Trip for 40th

[cjames]

I posted this under S. Pacific before I looked at this folder, so please forgive the duplication...

I'm turning 40 next year and looking to take another trip to the South Pacific / Asia. Last year, for my wife's we went to Yap, Palau and Guam, and loved it. I'm looking at Bali / Wakitobi, Saidapan Water Village and someplace else in Borneo, or possibly Thailand, Lembah area. Any recommendations?
My only constraints are i'm flying continental (points) and I'm looking to spend a total of about 15-20 nights abroad. I'm shooting video and stills and my wife is not a big liveaboard fan. I may be hauling a rebreather along. We like nice resorts, but not big commercial ones.

Any help or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Corby

 

[calypsonick]

Corby,

You may want to look at a Bali - East Timor combo. You can go to Bali for the cultural/shopping/restaurant/nightclub action with a few dives there and then swing by East Timor for a few days of shore diving to visit East Timor's pristine coral reefs.

Timor has 25+ shore dive sites at less than a 45 minute drive from the capital Dili. So, no need to get on a boat, it is all there only a few steps from the beach. Your wife, like mine, will appreciate not having to get in a rocking boat. Remember East Timor is coming out of a rough period in their history and tourism was not a happening thing here during the years they were fighting for independence, so the variety of hotels and restaurants is still limited but if you come with diving in mind, you will not regret it!! You can always get your fix of shops and restaurants in Bali on your way back home.

Try Timor, you will love it!!

Nick

 

[MB104]

I'm turning 40 next year and looking to take another trip to the South Pacific / Asia. Corby

What a coincidence! I am turning 40 soon too. Can you take me with you?

 

[ssra30]

What time of the year are you planning the trip?
There are not a lot of support for rebreather in SE Asia yet.
A couple of places in Thailand that can handle rebreathers are doing it
mainly for teaching purposes and are not really in a good location for dive vacation otherwise.

With Continental, you are pretty much stuck to the Philippines or South Pacific as the it does not have much presence otherwise in SE Asia. However I think EVA Air (Taiwan) has some kind of arrangement with Continental so you might be able to use your mileage there or get points.

 

[davidlkh]

Sipadan Mabul Resort (SMART) used to have a few sets of Draeger rebreathers, not sure if they still do. The resort owner and technical dive center was really into the rebreather stuff. They also had some apollo scooters. The resort however is not that luxurious.

Borneo Divers does not typically handle technical divers, but they have a commercial dive branch which used to have the sorb and O2. So if you intend to go with them, best pre-arrange with Clement and Randy (commerical). It has been awhile since I dived with them, so you need to check up on this information.

 

[davidlkh]

Besides Sipadan / Mabul area, you may want to consider Maratua Nabucco. I know they can do NITROX mixes there, but not sure about the sorb part. I did hear once in awhile divers with rebreathers going there. So the sorb might be coming from the commercial oil rig divers in Balikpapan.

www.nabuccoisland.com

Once there, you can dive around Sangalaki, Kakaban...

Nabucco is probably the most luxurious resort of the three places (Nabucco, Sangalaki and Derawan).

 

[Albion]

I posted this under S. Pacific before I looked at this folder, so please forgive the duplication...

I'm turning 40 next year and looking to take another trip to the South Pacific / Asia. Last year, for my wife's we went to Yap, Palau and Guam, and loved it. I'm looking at Bali / Wakitobi, Saidapan Water Village and someplace else in Borneo, or possibly Thailand, Lembah area. Any recommendations?
My only constraints are i'm flying continental (points) and I'm looking to spend a total of about 15-20 nights abroad. I'm shooting video and stills and my wife is not a big liveaboard fan. I may be hauling a rebreather along. We like nice resorts, but not big commercial ones.

Any help or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Corby

well some other ideas based around your RB and thereofre a bit technical
Lombok gilis just east of Bali, has blue marlin dive centre

and penetration divers though this wouldbe live abord

http://www.penetrationdivers.com/pages/25/index.htm

 

[japan-diver]

You could also go for southern Japan- Okinawa area. Great reefs, sunken temples in Yonaguni, schooling hammerheads, Continental flys here and I know of at least one shop that can support your rebreather.

 

[dicgo]

I have been to sipadan; palau; bali; similan. but for diving, I strongly suggest PNG.

 

[smokey braden]

cjames,
for my 50th i took myself to the maldives.
you stated - no livaboards - which is what i did.
however they have many beautiful resort islands.
all my diving in the past has been in the caribbean.
i was awestruck at all the coral and wildlife i saw for the first time.
the people in the maldives could not have treated me any sweeter.
i bet some of our european dive brothers could recommend the perfect resort island for this special occasion for you and your wife.
let us know about your trip when you decide where to go.
happy bithday,
smokey