Great White - Underwater Photography

Hi Esther, Hi Al,

Long time no speak.

I came across your website by chance, how funny is that.

I'm glad to see that you two are still together and all is well.

I'm jealous as hell looking at your photos, they look great.

I hope you are both okay, and life treating you well. The pictures certainly show that Esther is still happy as ever.

I'm fast approaching 40 in a few weeks and starting to shit myself a little.
I'm having all my family in a room at one time. Don't think that has happened for YONKS.

I'm doing fine and working for Immigration at Cardiff Airport. (nothing to do with maths)

Been with my fella Jamie for 10 years now, and its gone past in a flash, but we are dead happy together.

Enough of me, send me an email with some goss and tell me what you been up to.

Take care both.

Vince (HND maths Stats and computing)
my best friend is Mrs Sharkey. (remember her, she was a bitch - she never liked us, sat at back of classroom - ha ha)

Vinny

Doh!! Just logged on for the first time since you went away (been a bit busy having the second baby - Evie on 09 Jan 09!) Looks like a fab trip, can't wait to see more photos! (you really are a super photographer Al - you need to start sellling!) Looking forward to hearing more about Esther's lucrative job contract! Much love and chocolate Em and Jam xxxx

not that I ever managed to see the top of your head in Pompey but I am sure there was hair their once??

Hi Alan;

Hope that you are doing well back in the UK.

I had a very good trip and whatever money that I had tried to save was quickly blown in Paris. Well, at least I had a good time with a very different type of experience from Galapagos.

I love your photos. I love to get a couple of the close up shots on the Hammerheads and maybe one of the big fish school.

If you are interested in diving Australia, here is the website for the boat that I dived on: http://www.undersea.com.au. You can even see the photo galleries from different trips.

The book that I told you about on the boat is called "The Map that Changed the World" by Simon Winchester.

Sincerely,

Darren Bolding

Are you Hallan?
Remember me? I Andrea from sky dancer...
My English writing is worse of my speaking!!
How are you?

Alan and Esther,
Congratulations on the completion of you're wonderous journey. I'm kind of sad in a way since checking your web site became part of my daily scan of the internet. I was glad to be a small part of your advventure and you both will live on through Alan's wonderful photos and my memory of one of the best dive trips I've ever been on. Thanks again for letting me tag along. You're american freind with the very english name.

Larry Stafford

Larry

Thanks you are too kind old boy!

Great to have you there with us. The Hammerheads at the Galapagos were great but it is hard to beat Socorro. Time to plan the next trip! Let us know when your next dive trip is - you never know!

Cheers
Alan

Alan & Esther

It was great to dive with both you. Great conversations after each dive. How can I get copies(CD, E-mail, etc) of your photos? I will reimberse you for any cost associated with this.

Thanks Again and hope that our paths will cross again.

Bill Jordan

Testing testing, hi guys
What a fantastic set of pics of your trip so far. They are truly amazing and yes yours too Esther!! Also loved your sunset photo Al...wish you'd taken more...far less life-threatening too!
Cant wait to catch up soon.

Hope you're both safe and well.

Love and hugs to you both.

Claire and Steve XXX


So how was St Lucia and the Atlantic crossing then? Lots to catch up on. See you soon.

Alan & Esther

As above?


Not yet. Back on 22nd January.

Cheers
Alan

Hello , im woundering if you could send me some of your pics of catalina kelp , if you have some with divers in there that would be great. im not sure if you know alot about catalina's wonderful diving , but i work on one of the boats that go to catalina every weekend called sundiver www.sundiver.net , if you ever want to dive check out our website and prices .. hope to see you aboard .. see you under .. Rick

Any chance of bring one of those slippery little Iguanas home, the cat would love one I will get the paperwork sorted

R G string

Have slipped an Iguana down my trousers, should be with you in a week if it survives the journey!

Cheers
Alan

Ester and Al, we still haven?t left Quito, so jealous that you didn?t have to mess about waiting at hotels&airports like us, but could just carry on diving. We are hoping to get back to the U.K tomrw finally now that Madrid is open again. Fab photography & will check out your pictures for your next trip too.
Keep in touch& see you on Proteus in Littlehampton sometime in the future, U,K diving really isn?t that bad, honest!
Em x

Hope you get home quickly. don't drink too much in those airport lounges! You may see us on Proteus but not under it - too cold!!!

Cheers
Alan & Esther

Hi Esther and Al
Hope you had a great 40th Esther, a fab Christmas and a brill New Year. We have really enjoyed looking at your most recent photos (especially the ones in the jungle) and reading all your news. Hope Al is fully recovered from the dysentery - sure it was worse than the Noro virus that me and Steve both had over the New Year! Love to you both and hope your trip in 2009 continues to be as exciting as in 2008.
Anne and Steve xx

Hi Alan - looking at the website as we bask in -3 degrees in Blighty, know where I would rather be. Glad you are having a good time, hook up for a beer when you get back?

