Mission Impossible?

"The impossible missions are the only ones which succeed."

- Jacques Cousteau

Grand Canyon SKYWALK ~ 4,000 feet above the Colorado River!

During our recent visit to Las Vegas, we took off on a day trip to visit the Grand Canyon Skywalk. Located at Grand Canyon West on the Hualapai Indian Reservation, the Grand Canyon Skywalk opened to the public on March 28th, 2007. Sturdy enough to hold the weight of a dozen fully loaded 747’s, and strong enough to withstand winds up to 100mph, the Grand Canyon Skywalk is a unique U-shaped glass-bottomed cantilever bridge that spans 70 feet (21.34 meters) over the Grand Canyon’s rim and sits 4,000 feet (1219 meters) above the Colorado River.

The Skywalk at Grand Canyon West has quickly become one of the best day trip destinations from Las Vegas, NV and Kingman, AZ and has become the most recognizable cantilever structure in the world. While the Skywalk offers a truly amazing experience, be forewarned that the owners do not allow you to take pictures while standing on the bridge. There are photographers there to take your picture for posterity, for a hefty fee, of course.

Would we go back? Yes, for the first time experience, but would not return for a second visit due to their draconian policy of banning cameras and cell phones on the bridge.

For a video segment and more information: www.grandcanyonskywalk.com

Pretty Vegas!

June 9 - 14, 2010: We spent several pretty days & dirty nights in Las Vegas with my lovely young wife, Kathryn. Apart from celebrating her birthday, we enjoyed some very fine dining at several notable restaurants.

On this trip we also attended the World Tea Expo at the Las Vegas Convention Centre, took the elevator to the top of the Paris Hotel's Eiffel Tower, and also made it to the dizzying heights of the Stratosphere Tower. On Sunday we rented a car and made a day trip out to the Western rim of the Grand Canyon.

Once again, we chose to stay at the luxurious Venetian and were glad we did when the hotel graciously upgraded our room to one with a view. For Kathryn's birthday dinner I took her out to dine at her favorite Vegas French restaurant, Bouchon. Afterward, we decided to attend a stellar performance of "The Phantom of the Opera" at The Venetian's 40 million dollar theatre. Awesome!

Funny story. While we were passing through airport security at McCarran Airport for our return trip home, the airport security official reviewed our passports and boarding passes and then looked up at my wife and sternly said, “We got a problem.” The blood rushed from Kathryn’s face before he could say... “So where are you planning to take your husband away to for his birthday?” Where, indeed?

Here are some random images that I made...

Mrs. Valerie May TAYLOR - Member of the Order of Australia!

June 14, 2010: I just learned that famed shark diver & marine conservationist, Valerie Taylor, has been appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for her service to conservation in today’s Queen’s Birthday honors list. Certainly a deserving honor and one that is long overdue in my opinion. Her husband, Ron Taylor, was honored in 2003.

The official release reads:

"For service to conservation and the environment as an advocate for the protection and preservation of marine wildlife and habitats, particularly the Great Barrier Reef and Ningaloo Reef, and as an underwater cinematographer and photographer."





























Valerie and her husband, Ron, have for more than 50 years promoted the protection of marine life species. In particular, the great white shark and the grey nurse shark. Valerie has also lobbied for the conservation of marine habitats such as the Great Barrier Reef and the Ningaloo Reef Marine Park in Western Australia. She has also been vocal about securing protection for the potato cod, sea lions, southern right whales and sea turtles.


















Ron & Valerie Taylor were my boyhood heroes and without them knowing it, contributed much to my lifelong passion & admiration for sharks. Their ocean work continues to inspire many the world over. While I once had the opportunity to speak with Ron briefly at a film night in Vancouver, I have only exchanged an email with Valerie. By any measure, Ron & Valerie Taylor are a class act!

For more information: www.ronvaltaylor.com

"Il faut aller voir." ("We must go and see.") - Jacques Yves Cousteau

June 11, 2010: Today would have been Jacques Cousteau’s 100th birthday. I can fondly recall tuning in to watch "The Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau," on TV whenever it played in the late 60s and early 70s. This television series brought the undersea life beneath the world’s oceans into millions of homes. No doubt, there will be many platitudes and celebrations honoring of the great man who not only helped to invent the scuba regulator, but he also helped raise the public’s awareness of the unique problems faced by the world’s marine habitats.

