 Farhat Jah - turkishraf | All Comments |
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| 12th October 2009 James | Geography Stickler - From: Gangga Island. A Divers Paradise in Indonesia South China Sea? I think your geography may be off...Should be the Celebes Sea right? Enjoyed your pics though. Can't wait to go. |
| 12th October 2009 Austin and Kate | only 8 years - From: Yo Raf, long time man. Glad to hear you are still at it and I can't wait to see the new place. We stayed with you back at the lodge in 2001...good times, great diving! probably dont remember me, but I put together a cool little video for you back when you ran things out of Chalke Chalke. btw - did you ever get the dvd with the video i sent you? never heard from ya. Friend of mine was headed to your part of the world so I was sending them to see ya. Hope all is well. Austin and Kate (the american couple that showed up after the american couple that were CIA :) |
| 4th October 2009 RAZA ALI KHAN | BEAUTIFUL PICS - From: Gangga Island. A Divers Paradise in Indonesia DEAR RAF, PICTURES ARE BEAUTIFUL, LOOKS LIKE YOU HAD FUN |
| 13th August 2009 John Austin-Williams | Windows wide open. From Pemba to Zanzibar by DC3 - From: Windows wide open. From Pemba to Zanzibar by DC3 Greetings from Johannesburg, South Africa. I run the Dakota Association of South Africa website www.dc-3.co.za I would love to use your article http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Tanzania/Pemba/blog-424650.html on our website Would this be possible please? Kind regards John John Austin-Williams Public Relations and Media Liaison Officer Dakota Association of South Africa Cell: +27 (0) 83 459-7802 jaws@dc-3.co.za www.dc-3.co.za |
| 10th August 2009 massimo | LOOKING TO FLY - From: Windows wide open. From Pemba to Zanzibar by DC3 I WILL REALLY TO TRY THIS ADVENTURE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!!! |
| 4th August 2009 Tom Smith | Nice Ride Raf - From: Windows wide open. From Pemba to Zanzibar by DC3 Your ride sounds great, Raf. We flew into Honduras on a DC 3 with John and Phyllis years ago. We had no windows at all as I recall. Nice to know they're still in the air. |
| 2nd August 2009 seba | love it - From: Windows wide open. From Pemba to Zanzibar by DC3 we love your pictures. nice flight! see you later seba & anto |
| 27th July 2009 turkishraf | From Christopher Bartlett II - From: An Attack on Diving by a miserable git Morning Raf Probably best to correct my drunkish typo mispelling of awesome in my comment, and remove Cunt for those wierdos who get all uppity about the C-word (despite London having an Olde Cunt Lane a couple of centuries ago). Prick should do. I'd also add: I'd suggest that Cavan takes up part of his Pemba grievance with the holiday brochure author, and do more research during trip planning, as well as learning what certain terms mean. Mantas and some shark species are pelagic (living in open water, like barracuda, trevallies, tuna, etc) and as such cruise around off reefs in the blue. The easiest shark species to see are reef-dwelling sharks, not pelagics, and to have a good chance of seeing manta I'd suggest going to sites with high plankton content and cleaning stations. I have seen Giant Manta off Pemba, but it is a rare occurrence. He reminds me off divers who'd turn up in the summer at Aliwal Shoal in South Africa and complain when they didn't see Sand-tiger sharks (resident on the reef in winter from June to November). He also reminds me of the old lady in the Fawlty Towers "Communication Problems" episode who complains about the view "What did you expect to see out of a Torquay hotel window? Sydney Opera House, perhaps? The Hanging Gardens of Babylon? Herds of Wildebeest sweeping majestically ....." He might also want to address the European governments buying fishing rights from African states who are using tax-payers money to increase poverty by destroying the traditional livelihoods of coastal dwellers, increasing immigration pressure in the developed world. Our governments are happy to pay officials to pillage the portion of the oceans' resources under their jurisdiction, and then look on dumbfounded by the problems they create placating their fisheries by sustaining unsustainable commercial fishing methods at the taxpayers'expense. Pawsons may also like to address the Chinese consumers of sharkfin soups and products, and consumers of poultry and pig meat fed on fishmeal (one-third of the landed ocean catch is fed to pigs and chickens, and turkeys, those redoubtable marine predators), and anyone who feeds their pet cat tuna and salmon (I want