Moving away!

I just thought I'd share my news about being transfered. Right now I live in Spokane Washington about 300 miles from the Pudget Sound. It's not on the water but lots oppertunity to go giving for the weekend when time and money permits.

Well, my wife and I will be moving in a couple of months to Saipan...It is going to be a big change from sub-zero temps to the 80's every day but we are willing to do it. The island is only 12.5 X 5 miles so I should be able to get to the water a little more often.

I can't wait for the chance to really get to know my camera. I've already sold my drysuit.

Sounds like a nice move....enjoy the new surrounds.....let us know how the diving works out

Karl

Wow! Best of luck to you and your family. I'm sure you're going to love it. Let us know when you're all settled in and we can drop by...:-)

Cheers

James

I had to type it into Google to find out where it was. And now I am jealous. Best of luck with the move. Alex

Scene of large battle durin WWII

Cheers

James

I guess by now you know that we are all very jealous. That is fantastic!

If you don't mind me asking, how did this move/decision come about and what will you be doing while there (other than diving)?

Cheers,

Sieg

I work for Xerox as a service tech. There is enough work on Saipan for 2 techs and one is retiring. Being part of the USA it is attached to the Hawaii district. I've been on the lookout for a opening in a warm/water area and just couldn't say no. It seems that every little island I go to, I see a Xerox office and always say "I'd like to transfer here" so here we go.

I didn't know where Saipan was either and had to google it when I saw the job posting. It's the proximity to Palau, Truk and Papa-new Guinea that I am most excited about. The diving on Saipan is not the best in Micronesia but they say it has great shore diving and that is something I can afford. Someone on the island told me you can go to Bali for a long weekend for $500 and that sounds good to me.

Everything is US, They speak english and use the dollar and even have a zip and area code so a stamp costs 37 cents. The only thing they seem to be missing is our tax system.. :wink: They even have a Costco.

I should be putting up some pictures in a few months.

You'll like diving in Saipan. I just got back from a two year stint there, and I can't bring myself to dive in cold water anymore. Feel free to PM me if you need some names of people to dive with there.

marpacifica,

We definitely will be looking for some people to show us around the local waters. I can't wait to explore both above and below.

What's hard to find or really expensive that we should bring with us?

What does air cost?

What was your favorite macro site and your favorite WA site on the island?

Your not that far from Guam. Should be able to get what you need there.

Mark,

Air costs about $4/fill. You'll need to get a local driver's license right away to get fills b/c that's the law.

Hard to find? You can get almost everything on island, but you might have to drive to 3 different stores to find it. If you really need something, just go to Guam like Dave said -- there's a huge KMart and a WalMart is slated to be built. If you can ship over a 4WD truck, that would be key. You can get them there, but new ones are expen$ive and used ones are rusted out from all the salt in the air.

Favorite macro site is Lau Lau Bay. You can find lots of shrimp and gobies in the coral rubble. Along the pipe in 50' there's my favorite Pink Anemonefish couple and you can find lots of transparent shrimp and small crabs right around there. The coral's not much to write home about, but there's a lot of stuff if you spend some time looking.

Wide angle site faves were the Grotto and Wing Beach (diveable March-July), and Banzai Cliff (if it's diveable at all, one of the better sites).

When you get to Saipan, give my buddies Joe and Dale a buzz at Speedy Tertle (http://www.speedytertle.com). They'll take care of you. Tell 'em Marlo sent you.

And if you get sick of the diving there, just head over to the Philippines, Bali, Palau, Yap -- it's so easy.