Actually, the boat is in Raja Ampat for our trip. We will be staying at Kasawari Lodge while in Lembeh. That's a new place too.
WOOHOO!!!
Actually, the boat is in Raja Ampat for our trip. We will be staying at Kasawari Lodge while in Lembeh. That's a new place too.
WOOHOO!!!
Hi Allison,
I met the owner of Kasawari at DEMA in Florida in November. He is a sharp, pleasant guy and I think you're really going to like your stay there.
The facilities look quite upscale yet still connected to their Indonesia heritage in their architecture/accomodations.
Thanks, I am really looking forward to this trip. I usually go to PNG, but wanted some new vistas this trip.
Allison, it will be interesting to hear your impressions of PNG compared to Lembeh.
I am guessing you are going to have less visibility, less coral, but way more odd marine critters that are more easily spotted against the black volcanic sand backdrop.
Are you back yet?....Like to see your trip report....Being I just booked my flight to Singapore for next December/January....trying to decide where to stay in Lembeh Straits....Like what I see on the Kasawari web site.Originally Posted by allisonfinch
Actually, the boat is in Raja Ampat for our trip. We will be staying at Kasawari Lodge while in Lembeh. That's a new place too.
WOOHOO!!!
TSJ, are you taking any types of photographic equipment?
Yes....I use a Sony DSC N1
Wow, that's quite a dive schedule for the year!
WOOHOO!!! I'm back!
I will have to weed through hundreds of photos and figure out how to post them in a trip report. I WILL write a complete report, then. For now, I will give a quick impression of the two trips.
Raja Ampat was remarkable. The vis was not the best, but all that "stuff" in the water was the food that made all that biodiversity possible. The Odyssea 1 was a really nice boat. It had the largest crew of any liveaboard I've been on. You do almost nothing but put your gear on and dive. Our schedule for the day; Dive, eat, dive, eat, dive, eat, dive, eat, sleep, repeat the next day.They even wash your wetsuit for you after every dive. They are really set up for the photographers with complete camera room and more charging stations than you can use. Not being used to diving from tenders (zodiacs) I had to get used to the inconvenience. I highly recommend the boat.
Kasawari is the loveliest, most comfortable and best run resort I have seen. It is brand new but it will flourish if it is still run like this in the coming years. Sadly, KBR (nearby) seems to be sliding, if all accounts are true. The Kasawari grounds and bungalows are beautifully designed and appointed. The wonderful staff cheerfully sees to your every need. The dive boats are of native design and are a delight to dive from. The pool had the softest water I have ever swum in.
While Lembeh is not for everyone (if you need the "big stuff" to be entertained, rethink going there) I absolutely loved it! The critters are as exotic and wierd as I thought they would be.
Last edited by allisonfinch; 02-24-2007 at 10:03 PM.
Thanks for the heads up on the Odyssea.....I have been trying to find a liveaboard for the Raja area.....the 3 others (nice ones) are not doing the Raja area in late Dec/Jan...The Odyssea does.....thought I was going to go and stay at the Sorido resort......My travel agent wants to put my in the KBR...I am glad to read your report.....does the Kasawari have nitrox and aprox was the upcharge? also do they have 100 tanks?
Thanks for the info...Scott
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