to see Moggy vs Bigeye Tuna), anyone who eats fish caught on a longline (responsible for upwards of 50,000 seas turtle deaths annually), and the developers of resorts around the world that have built on turtle nesting sites, industries that use sea cucumbers (creating the proliferation of urchins) and plonkers who buy shells (tritons keep Crown of Thorn starfish numbers in balance). I have written about marine conservation for various underwater publications, and am more than aware of the diminishing life in our wonderous seas, but am still amazed by what can be seen SCUBA diving. On my last trip to Pemba earlier this month I came across three five species of nudibranch and flatworm that i have never seen before. On most dives I heard hawksbill turtles eating, I saw spinner dolphins jumping like mad tops, stunning coral formations, and a plethora of reef dwellers. It's not like I'm a novice just discovering the ocean - I worked as a Dive Master for two years, and have been researching and writing dive destination articles since 2007. In the process I take a lot of photographs and spend more time than most identifying different species and learning their names. In May i was in Mozambique and saw mantas every day, swam with whale sharks on four occasions, and dived with yet another environmentally conscious, thorough dive centre. There are cowboy dive centres around the globe, PADI or otherwise, and like any large international organisation PADI has it's flaws, but provides a framework of standards and procedures to be adhered to to make the wholly unnatural yet amazing experience of breathing compressed air underwater as safe as possible. The training I have received from PADI-certified instructors has kept several panicked or unresponsive divers alive, and enabled countless others to peacefully and safely experience one of the richest environments on the planet. If Pawson wants to pick on an organisation selling our resources down the shitter then could I suggest the Spanish, French and UK govenrments that cunningly allow their vessels to cut the fins off live sharks before throwing them back into the water to drown, whilst trying to create a legislative smokescreen, or Mitsubishi, the world's single largest harvester of soon to be extinct bluefin tuna. That Pawson is no longer in the water is no loss to the diving community, he can go and throw his cash at something else for a while, until he starts to whinge about it not being as good as when he started, without thinking about why. Anyway, to take the debate back to Pawson's level, I hope his ring-piece is bitten by rabid gremlins and the doctor prescribes Deep Heat as ointment. Chris Christopher Bartlett France |
| 27th July 2009 turkishraf | From Christopher Bartlett II - From: An Attack on Diving by a miserable git Dear Raf, Probably best to correct my drunkish typo mispelling of awesome in my comment, and remove Cunt for those wierdos who get all uppity about the C word (despite London having an Olde Cunt Lane a couple of centuries ago). Prick should do. I'd also add: I'd suggest that Cavan takes up part of his Pemba grievance with the holiday brochure author, and do more research during trip planning, as well as learning what certain terms mean. Mantas and some shark species are pelagic (living in open water, like barracuda, trevallies, tuna, etc) and as such cruise around off reefs in the blue. The easiest shark species to see are reef-dwelling sharks, not pelagics, and to have a good chance of seeing manta I'd suggest going to sites with high plankton content and cleaning stations. I have seen Giant Manta off Pemba, but it is a rare occurrence. He reminds me off divers who'd turn up in the summer at Aliwal Shoal in South Africa and complain when they didn't see Sand-tiger sharks (resident on the reef in winter from June to November). He also reminds me of the old lady in the Fawlty Towers "Communication Problems" episode who complains about the view (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBX5rW5pgZg 6 minutes thirty in ""What did you expect to see out of a Torquay hotel window? Sydney Opera House, perhaps? The Hanging Gardens of Babylon? Herds of Wildebeest sweeping majestically ....." He might also want to address the European governments buying fishing rights from African states who are using tax-payers money to increase poverty by destroying the traditional livelihoods of coastal dwellers, increasing immigration pressure in the developed world. Our governments are happy to pay officials to pillage the portion of the oceans' resources under their jurisdiction, and then look on dumbfounded