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Ken Bondy
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3326
Registered: 12-13-2002
Member Is Offline
Mood: Mellow
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Like Mulegena, I don't think there is anything inherently wrong with this, my "scam" antennas are not up, and I don't smell any dope. For your $1600
you get roundrip bus transportation from Los Angeles to Bahia; hotel lodging; all meals, and the snorkeling/tagging boat trip every day. That's
sounds a little high for only five days, two of which are travel days, but it is not outrageous. That's about what Baja Expeditions charges for a
7-day liveaboard dive trip on the Don Jose out of La Paz, and that does not include transportation to and from La Paz. And those trips are full every
summer.
Something is worth what someone is willing to pay for it. If someone wants to be "babysat" on a guided trip to play with whale sharks in Bahia, this
could be a bargain. But I don't understand the quick allegations that this is a "scam" or that the operators will use the income to buy dope. What's
that all about?
carpe diem!
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Paulina
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3810
Registered: 8-31-2002
Location: BCN
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Ken Bondy
... But I don't understand the quick allegations that this is a "scam" or that the operators will use the income to buy dope. What's that all about?
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Ken,
In my opinion, it's all about the typical knee jerk reaction that unfortunately has become so prevalent on the Nomad board. It is reactions such as
these that turn people off from posting here because of the fear of being slammed just as this operation was.
Some people will never have an opportunity to see a whale shark in person other than this adventure. Sure, maybe they can save up for a trip to
Atlanta to go to the aquarium. Add up the cost of that vacation; airfare, hotel, food, tips, all the extras that come along with it, I would bet that
the $ amount would come close. Even then they'd only be able to look at the Whale shark through the glass and take blurry photos.
It may seem expensive to some, but for the adventure of traveling in Baja, swimming with the Whale Sharks first hand, having to remind themselves to
breathe when they get up close and personal with the gentle giants, experiencing the town of Bahia, perhaps take a trip around the islands, see
dolphins, sea lions, whales. It sounds like a good deal to me, for those who will only do this once in a life time.
It's too bad that some are so quick to judge.
P<*)))>{
\"Well behaved women rarely make history.\" Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
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Ken Bondy
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3326
Registered: 12-13-2002
Member Is Offline
Mood: Mellow
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Paulina I wish I had said it as eloquently as you did. You are a voice of reason in a sea of lunacy. Saludos, ++Ken++
PS where are you?
carpe diem!
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Paulina
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3810
Registered: 8-31-2002
Location: BCN
Member Is Offline
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Thank you Ken.
We're home. Thanks for the last email. Superior photos. Let us know when you're up here next. If it's a weekend we'd love to meet for coffee.
I was also hoping you'd post some of your whale shark photos for this post....
hint hint
As always,
P.
\"Well behaved women rarely make history.\" Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
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Ken Bondy
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3326
Registered: 12-13-2002
Member Is Offline
Mood: Mellow
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Paulina
I was also hoping you'd post some of your whale shark photos for this post....
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Aw shucks, since you insist. These animals are so magnificent:
[Edited on 9-29-2009 by Ken Bondy]
carpe diem!
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airmech
Nomad
Posts: 184
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Murrieta Ca
Member Is Offline
Mood: Expeditionary
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Ken Bondy
Like Mulegena, I don't think there is anything inherently wrong with this, my "scam" antennas are not up, and I don't smell any dope. For your $1600
you get roundrip bus transportation from Los Angeles to Bahia; hotel lodging; all meals, and the snorkeling/tagging boat trip every day. That's
sounds a little high for only five days, two of which are travel days, but it is not outrageous. That's about what Baja Expeditions charges for a
7-day liveaboard dive trip on the Don Jose out of La Paz, and that does not include transportation to and from La Paz. And those trips are full every
summer.
