ok, still didn’t get to upload the photos i took in mexico because i’ve been too busy. but these were some of the few i dropped on my desktop and forgot to post. i’m not a really big fan of tournaments but this one was for a good cause. it was my first one and it actually felt rewarding to do something good for the orphans of mexico.
Kyle and Cathy Nakamoto brought all these goodies from hawaii. all prizes were donated by really cool people and companies and it really made so many people happy, including me!
of the 15 or so competitors, the captains, and even the cooks, we all got to take something home. when everybody is happy, i am extremely happy!
i won a $200 speargun,a $50 snorkel, gloves, tshirts, chocolate, and other nice treats!
Red Sea Ocean Adventures, Banana Boat, NOH, Crow, Hawaiian Host, Hanapa, Kona Red, Riffe, and so many other sponsors were thanked by the bottom of our hearts!
some pretty cool lures were given the the mexican boat captains. i’m sure they are catching fish with it as we speak.
these are my 2 new mexican dive friends. i met them on the trip, spent 1 week with them, and feel like i’ve known these guys for years. diving brought us all together. the only reason they beat our team is because i threw a 40lbs. fish off the boat on the way in. haha. these 2 guys David and Palma kept us all entertained the entire week. i’m sure i’ll see these amigos again!
last, everybody asks me if mexico is dangerous. my first trip was to Tijuana 25 years ago. i remember being so scared because i heard the horror stories of drug cartels, mafias, and high crime rate. then i went to Puerto Escondido 12 years ago and i was pretty scared there after i seen a guy drunk on tequila walking to the beach with fresh stab wounds as i was about to paddle out. but this past trip changed my whole outlook on a country that is notorious for crime. mexico was totally safe, friendly, and clean. if you mind your own business and keep clean, you will be ok. but if you start making trouble or doing illegal things, you might end up in a tunnel like these guys did earlier this year in mexico. yes, it happens in every country around the world. i actually felt safer walking in a mexico city at night then i feel walking in china town, oahu. now that is freaking scary!
