5/31-8/13/09-Trip Report: Budget Diving Adventure in SE Asia!

[kathydee]

Kathy-

Great report. The text and pictures are definately causing me to rethink priorities on Pacific dive destinations. Keep the material coming.

Thanks,

Art

Thanks Art.

Keep in mind many of these sites are seasonal. Last year in Bunakan we had tons of rain and the vis was rarely better than 50-60 feet. This year I was lucky.

But off-season travel has its bonuses because often you have the reefs to yourself -- however sometimes the diving is limited due to lack of divers & boats.

So this is where you have been hiding?

Hi Jim!! Miss ya! Hope you are having a great summer!

Can't wait to go diving w/ya when I come back!

 

[kathydee]

On the move again. Can't give the impression everything is dreamy. Dirty chaotic cities with lots of cat calls, too much luggage for one person. People hiding from swine flu under face masks, airports, lots of touts, new money that makes no sense, passports, immigrations, etc, etc, etc. Somewhere along the way - a quick shared beer/information/email addresses with some passing fellow east European travelers - new DIR enthusiasts burdened with huge scubapro bags .

No idea where I will end up tomorrow night--but it will be somewhere on my favorite island on earth -- Bali Indonesia . 5th time there - I can't go wrong ! Have a three hour plane ride to decide where to head . Happy for a few days of topside time. Massage and Bali Temples sound nice !

But - humm -- I miss the graceful mantas and it's Mola Mola season!

Rethinking travels to Komodo because it's packed during this time of year & I think I may have had my fill of rippin' current for now. My thoughts are returning to the remote islands of Sumatra, hearing many enticing stories -- so on a whim booked my last 9 days of travel there -- this time it feels right ..

 

[kathydee]

In Bali now - taking a few days above water but Ubud is swarming with tourists. Too much for me so leaving soon for the dive sites.

Here are a few pictures of Bunakan Sulewesi but sorry I didn't take any with the beautiful vis.

Boatman

Underwater pics taken by my partner - when the vis was only about 60ft .

Bungalow & hammock -- Ahhh!

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[kathydee]

Out of the water 4 days and getting edgy. Missing it too much. Shopping and massage is no subtitute.

How am I ever going to go back to a normal schedue with limited diving after this awesome vacation?

Ah one more massage in the AM then heading towards beaches & diving tomorrow!

I miss manta!

 

[mikeguerrero]

This girl is out of control... Guys how are we ever going to get her back into the SF bay area for California Kelp diving.... ???

 

[ScubaSteve]

Take lots of notes in Bali Kathy. I am going to be picking your brain when you get back because I am hoping to do 2 weeks in Bali next year and would love to make it a comfortable adventure .

 

[ae3753]

Ah one more massage in the AM then heading towards beaches & diving tomorrow!

Oh so rough!

Just get a massage in the afternoon too, to really bookend the day. And make us more jealous!

 

[kathydee]

This girl is out of control... Guys how are we ever going to get her back into the SF bay area for California Kelp diving.... ???

Ha ha - Kelp diving! I'm excited! Bet I last three days topside when I get home before I'm back in the water testing the new modifications to my drysuit! BTW - I'm countin' on all my buddies to help so I don't get serious withdrawal!!

Oh so rough! Just get a massage in the afternoon too, to really bookend the day. And make us more jealous!

Hee hee hee! Don - Thanks! You're full of great ideas !

 

[mikeguerrero]

Okay,

You heard the gal, she said all my dive buddies,,, Calling on Brewski, MikeMills, Don, Jim Ernst, Sarah, Michelle, Hepcat, Bbianchi, so who's with us to get Kathy back into California's wild west?

 

[ScubaSam]

Okay,

You heard the gal, she said all my dive buddies,,, Calling on Brewski, MikeMills, Don, Jim Ernst, Sarah, Michelle, Hepcat, Bbianchi, so who's with us to get Kathy back into California's wild west?

I would but I'm on the other coast so will rely on y'all to get her back to CA waters.