by the problems they create placating their fisheries by sustaining unsustainable commercial fishing methods at the taxpayers'expense. Pawsons may also like to address the Chinese consumers of sharkfin soups and products, and consumers of poultry and pig meat fed on fishmeal (one-third of the landed ocean catch is fed to pigs and chickens, and turkeys, those redoubtable marine predators), and anyone who feeds their pet cat tuna and salmon (I want to see Moggy vs Bigeye Tuna), anyone who eats fish caught on a longline (responsible for upwards of 50,000 seas turtle deaths annually), and the developers of resorts around the world that have built on turtle nesting sites, industries that use sea cucumbers (creating the proliferation of urchins) and plonkers who buy shells (tritons keep Crown of Thorn starfish numbers in balance). I have written about marine conservation for various underwater publications, and am more than aware of the diminishing life in our wonderous seas, but am still amazed by what can be seen SCUBA diving. On my last trip to Pemba earlier this month I came across three five species of nudibranch and flatworm that i have never seen before. On most dives I heard hawksbill turtles eating, I saw spinner dolphins jumping like mad tops, stunning coral formations, and a plethora of reef dwellers. It's not like I'm a novice just discovering the ocean - I worked as a Dive Master for two years, and have been researching and writing dive destination articles since 2007. In the process I take a lot of photographs and spend more time than most identifying different species and learning their names. In May i was in Mozambique and saw mantas every day, swam with whale sharks on four occasions, and dived with yet another environmentally conscious, thorough dive centre. There are cowboy dive centres around the globe, PADI or otherwise, and like any large international organisation PADI has it's flaws, but provides a framework of standards and procedures to be adhered to to make the wholly unnatural yet amazing experience of breathing compressed air underwater as safe as possible. The training I have received from PADI-certified instructors has kept several panicked or unresponsive divers alive, and enabled countless others to peacefully and safely experience one of the richest environments on the planet. If Pawson wants to pick on an organisation selling our resources down the shitter then could I suggest the Spanish, French and UK govenrments that cunningly allow their vessels to cut the fins off live sharks before throwing them back into the water to drown, whilst trying to create a legislative smokescreen, or Mitsubishi, the world's single largest harvester of soon to be extinct bluefin tuna. That Pawson is no longer in the water is no loss to the diving community, he can go and throw his cash at something else for a while, until he starts to whinge about it not being as good as when he started, without thinking about why. Anyway, to take the debate back to Pawson's level, I hope his ring-piece is bitten by rabid gremlins and the doctor prescribes Deep Heat as ointment Chris Chris Bartlett France |
| 27th July 2009 turkishraf | From Justyn Lane - From: An Attack on Diving by a miserable git Raf, Just been reading your blog about the moron from the Times, proper muppet that one, amazing how bitter folks can be if the marketing creates an expectation that isn't met. All that can be seen is the negative, usually exaggerated to suit the aim of whoever it is writing about it. Regards Justyn Justyn Lane GERMANY |
| 26th July 2009 turkishraf | From Christopher Nason - From: An Attack on Diving by a miserable git Dear Raf, It's a shame that Pemba was so unfairly attacked in the Times. As anyone who has dived on Pemba knows, none of the things he said in the article are true. Your reply was well-written and illustrated. I hope they publish it in full. My best to everyone there, Chris CHRIS NASON in PEKING |
| 26th July 2009 turkishraf | EMAILS FROM DIVERS - From: An Attack on Diving by a miserable git As I receive these emails from divers I add them here on the site. Emails can be edited for brevity and for English content, but swearwords are generally left in. Comments from all sides are accepted. |
