Jump to content

  • These forums are for "after booking" trip communications, socializing, and/or trip questions ONLY.
  • You will NOT be able to book a trip, buy add-ons, or manage your trip by logging in here. Please login HERE to do any of those things.

Photo

Bali & Wakatobi


  • Please log in to reply
18 replies to this topic

#16 Divegirl412

Divegirl412

    Everyone knows me

  • Member
  • PipPipPipPipPip
  • 817 posts
  • Location:San Diego, CA
  • Gender:Female
  • Cert Level:Rescue
  • Logged Dives:500+

Posted 30 October 2008 - 06:56 PM

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) :o :P 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 :-D . 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 :D .

The entire week, I was there, I said I would return. After the 40 hour trip, I am not so sure now. :D 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 :evilgrin: 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


Just wanted to add to Carla's great post, the ease with which we got thru the Denpasar airport on our way to Wakatobi courtesy of Wakatboi staff leader in Denpasar, Crispin. Although we arrived an hour late for departure due to mix up in time to leave Padang Bai, Crispin and staff whisked us through check-in, deposited us in the VIP lounge for a bit of beverage/snack and leisure before our orderly departure. We made a fueling stop on some small island, whose name escapes me, for about 15 minutes. Inside that small terminal were a few local items for sale including locally woven tapestry pieces from blanket size to small table runner size, in wonderful colors, some with shell beading. There were woven assorted bags/totes as well. And I got some unusual indonesian pendants. All quite unique. I heard they usually have to make this fueling stop for Americans because we carry so much luggage! Lucky for these islanders with all our purchases.

Shawn



Hey Shawn, I could have sworn we did meet and even had some drinks together. I have pictures to prove it. And you still think I look like Carla? LOL. Now say "Rosa" or preferably write it over 100 times :teeth:


Carla? Carla who? how could I forget those drinks on the pier...green flash and all! so sorry Rosa



LOL

#17 ScubaTex

ScubaTex

    Everyone knows me

  • Member
  • PipPipPipPipPip
  • 850 posts
  • Gender:Male
  • Cert Level:Rescue Diver
  • Logged Dives:720+

Posted 03 December 2008 - 12:52 PM

Carla - Congratulations on your 200th dive!!!

Edited by ScubaTex, 03 December 2008 - 12:53 PM.

Time on earth is precious, time underwater even more so. Live life one day at a time. Dive your @$$ off!!!


#18 rkymtwy

rkymtwy

    Everyone knows me

  • Member
  • PipPipPipPipPip
  • 708 posts
  • Location:Colorado
  • Gender:Female
  • Cert Level:AOW / Nitrox
  • Logged Dives:250+

Posted 04 December 2008 - 06:43 PM

Thanks.....and for lots of reasons it was one of the best dives on the trip.

It's very cold and snowy here today, I've almost forgotten the heat in Wakatobi :teeth: It would be welcomed now...


Carla - Congratulations on your 200th dive!!!



#19 ScubaTex

ScubaTex

    Everyone knows me

  • Member
  • PipPipPipPipPip
  • 850 posts
  • Gender:Male
  • Cert Level:Rescue Diver
  • Logged Dives:720+

Posted 05 December 2008 - 09:45 AM

I have the picture of you & Kamala on your 200th, but I couldn't get it to download

Thanks.....and for lots of reasons it was one of the best dives on the trip.

It's very cold and snowy here today, I've almost forgotten the heat in Wakatobi :lmao: It would be welcomed now...


Carla - Congratulations on your 200th dive!!!


Time on earth is precious, time underwater even more so. Live life one day at a time. Dive your @$$ off!!!





0 user(s) are reading this topic

0 members, 0 guests, 0 anonymous users