Johnathan

Happy New Year!
We have done a bit of research on the Brennan side here in Canada....the picture is not pretty. I think Pauline's family was escorted out of Ireland (so it is probably safe to say that you are related!)
Just wanted to remind you to practice 'safe camera' when diving - don't forget to put the lens cover on before submerging.
Hope you are still practicing the Yoga (and that Alan has finally been able to clean his yoga thong).
Enjoy the rest of your trip!

Sitting in Lydia's house in
Newbridge Kildare. All here send their love and wish you a Happy New Year!

Paul


Happy New Year to you all! We are now in Ecuador. The locals are all parading their efigies of politicians, military leaders, historical figures around in the back of their vans ready for the big burn on New Years Eve. Apparently it is a major fire hadzard for the city. Lots of fireworks and flames and an all night street party. Should be great - a bit like a Friday night out in Greenford!

Cheers
Alan

Merry Christmas Alan and Esther. Daddy still looking like a mackerel.

Sian X

Merry Christmas Sian and Maggie

I bet he is! He's always looked like a Mackerel!!!

Love
Alan & Esther

Happy Christmas and a very Happy New Year. Looking forward to seeing you in February. Enjoy the rest of your holiday.

love

Paul Ann Sean and Kieron

Hi Allan & Esther,

I've checked out your pictures and want to show them to my 4 years old niece (La Paz, Sea lions).
I'd like to wish you guys merry xmas and a happy new year!
Istvan

Merry Christmas Istvan

I thought you would have had enough of sea lions by now!!! Have a great Christmas and Happy New Year.

Alan & Esther

Unbelievable! Beautiful photos! Those hammer headshots! We would be interested to know how you think the two boats compare. Good luck with the flooded camera. Not Larry at Hooters! Whew! My faith is restored. Best wishes to Al and Esther and Larry for a joyous holiday season! Ellen and Doug


Ellen and Doug

Have a great Christmas and New Year. We will let you have the lowdown on the 2 boats once we get a bit more time (one day transfer at the moment so short on time).

Alan & Esther

Hi Esther and big Al!
Bren passed me on the web address. Amazing !)guys!
Al, even if we dont see you in the pics we believe you were there...
lots of love to all Brennans and Co.
xxn

Hi Noelia, no-one believes me...I haven't done away with Al in the middle of the Pacific...he's the one doing the clicking honest!!
We're just about getting by with about 4 words of Spanish & lots of smiling, good job everyone speaks a bit of English here!!
Happy Christmas, love Esther & Al

Hi Esther

Happy 40th birthday - hope it's a memorable one for all the right reasons!

Lots of love
Mary and Tom
XX :) :)


Hello, memorable for some great reasons (the diving & the location) and some terrible reasons - Al had severe dysentary - 36hrs in the cooler - from just before to just after my birthday!!! How inconsiderate!! Don't worry, I have another birthday penned in for same time next week....oh yeah and Al's fine now!!
xxx

Hope you have a fantastic 40th birthday Esther! You don't know what you're missing back here - X factor finals, Celebrity in a Jungle Get me Out of Here, Strictly Come Dancing....
it's all happening. Hope you left your Sky on record.

Love Anne & Steve

Hello, thanks for birthday wishes. Got a cake with a very diplomatic 3 candles (the truth would cause a fire risk on board) Don't know how I'll ever catch up with Sat evening entertainment, but practicing in the jungle next week....now just need to become a z-list celebrity - do you think having my photo on the internet counts??
xxx

Happy christmas to you both
rita& jimmy

Rita & Jimmy

Thanks for the Christmas wishes. Hope that you have a great one and Happy New Year to you both an Liam (is he 7 foot tall yet - I may have some contacts in the basketball world who would be intersested in him!). Pass on all the best to Carol, Dermot and Wendy. If you have any email adresses for the Wexford clan (or even Paul!) can you let me have them please? Off to the Jungle tomorrow. Christmas dinner on the top of a tree!

Planning on going to Ireland for a week when we get back - about time really!

Catch you soon.

Alan & Esther

Absolutely fab photos and great captions. But where's Al? Is he on this trip? Maybe he's hiding behind those HUGE Manta. Fantastic to see all your piccies and glad to hear that you're having a great time. xx

Anne

I'm sure the photo of me with the Sea Lion Toupe is enough to keep all back in Blighty happy for a few months!

Trip is fab. Hope all is well with you both.

Alan

Al and Esther
Photos are fantastic, amazing the depths you will go to, to acquire a seal skin wig. It must be nippy down there.

Enjoy your travels.

Dave

Rushdie

Thanks for your kind words. The Sea Lion (not Seal - check the ears out - I thought you were a Geographer and Naturalist!) hairpiece is the latest fashion in these parts. No gentlemen would be seen out without one!

Hope all is well. Diving is getting more exciting - some interesting currents in Cocos, up and down as sell as across. Getting the hang of things.

