Paul Cater Deaton: News

CHICAGO - Paul Cater Deaton's highly anticipated Lionfish, The Beautiful Outlaw was a smash hit at Chicago's prestigious Our World - Underwater 2011 Film Festival. The documentary examines the Indo-Pacific Pterios volitans as an invasive species in the western Atlantic, and the many responses to it.

Screening at a separate, long-form seminar earlier in the day, the film was declared a resounding success and sparked a lively round of discussion. The invasion of the lionfish into the western Atlantic, including the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea, is a hot-button issue. Deaton's treatment of the many sides of the controversy was hailed as objective and insightful.

The film combines breathtaking footage from topside and underwater in destinations all over the world. Filming locations included Key West, Corpus Christi, Bonaire, Las Vegas, the Virgin Islands, Belize, the Solomon Islands, the Philippines and the Egyptian Red Sea. Interviews were conducted with a multitude of SCUBA professionals and marine scientists, including Dr. Sylvia A. Earle, scientist in residence for National Geographic.

Lionfish, The Beautiful Outlaw has also been selected for screening at Boston Sea Rovers, in Danvers, MA, on 5 March, (http://www.bostonsearovers.com/) and Beneath the Sea, in Secaucus, NJ, on 26 March (http://www.beneaththesea.org).

EXPEDITION: EGYPT 2011 WITH PAUL CATER DEATON & MONICA GEPHART - POSTPONED

Egypt is one of our favourite destinations in the world, and we would go tomorrow if the opportunity arose; however, given recent events there, we must indefinitely postpone our next group trip there. Our thoughts and best wishes are with our Egyptian friends as their country is redefined. We shall firm up the schedule and journey to the "new" Egypt as soon as we are able.

When it happens, this expedition might just be the most extraordinary experience of your entire life. I can not begin to tell you how fascinating Egypt can be, from sipping tea at a teahouse in in Khan el Khalili Bazaar to taking a Horse drawn Carriage Ride through the streets of Luxor. See the “Night Train to Cairo” trailer on the Screen page at www.PaulCaterDeaton.com for a glimpse into this special world.

On the Red Sea, haunting wrecks and majestic reefs await us. Exotic sea life challenges the imagination. Aboard WildCat, our Captain, Chef and Chief Steward are all dear old friends. They are the reason we return to WildCat again and again. In addition to all this, I’m not a bad tour guide, and I shall have LOTS of surprises! Come with me to my beloved Egypt. Dip a hand into the waters of the Nile. Legend says that if you do, you will return someday. I guarantee you will want to!

Day 1: Arrival Cairo Int'l Airport. We are met at the airport by our host, who will assist us with baggage claim and customs formalities. We are then transferred to our hotel in Cairo.

Day 2: After breakfast, we depart for a guided tour of Memphis and Saqqara. Memphis is the oldest ancient capitol of Egypt. Saqqara contains the most ancient burial grounds. Here, we see the Step Pyramid, built by Imhotep for King Zoser of the Third Dynasty. We are amazed by the condition of the hieroglyphics and colors. We stop along the way for lunch. In the afternoon, we visit the Great Pyramids and Sphinx for a close-up view. We may choose to tour them by camel or horseback, or have our guide take us into the Great Pyramid of Cheops! Optional: Nighttime Sound & Light Laser show at the Pyramids. Overnight at our Cairo hotel.

Day 3: After breakfast, we are off to Sharm El Sheikh by Private, Air Conditioned Bus. Crossing from North Africa into Asia, we cross the Sinai to the Beautiful Red Sea Coastline. This scenic desert and mountain route includes a stop at the Seven Springs of Moses, where Moses is said to have stayed in Biblical times during the Exodus. Arriving at Sharm el Sheikh in the evening, we board WildCat, where a hot dinner will be prepared by our famous Chef Ibrahim! This is a dear friend, who has been on all of our Egyptian expeditions.

