Excellent trip report. I have done komodo four times and will do more as it is one of the few spots in the world to find unidentified critters. Your photos are excellent. Can't wait till october as i will be back in komodo again. Did you do komodo in a full moon stage as the currents are really viscous at that time. There was a few sites in the channel between komodo and rinca island we could not do last time as the currents were unbelievable. I agree the money we pay for the national park is keeping the facilities on land at the ranger station on komodo and rinca in pretty good shape. But there has never been one ranger boat seen on any of the four trips to komodo i have done. We have had the port harbour master come over to the boat when we were in bima inlet. Checking papers on boat as the mermaid 1 liveaboard was a thai flagged boat at the time. It is indonesian flagged now so no checking in with harbour master. We have also seen indonesian military boat on patrol but they have no authority to patrol park for illegal fishing. They should sink a few fishing boats and maybe the fisherman will get the idea that NO FISHING in park.
Dave Weeks reefscenics.smugmug.com
Hi Weeksd - Thanks for the kind feedback. We did a ten day trip that started with a new moon, so currents were not too wild, with the exception of the sites I noted in my blog. As the time went on, we encountered some stronger currents - probably the most difficult was at Manta Alley at Langkoi - that was a ripper for sure. On a previous trip to Komodo (aboard the Nusa Tara) they dropped us in at Current City and it was a little out of control - my first real experience in a serious downdraft. Komodo is known for its currents, and I think the crew of the Dancer did a fine job in putting us in the water on safe sites, at ideal times.
With regards to patrols, illegal fishing etc - I believe one fisherman was shot last year, but that doesn't seem to have solved the problem. As I wrote in my blog, it is a complex issue, and the corruption appears to run very deep.
---------- Post added March 12th, 2013 at 03:25 PM ----------
Great trip report & so many wonderful pix. Thanks indeed.
I would be very interested in your thoughts on Komodo Dancer's current set up, service standards, dive guiding, food etc etc.
I took 2 trips with them in 09/10, but when they changed ownership, I took my 11 trip with Indo Siren.
It would be very good to hear your feedback on the operations, as I am planning a 13 or 14 trip back to Komodo.
Thanks
John
Many thanks for your kind feedback John. The Komodo Dancer was in good shape when we were on it, with a good crew. I think what really made the trip for us was having Michael Ishak on board as Cruise Director - he knows Komodo so well, and made sure we were on the best sites, at the best times. Michael is not permanent crew - he contracts himself out to various ops. I would want to know who Cruise Director is before booking this boat.
I can't compare the Dancer to the Siren, as I haven't been on this boat, but it is definitely a step down from the Arenui and the Archipelago Adventurer II (RIP) in terms of quality of cabins and food - also significantly less expensive. That being said, it was still quite nice, and our group loved the large outdoor dining area where we could all sit together for meals, cooled by ocean breezes. We bucked up for one of the "Owner's Cabins" as I really prefer being above decks if possible - the cabin was reasonably spacious, very comfortable bed, but not particularly luxe. The negative on this cabin is that crew quarters are immediately forward of it, and then the wheelhouse just in front of that, so we were aware of voices and activity, including during the night. Our friends below decks found their cabins satisfactory, although several times during our trip they fumigated the cabins for pests, and the residual smell was not pleasant. Also, the emergency hatch from the lower deck hallway up through the dining table (!!!) was not functional when we were on board. I hope they have remedied that.
J.
---------- Post added March 12th, 2013 at 03:26 PM ----------
Your trip reports are simply amazing! You really do have a way with words and I love reading them!
Your photos are spectacular!!! I am going to be late for an appt. because I kept saying I will just read one more.. well maybe one more... etc. You get the picture!!!
Jake, thanks so much for the kind words. I am delighted that you are enjoying the Indo blog. More chapters coming soon...
J.
