South-East Asia
THE KOMODO PHOTOQUEST
Marine Diversity In The Land of the Dragons
Dates: Friday 15th March - Tuesday 26th March 2013 (12 days)
Leaders: Sylvia Edge , Martin Edge
Group Size Limit: 14 plus leadrers
Divers and schooling jacks (Martin Edge)
Underwater images have the power to thrill the mind, to make one wonder at the marvels of the deep, the colours that nature arranges, the patterns and the shapes. And what admiration we have for the underwater photographers who have achieved these visual marvels. Can we do the same? Can we create such miracles of shape, texture, colour and light? Apply a little vision, a lot of imagination and Martin and Sylvia Edge will guide you towards ‘making’ images, not just ‘taking’ images.
Martin and Sylvia have worked with Divequest from the earliest days of its inception and have many years of experience on which to draw to develop the most stimulating, rewarding and enjoyable trips. Your photography skills will be propelled in leaps and bounds towards that ultimate, perfect underwater image. Martin is a great underwater photographer, for sure, but what really drives him and stimulates his interest more than anything else is teaching others. Little wonder that Martin’s students refer to him as their ‘guru’!
Photoquests are not about how much you know, how much equipment you use or even how much experience you have. They are about making wonderful images, about achieving your potential and, ultimately, having fun. Being amongst a group of like-minded friends who are also keen and eager to improve their photography is a huge advantage over taking a trip with the general diving public.
Photoquests are not about diving in large groups, following a timetable of events, attending formal talks or lectures. You dive when you want and with whom you choose. You don’t have to follow the dive guide unless you choose to! Some divers go their own way; some prefer to dive with Martin or with Sylvia and pick up ‘tricks of the trade’ by observation or by demonstration. Do things at your own pace. While as much photo dive time as possible will be provided, it will be up to you to decide how best to spend your time. Regimentation is avoided at all costs.
Why travel with Martin and Sylvia when you could go it alone? Firstly, Martin has no secrets. Everything he knows he will share with you. Secondly, if you chose, Martin will dive and take pictures with you, side by side: dive together, shoot together. Martin will point out both macro and wide-angle opportunities: teach you how to use your eyes, your mind, your memory and your imagination to enable to see ‘in pictures’, to see in your mind’s eye what the lens may capture.
The reefs of Indonesia’s Komodo region are some of the richest on earth. This region has almost everything from fabulous macro critter filled sites, to plunging soft coral walls, to thrilling shark infested drift dives and finally some stunning shallow reef-top sites where you will run very low on air! Manta Rays, numerous reef sharks, Bamboo Sharks, an array of nudibranchs and clouds of reef fish create a seriously photogenic environment. Within the Komodo National Park is the habitat for about 1000 fish species, over 250 species of reef-building corals, at least 105 species of crustaceans and over 70 species of sponges.
We have chosen the liveaboard Komodo Dancer to help us explore this truly fabulous destination. Komodo Dancer cruises take in the fabulous array of dive sites that Komodo has to offer. Since this is a dedicated photographic trip, it may be that the group decide to reduce the time spent on the sites where strong currents can prevail, in favour of calmer sites more conducive for photography. However diving Castle Rock, Crystal Rock and Shotgun! is definitely worth it for the thrill factor and the sheer number of fish!
Some of the Komodo regions most popular dive sites are in the south of the region off Rinca island in Horseshoe Bay. Whilst the diving is stunning and seriously photogenic, the water temperatures can drop as low as 21C so you may wish to consider taking the necessary precautions to stay warm.
And let’s not forget the Komodo Dragons on the island of Rinca! On one morning of our cruise we will visit Rinca to seek out the Komodo Dragons and walk a short trail around part of the island. Do not forget your camera and stick close to the group!
Combine the quality of the teaching and photo support, the dive management, the comfort of the vessel, the sheer remote nature of this location and its virtually unsurpassed marine life and you will know why you should be part of this fabulous trip!
For full details of the diving, please see our general Komodo & The Nusa Tengarra holiday description.
OUTLINE ITINERARY
Friday 15th March: Afternoon or evening arrival in Denpasar. Transfer to the Puri Santrian Hotel for one night.
Saturday 16th March: Take a taxi to Denpasar Airport for the short flight to Labuan Bajo. Transfer to Komodo Dancer for 10 nights.
Sunday 17th – Monday 25th March: 9 days of diving the sites of Komodo National Park
Tuesday 26th March: Transfer to Labuan Bajo for the short flight back to Denpasar. Take a taxi to the Puri Santrian Hotel for one night.
$4090 Labuan Bajo/Labuan Bajo (provisional price, to be confirmed)
Includes:
• Transfers between Labuhan Bajo airport and Komodo Dancer.
• 10 nights full board (breakfast, lunch and dinner) on a twin/share basis in a Twin Cabin on Komodo Dancer.
• 9 days of diving (up to 4 dives a day including night dives) plus one or two dives on the last day
• Komodo National Marine Park entry fee.
• 2 nights room and breakfast on a twin/share basis in a Club Room at the Puri Santrian Hotel.
• Services of Martin Edge and Sylvia Edge as leaders.
Kindly note, Twin Cabins will be allocated on a first come first served basis. After these have been allocated, the relevant upgrade costs will apply.
Nitrox Supplement: $150 payable locally (subject to change)
Upgrade to Deluxe Cabin on Komodo Dancer: $200
Upgrade to Owner's Cabin on Komodo Dancer: $300
Single occupancy supplement: $183 at the Puri Santrian. $3355 in a Twin cabin, $3555 in a Deluxe cabin or $3655 in an Owner's cabin (provisional prices, to be confirmed). You can avoid paying the supplement if you are willing to share a cabin.
Deposit: Initial deposit of $500, followed by a further deposit of $1500 12 months before departure for Labuan Bajo/Labuan Bajo arrangements.
One of Komodo's best sites, Batu Balong (Rachel Lee Horsfield)