Day 4 to Day 11: Diving The Red Sea! Dive, Eat, Sleep!! We depart early morning for seven days of some of the most exotic SCUBA diving in the world. The Red Sea is world famous for its clear seas, with visibility often surpassing 100 feet. Here, we find a combination of walls, fish, colorful reefs, incredible shipwrecks that span several centuries. Possible “big fish” sightings include Beluga Whales, Hammerheads, Mantas, Dolphins and much more! On our final evening, be prepared for the notorious WildCat Farewell Party onboard with our Boat Crew! These guys are the most entertaining crew on the Red Sea, and always put on a great show, with music and folkloric dancing. Sprits & Drinks are on the house!!!

Day 11: Early Checkout from Liveabord. A private, air-conditioned bus with English-speaking guide awaits us at the seaport to start the Sinai Land Tour. We should be in the town of Dahab in time for for lunch (included). On the shores of the Gulf of Aqaba, Dahab grew from a typical “nomad-and-camel” Bedouin village. There are many shops and markets. We can shop, dine, rest, dive, snorkel or windsurf until around 6:00 pm. We arrive at Mount Sinai in time for dinner at a Bedouin camp (included). Mountain Hike for Sunrise on Mount Sinai This is a highlight of our trip! Starting at 1:30 a.m., we ride camels part of the way up Mt. Sinai, then hike the rest of the way in time for sunrise. Mt. Sinai is the highest peak in the Sinai. This is a deeply moving experience, and one which you will remember for the rest of your life. This trip is only for those who are of at least medium fitness! BRING FLASHLIGHT, WARM JACKET AND CAMERA! Snacks, coffee, tea and fruit included. Those not hiking can stay in the mountain cabin-style hotel. We need to know how many will hike and how many will stay and sleep at the hotel.

Day 12: Breakfast at Mountain Cabin Hotel (included), then visit The Monastery of St. Catherine. Built in 537 A,D, by Emperor Justinian, it is now run by Greek Monks. This is home to a bush said to be descended of “The Burning Bush” of Moses and the Ten Commandments. We then return to Sharm El-Sheikh by private bus and overnight in luxury hotel. We check in around 2pm, with free time until our early flight to Luxor the next day. There is a ton of fun stuff to do in Sharm, including a Hard Rock Café, exotic nightlife, casinos, shows, shopping and dining options. Sharm El-Sheikh is called the World’s top diving resort destination, where we will find divers from all corners of world.

Day 13: After an early breakfast, it’s off to the Sharm Airport Domestic Terminal for our flight to Luxor, where we are met at the Airport then transferred to our hotel. Luxor After check in, we visit Karnak Temple, on the River Nile, with its courts, halls, pylons and statues. The Sacred Lake was approached by means of a small Avenue of Sphinxes, which once linked Karnak and Luxor Temples. Luxor Temple is said to stand on the site of an earlier religious edifice. It played a part in the worship of the Theban triad of Amun-Ra, his wife and their son. The temple was built by Amenophis III, and is considered one the most beautiful in Egypt.

Option: Sound & Light Show at Karnak Temple - A captivating account of the history of the great Pharaohs of the 18th and 19th Dynasties. $60 USD

Better Option: A Horse drawn Carriage Ride through the back streets of Luxor. Through special arrangement, we see the “real” Luxor that tourists rarely have a chance to visit. Usually includes a stop for tea and shishah. $15 USD

Day 14: Option (WHICH I STRONGLY RECOMMEND) - Early Morning Hot Air Balloon Ride 4 am-returns to Hotel by 8am. Soar above the East and West Banks of the Nile, with astonishing views of Karnak and Luxor Temples, the Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, Colossi of Memnon, and Medinat-Habu. Return to Hotel in time for Breakfast. Regular Schedule: Cross the Nile for a guided tour of the West Bank. Visit tombs of the Pharaohs in the Valley of the Kings, see the Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, and the Colossi of Memnon. Though not on the usual schedule, I absolutely insist on visiting the Temple of Medinat-Habu perhaps the most well-preserved historical site in all of Egypt. In the evening, we transfer to Luxor Airport for our flight Back to Cairo. We check into our hotel in Cairo in time for dinner.

