Goodbye Bermuda

August 13, 2008

We (John, John, Jon, Alex, and Amy) leave Bermuda today, and we are really going to miss all of the people that have been such an integral part of this expedition. It has been so much fun working with everyone, and we are very grateful to all of our sponsors and project supporters! Gil and Rehan provided us transportation to the airport, and once on board our JetBlue plane of only 20 people, Jon Jones was able to get the pilot to fly low over the island for some filming during takeoff – it was awesome! We flew the entire length of the island at only a few thousand feet prior to ascending to our cruising altitude…was beautiful! We spent a 3 hour layover in Boston before an uneventful return flight to Orlando. We all arrived home safe and sound, and are very thankful to the many people and companies that made this trip possible.

 A big thank you to Interactive Expeditions for partnering with us and making this entire experience possible. We tried to do this kind of broadcast two years ago from Bermuda, but we couldn’t find the technology or support crew to make it happen. We have thoroughly enjoyed working with you, and we look forward to many expeditions to come! Thanks for the laughs, the fun, and the friendship! Adam, we missed you and we are thankful that you took care of things stateside! Please visit www.interactiveexpedition.com and click on Videos to watch the archived broadcasts from this expedition!

Thank you to Gil and Pam Nolan who made this expedition possible and for providing housing (and great food!) for us! We appreciate your enthusiasm and support! Hopefully we’ll be back soon to do the same with Bermuda wrecks, caves, etc.

A big thank you to TracStar Systems, HSBC Bank of Bermuda, LBI Sat, UCF Dept. of Digital Media, and the I-4 High Tech Corridor grant for helping to put the pieces of the puzzle together to make the broadcasts such a success and for the financial support.

Carl Saieva – it was AWESOME having you on this project as a diver and as THE essential underwater electronics person! We couldn’t have done this without you! Thank you SARTEK Industries for the cameras, lights, electronics, and support!! Thanks, too, for the scooter adventures and for the daily “dock tossings”!

Thanks to Graham Maddocks of Triangle Diving who donated his staff and all of the diving gas needed for this expedition! Thanks, too, for the great food and sharing your home with us – the hospitality was wonderful, and we hope we can pay you back if you are ever in central Florida! Rehan – SS Minnow Captain – thanks for all of your help and willingness to drive anywhere for anything! Without you, this project would have been much more difficult to complete! 🙂

Thanks to Sam Waltman, Renee Power, Bob Giguere and bGenesis Productions, Marissa Rodriguez, and Kris Shannon for liaising with our venues back home in the US! The extra effort you put forth to make this possible is greatly appreciated!

Thank you Annie and Jack for providing transportation and assistance during our stay! Transporting tanks on a scooter was one thing, but doing that with the satellite dish wouldn’t have been an option! 🙂

We are grateful to Mr. David Summers, Ms. Debbie Ray, and the staff at Fantasy and Crystal Caves for allowing us access and an unprecedented chance to broadcast from these beautiful cave systems. What an amazing venue!

Thank you to Juanita at Clear View Guest Cottages for the accommodations for our team! It was the ideal location, and we appreciate the generous rate you offered to our group.

And finally, a big thank you to our families back home who joined us online, took care of sick kids (thanks Mary!!), and supported this project! Thanks so much!

Team:
Jenny Gautier
Amy Giannotti
Jon Jones
Alex Katsaros
John Nelson
Gil Nolan
Phil Peters
John Rife
Carl Saieva
Rehan Syed
Terrence Tysall