Cheers
Alan

Just had my Great White Photos fix for the week, absolutely superb! Love the news update, Esther, think you've found your vocation, you're definitely wasted writing TOR's! Lots of love xx

Alan and Esther, The adventure continues. Some really amazing photos especially of the hammerheads. I can't believe there was somebody dumb enough not to wear a wet suit what was he thinking. Thanks again for the great website, I'm checking it everyday, looks like the photos are posting a little faster than the news, who's reponsible for that anyway?

Cheers,
Larry
ps that wasn't me at hooters, i prefer the pub


Larry

Re. the news. A good point, well made. Esther is of course responsible for the News! We were in Houston yesterday and thought of you as we saw the aircraft stacking up!

Welcome pepper shortage on the Solmar! Caught up with Sten, Will and Fiona on a dive at the Boiler last week.

Off to Cocos tomorrow morning. 36 hour crossing but sure it will be worth it.

Cheers
Alan

Wonderful Website! Great photos and commentary. We really enjoyed browsing through it. And we're having fun telling our friends about the terrific Socorro trip we had with you two and Larry and all. Best wishes for further wonderful travels and great diving. We will be following your adventures with interest.
Best regards, Doug & Ellen


Doug/Ellen

Thanks, it was a great week. The Solmar V was also a great boat but the diving (overall) was not as good as the week we had together. Viz was not great and Roca Partida was very quiet. We had some great days at the Boiler tought. 7 mantas and a couple of them were huge (much bigger than week one). However, the sharks were obviously off on vacation! One of the guys in the group did come face to face (of fin to face) with an 8' Tiger shark, which he found both interesting and stimulating! Had to fend him off with his fins. Hope all is well back at home. More pictures very soon. We managed to resist going to Hooters when we got off the Solmar yesterday (but we think we may have spotted Larry in there!).

Regulator is working fine. Thanks for your generosity and help. Much appreciated.

Cheers
Alan and Esther

Hi Al,Est,
Stop Press, your apples plus about 700kg were duely processed on th 11 October.....about 350 litres are currently bubbling away...Cider samples will be ready for your return in 2009,
I note there are no photos of Esthers horrific bum injury......

Rich

Sounds good. Please ensure that you put by a bottle of the 'Bournemouth' cider. I don't want any cheap muck from the Southampton batch of apples!

Could you please provide a progress report on how the submarine building is going. I would expect to be able to take her out upon return to the UK.

Play up Pompey!

Cheers
Alan

Hi Esther thanks for the link to this site. Very impressive photos Alan!

Will keep an eye on the site over the next few months, with envy, and would definately be interested in meeting up in Spring to hear more about your adventure.

Geoff

Alan and Ester, back in the USA and wanted to say thank you for being great dive buddies and including me as part of you're little adventure. I will be following you're journey with great interest and envy. Hope you find calm seas and great sightings. You're new american friend Larry the bootless tiger shark hunter.

Larry

A pleasure to meet and dive with you. Should have all the pictures uploaded by the end of today. Not long until the Solmar now. Looking forward to going back to Socorro - it was indeed a great week.

Cheers
Alan and Esther

Thank you for letting me share in your epic adventure. Sitting here on a cold, wet November night I am transfixed by your pictures and can only begin to imagine how magical it must be. Will you ever return or are you destined to become marine explorers for ever?

Hi Alan,

Looks like your having a great time, there some superb photos that you have taking, make photos from my trip to Egypt look very Mickey Mouse!!!!

Enjoy the rest of you trip.

Those GW's look like pussies! I could 'ave 'em, no worries.

I didn't think sharks eat Banana cake

Pete

You are mistaken sir, it´s Lemon Meringue that they don´t like. I hear the gig bookings for J Y Kelly are coming fast and furious? Hope it all goes well.

Cheers
Alan

Alan

Hope you managed to celebrate your birthday in style. Catch-up with you soon.

Regards to Esther

M, J & Hx

Superb photos, particularly from the Nautilus trip. Love the captions. How come you need less buoyant suits with all that food? Lay off the cheese!

Fantastic photos - you would not get me down there for all the Bahama Muma's in the world. Esther - how was it - really??!!

those sharks are HUUUUUGE!!!!!!

Wowie! i Cant believe u dive wd those SHARKS :/ !! I would be so scared & i love the picture of the puffy fish !
Enjoy ur Trip
Love Hol x x x

Mr Stuart

Your friend may be a nurse shark (Ginglymostoma Cirratum). They are idle devils who spend all day lounging around unproductively. The only time they move is to forage for food (main diet invertebrates, bony fish & bacon).

Congratulations! Five new english pounds and a Great White Photos T-Shirt are in the post to you today.

Regards

....But I'll raise a toast for you on regular occassions!!! Can't wait to see more pics - they're amazing! Have a sensational time and see you in Australia!!!!

Sarah, Anth and Ava x

Dear Great White Photos

I have a question - one of my friends is very lazy and spends most the day in his dressing gown eating chocolate bars.

I wonder if there is a specific tropical fish which personifies these traits eg. the-bone-idle-greater-spotted-dressing-gown-fish?

PS. do I win £5?

Yours with interest