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TRIP REPORTS
Dive trip to the Tasik Ria Resort, Manado, Sulawesi - May 2003
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Our dive trip at the beginning of May 2003 corresponded with the peak of the SARS epidemic, which was very evident when we arrived at the Singapore Airlines check in desk for our midday flight to Singapore. Past experience has meant that we normally expect to wait in line for approx. one hour before reaching the head of the queue. Not, on that day. We walked straight up to the desk no waiting at all. In fact there were two other check in counters with airline staff whiling away the time. According to the check-in staff this was normal since Sept 11th and SARS. This also explained the reason why we were contacted by our travel agent to inform us that the flight we were due to fly out on had been cancelled. Although the check-in process had been quick the increased level of security had caused a large queue to form. Having eventually satisfied the security personnel that my two camera bags stuffed full with my underwater photography equipment did not present a security risk to our fellow passengers we still had ample time to check out the duty free shops before our flight was called. The departure lounge was noticeably empty as the time came for us to board the 747. As we taxied out the Captain informed us that the flight time was eleven hours thirty minutes. As the flight is normally twelve hours and forty five minutes, this reduction in flying time due to a strong tailwind created by the jet stream came as a welcome surprise. Flying with Singapore Airlines makes the long flight almost enjoyable. The flight attendants are courteous, attentive and serve a very palatable range of meals throughout the flight (and they look good too). The captain was as good as his word and we arrived in Singapore early as predicted. Time passed quickly at Changi Airport which in direct contrast to Hearthrow is modern, bright, airy and has ample seating. The range and quality of the forty plus shops and restaurants are unlike those of any airport I have ever passed through. The airport even has its own nature trail, complete with cactus, bamboo, heliconia, sunflower, fern and orchid gardens. To top it off the orchid garden even has a huge pond filled with very expensive koi carp. The three hour onward flight to Manado with Singapore Airlines partner company Silk Air, passed comfortably and it was not long before we had collected our baggage and were on our way to the resort in a small air-conditioned minibus. The fifty minute journey from the airport to the resort was on very rough roads with the driver of our minibus overtaking and playing chicken with the oncoming traffic. Upon arrival at the resort we were offered a cool refreshing complimentary fruit drink while the checking in formalities were completed. We were escorted and our luggage was delivered to our room which was a detached Seaview Cottage overlooking the ocean. The air-conditioned room, which also had a ceiling fan was very large with a king size bed, cable television, tea and coffee making facilities, mini-bar, safety deposit box and telephone. The room also had enough space for a table and chairs. Complimentary fruit, bottled water, sugar, powdered milk, tea and coffee bags were all provided. The en-suite bathroom, which was also larger than normal, had a shower and also a bath to relax in, should the mood take you. A hotel and dive centre briefing was held just one hour after we got to our room which gave us just enough time to shower and start to unpack. We slipped down another complimentary drink from the Sunset Jetty Bar at the end of the 150 metre pier as the sunset over Manado Tua island. Jim one of the Eco Divers Instructors briefed us on the extensive facilities in the resort, as well as providing us with detailed information about Eco Divers the on site Dive Centre. Tasik Ria Resort is situated along Tanawangko Bay on the South West coast of Manado. It is positioned away from all the noise and bustle of the city. Set amongst towering coconut palms in beautifully landscaped and maintained gardens, the resort is extremely picturesque. The perfectly clean pool, we are told is the largest and nicest pool in Manado. Although we were unable to sample any others it would be difficult to argue with that statement. Tasik Ria offers guest a number of different dining options. The Bunaken Coffee shop offers casual all day dining including Indonesian and European food. In the evening extensive themed buffets from the South East Asia area are on offer. If eating buffet style does not appeal then you can always choose from the ‘a la Carte menu. During the day the Pool Bar serves casual drinks and snacks. The food in the resort was of a very high standard and was displayed with great care and pride. Although we did not have time to sample all of them the other facilities that the resort had to offer included: canoes, water paddle, snorkelling, beach volley ball, tube gliding, water ski and banana boating. Traditional massage was available upon request. A guest library was available as well as a small Art Shop selling traditional items such as Indonesian jewelry, antiques & textiles and the obligatory bottled water. For the energetic ones amongst you there is also a