Day 15: Last Day in Cairo After Breakfast, we are off to the Egyptian Museum for a guided tour. This place is absolutely mesmerising. A few of the thousands of highlights include the treasures of Pharaoh Tutankhamun, and viewing of the Mummies of Ramses and other great kings. In the afternoon, we visit the Hanging Church, which dates back to the late 14th century. We are then driven to The Citadel to visit the Mosque of Suleiman Pasha and the Alabaster Mosque of Muhammad Ali. We wrap things up with a Farewell Party & Awards Dinner on Nile Cruise. This usually includes a Belly Dancing Show with Live Orchestra. Overnight in Cairo in our hotel.

Day 16 - Departure Breakfast & Transfer to Cairo International Airport for return flight to USA after the trip that changed your life.

Included:

• All Airport greeting and assistance, and all English Speaking Guides
• All transfers * All tours in Cairo, Luxor, Sinai & Sharm El -Sheikh
• All Hotel nights (Cairo 4, Luxor 1, Sharm 1, St-Catherine 1) All are Luxury Hotels except St-Catharine's Mountain Cabin Hotel
• Tour transfers with expert English speaking tour guide in Egypt
• Lunches on tour days (one in Cairo, one in Luxor, one in Dahab)
• Entrance fees to all scheduled sites
• Six Days Diving on Liveaboard Yacht WildCat - (All Meals Included)
• Air Fights to Luxor, Cairo, Private A/C Buses Cairo-Sharm, Sinai Not Included:
• Luxor Hot Air Balloon Flight ($85 USD per person)
• Sound & Light Shows Cairo & Luxor ($60 USD per person)
• Horse-drawn Carriage Ride in Luxor ($15 USD per person)
• Tips
• Dive equipment rental
• International Airfares
• Nitrox ($120 USD per Diver - Unlimited for Week Aboard)
• Anything not mentioned in program

Pricing: $3,105 USD PER PERSON IN DOUBLE ROOM $3,565 USD PER PERSON IN SINGLE ROOM Round-Trip Airfares between Houston (IAH) and Cairo (CAI) are running from $1,700 USD. This is still an exceptional deal for a life-changing expedition. More news will be sent to everyone who is going.

It is my pleasure to announce that my good friend, Adham Khamis, and I have negotiated an expedition to Egypt, the Sinai and Red Sea for Spring 2011! Adham owns and operates one of the leading Egyptian tour operations, and is one of the owners of the Red Sea liveaboard dive boat, WildCat. I have made three expeditions with Adham and WildCat, and they have my highest recommendation. Dates are 30 April - 15 May 2011.

The following are some insights I have gleaned from years of travel in the country I call "The Place Where History Was Invented." As with any expedition, ours begins at the airport. In Cairo, passport control officers and other officials are quite convivial, and we usually have to spend very little time clearing customs and immigration. Given the language difficulties, and the complexities of the city, taking a taxi from the airport is NOT recommended. What we have done in the past is to arrange our flights such that we all meet along the way (in Paris, Milan, Rome, London, or Frankfurt) and all arrive in Cairo together. I shall personally work on those logistics as the dates grow nearer and travelers get signed up.

Arriving at the airport in Cairo, we are picked up by a bus dispatched by Adham. In all likelihood, Adham himself will be there to greet us, along with his ever-present driver and assistant, Mohammed. We shall be driven through the streets of Cairo to our hotel. Cairo by night is a stunning experience, a riot of color and activity. We sometimes stay at the Sheraton on the Nile, overlooking the Cairo Opera House. All overnight accommodations and regular meals are included in the price of the expedition. This includes the hotels in Cairo, St. Catherine's, Luxor, and Sharm El Sheikh. A day room may be provided if we travel to Nuweibah. Adham maintains positive relationships with hoteliers across Egypt, resulting in the best accommodations for the price. Our rooms in Luxor have included the beautiful Sofitel, on the banks of the Nile, and the famed Hotel Movenpick, which occupies its own island in the Nile. These accommodations are subject to price and availability.

Given the great diversity of the locations we shall visit, it is important to note that rooms vary on the luxury scale. They will always be clean, comfortable, and memorable. This is, after all, adventure travel, from which come the best stories and most enduring memories! For example, the cabins at Daniela Village are our usual lodgings in St. Catherine's, where we rest before and after our climb up Mt. Sinai. The simple rooms are quite charming, and more than equal to our requirements. The staff are cordial and attentive, and an outdoor Bedouin "living room" provides a unique photo backdrop to remember our adventure there.