Something is worth what someone is willing to pay for it. If someone wants to be "babysat" on a guided trip to play with whale sharks in Bahia, this
could be a bargain. But I don't understand the quick allegations that this is a "scam" or that the operators will use the income to buy dope. What's
that all about? |
I'm all for trips like the 7 day liveaboards and the price they charge but those excursions that you mention above don't advertise as a "non-profit"
organization like this one. At $1600 a pop and you can probably put at least 20 people on the motorcoach. It adds up. And those of us that go to LA
Bay know the prices of what food,drinks and hotel cost for 3 days (assuming they are taking 2 days to travel) know they are making some profit.
I don't think they are on drugs I just think they should advertise honestly. And if they aren't advertising honestly then it should be considered a
scam.
Both optimists and pessimists contribute to the society. The optimist invents the aeroplane, the pessimist the parachute.
— George Bernard Shaw
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Ken Bondy
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3326
Registered: 12-13-2002
Member Is Offline
Mood: Mellow
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| Quote: | Originally posted by airmechI'm all for trips like the 7 day liveaboards and the price they charge but those excursions that you mention
above don't advertise as a "non-profit" organization like this one. At $1600 a pop and you can probably put at least 20 people on the motorcoach. It
adds up. And those of us that go to LA Bay know the prices of what food,drinks and hotel cost for 3 days (assuming they are taking 2 days to travel)
know they are making some profit.
I don't think they are on drugs I just think they should advertise honestly. And if they aren't advertising honestly then it should be considered a
scam. |
I understand your point airmech. Their website says that their customers can claim $750 as a tax deduction. Is it possible that they got
"non-profit" corporation status to offer that benefit? In any event, they aren't forcing anyone to do it; you can take it or leave it. Like I said,
something is worth what someone is willing to pay for it. If someone evaluates what they are offering, and finds it to be worth it, why not?
Swimming with these sharks is, after all, a life-changing experience and this might be the only way some people could experience it. ++Ken++
carpe diem!
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airmech
Nomad
Posts: 184
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Murrieta Ca
Member Is Offline
Mood: Expeditionary
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Ok, I can see your point. But I still have a hard time believing that is a non-profit situation. If they weren't advertising that way I wouldn't have
a problem with it. I just feel advertising it that way could take advantage of people that don't realize what they are paying for.
The other thing is I tend to wonder how many "grants" they get to to scientific research for stuff like this ( and I'm not saying they do) and then
charge people for a profit. They do mention "sponsors" on their website.
It's just their "angle" rubs me the wrong way.
Both optimists and pessimists contribute to the society. The optimist invents the aeroplane, the pessimist the parachute.
— George Bernard Shaw
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Ken Bondy
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3326
Registered: 12-13-2002
Member Is Offline
Mood: Mellow
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To me it just boils down to this: if they really come through with what they offer, and if someone is willing to cough up the $1600 for that, then it
doesn't matter if they claim to be non-profit or for-profit. They can do whatever they want with the proceeds. But I do get the issue with the
advertising.
PS I love your avatar. Where is that?
carpe diem!
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airmech
Nomad
Posts: 184
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Murrieta Ca
Member Is Offline
Mood: Expeditionary
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Los frailes
Both optimists and pessimists contribute to the society. The optimist invents the aeroplane, the pessimist the parachute.
— George Bernard Shaw
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airmech
Nomad
Posts: 184
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Murrieta Ca
Member Is Offline
Mood: Expeditionary
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BTW, Ken I would consider giving up my avatar for yours. I've been enthralled with great whites since I was a little kid.
Both optimists and pessimists contribute to the society. The optimist invents the aeroplane, the pessimist the parachute.
— George Bernard Shaw
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Paulina
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3810
Registered: 8-31-2002
Location: BCN
Member Is Offline
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I'm going to brag here that I have an autographed photo of that avatar on the wall of my office. 
\"Well behaved women rarely make history.\" Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
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airmech
Nomad
Posts: 184
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Murrieta Ca
Member Is Offline
Mood: Expeditionary
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Paulina
I'm going to brag here that I have an autographed photo of that avatar on the wall of my office. |
Damn, how do I get one? Now that I argued with him; hope i didn't cross the line. At least Ken is a mature debater.
Both optimists and pessimists contribute to the society. The optimist invents the aeroplane, the pessimist the parachute.