In 1961 when President John F. Kennedy presented the Society's Special Gold Medal to Captain Cousteau for his undersea exploration, the medal bore an inscription that symbolizes the pioneer's life work: "To earthbound man he gave the key to the silent world."































It just so happens that I’ve been reading Brad Matsen’s novel, Jacques Cousteau: The Sea King. A great read thus far that details the exploits of one of the world’s most beloved oceanographers. All I have to say on the anniversary of Mr. Cousteau’s birthday is, “Merci Beaucoup!” You took us on many great adventures, both while sitting in front of a TV set, and in my boyhood imagination.

"Bowls of Blood" - a video by Gary Stokes about the making of Shark Fin Soup

Gary Stokes has posted a superb short movie from Oceanic Love that shows the path from the ocean to the bowl. The video shows what goes into the creation of shark fin soup. and takes you behind closed doors into a Chinese restaurant's kitchen in Kowloon, Hong Kong. The video shows how pointless this bowl of soup is and also reveals the carnage required to make it.

WARNING - Scene's of a graphic nature, viewer discretion is advised.

http://vimeo.com/11928920

Tacoma Dive & Travel Show 2010 - It's A Wrap!

Kathryn and I have returned home safely from the Tacoma Dive & Travel Expo. Thanks to all those who attended my seminar on "Getting Published - Tips For Getting Your Words & Images Published in Scuba Magazines." I noticed several attendees making notes during my talk so lets hope that leads to some getting their work published for the first time.


Crazy time as we ran into several old diving friends who I had not seen for more than 20 years. Also, made some new industry connections. Another great dive show!




























Kudos to Rick Stratton and his team of volunteers for putting together such a successful event for the Pacific Northwest diving community. Rick promised that the show would get even bigger and better over time and he surely delivered. Congrats to all!

Amuse Consulting is 5 years old!

May 19, 2010: Vancouver’s Harrison Galleries was the place to be last Wednesday evening when founder of Amuse Consulting, Marc Smith, threw a an amaze-balls party to celebrate the anniversary of being in business for five years. Amuse Consulting is a full-service event planning company.

My wife, Kathryn, and I had a most enjoyable evening and we were particularly pleased to participate in one of Marc's featured events; a wine tasting that demonstrated the fine art of wine blending.

Proceeds from the evening, along with a generous donation from Marc, went to two very worthy charities that he supports, Kids Up Front Vancouver & A Loving Spoonful. If you're looking for an experienced event planning company, that provides exceptional service, look no further than Amuse Consulting. For more information go to: www.amuseconsulting.ca

Chalk Up Another Book Review!

Focal Press has been a leading publisher of Media Technology books for 70 years. They specialize in publishing high quality books filled with practical hands-on information, dealing with cutting-edge and converging technologies from the experts in the field.

Through a strange twist of fate, I became one of their go to people to provide feedback on new books that are being developed. This past week, I was asked to review a book draft for two very well known wildlife photographers. Unfortunately, I cannot yet mention who these individuals are, or say anything about the book in development. But I do enjoy doing these reviews and eventually seeing how the final product turns out.

Get a FREE copy of the Diving Almanac at the Dive & Travel Expo!

Jeffrey Gallant (Editor-in-Chief) of the Diving Almanac & Book of Records has just announced he will be handing out a free copy of the Diving Almanac & Book of Records to the first 500 attendees at the Dive & Travel Expo in Tacoma, Washington (May 21-23), the largest consumer dive show in the Pacific Northwest!

Jeff has done an excellent job with gathering all the information that is pressed between the pages of this book. I happen to have a copy myself and I can state that it is well worth twice the sale price. So...this free offer from Mr Gallant makes getting to the show early a must!

For more information, go to: www.divenewsnetwork.com/expo

An Early Mothers Day Treat - Dinner at Little Billy's Steakhouse!