While visiting St. Catherine, we can dine under the stars with Bedouin tribesmen at their Camp. Reclined on pillows on the ground, we enjoy chicken and other dishes grilled over an open fire, and drink our fill. All travel, transfers, applicable road and air travel between destinations are also included. About the only modes of travel not included in the package are the camels we ride most of the way up Mt. Sinai. I strongly recommend spending the extra $75 or so for this experience.

Another highlight at an additional cost of some $90 US is the hot air balloon flight over the Nile Valley, between that majestic river and the Valley of the Kings. No one has ever passed on this experience!

Gratuities are not included, and I must tell you that the Egyptian world revolves around tips. "Baksheesh" is the Arabic word for "share," and we shall have many opportunities to share with drivers, porters, guides, waiters and, of course, the WildCat crew. In all candor, we can expect to be approached by Egyptians who wish to provide various unsolicited services. Some will, for example, try to take our bags from us and carry them the few steps from the van to the doors of the airport, then expect baksheesh. We may politely refuse this service.

Security concerns are uppermost in the minds of many Americans considering travel to destinations near the Middle East. We must keep this in perspective. In my estimation, Cairo is as safe as Houston or St. Thomas. As in any other locale, one must exercise common sense. The overwhelming majority of people in Egypt LOVE Americans. As I point out in my documentary, Egypt: Karnak to Coral Reef, the Egyptian Tourism Police maintain a strong presence. These officers are highly visible at every airport, seaport, crossroads, tourist attraction, railroad crossing, ancient site and major hotel or resort in the country.

Our buses are accompanied by courteous, well-trained, armed, plainclothes officers. Buses typically travel in convoys, accompanied by police. We shall see more AK-47s than at a Kalashnikov family reunion. These officers take their jobs very seriously, and their presence is a serious deterrent. The result is that Egypt has suffered very few incidents against tourists. Not to put too fine a point on this, but my daughter has toured Egypt with me, and I place her personal security far above my own. I hold a very strong bond with Egypt, and feel that my experiences there have changed my life. It is an extraordinary country, and the group with whom we are traveling is first-rate. Please feel free to contact me with any further questions. We shall, of course, keep in closer contact as the dates grow nearer. I look forward to our journey together.

Warmest personal regards,

Paul

MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA - Two of Paul's "Coral Triangle" productions for Ocean in Google Earth were selected for inclusion in "Hope Spots" for Dr. Sylvia Earle's Mission-Blue. Its purpose is to ignite public support for a global network of marine protected areas, or "Hope Spots," large enough to save and restore the ocean, the blue heart of the planet. Visit http://www.mission-blue.org.

DALLAS, TX - Paul Cater Deaton had the honor to serve as fixer and associate producer on recently released Caribbean segments for "American Airlines Aadvantage Milestones." These creations can be seen at http://aadvantagemilestones.com/index.php?pagesid=43&videoid=1. Paul also filmed the underwater sequences. His intimate knowledge of the eastern Caribbean rim made him perfectly suited as associate producer/fixer. He arranged locations and support personnel, and acted as liaison to film commissions on Tortola and Dominica. The Caribbean creations were produced and directed by Tracy Helms, of Unleaded Productions, in Dallas. Jen Helms was UPM, and David Fisher was the DP. The team filmed in the US and British Virgin Islands, and on the island of Dominica.

CHICAGO - Paul shared the stage at the Our World - Underwater Film Festival with such industry titans as Wes Skiles, Howard & Michele Hall, and his old friend, Stan Waterman. His Dumaguete 5X5 from the 2009 Philippines Expedition was very well received. Immediately following the Film Festival, he was lead vocalist for The Wetsuits, the world's first Rock & Roll band comprising only underwater photographers and filmmakers. The "Wet-ettes" backup singers included Women Divers Hall of Famers Nancy McGee, Joan Forsberg, Annie Crawley and Michele Hall.

MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA - Two of Paul's productions from the recent Philippines expedition have just gone live on Ocean in Google Earth. "It Takes a Village to Save a Reef" and "'Wild Reef' at Shedd Aquarium Inspired by Apo Island" are companion pieces about coral reef conservation in the Philippines, and telling taht story through a remarkable exhibit at Chicago's John G. Shedd Aquarium. See the locator pearls on Apo Island, in the Philippines, and the Shedd Aquarium.