— George Bernard Shaw
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Skeet/Loreto
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4709
Registered: 9-2-2003
Member Is Offline
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I hope that I have not offended anyone on this Board.
I thank you for your response, it is just that everything points to a Scam when i read the first Post.
I know this is tied in with the Save The Whales Group and I strongly disagree with those who dwell on Peoples Feelings about animals to Make Money.
If you have a chance, go to a meeting of one of the "Save" bunch, sniff the Air, watch the actions of people.
Have Fun.
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wessongroup
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 21152
Registered: 8-9-2009
Location: Mission Viejo
Member Is Offline
Mood: Suicide Hot line ... please hold
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that's the best way
| Quote: | Originally posted by Skeet/Loreto
I hope that I have not offended anyone on this Board.
I thank you for your response, it is just that everything points to a Scam when i read the first Post.
I know this is tied in with the Save The Whales Group and I strongly disagree with those who dwell on Peoples Feelings about animals to Make Money.
If you have a chance, go to a meeting of one of the "Save" bunch, sniff the Air, watch the actions of people.
Have Fun. |
On the head...
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Mulegena
Super Nomad
Posts: 2412
Registered: 11-7-2006
Member Is Offline
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About tourism in general:
I'm single and having a group to travel with has advantages.
About eco-tourism: I personally have no problem supporting a non-profit organization that is concerned with nature. Their mission statement and
financial report should be available for disclosure upon request. I've never gone on an eco-tour but might choose to some day. That my money would be
supporting such a program while I gain in experience and enjoyment of nature is a good thing. That I have a partial tax write-off is a plus, and
knowing that a portion of the fees I have paid will continue in service is good enough for me.
I have traveled in-group to scuba dive locales around the globe which offer earth-friendly vacations. The organizers and operators are out to make a
living, not a killing, but none offer a tax incentive.
About tourism in Baja:
This wild land is mine! and I really don't need to have a group experience... but you're welcome to tag along.
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Skeet/Loreto
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4709
Registered: 9-2-2003
Member Is Offline
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Mulegena:
Suggest: Go to San Nicholas contact Terry, Chewy, Chico or one of the pangeros, have him take you to Delfonso Ilsand about 5 miles out. You can see
and engage in a new Adventure of Birds and Fish and Sharks, that will blow your mind.
Spend your Money with the Mexicanos!! Afterall it is their Country and Their Fish, and Their Sharks!!
Be careful off of the North Point of the island, there is a residend HammerHead that might get close before you know it.
Skeet/Loreto
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Skeet/Loreto
If you have a chance, go to a meeting of one of the "Save" bunch, sniff the Air, watch the actions of people.
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I did that once, Skeet. Big sign over a meeting hall said, "Save The Pot-Roast." Wasn't sure what to expect but, I went inside, looked around at
people writhing in ecstasy on the couches and at the large dinner table. What a sight.
I filled my lungs and held it in as long as I could, then exhaled. All I could utter was, "Wow Man."
Skeet..I gotta tell you, I was hooked. My entire life changed at that moment. Pot Roast had become my reason for living and everything I did was to
fulfill my need for another helping of the Yankee Delite.
I'm in a Twelve Step program now to break the hold Pot Roast has on me but, I don't think it will work. My habit was strongly formed from that first
moment and, just as other addicts have been drawn into the cult of other intoxicants, the first plate was free.
Ohhh....these evil chefs. They do know the weakness of the human spirit.
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pascuale
Nomad
Posts: 224
Registered: 2-20-2005
Location: Somewhere South
Member Is Offline
Mood: Lets fish!
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Hmmm drive down there get a panga, go catch some Jellotails, swim with the whale sharks, eat some scallops at guillermos, bring 3 others,
cost.......... $200 max per person.
$1600 is a bit much but I guess were paying for the tags and researchers as well. No thanks.
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Mulegena
Super Nomad
Posts: 2412
Registered: 11-7-2006
Member Is Offline
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San Ildefonso
Thanks, Skeetz. Its something I've wished to do for several years now. How's the road in to San Nico post-Jimena, anyone?
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