Kathryn and I enjoyed a sumptuous steak dinner at Little Billy’s on Hastings Street last Friday night. And, as always, what a superb meal it was. In my opinion, this is one of the best mouth-watering steak houses in Metro Vancouver. Quaint, out of the way, and exemplary service!

Little Billy's is a hybrid steakhouse with an "uptown" feel. It offers a cutting edge menu of the finest prime steaks and fresh seafood and a touch of traditional Greek food accompanied by great dining music seven nights a week.

Just before we were about to leave, Billy came by our table to ask how our dinner was? He then asked if we would like to sip some special blueberry wine he had just come across. We were delighted when two glasses of wine arrived at our table with smoke from dry ice cascading over the lip of the glasses. This wine reminded us of some fine ice wines we had enjoyed in the past. Exceptional!

Billy does not know that I am a card carrying member of the International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association. As I said the service and quality of the menu items are the hallmarks of their business... and something they take enormous pride in delivering to their dinner guests.

Little Billy’s is one of our favourite places to dine when we want to go out for a romantic dinner. And since the romance in our marriage seems never ending... we will surely be back again and again. For more information: www.littlebillys.com

2010 BC Travel Writers Association Annual Symposium

May 8, 2010: We attended the annual travel writers symposium at Robson Street’s boutique Listel Hotel. This symposium provides an opportunity to meet and mingle with fellow BCATW members. During the afternoon we were able to speak one on one with two of the travel writing panelists who were chosen to present at this event.

JOHN LEE, spoke about cultural travel. John is an award-winning travel writer whose work has appeared in the Lonely Planet Travel Guides, National Geographic Traveler, the Globe and Mail, Chicago Tribune and US Airways in-flight. As well, he has written the books Walking Vancouver and Drinking Vancouver.

LORI HENRY, spoke about ecotourism/adventure travel. Lori is the Western Canada Travel Writer for www.Suite101.com. Her guidebook work includes publication in Fodor's Nova Scotia & Atlantic Canada. She has also written for Reader's Digest, Western Living, VIA destinations, West, FLARE and Western Living.

Always an enjoyable way to spend the afternoon and come away with a few gems of wisdom. This year, my wife, Kathryn, and I won two different prize draws. The first was a two day Hop-on, Hop-off, city tour of Vancouver with The Vancouver Trolley Company (www.vancouvertrolley.com).

The second prize was a romantic weekend for two at Adventure B&B at Rockwood Retreat (www.adventureb-b.com) in Powell River, along with the choice of either doing a nature hike or an ocean kayaking adventure with a local nature tour operator. There is also a 9-hole golf course next door and Powell River's ocean shores also has some very fine scuba diving sites. We can’t wait!














For more information about the BC Travel Writers Association go to: http://www.bctravelwriters.com

Judge Jett - Tacoma Dive and Travel Expo 2010 Photo and Video Competition

Ahhhh... Saturday morning. A fresh cup of java, my adorable wife by my side, and my Macbook Pro laptop loaded with entries for the Tacoma Dive and Travel Expo 2010 Photo Contest.

I was asked this year to sit on the photo contest judging panel. This annual Tacoma Dive and Travel Expo photo and video competition is open to all amateur underwater photographers and videographers.

I have submitted my selections. Looking forward to seeing how the other judges voted. As is often the case in these matters.... beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Hmmmm...I wonder what the chances are that all the contestants were woman?

Speaking Engagement: Northwest Dive & Travel Expo, May 21-23, 2010

The Northwest Dive & Travel Expo is scheduled to be held at the Tacoma Convention Center in Tacoma, Wash., May 21-23, 2010. I am honored to again be invited back for the 3rd year in a row as one of the show’s guest speakers by show organizer, Rick Stratton, who also happens to be the publisher of Northwest Dive News.

This show is the largest consumer diving and travel show in the Pacific Northwest, and Rick promises that the 2010 show will be even bigger and more fun-packed. The venue, a new, world-class convention center, features an upscale and attractive environment in the heart of vibrant downtown Tacoma, Washington. Just 30 minutes south of Seattle, this high-tech center offers 132 Exhibitor Booths in 32,000 square feet attractive and up scale meeting space. For more information, go to www.diveandtravelexpo.com

My seminar topic this year will be "Getting Published ~ Tips For Getting Your Words & Images Published in Scuba Magazines"

Do Travel Writers Go To Hell? ~ Just My 2 Cents On A Great Book

It seems that I’m only able to catch up on my reading during long cross country flights between Vancouver’s International Airport and far away destinations.

