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Gabriel
Pena - PADI Divemaster, Boat Operator
Gaby was
born in Cebu, Philippines amid a family of divers. His father was one
of the first divers in the Philippines in the early 50s. Gaby has got a
great collection of photos of his father diving in 1953 when a rope for
a weight belt was one of the early days inventions. Recruited to Ocean
Hunter II in 2003 and Fish 'n Fins
in 2006, Gaby is a gentleman with a peaceful nature. Our guests all
find him to be a great dive guide and delightful after-dive company.
His favourite reef is Ulong Channel,
his favourite fish are sharks.
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Wilson Marcello -
PADI Divemaster
Under construction.
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Alain
Rabor - PADI Instructor
Engineer by
education, beach bum by profession. Alain is from Cebu, Philippines
where he worked as a dive guide and instructor. His enthusiasm is
contagious when you have him around you. Turtle Wall,
Peleliu Cut
& Devilfish City are his favourite reefs, the thresher shark
& rock mover wrasse his favourite fish.
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Yoko
Higashide - NAUI Instructor
Yoko is from Japan and has been working for Fish 'n Fins
for more than 5 years now. She has a very good eye for small stuff and
won the 1st prize on the Palau Underwater Photo Festival. She pretty
much knows all good restaurants in Palau. Yoko's favourite reefs are Blue
Corner and Turtle Cove.
Her favourite fish are the manta ray and his smaller brother, the
blenny.
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Shane
Kuartei - PADI Divemaster
Grown up on
the reefs, Shane "The Insane" knows every little cut and corner of the
entire reef system in Palau. If fun is what you're looking for, make
sure he's on the boat. Has a good eye for small stuff too. Shane's
favourite reef in Palau is Siaes Tunnel
and his favourite fish the manta ray.
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Ken Tarkong -
PADI Divemaster, Boat Operator
Always
entertaining, Ken brings great enthusiasm to whatever job he is doing,
be it guiding divers or driving the boat. He normally orders Fried
Crocodile for lunch but hasn't yet received it.
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Steve
Wiles - PADI Instructor
Steve
previously worked as a network engineer in the UK and Ireland. Having first dived in 1998 Steve took the plunge in
2003, quitting the office world to become a diving professional. Since
then he has worked in Thailand and Egypt before arriving in Palau in
April 2007. His favourite fish to be around is the magnificent Oceanic
Whitetip Shark, although he also has a soft spot for the very similar
Lemon Coral Goby. His favourite site in Palau is Peleliu
Express .
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Vladimir Serafimov - PADI Instructor
Before
taking
up diving professionally Vladimir spent 15 years in the Air Force of
the U.S.S.R. After a brief stint working in TV production Vladimir
qualified as an instructor in the mid 1990's and hasn't looked back
since. Yet another of our guides who thinks Ulong
Channel
is the place to be, Vladimir loves diving with sharks. Any shark, as
often as possible. Rumours that Vladimir is Tim's long lost brother
remain unconfirmed.
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Fuanes Oiterong -
Naturalist and Kayak Guide
Fuanes
has been working as a Kayak Guide for many years and joined Fish n Fins
in 2007. Incredibly helpful, his knowledge of the flora and
fauna
of Palau is unsurpassed. In his spare time Fuanes competes in triathlon
competitions.
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Ocean
Hunter I
Siksei Markungael - Captain,
PADI Divemaster
After having worked for 3 years at Fish 'n Fins as
a dive guide and boat captain, Siksei was transferred to Ocean
Hunter I
in August 2003. Born and raised in Palau, he loves the ocean, being a
captain and finding small fish. His favorite fish is a leaf fish,
followed by a scorpion fish, or the other way around. Ulong
Channel, Blue Corner
and Peleliu
Express
are some of his favourite divesites. He has logged around 8,000 dives.
Make sure Siksei and boat operator Silas are on your side during a game
of paintball.
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Troy
Ngiraikelau - PADI Divemaster, Boat Operator
Born and
raised in Palau, Troy has been working at Fish ´n Fins since
1989, becoming a boat captain and dive guide alongside Francis
Toribiong. He joined the Ocean Hunter crew in 1998.
Favorite fish: sharks. Favorite dive site: Ulong Channel.
On the boat, he loves watching the stars. Troy has done 10,000 dives,
so he doesn't have to log 'em anymore. Don't have him on your side when
playing paintball.
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Chhetra
Bhandari - Cook
Chhetra is a
very friendly, always smiling and good-natured cook from Nepal. He
joined the team at Fish 'n Fins in 2001 and was transferred to Ocean
Hunter I in 2005. You'll love being in his company as he
makes you feel at home the minute you're onboard.
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Ocean
Hunter II
Kenneth Johnny - Captain,
PADI & IANTD Instructor
Born and
raised in Palau, Kenneth has a record of more than 10,000 dives in
Palau over the last 20 years. His knowledge of the reefs, currents,
fish life and Palauan customs is stunning. Yet he continues to be the
friendly guy he has always been, eager to share his knowledge and
stories with you. His favourite reef is the entire Ngemelis reef and
his favourite fish is a small one, the harlequin ghost pipefish.
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Eddie
Foja - PADI Instructor
Born
and
raised in the Philippines, Eddie used to work as a bookkeeper but
changed his profession when he discovered the beautiful aquatic world.
