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Book Review: Death in Number Two Shaft by Steve Lewis

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The unassuming grey-green cover of this slim volume doesn’t give much away regarding its contents, and I must admit that the serious-sounding title of Death in Number Two Shaft didn’t exactly draw me in at first glance.  However, once I dove into the text I realized it was a plunge into the mind of a well-spoken and witty author, and his easy-going prose quickly had me hooked.  The death of a dive buddy is the theme of the book, the guideline that keeps the narrative moving through an unexpectedly wide-ranging array of topics.

The book reads as partly a personal memoir, partly a dive travelogue about expeditions in Newfoundland, and partly a musing on the loss of a friend and the reasons why the titular accident happened in the first place.  Somehow, the author manages to weave all of these threads together into a compelling narrative, which I enjoyed.  I also appreciated his bravery for tackling a difficult and emotional subject: survivor’s guilt.

I think the book could perhaps be improved with a few pictures and a map of the Bell Island Mine and surroundings would aid visualisation. I also felt that the final quarter of the book seemed noticeably less polished, a few misplaced words jarred the flow a little in an otherwise eloquent writing style.  These points notwithstanding, Death in Number Two Shaft easily kept my interest and was a relatively quick and diverting read.

I enjoyed the author’s inside look at what an exploratory diving expedition is all about.  I also appreciated his thoughts on the reasons why people cave dive, or participate in other so-called ‘extreme’ endeavours.  The author’s love of all things underwater really shows, as does his love of Newfoundland, a diving destination that seemingly should be on more divers’ radars.

For anyone seeking a book about diving that is a little bit different than most, I highly recommend it.

Find out more about Steve at www.techdivertraining.org.

CJ and Mike are dive instructors who have travelled all over the world pursuing their passion for the underwater world. CJ is a PADI MI and DSAT Trimix instructor with a degree in Conservation biology and ecology, who has been diving for 15 years. She loves looking for critters and pointing them out for Mike to photograph. Mike is a PADI MSDT who got back into diving in 2010. He enjoys practicing underwater photography and exploring new and exciting dive locales, occasionally with more than one tank. Follow more of their diving adventures at www.facebook.com/bimbleintheblue.

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Nabucco’s Spice Island Resort – A Hidden Gem in the Northern Moluccas

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Northern Moluccas

Far from the usual tourist trails, on a small island in the Northern Moluccas, lies a place of extraordinary beauty: Nabucco’s Spice Island Resort. Nestled between dense tropical jungle and a powdery white sand beach, the resort offers a peaceful escape immersed in nature at its purest. With panoramic views of the turquoise sea and direct access to some of Indonesia’s most untouched reefs, it’s a dream come true for those seeking tranquility above and adventure below the surface.

Northern Moluccas

The resort features just 16 spacious beachfront bungalows, each only steps from the ocean. At its heart is a beautifully designed open-air restaurant, built entirely from natural materials, where guests can enjoy a diverse selection of Indonesian and international cuisine.

Northern Moluccas

But what truly sets Nabucco’s Spice Island Resort apart is the underwater world that surrounds it. The reefs of the Northern Moluccas are among the most pristine and biodiverse in all of Indonesia – and remarkably, they remain largely untouched. Thanks to the remote location, dive boats are often the only ones around, giving divers the rare privilege of exploring vibrant coral gardens, dramatic walls, and colorful drop-offs in complete solitude.

Northern Moluccas

Marine life here is nothing short of spectacular. Blacktip reef sharks are spotted on nearly every dive, while nutrient-rich walls attract sea turtles, schools of jacks, and bumphead parrotfish. For macro enthusiasts, the area is a treasure trove of rare and photogenic species, including pygmy seahorses, ghost pipefish, nudibranchs, frogfish, leaf scorpionfish, and several types of octopus and shrimp.

Northern Moluccas

One of the region’s most extraordinary highlights is the Halmahera Walking Shark, a rare species endemic to this part of Indonesia. First described by scientists only in recent years, this small shark is unlike anything else in the ocean. Rather than swimming, it uses its muscular pectoral and pelvic fins to “walk” along the seabed. These elusive yet fascinating creatures are most often encountered on night dives – and witnessing one in the wild is a truly unforgettable experience.

Northern Moluccas

The reefscapes surrounding Spice Island Resort are equally impressive. Flourishing hard coral formations spread across the seabed, interspersed with vivid sponges, large sea fans, and colorful soft corals. The biodiversity is astonishing, and the visual spectacle underwater is a dream for photographers. Most importantly, the reefs here are healthy—a rare treasure in today’s marine environment. With minimal tourism and careful management, the ecosystem remains intact, vibrant, and teeming with life.

Northern Moluccas

Nabucco’s Spice Island Resort is more than just a dive destination – it’s a retreat for those seeking peace and a haven for underwater explorers looking to experience the authentic magic of Indonesia’s last true frontier.

Book your next diving adventure at Nabucco’s Spice Island Resort with Extra Divers!

info@extradivers.org

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Diving Talks Rises to Become the World’s Second Largest Diving Event in Online Visibility

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diving talks

Diving Talks, Portugal’s internationally acclaimed diving conference, has officially become the second most visible diving event online worldwide, according to aggregated performance data across YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and other digital platforms.

With a rapidly growing digital presence that includes over 365,000 YouTube views and more than 25,000 social media visitors, Diving Talks has solidified its position as a global reference in diving content, storytelling, and thought leadership.

“In just a few short years, we’ve built more than a conference — we’ve built a global conversation about the future of diving,” said Arlindo Serrão, spokesperson for Diving Talks. “From deep cave expeditions to marine conservation, our speakers are some of the most accomplished and inspiring figures in the underwater world — and now their stories are reaching a truly global audience.”

Global Ranking

Based on comparative visibility across digital media, the current ranking of the top five diving events by online visibility is as follows:

1. ADEX Asia Dive Expo – Long-established brand with multi-platform digital reach across Asia
2. Diving Talks – The fastest-growing platform in Europe, with unmatched video engagement and curated speaker content
3. DEMA Show – The largest trade-only show in the world, with strong B2B digital presence
4. boot Düsseldorf (Dive Segment) – Massive event footprint, with diving as a key but not exclusive focus
5. Salon de la Plongée (Paris Dive Show) – A dominant force in Francophone markets, growing steadily online

An Invitation to Brands

“For dive gear manufacturers, training agencies, destinations, and ocean-focused brands, this is your moment,” added [Spokesperson Name]. “Diving Talks has become one of the most powerful digital platforms in the diving world. If you want your message to be seen, heard, and respected globally — this is where you show up.”

Sponsorship and digital placement opportunities for the upcoming edition are now open, offering brands high-visibility integration into Diving Talks’ growing multimedia ecosystem.

An Expanding Digital Footprint

Diving Talks’ rise has been fueled by a video-first strategy, high-profile speaker interviews, and deep audience engagement through debates, lightning talks, and behind-the-scenes content.

Its YouTube channel is now the most-watched in the diving conference space, attracting both recreational divers and technical specialists from around the globe.

The conference continues to grow its presence across platforms and is investing in new digital initiatives to further expand its global community.

Looking Ahead

With the next edition already in the works and an ambitious content strategy in place, Diving Talks is poised to challenge for the top spot in online visibility — setting a new standard for how diving events connect with the world.

Contact:

Arlindo Serrao
arlindo.serrao@portugaldive.com
www.divingtalks.com

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