Getting PADI Certified in California: Pool Lesson at Beach Cities Scuba

I've finally gone and done it. I signed up for a PADI certification course. I was told that it takes longer to get certified in California. I don't know if that's true but basically here you have to do a classroom work (with quizzes and a final exam), a day of pool training, and 2 days of ocean dives (4 ocean dives total).

After going through the textbook and learning how to read dive table, we were ready for our pool training. I'm doing my course with Beach Cities Scuba, and the training takes place at their pool facility in Cypress.

So, pool training. It was hard. It was a long and grueling day (but hey, keep your eyes on the prize: your certification!)

The first thing you do is to set up and break down your gear 3 times as practice.

You put together the oxygen tank and BCD and regulator. They also give you a weight belt so you can sink despite the buoyancy in water.

When we signed up for the course (with a LivingSocial deal) there were options for beach dives (included) or boat dives ($115 extra per day). I was cheap so I thought I would do the beach dives, but then I put the gear on. The tank, and especially that weight belt ... It is super heavy! I don't know if I want to walk with all that heavy gear on, I'd rather just jump off of a boat with it on ...

We actually found a different deal which was more expensive but included boat dives. If only we had known earlier! Just keep that in mind when you sign up for a course ...

After setting up the gear, most of your day will be spent wearing it inside the pool. They have a swimming test, floating test, and go through many hypothetical emergency situations. Better to get used to it in a pool than in the ocean!

First is of course just getting used to controlling your buoyancy and breathing under water. Then you will practice taking your gears on and off inside the water, maskless breathing (where I pretty much panicked), how to switch to your buddy's alternate air source, and things like that. Some are things that you hopefully will never have to do but are good to know. I hated the maskless breathing but like I said, better here than in the ocean.

The day will go faster depending on how the class does, of course, but for us it took about 8 hours. But everyone got it done and so can you!

Next is the ocean dives, where we'll be under water for less time and get to see pretty fishies (hopefully). While it's hard, I think it's better to be thorough and know everything rather than doing those "express" courses. I can't wait to just do fun dives, as well, but safety is always first. Remember though.. do boat dives!

What To Know About Snorkeling With Whale Sharks in La Paz, Mexico

You've probably seen photos of snorkelers with a giant whale shark, right (like this, for example)? Well, you can do that not too far from Los Angeles: in La Paz, Mexico! Here are some things you should know before you go:

1. Most people who go snorkeling with whale sharks in La Paz are probably tourists from Cabo San Lucas, just like I was. The price including transportation from Cabo is around $160 (e.g. Cabo Expeditions), but if you book just the snorkel itself (I booked with Marlin Adventures) then it's only $48 per person. My rental car for 2 days including all insurance was $180 which also got me from the airport to Cabo and back, so this ended up being much cheaper for us.

2. If you think you'll get to leisurely pose for the camera with the big whale shark in the background, think again. You won't have that much time, so be ready with your camera on before you jump in the water. You'll jump straight from the side of the boat once they spot the whale shark, at which point you'll need to swim towards it and take in the sights and photos before the fish swims away. Which it will do, and rather quickly at that. That doesn't mean you won't get a good look, though. During the 2 hour trip you will jump in half a dozen times, and every once in a while you'll get lucky with a great view and a relaxed whale shark. You might even get that perfect shot in. I was unfortunately too slow, and was also freaked out the first time I saw it head on. No, they don't eat people, but that's a big mouth.

3. Getting back to jumping in half a dozen times during the trip: the water in the Sea of Cortez in the winter (that's whale season) isn't all that warm and the sea can be rough during windy days. You think 2 hours is short, but you'll get pretty exhausted.

4. Again, the sea can be rough, and the boats they take are small (6 snorkelers per boat). Might want to take some dramamine, just in case. I usually don't get sea sick, but I was borderline this time.

