The Macro Paradise Which is Northern Sulawesi
(Long Version), Part 1
To: Short Version,
To Parts: N.Sul 2, N.Sul 3, N.Sul 4, N.Sul 5, N.Sul 6, N.Sul 7, N.Sul 8, N.Sul 9, N.Sul 10, N.Sul 11, N.Sul 12, N.Sul 13, N.Sul 14, N.Sul 15, N.Sul 16, N.Sul 17, N.Sul 18, N.Sul 19,
Related FAQs: Indonesian Biotopes,
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Bob
Fenner, WetWebMedia.com
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| Manadotua Island north of Bunaken, near Froggies
Resort. |
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| Where is Northern Sulawesi? Sulawesi, formerly
Celebes is the odd hand-shaped Indonesian island located north of
Java, Bali, Lombok, Flores et al. islands in the Indo-Malay
Archipelago. A vintage 1940's era map showing the country as
named, ruled (for 350 years) by the Dutch, as the Netherlands East
Indies. |
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| Easy enough to get to: From the west coast of the
U.S., a twelve hour flight to either Japan or Taiwan, six hours
down to Singapore, then a mere three more to the new international
airport in Manado. |
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| Sulawesi is not a small place (about 73,000 square
miles), is comprised of many different cultures, not at all like
Java but more like Bali in its "feel", easygoingness of
the populace. |
| >Resorts in the area: Fancy to not. Bunaken side: more
wall diving, clearer, warmer water… Possibility of Manado and
environs-basing, (e.g. Tasik Ria Resort), and hauling out to
Bunaken Preserve (about an hour one way) or staying at one of the
Bunaken Island dive centers. E.g. Murex,
Froggies… |
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| >Froggies, on Bunaken Is.: Low end, set-menu, no hot or
running water. Instead it's rice and fish lunch and dinners
daily, except on Sunday's when you can get... fish and
rice! Actually, the menu is more elaborate, but it is
"set", not a matter of choice. And they do supply
freshwater (both drinking) and in a basin... to wash with
"Indonesian style"... with a ladle and wash cloth. You
will find the warmest spot to set a bucket out to warm it up during
the day. Cost: about $30 per person per day. |
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| >Kungungan Beach Resort: Pier, running water, pier,
restaurant menu (24 hrs). Ahh, luxury. On the high end for the area
are places like KBR. Hot and cold running water... food to order
night and day. Cost is about $200 pp/d. Diving in the region is
about all the same in terms of expense, twenty to thirty dollars
per tank dive depending on volume. |
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