I think the silence is because most of us are still trying to get back to normal after the trip. I figured it out... It was about 40 hrs from the time I checked out of my room in Wakatobi (before breakfast as instructed) to when I walked in my door in San Diego Sat eve. Of course that included a whole lot of travel and "hurry up and wait time". The jetlag and fatigue wasn't helped by my turning around and heading for San Jose Sun morning to see Tina Turner in concert sun night (AMAZING), then flying back to San Diego Monday morning and rolling in to work straight from the airport.
Padang Bai was OK. It was nice seeing the Mantas, pity missing the Molas. And the other dives, while more ordinary (except for the challenging shore entries in Tulamben)
were also fun, albeit a bit cold. Saw at least 4-5 frogfish on one artificial reef. As Kamala says, there were some logistical issues with the resort, but they are apparently trying to expand and resolve them. Hopefully that will happen. Great massages. Just be ready for when the masseuses grab your a-- for complete service LOL.
Ubud and Monkey forest was interesting. I must confess that I did not do much shopping. Call me jaded. But I know lots of people got some great deals.
But Wakatobi was exceptional. My number 2 diving location now, second only to Palau. Swiss precision with all the organization, logistics etc. Elegant accommodations, beautiful island and resort surroundings. Incredibly hard-working staff.. the boat crews, dive suport team, cooks, divemasters etc. All wonderful. After check in, we were told how to analyse tanks to be ready for transport. Then we were all assigned numbered boxes in the dive gear spaces. Your divegear went in there. Every morning, the local boat crew carried that onboard and set up your gear. Then carried it off in the evening if you wanted to wash your gear. The diveboats were amazingly comfortable. Our boat fit all 19 of us easily with 2 tanks each and extras for the divemasters etc without crowding. One divemaster per 6 divers. Great clear briefs. Fun DMs. And the diving...I will post my pitiful pics after I iphoto process them. I can promise you that ScubaShafer (Bruce)'s pictures will make you want to weep with the beauty.
We saw zillions of pygmy seahorses, (allow me to exaggerate), I actually developed the capability of SEEING them!!! Nudibranchs/ nudibranchs/ nudibranchs, flatworms, pipefish, several varieties of eels (ribbon etc), sea snake/ kraits, cuttlefish (sorry Nicolle!!! hope you have already seen some), ... hold on while I turn on my laptop to look at pictures LOL. Bumphead/ humphead and several other varieties parrot fish. some of the largest and most beautiful pufferfish I have ever seen, Boxfish of varieties I had never seen, scorpion, leaf and crocodilefish, lionfish, sweetlips, batfish, anthias, clown, titan and several other varieties of triggerfish, razor/ shrimp fish, turtles, colorful sea stars. Various types of shrimp and crabs. And much much more. And the coral!!!! Pristine and beautiful. I am much more of a "creatures" photographer, but found myself frequently stopping to try to get a pic of the lovely breathtaking coral, and then getting frustrated when the color was not shown adequately in my little point and shoot. Definitely hone your buoyancy skills before taking the trip. It would be unforgivable to damage this coral, and they are quite particular about keeping you OFF!!!
Most of the dives were slow drift dives, but we did have a couple with unexpected current that either changed or was not going in our direction :-). But there were no concerns because the water surface was FLAT (hottest time on land, but best time for diving, according to the staff). The boat crew was amazing, and they saw you as soon as you popped to the surface... even without your sausage deployed. Up to 70 minute dives at all locations. (unlimited on house reef/ shore dives). Once you got back on board, the local boat crew divested you of your gear, changed your tanks, and brought you a mug of your favorite steaming hot beverage and a towel. Then we headed for the sundeck. We only made our drinks the first dive and they watched and made records and hey presto!!! Definitely be sure to give the local crew a big tip. You will need no reminder when you see how hard they work to make the trip easy and fun. And remember at least for now, they are NOT included in the DM tip envelope, but in the envelope for "locals/ everyone else".
And relaxation. Beautiful sunsets in fun company (with booze of course) at the jetty bar. The meals. Great variety, excellent quality.. I think Carla said mmmm at every meal
. Some of us braved the heat to sign up for massages etc. And also got pedicures etc at the end. That would be my only negative. The idea of a "spa" needs a lot of work. But they tell me they are building a new spa and training spa staff. Take your own nail polish if you think you will need a pedicure at the end of the dive trip
.
The entire week, I was there, I said I would return. After the 40 hour trip, I am not so sure now.
I still may. I guess it is like childbirth. The mothers among us can attest.. you forget the pain and do the whole darn thing again. But then again, I am not a mother hmmm. There must be a reason
But if you are even thinking about going, jump on in. You won't regret going to Wakatobi.
OK, I had to post, because I was starting to feel guilty that none of us had written much yet. But I have to go relax now. Later.
Rosa
Edited by Divegirl412, 24 October 2008 - 08:53 PM.