During my most recent flight, I found myself chuckling to the Hunter S. Thompson-esque bawdy misadventures as penned by travel writer, Tom Kohnstamm., in his book, "Do Travel Writers Go To Hell?"

One could well wonder if travel writers go to hell after the author highly entertains his readers with his experiences while he journeyed in Brazil on assignment for Lonely Planet Guide Books. Mr. Kohnstamm’s well-written book exposes the seedy underbelly of travel writing with sharp wit, self-deprecating humor, and freewheeling depravity that kept me page turning right up to when the plane taxied to the gangway. Pass the rum baby and pour me a glass... this is a killer read!

Depth Magazine ~ Published My Story on Cozumel

Depth Magazine, an online internet scuba publication, has published my story, "Cozumel ~ Undersea Temple of the Mayan Gods" in their May/June 2010 issue.

Jett Britnell: Member Ocean Artists Society

April 30, 2010: WOW! Today, I was welcomed into the distinguished ranks of the Ocean Artists Society, a unique alliance of the world’s top marine life artists, painters, sculptors, photographers, filmmakers, and writers coming together to use ocean art to inspire people around the world to a greater awareness of our need to protect and preserve our natural world.

Once per year, all new members being considered must be nominated by OAS founding members and unanimously voted in to become an official member. It is an honor to be part of an organization that includes several of my peers along with such world-renowned members as marine life whaling wall artist, Wyland, National Geographic’s, David Doubilet, marine photographer, Bob Talbot and my boyhood heroes, Ron & Valerie Taylor to name a few...

Here is what the OAS promotes:



The Ocean Artist Society was created to foster an appreciation
and develop continued interest in the ocean arts.

Our Mission:
Artists united for the oceans.

Our Vision:
Using ocean art to inspire people around the world to a greater awareness
of our need to protect and preserve our natural world.

Our Theme
Art that celebrates the beauty of the sea - both above and below.

Our Values
As artists of the sea it is our responsibility to protect what we love
by sharing the beauty of the oceans with other
Like I said, WOW!

www.oceanartistssociety.org

The Merchant Of Venom - Mr. Don Rickles

I’ve always thought that in order to be successful underwater photographer one must maintain an admirable sense of humor. And what better way to hone that skill than to watch some masters of comedy practice their unique art. Hence, April 2010 turned out to be a month of comedy as were entertained by both Conan O’Brian and Russell Brand on different nights this month.

Tonight my lovely wife and I were entertained by the legendary Don Rickles, aka "Mr. Warmth" who unleashed his infamous insult comedy schtick before adoring fans at the River Rock Casino in Richmond, British Columbia. As the band struck the opening chords to "La Virgen de la Macarena," Mr. Rickles sauntered onstage to standing applause. The “Master of Insults” was akin to a Spanish bull who would soon be metaphorically goring some front row audience members. However, everyone was soon to discover that behind Mr. Rickle’s sharp barbs was a deep affection and love for those whom he taunted.

"If I were to insult people and mean it, that wouldn't be funny." Rickles once told an interviewer. "There is a difference between an actual insult and just having fun." Don Rickles brought the house down with a lot of fun and along the way... garnered several standing ovations for his sheer comedic genius. Indeed, tonight we were entirely entertained by a legendary performer!

Rusty Rocket's Red Glare - Russell Brand Plays Seattle's Moore Theater

Seattle, April 23, 2010. Whooo Hoooo! We saw British comic, Russell Brand (aka his handle on Twitter, rustyrockets), perform live stand up at Seattle’s Moore Theater!

Outlandish, outrageous and utterly funny!!!!

The house went even wilder when Russell called friend and fellow comedian, Jonah Hill, to the stage near the end of his set. A video snippet of this moment can be seen at the following link.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VeTVXOl1lGc&hd=1