it will be a spectacular trip, if you take over the boat you also get the right to insist where you go. Sudan offers a site called Manta Point, it is apparently well named. We can avoid the crowds (not that there are many there) and get sites just to ourselves.

Andrew

[Diving Dude]

Well Andy l'm 45 next year and...................... well any excuse for a trip.
So yes l'm interested.

[Andy Phillips]

Hi,

Below is the proposed itinery, it has pushed the price up a bit, but we will get a day trip to the Pyramids and get to some sites that can not normally be reached on a 1 week trip. I would love to do two weeks but work and children prevent it. I realise it is Easter next year. I particually want to be away for my birthday (9th April), but if this will prevent us getting the numbers then we might move it.

The videographer I mentioned yesterday is John McIntyre, I now have his phone number and will have a chat with him later today and will post any interesting bits he comes up with. He was a BBC war correspondant, lets face it he is going to have an interesting story or two.

The cost for this is £1,370.00 all in except nitox and booze.

I hope some of you will come, I know it is a lot of money, but it will be a fantastic trip.

Andrew

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] ]
Outbound Itinerary
2 April 2004 - LHR 1825, Arrive Cairo 0010 on MS780
3 April - Met & Transferred by our agents - overnight at either the Novotel or Sheraton (airport hotels).
3 April - fly Cairo 1900 Arrive Port Sudan 2200 on SD 105
On arrival at 2200 you will be transferred straight to MY Royal Emperor Port Sudan.
Diving

The Royal Emperor is able to offer the best dives in Sudan one one week itineraries. These are accessed on 2 week trips with other liveaboards.
1st day: SHA'AB RUMI - Sailing to Shaab Rumi for 2 dives - Sail to Shaab Sua'di 3rd dive (night)
2nd day: ABINGTON - Early sail to dive Blue Belt wreck - Sail to Shambaya - 2nd Dive Abington Reef - 3rd Dive Merlo Reef overnight Shambaya
3rd day: ANGAROSH - 2 dives at Angarosh - 3rd dive at Merlo or Abington Reef - overnight at Ma Shariff
4th day: MA SHARIFF - Manta Point - sail to Kit Al Banna for 1 or 2 dives depending on Mantas at Ma Shariff - Night dive on Cousteau's pre continent overnight at Sha'ab Rumi
5th day: SHA'AB RUMI - Sha'ab Rumi 1st dive - sail to Sanganeb for 2 dives - overnight at Sanganeb
6th day: WINGATE REEF - 2 morning dives at Sanganeb and early afternoon dive on Umbria - overnight either at Wingate or in Port.
7th day: SUAKIN ISLAND - Whilst docked in Port Sudan before your flight you can book a visit to the historical Island of Suakin


Return Itinerary
10th April Transfer from the boat to Port Sudan Airport.
10th April - Fly Port Sudan 1700 Arrive Cairo 1900.
Met & Transferred by our agents - overnight at either the Novotel or Sheraton (airport hotels).
11th April 2004 - fly Cairo to LHR 0930/1245
Own arrangements.
Flight weight allowance is 25 to 30 k per person.

Information on the Royal Emperor can be obtained from their website or our web pages on the folowing URL:

 www.royalemperor.com       http://www.diving-world.com/royal_emperor.html

With brief description about some dive sites on

http://www.diving-world.com/itine-10sudan.html

Dive press articles on our past trips can be found on http://www.diving-world.com/dive_press.html

 
Cost

The price including all flights, transfers, full board on the liveaboard, diving with tanks and weights is £ 1370 per person. We will accept a full charter booking based on 13 paying divers, and John McIntyre to be the 14th person on board. Our price excludes the following: Port departure tax $ 150, entry visa Sudan and Egypt $70, mineral water 50 cents/litre, soft drinks, alcohol and tips at your discretion. Visas are no longer a problem in Sudan as these are now obtained on arrival.

Deposits are £ 150 per person with the balance payable 8 weeks prior to departure. We will give you a free hand in filling the trip up to mid December 2003, after which you can either release the remaining spaces to us or comit to the full charter.

[Fiona]

<font color='#0000FF'>Andy

Thanks for the information, with the extras its over £1500 for 6 days diving, so unfortunately that is a little too much for me plus I would have to travel to Heathrow which would also increase the cost.

But I hope you get the trip going and really enjoy your birthday. &nbsp;Just had a look at the boat and it looks really comfy so that might have swayed me. &nbsp;It really is just the cost.

Cheers

Fiona

[Andy Phillips]

Hi,

A quick note,

The trip lands on Easter, I just checked, it can be moved forward 1 week so we would start on the 11th.

Fiona, yeh I know, but I will only be 40 once, I want it to be special and it costs. Sorry you can't make it.

Andrew

[Andy Phillips]

OK,

Last bit for now.

I just spoke to John McIntyre, really nice bloke. He is due to go out in November to dive Sudan for the first time, he has dived the Red Sea more than 30 times though so he does know his onions.

He recons the itinery is superb, it will take us to some of the sites that are very rarely dived. He also said that the boat is fantastic, it can travel at night which is the reason it can get so far out on a 1 week trip.

He also offered to teach people about Underwater Videography on the trip, so for those interested it will be a fantastic opportunity to get instruction from one of the best..

Come on then, roll up, it's a lot of money, but then it is one hell of a lot of trip. Sharks, Manta Ray's, un damaged coral, Wrecks, Pyramids and a serious piss up at then end.

Andrew

[Andy Phillips]

Hi,

Sorry, due to the fact that Mark is now having to go to China on the dates originally intended for this trip we are having to change. I can not get the Royal Emporer and so aam having to abandon the Sudan as the intended destination.

We have decided on a Southern Egypt Liveaboard and will start a new topic with the details.

Andrew