What more can I say, really!? I think the smile on my face says it all... I had an incredible trip. I just got back into Sorong (Soo Wrong; it seems even more-so after coming off a ten-day high!) this morning, and already the whole thing seems like a magical dream!
An intense dive trip (35 dives in 10 days!) which spanned Raja Ampat's most celebrated dive sites, and included a few new special spots! I even hit my 100th dive! The group was a very interesting mix of people, and I really enjoyed getting to know them all.
When the possibility arose, I was upset that this opportunity overlapped with Martin's trip to Ayau with the Coral Reef Monitoring Team, because he had taken my dive computer and my log book, as well as my camera and underwater housing with him! In the end, it was of no consequence, and indeed I thoroughly enjoyed not being burdened with lugging a camera on every dive, and more-so, with feeling the pressure of getting good photos. In fact, diving without a camera is so much more 'real'; you can see and appreciate so much more! As it turns out, I'm a pretty decent spotter! Who knew... I guess a little marine biology knowledge goes a long way... it helps you know where to look anyway! Of course, my better-than-average vision (which recently astounded the local doctor treating my eye infection, and I am convinced is to balance my less-than-average hearing!) probably has a lot to do with it as well!
A little bit about the experience:
The boat - an immaculate schooner, built in Indonesia by the master boatbuilders in Makassar two years ago. Classic and tasteful. The most exquisite liveaboard dive vessel operating in Raja Ampat. Far outstrips my current digs in the staff house in Sorong... the boat not only had showers, but they had HOT water!
The crew - a delightful group, warm, friendly and professional. Lucky for me, I was able to actually get to know them on account of my Indonesian! The team is headed up by the phenomenal cruise and dive director, Stew.
The DIVING - incredible! Lots of new eye candy for me... things I've never seen before, new sites, awesome caves and caverns, beautiful coral reefs, unbelievable amounts of fish... I even saw my first manta ray underwater!
Here are a few more pictures... sorry, I know scrolling through them isn't a nice format, but with blogger there is no other way.
The scenery was stunning, above and below the water!
We went sunset-kayaking to explore the many channels amongst the coral karst formations in SE Misool.
The "study/massage lounge". The study lounge for those of us doing the Nitrox certification course while on-board, and the massage lounge for those needing a little extra relaxation at the magical hands of Yovin!
Meet Sandra... a fabulous english/auzzie who I clicked with, and whose company I enjoyed immensely... she also happens to be an amazing photographer, under- and above-water. I am including a few of her underwater photos below her here, most of which I'm in, to give you an idea of her talent.
(crocodile fish)
(nudibranch)
(This is the lionfish that stung me! - Yikes... it can be more serious, but luckily I was fine... although it is incredibly painful!)
What a wonderful early Christmas present!
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