Options DPS to Manado & return

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billt4sf

billt4sf

Contributor
Messages
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Location
Vincennes, France near Paris
# of dives
500 - 999
We're headed from our perch in Bali to Manado for a few weeks of diving in September. Looking at the flights, the best option seems to be a non-stop evening flight on Garuda which arrives at 21:45, we'd have to go a day earlier and book a hotel fore the transfer to Bangka. Any hotel suggestions?

Alternatively we could go direct on Lion Air and take our chances or poor service, cancelled flight, or whatever. At least we are not having to catch a LOB.

Any comments?

Thanks,

Bill & Emily
 
As you are arriving quite late I would suggest the Novotel, 5 mins from airport and easy for your operator to pick you up
 
I've done the DPS > Manado five times on Lion Air...yes it is a pain getting in late bit I've never felt it a real hassle. If you are doing Bangka with Murex ask them to pick you up at the airport, spend the night at Murex Mainland and transfer to Bangka will be early the next morning.

If your not going with Murex and opt for Lion Air night flight with an overnight at Novotel as Mike suggested or the Manado Grand Puri does quite fine for a night.
 
Wingy:
I've done the DPS > Manado five times on Lion Air...yes it is a pain getting in late bit I've never felt it a real hassle. If you are doing Bangka with Murex ask them to pick you up at the airport, spend the night at Murex Mainland and transfer to Bangka will be early the next morning.

If your not going with Murex and opt for Lion Air night flight with an overnight at Novotel as Mike suggested or the Manado Grand Puri does quite fine for a night.
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Yes, we are going with Murex. Good idea, Wingy! I think I am also joining the WIngy Fan Club!

- Bill
 
Seriously Bill, travelling Wingy's Way can be like an episode of Dude where's my Island :p

Murex mainland bungalows in the Minahassan style are really quite beautiful. One thing that may have changed since I last did the same trip was (hopefully) someone other than the two Great Danes being awake to provide you and Emily with a drink as they give you the key to your bungalow. Call or email ahead and let Angelique organise pick up from airport and transfer after breakfast to Bangka.

I'd still suggest stopping at the mega mall in manado and grabbing a few snacks before the drive over to Bangka and see if your driver will stop roadside and buy some rambutans and mangosteens if they're in season.

Murex are old hands at doing this you shouldn't have any dramas :)
 
I have a different take on this : I wouldn't go to Murex just for one night, staying at the Novotel would spare you the hour drive from the airport to Murex mainland, they will be happy enough to transfer you on the next morning from the Novotel to Bangka island.

Another thing is that the Novotel is cheaper than a night at Murex.

Edit : forgot to mention the Klapper taart is quite good at the Novotel pastry shop. You cannot walk away North Sulawesi without eating a klapper taart.
 
Novatel is easy 5 minutes from airport, and is really affordable, and has pastry too! And you get to see some really funky architecture on the way in. There's a globe shaped building on the way in, I have no idea what it is buts it's pretty cool.
 
Going to Lembeh? Might see you there! Just booked myself in for a week in September :D

Because I bought a new macro lens and need to try it out? lol
 
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