"I first met Mike Ball in Connecticut on a cold winter night in January 2007 ... About thirty of us ventured out to hear about diving Australia's Great Barrier Reef. And we weren't disappointed. His presentation to the dive club stirred the imagination and raised the desire to make a journey to that far off land down under." Trip highlights: Mike Ball's dive boats, Spoil Sport, Coral Sea, Ribbon Islands and land tours in Cairns Highlands, Daintree Rainforest and Sydney.

"Cozumel was alight with celebration. Dancing in the streets (for Carnival) had already begun early afternoon the Saturday we arrived." Trip highlights: Fiesta Americana hotel, Dive House, Cancun, Mayan Riviera, Dos Ojos, Akumal, Tulum. Yap: Manta Ray Bay Hotel, SV Mnuw.

"Diving from Sipadan Water Village in the Celebes Sea was delightful and convenient ..." Spibadan, Kapalai, Mabul Village and Siamil plus Borneo land excursions.

We were treated to the most beautiful sunset as we boarded our boat for the one hour ride that took us to the island of Puerto Galera ... trip visits also include Verde Island, Apol Island, Dumaguete and Wakatobi Resort.