| 26th July 2009 turkishraf | RESPONSE FROM SWAHILI DIVERS - From: An Attack on Diving by a miserable git Dear Diver Operator, I think that PADI do a reasonable job at quality control, the issue is more that people want low cost diving. Low cost means high volume or cutting back on staff wages etc Why should a professional safari guide get $200 + + a day and a good dive instructor get $30-$60. Until people are prepared to pay for diving, there will always be cowboys. My objection to this article, is that thjs Pawsons creature is effectively saying: "Pemba is crap" and I cannot let that stand. He's also saying "I saw wonders- now its all changed so lets all stop diving" This is rubbish. We should all keep diving and we should be prepared to pay proper money. $180 a day for a small operation, $100 a day for mass dive op for two dives. Until people stop wanting $50 dives this issue will not end. "Pay up and save the world! " Thats what I say. Raf |
| 26th July 2009 turkishraf | From A Zanzibar Dive Centre - From: An Attack on Diving by a miserable git Hi Raf, Apart from the bad press on Pemba he does have a point…. PADI are not actually doing their part in terms of quality control… Ultra High Quality Zanzibari Dive operator |
| 26th July 2009 turkishraf | From Raza Ali Khan - From: An Attack on Diving by a miserable git Dear Raf, I learned Scuba Diving in Pemba. As you know, to start with it was a difficult task for my Instructor to get me under the water, but as soon as I discovered the beautiful world under water in Pemba I fell in Love with Diving. I finished my basic PADI Open water course and then there was no turning back. As a first timer I managed for 14 dives around Pemba and was so so impressed with diving in Pemba that with those beautiful memories I did my PADI ADVANCE OPEN WATER IN FUJEIRAH. Given an opportunity I would love to go back to Pemba and dive again as much as possible as the amount of Fish and coral I have seen in Pemba I have not seen again. Pemba will remain in my memories for ever, With my regards, to you and your dive team, Raza DUBAI |
| 26th July 2009 turkishraf | From Christopher Bartlett - From: An Attack on Diving by a miserable git Raf, What a twat. And what a badly written article too. GCSE standard. Pemba is awsome and he;s a cunt. Shame you have to register to be able to reply. Chris |
| 26th July 2009 turkishraf | From SALLY NIXON - From: An Attack on Diving by a miserable git Dear Raf, I feel sorry for this man because he is obviously a whinging arse and I cannot imagine being such a negative person that I would ever stop enjoying diving. I mean really of course some reefs have been affected by diving and human interference as has the whole world, but surely opening peoples eyes to the beuty under the sea is helping decrease the real damaging factor ie commercial fishing and shipping routes. I mean REALLY!! What about PADI's support for project AWARE! At least they are doing SOMETHING unlike this whinging git. He needs to learn how to be proactive. And he also needs to check his English as well if he is to whinge about Pemba since he starts his comments with it being knows as a pelagic dive destination. According to the Oxford Dictionary, the true meaning of the word pelagic is pelagic /pilajik/ • adjective 1 relating to the open sea. 2 (chiefly of fish) inhabiting the upper layers of the open sea. so if he wants that he would be on the other side of the island! He needs to do his research on what he really wants before he books his trip if he going to be so pedantic. And I can't stand divers who just want big stuff and are disappointed with all else. Whingers! I just love neutral buoyancy. Am amazed when I see beautiful colours and schools of fish everywhere such as at the point of Manta Point where it is a guarantee (and also the only place I've seen dolphins), but that is all a bonus that brings on the absolute wonderment that you get with the more memorable amazing dives. But every dive is amazing in it's own way, just the fact that so many wild animals are around you and you never know what you are going to see. No wonder he is disappointed if he goes places expecting to see certain things. One of the joys is the fact that it is wild and not a zoo and you never know what may happen along. What a twat! Sal Nixon |
| 26th July 2009 turkishraf | From MIKE EGGERS - From: An Attack on Diving by a miserable git Raf: I read Mr. Pawsons' article. It was a shotgun blast against dive centers and dive masters that don't maintain the standard and don't help preserve our precious waters and the creatures that live in it. His comments about Pemba are sad and wrong in that he only saw a snapshot of the island. It would be good to learn whom he dived with and when; then make your counter argument. We have more than enough people from around the world who would let Mr Pawsons and others know what a great place Pemba is. Mike Eggers Korea |