Manila - Paul Cater Deaton has returned from a highly productive two-week shoot in the southern Philippines. It was his second expedition to southeast Asia. He and Monica Gephart joined legendary filmmaker Stan Waterman and famed underwater photographer Lynn Funkhouser on Negros Orientales to film the reefs of Dumaguete, and the islands of Apo and Siquijor. They also shot sequences in Manila, Tokyo and Chicago. Footage from this expedition will become part of Paul's continuing coverage of the Coral Triangle for "Ocean in Google Earth." It will also be the basis of the next underwater film in his "One World - One Dude" series.

Mountain View, CA - The Coral Triangle - A Fragile Treasure by Paul Cater Deaton recently went live on Ocean in Google Earth! Find the Locator Pearl in the Ceram Sea, east of Papua/New Guinea. This 60-second piece is the first of a series Paul is producing for Google Earth. Upcoming productions will include glimpses of undersea creatures, animal behaviors, and exploration of some of the most lush, pristine coral reefs on the planet.

SAN FRANCISCO - The newest version of Google Earth includes video content by Paul Cater Deaton. He contributed several video compositions to the “Explore the Ocean” layer of Ocean in Google Earth. A key component of Google Earth 5.0, this feature enables users to dive beneath the surface of the sea and explore the world's oceans. Google Earth 5.0 was launched at the California Academy of Sciences, in San Francisco. Speaking at the event were Google CEO Eric Schmidt; The Honorable Al Gore; John Hanke, Director, Google Earth and Maps; Sylvia Earle, Explorer-in-residence, National Geographic; Terry Garcia, Executive Vice President for Mission Programs, National Geographic Society; and Singer/Songwriter, Jimmy Buffett.

Deaton’s Red Sea Shipwrecks and Ras Mohammed National Park in the Egyptian Red Sea outline reef conservation and sustainability efforts in the waters off Egypt. Pelagic Tunicates Roam the World's Oceans is set in the Western Indian Ocean, and Nudibranchs - Colorful and Fascinating focuses on the Great Barrier Reef. Ocean in Google Earth comes closer to his Caribbean home with Deaton's Invasion of the Lionfish and Protecting the Reefs of Bonaire, set in the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea.

A multiple award-winning writer, producer, director and cinematographer, Deaton lives on St. Thomas and travels the world on filming expeditions. Shooting on six continents over a career spanning 31 years, Deaton has spent thousands of hours underwater in many of the world's oceans and seas. His insights bring a unique perspective to Ocean in Google Earth. Deaton was one of the first independent filmmakers approached to provide content for Ocean in Google Earth. His work joins that of National Geographic, the BBC, Cousteau Society, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and other entities devoted to global oceans.

“It has been a genuine honor to be involved in this project,” says Deaton, “and I have been asked to play a continuing role in future versions.” Ocean in Google Earth was conceptualized by world-renowned marine scientist, Dr. Sylvia Earle, and the creators of Google Earth. When invited to participate in the initiative, Deaton leapt at the opportunity. “Dr. Earle personifies marine discovery and conservation,” Deaton said. “Sylvia Earle and her colleagues are the platinum standard, and working alongside such titans is an unparalleled opportunity.”

CHRISTIANSTED, ST. CROIX - Paul is currently spending a lot of time on St. Croix (the "Big Island" of the Virgin Islands), filming scenes for The Beer-Drinking Pigs of St. Croix. This film will premiere on 8 March at the prestigious Boston Sea Rovers show. At the same time, he is producing a documentary on the suppression of a subterranean fire at the Anguilla landfill there. Firefighters from Texas are working closely with heavy machinery operators from St. Croix to extinguish the fire, which has been burning for several years. More news on both these films as things develop! We want to give "big ups" to Senator Shawn-Michael Malone (Virgin Islands Legislature), Jimez "Boogie" Ashby (A-9 Trucking), Ed Buckley (St. Croix Ultimate Blue Water Adventures) and Hotel Caravelle for their participation in these productions.