5. This last one is just a bit of an observation. There's a rule that states there should be one boat per whale shark, and maximum of 6 snorkelers per whale shark. But, this is Mexico ... what this ended up meaning is that there are half a dozen boats waiting around a whale shark, and the snorkelers in each boat take turns jumping in (i.e. racing) ..

Well, there's that! It's not a leisurely activity but well worth doing! You most likely will get to take a good, long look at a whale shark during those 2 hours!

Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Ride Over Temecula Valley

I recently went on a press trip to Temecula Valley to visit their wineries and attend the CRUSH gala, but on the last morning I also had the chance to go on a sunrise hot air balloon ride!

We got picked up super early, because they have to drive around to find the right wind conditions somewhere they can set up.

The setup takes a bit of time. The had to lay out a large tarp on the ground first so the balloon doesn't get damaged. The workers are all buff guys. At first I was wondering why, but seeing them at work made me understand. You really need to be fit to deal with that giant balloon.

Blowing up the balloon ... first with a giant fan, then start the "hot air" bit.

After they're done inflating the balloon, they set it upright and we got in. The basket is actually compartmentalized and each compartment fits 2-3 people. I guess that makes sense, they don't want you running around all over while flying? Perhaps there are other reasons for them, but regardless, there's not much room to move around.

With where we took, one of the first sights was the orange grove. At one point we got so low that the basket grazed the top of the trees and you can smell the wonderful citrus.

Baggage Fee Pitfalls with United and ANA Long Layover Flights

If you're looking into booking a flight with a long or overnight layover and carrying more than 1 bag, think twice ...

First off, you should know that even for international flights, United Airlines and ANA (All Nippon Airways) now only allow one free check-in luggage (I'm used to 2 free luggage on Singapore Air or Cathay Pacific). The second bag is $100. So on my last trip home to Indonesia, I flew United/ANA home for the first time, because the flight was $300 cheaper than Singapore Air's. This itinerary included an 18-hour overnight layover in Tokyo on the way there and a 10-hour layover (again in Tokyo) on return flight. Usually I'm a light packer and only travel with carry-on, but my trips home are different, with my family and so many relatives wanting me to bring this and that (shoes, Disney toys, Flamin' Hot Cheetos ...) and I always end up with a check-in luggage.

So. The long layover was attractive at first, allowing me to see a bit of Tokyo, but beware before you book a flight like this next time.

Apparently when your layover is more than 12 hours, they cannot check you in for your next leg, so I had to take my luggage out and put them in storage at the airport before going to Tokyo for the night. Fast forward to the next morning when I checked in for my next leg of the itinerary to Jakarta .... guess what? They said I need to pay the extra baggage fee AGAIN. Never mind that it was on the same itinerary and that I had already paid $100 in Los Angeles, because I was only checked in to Narita before, my $100 was only valid for LA-Narita. So now they've tacked on $200 already for the flight that was only $300 than Singapore Air! Not to mention the service sucked and the food was not as good. With a 11+ hour flight from LA to Narita they managed not to have time to give me the arrival forms on the plane, despite having asked for them.

Knott's Scary Farm: Haunted Mazes for 2013

Have you started thinking about Halloween yet? Because Scary Farm has started at Knott's with their haunted mazes.

This year, they've added a secret room to each maze that you can unlock with a "skeleton key". With this you go in from a separate line in small groups (up to 6) for a short interactive experience. You can buy this as a combo with the Fright Pass (like a fast pass but only for the mazes), or book a dinner "boo-fet" that lets you into the park earlier.

Personally, though, if you have to choose where to splurge, I would opt for "Trapped", where the whole maze is interactive. The Trapped maze is $60 for up to 6 people (so if you can get a group of 6 together that's only $10 per person). I was lucky enough to be invited into this maze last year and it was quite fun (i.e. scary). You may have to do some scary things, though, like getting into a coffin ... the eating crickets part was easy.
Some of the new mazes this year is raven-filled Forevermore.