First Timer Liveaboard in Raja Ampat - Help Needed

[rmorgan]

The Aston has a huge breakfast buffet, from waffles and omelettes to extensive Indonesian offerings, and decent coffee, with espresso drinks available. There also is a bar and restaurant on the roof, with nice views out over the city and a selection of cocktails. The hotel has a good swimming pool. The windows are thick enough that the call to prayer was nearly inaudible in the rooms. We did the two-night strategy and it worked out just fine. Restaurants: We took a cab to Pizzeria Terraza di Sorong, I think it was 250k IDR each way) and had a very nice meal. Also, the food on the roof of the Aston was serviceable.

 

[Cert1967]

We took a cab to Pizzeria Terraza di Sorong, I think it was 250k IDR each way) and had a very nice meal. Also, the food on the roof of the Aston was serviceable.

Use the app ‘GRAB’

 

[scubaNYC16]

Gonna grab me some pizza. That place looks great.

 

[pasley]

Also making my first trip to Raja Ampat. Backing my bags for an end of the week departure and deciding on which fins to bring.
1. Travel fin - good solid fins and perform much like my regular fins but they are shorter.
2. My normal split fins. I know some don't like them but they are comfortable and don't kick up a cloud behind me or wear me out.
3. The frog fins old style, solid fins

Which of the above would you recommend for Raja Ampat and Thailand diving and why?

 

[rmorgan]

Also making my first trip to Raja Ampat. Backing my bags for an end of the week departure and deciding on which fins to bring.
1. Travel fin - good solid fins and perform much like my regular fins but they are shorter.
2. My normal split fins. I know some don't like them but they are comfortable and don't kick up a cloud behind me or wear me out.
3. The frog fins old style, solid fins

Which of the above would you recommend for Raja Ampat and Thailand diving and why?

I used Go Sport Gorillas for three weeks in Raja Ampat, got home Sunday. The fins are a bit stiffer than the original Go Sports, which my wife used (NOT to be confused with Go Travel fins). We had one hard slog upstream in heavy current, and I’ve been pondering whether bigger fins would have been useful, but all in all, we both did well with them (I need stronger legs more than bigger fins). Commentary on ScubaBoard is generally favorable to the Go Sport and Gorilla models.

 

[danzn16]

We’re going to raja ampat in February so like seeing all the info!

And yikes to people putting their hands in food at the Swiss hotel

 

[revise]

...The breakfast buffet at the Swiss Bel is gross, with very unsanitary conditions. People put their hands in the food instead of using a serving utensil...

I'm staying at the Aston in February. It's got to be better than the Swiss Bel...I hope.

Noise and tiny rooms I can handle, but I need to eat!! Any chance you'll report back after your stay in Feb for a comparison of the two?

Maybe I'll book both then cancel one based on the next few months of comments from people.

 

[matts1w]

...Pizzeria Terraza di Sorong, I think it was 250k IDR each way) and had a very nice meal. Also, the food on the roof of the Aston was serviceable.

Good grief. Thats a ton of money. Was it like an hour away?

 

[rmorgan]

Good grief. Thats a ton of money. Was it like an hour away?

It may have been 150k IDR ($9 US)—paid cash, so I’m not sure. Either way, though, they were licensed cabs after dark in an unfamiliar town, and if I overpaid some Sorong drivers by, say, $6.00, I’m 100% fine with that.

 

[pasley]

I used Go Sport Gorillas for three weeks in Raja Ampat, got home Sunday. The fins are a bit stiffer than the original Go Sports, which my wife used (NOT to be confused with Go Travel fins). We had one hard slog upstream in heavy current, and I’ve been pondering whether bigger fins would have been useful, but all in all, we both did well with them (I need stronger legs more than bigger fins). Commentary on ScubaBoard is generally favorable to the Go Sport and Gorilla models.

I feel you on the stronger legs which is why I prefer split fins, Thanks for the comment. I am booked for 12 days on the Gaia Love liveaboard. What pray tell was the boat you were on?