fitness room. Eco Divers the on-site dive centre is managed by Cary and Jim Yanny. Between them they have over 20 years of diving and dive resort experience. Eco Divers Underwater Photography Centre is a dedicated facility, staffed by qualified instructors and technicians who can supply you with all of your photographic needs. Courses in underwater photography as well as camera rental is available. An E6 slide and print film processing service is available for those of you who cannot wait to get home to view the results of your efforts. Small dive groups are guaranteed, with a guest-to-guide ratio of a max of 6 to 1. All the usual range of PADI courses are offered. Eco Divers is a full service dive operation which means that there is no need to carry heavy dive gear around as Divemasters handle all movement of the kit including assembly and rinsing your gear off at the end of the day. Now that is what I call very civilised diving. The dive centre has two purpose built dive boats, Aquatica and Nautica which are both very well equipped with safety and navigation equipment including, seated dive deck, 'Roll Control' tank rack system, twin stainless steel dive ladders, oxygen & first aid, GPS, cell-phone + radio, life jackets, life ring and fire extinguishers. Other facilities to improve diver comfort are a covered and seated dining saloon, two fresh water showers, fully fitted WC, two camera and a mask rinse tank. For photographers there is a camera table with 220v video/lamp charging rack. Eco Divers run a very large camera friendly boat. The staff are well trained and very camera aware. This means that as you enter the water one of the crew is standing by ready to hand you your camera and also to retrieve it from you when you finish your dive. In order to keep the dive deck clear divers are each given a box to place their equipment in and there is a rack on which wetsuits can be hung to dry between dives. The large sundeck complete with comfy cushions is a great place to chill out when off-gassing between dives. Lunch on board is prepared by the Tasik Ria Resort and is served hot from the boat’s galley as is tea and coffee. Two large cool boxes accompany each trip filled with coke and lemonade on ice. Water is free but there is a small charge for the other drinks. Normally the boats depart at 8:30am for a two-tank dive in the Bunaken Marine Park. Lunch is served between the two dives. The fifty minute boat ride passes quickly Every other day the boats depart at 8:00am for two tank dives in Bunaken followed by a return to the House reef for a single tank dive, with lunch served between the second and third dives. Periodically the boats depart at 7:00am for the trip to the islands of Bangka and Gangka which are situated at the very northern tip of Sulawesi. Fear not you will not miss breakfast as it is served on board during the three hour boat trip to the islands. Finally once a week a Lembeh Strait trip is arranged. This involves a 90 minute car journey to Bitung and then a two-tank dive using a local style boat. Lembeh is famous for it’s ‘Muck Diving’. As I hope to bring you a report on our trip to the Kunkungan Bay Resort in Lembeh, which we visited in May 2002 I will not be covering the diving in this Trip report. The diving in Bunaken itself is mainly on steep walls and are all done as drift dives. The currents here can be strong and have been known to change direction throughout the dive. Depending on the current I would have to say that the dives would be more suitable to divers with experience in currents. The scenery on all of the dives was most impressive with large sea fans, gorgonians and colourful soft corals dominating many of the dives. Shoals of small fish are in abundance and turtles made regular appearances. The only negative comment I would make was that the visibility was not quite as good as I had hoped it would be for wide-angle photography. The Dive Guides did not rush us around, but I did find the sixty minute dive time too restrictive for my liking. If diving in Bunaken does not satisfy your need for nitrogen, Eco Divers have two small boats available for the ten minute ride to the House Reef. There it is possible to find pygmy seahorses, ribbon eels, nudibranchs, leaf fish, frogfish, finger dragonets, flying gurnard, lionfish, banded sea snakes as well as many types of crustaceans etc. Night dives on the House Reef are available subject to four or more divers requesting it. In conclusion, Tasik Ria Resort is a high quality resort with very friendly staff who do all they can to make your stay an enjoyable one. Eco Divers are a very professional outfit with very knowledgeable dive guides, divemasters and boat crew. They are well equipped and did their best (and usually succeeded) in accommodating our diving and underwater photography needs. |
Film used was Fuji Velvia 50ASA with the camera film speed selector set to 40ASA. Tasik Ria Resort main building Tasik Ria Resort swimming pool. The largest in Manado
The Tasik Ria Resort is beautifully integrated into the countryside.
One of Eco Divers well equipped dive boats about to depart.
Sunset over the Tasik Ria Resort Jetty Bar.
The Resorts tropical gardens are equally impressive.
Sea fan in Bunaken Marine Park.
The soft corals on the walls of Bunaken are in excellent condition.
Pygmy Seahorse on the Resort House Reef. |