| 20th April 2009 raza | Magnificient picture of TAJ - From: Indias Most Elusive Love Story.... Well captured,stunning |
| 20th April 2009 RAZA ALI KHAN | CHOWMAHELLA PALACE - From: Hyderabad. Indias Truly Indian City. Beautiful Pictures, thanks for taking us thru Hyderabad and cyberabad |
| 3rd February 2009 raza | Intresting journey - From: INDIA part I. "South To Cape Cormorin" Lucky you, seen Cape Cormorin, we have been in India for most part of our life and not been there, may be some day! |
| 27th January 2009 Helen Steventon | Transport - From: TK1971 to Sunny Britain, Aye, yes the British transport system is an outdated, expensive mess, 1.4TRY takes you anywhere you want to go in Istanbul, on the metro or ferries. London could learn a thing or too about moving allot of people cheaply around a large city, from Istanbul. Not to mention, plentiful, fresh, seasonal food, at a reasonable cost. |
| 20th January 2009 turkishraf | Glad you enjoyed it - From: Crossing Continents- Istanbul and the new world order. Or the old? The strange thing about Turkey is that after 37 years of trying, I still cannot work the place out. I could go to Istanbul tomorrow and write a completely different article, because something had changed. And inner Anatolia? .... that is where the real adventure begins Where the near east is still the unspoiled neareast. Happy travels anyway... and enjoy. Raf |
| 19th January 2009 Fred | very nice photos and narrative - From: Crossing Continents- Istanbul and the new world order. Or the old? Appreciate your entry, thank you for sharing your impressions and photos. We plan to visit Istanbul in a couple months and it's insightful to hear how current world events are affecting daily life. |
| 26th October 2008 jan | Richard Jenkins - From: BA 0117 to America Don't worry, Raf - I did not know RJ either; but of course you may worry for another reason: did RJ recognized you?! Then I wonder if the world economy really depends on whether the American president is black, half black, half white, white, other mixtures incl different kind of genders?? Lastly: wish Cis all the best selling Swahili Divers (or is it 'only' Swahili Divers Adventures she is promoting?) ! Stormy, rainy Swedish greetings /jan |
| 16th September 2008 jan | Mamma Mia - From: Notes from a Small Island in the Indian Ocean greetings from the country of Abba (should be spelt via a mirror). Otherwise "Abba" is a Swedish company producing canned fish products - may be something for left overs from your diving’s? And why not surplus your income by becoming an agent for the new Abba-film “Mamma Mia”; should be a given hit for the cinema in Chake Chake!? Wonder if the below mentioned Napoleon is the one mentioned in Abba's "Waterloo"? - Otherwise most of the old R-doctors are reported active and inspired. |
| 20th May 2008 John Harding | - From: North Vietnam, half of a Nation, and yet very much in charge. Raf, this is great, especially to hear your views on VN. We were there in Feb '07. John and Phyllis |
| 4th May 2008 Helen Steventon | Your a poet - From: Cambodia Re-Visited I love reading your journal, beautifully written and full of insite. Keep it coming. |
| 3rd May 2008 Dan | Splendubulous - From: STOPPED!! How wonderful - a true traveller's tale. I think I might spend next year in Western Europe after all. |
| 30th April 2008 turkishraf | Lies - From: Everything? No, but something, Bankok to Angkor Lies lies, no airline has me on any black list. Anyway aren't black lists racist? (I am after all half brown) Maybe they should be called pink lists? Cheers Raf |
| 30th April 2008 Greg | hey Raf - From: Everything? No, but something, Bankok to Angkor a good read, it tells me that you are getting old! please don't get grumpy to go with it, you are bad enough already. is it true that BA have a life ban on you for stirring things up and are emirites looking at the same. have a great trip I am envious. ever your buddy. Greg |
| 8th April 2008 Amy | - From: Notes from a Small Island in the Indian Ocean Great stuff Raf. As always I'm itching to get back out there. Keep it up! |
| 11th March 2008 Stephen Dance | Remarkable coincidence - From: Notes from a Small Island in the Indian Ocean One of the Welsh contingent, a certain Mr. Haines, who is currently heading towards your tropical paradise from wet and stormy Wales looks exactly like Mr. Napoleon. I do hope that the natives will not be too alarmed. Are they by any chance related? |
| 7th March 2008 Greg | Hey Raf, - From: Notes from a Small Island in the Indian Ocean well done Raf, lets see some recent photos of the complex. Regards Greg |
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