He worked in Puerto Galera, Philippines for 9 years and then came to
Palau in 2003. His favourite reefs in Palau are Buoy 6, Ulong
& German
Channel. His favourite fish are any rays or sharks,
especially the big ones.
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Jade
Rechelluul - PADI Divemaster
Under construction.
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Arlee
Terunez - Chef Cook
He joined Ocean Hunter I in 1999 and Ocean
Hunter II
in 2005. Divers love him, he has a million-dollar smile and is always
eager to please you. Thanks to Tova’s training, Arlee
specializes
in a very healthy cuisine incorporating the freshest ingredients to
produce a memorable bill of fare with great diversity. At the end of
your trip you'll agree that he is the best liveaboard Chef in the world.
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Richard
Eco - Sailor
Born in
Cebu, Philippines, Richard came to Palau in 2002. He is a good-natured
young guy always ready to attend to the slightest need that might
arise. His task is basically to make sure the ship is prepared for
anything, in true Ocean Hunter fashion. And that's what he manages to
do.
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Fish
'n Films
Mark Thorpe
Fish
'n Films,
the Photo Shop at Fish 'n Fins, is run and managed by Mark, an
internationally recognised underwater cameraman in his own right. With
clients such as National Geographic Television and Film, the World
Wildlife Fund, YLE - Finland, SBS - Korea and Channel 7 - Australia, to
mention a few, Mark has been instrumental in the supply of underwater
imagery to compliment underwater film production for the past 13 years.
Mark speaks french, spanish and a bit of german. His favourite reefs in
Palau are Blue Corner
(northwest or outgoing side) & Ulong
Channel. His favourite fish are the tautilus, nurtle and
longnose filefish.
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Boat
Operators
Timothy Olikong - Boat Operator and PADI Divemaster
Tim
joined us
in 2006 after previously working as a Koror State Ranger. First
employed by Fish 'n Fins as a driver Tim has successfully
completed his PADI Divemaster course, so now you might find him either
driving or diving for us. Tims favourite dive site is Ulong
Channel
(incoming tide of course), he loves to dive with Silvertips and if you
ever see a Thresher Shark please point it out to him, as it's the one
fish he'd love to see.
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Silas
Adolf - Boat Operator and PADI Divemaster
Has been
working as a boat operator for 7 years now, 4 of which for Fish 'n
Fins. Knows the entire reefsystem in Palau as the back of his hand.
Likes to explore. Favourite reef: Ulong Channel.
Favourite fish: bumphead parrotfish, with mayo. Make sure he and Ocean
Hunter I Captain Siksei are on your side when you play
paintball.
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Garry Tellames (Tong)
Under construction.
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Marlon
Kinto
Under construction.
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Moses Blesam
Under
construction
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Malsol
Obak - Boat Operator and PADI Divemaster
Kenneth's brother Malsol joined Fish 'n Fins in
2005 as a boat operator. He likes to catch wahoo, at night or daytime
and his favourite reef is Blue Corner,
especially when the current is rock n' rolling. .
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Barracuda
Bar & Restaurant
Solomon Viray - Chef Cook
Highly experienced. Came to Palau in 1994 to serve as a Chef Cook
aboard Ocean Hunter I and was transferred to Ocean
Hunter II in 2004. Now Solomon is responsible for the
Barracuda Bar & Restaurant. No matter what you want, he'll
prepare it.
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Cesar
Adriosula - Cook
Cesar came to Fish 'n Fins in 2004. He loves to
prepare (and eat!) seafood pasta and has a great sense of humour!
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Shop
& Office
Jacky Brabon - PADI Staff
Instructor, Accountant
Left the
U.K. a long time ago and has been an instructor for more than 10 years
now, the last three of which have been spent at Fish 'n Fins. Her
favourite reef is Ulong Channel,
her favourite fish the pufferfish.
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Charito
Diagro, Accountant
Came to
Palau after having worked as an accountant in Manila, Philippines for 6
years. She might also be assisting you with your check in and out.
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Ricky
Mercado, Dive Shop
Not
to be
confused with Ricky Martin, he came to Palau in 2006. Ricky works
mainly in the shop, although he
also has a nice sideline in driving you to and from your hotel.
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Rose
Cabana, Dive Shop
Rose has been working for Fish 'n Fins
since 2001. She's part of our team in the shop and will be assisting
you with your check in or any purchases you might be making.
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Maria
Elena Mercado, Dive Shop
Marilyn came
to Palau in 2006 and is part of our team in the shop. She will also be
assisting you with your check in and out and will be taking your order
if you want to purchase something in our shop.
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Maintenance
Junior Galo - Supervisor
Junior has
been working for the pioneer dive shop in Palau since 1994. He's
responsible for all general maintenance and he'll be picking you up
from your hotel in the morning. His favourite fish is wahoo sashimi.
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Eppie
Estova
Came to Palau in 2001 to assist Junior. He'll be driving you back to
your hotel in the afternoon.
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Fabio
Arnaiz - Carpenter
Came to Palau in 2002, assists Junior.
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Roy
Arnaiz - Carpenter
Came to Palau in 2005, assists Junior.
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Rene
Arnaiz - Carpenter
Came to Palau in 2005, assists Junior.
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Antonio Sabinda Jr
Came to Palau in 2007, assists Junior.
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