This was kind of a special charter. Most of the liveaboards only spend September-April in the Raja Ampat area. This is because of the less than favorable wind and sea conditions during the summer months. Most head south to work the waters around Komodo, South Sulawesi and Bali. This was the first leg of Dewi Nusantara's transit south and took us from Sorong (gateway to Raja Ampat) to Ambon (gateway to the Banda Sea area). Here's my rough approximation of the route we took:
View DN Course Track in a larger map
After an overnight transit from Sorong, we spent 6 days diving the area to the southeast of Misool (one of the "four kings" or "raja ampat") and were treated to beathtking reefs rich with both hard and soft corals along with tons of critters. We then took a long transit south to dive off the island of Koon, on the east side of Seram. We were greeted by strong currents and sandy patches filled with frogfish, robust ghost pipefish and leaf scorpionfish.
After only two dives, it was time to head out again. 16 hours straight west to a location called Nusa Laut on the southern coast of Seram. First dive of the day, we were greeted by an eagle ray, a hammerhead shark and just as we were getting picked up by the tenders...a dugong zipped by a couple of times. I thought it was a dolphin. I didn't know these relatives of manatees could swim so fast!
Our last two days of diving comprised muck diving in Ambon Harbor. Black sand, murky water, junk and lots of strange and cool critters.
Pics soon.
Boat looked really cool, and long ride to boot, looking forward to the pictures.
Posted by: Kevin Bochenek | April 25, 2012 at 08:52 AM
Hi CourtneyThank you for making what we leanred this week come alive in a special way. I've been spending these past few weeks evaluating the ways I have been polluted by, as you call it, worldly wisdom . We made a last minute decision to change the place our daughter will be going to school in September because of the worldly values we recognise that were taught to the older ones in that school. So far, it looks like we have God's blessing as He has graciously opened doors for us and, we pray, it IS His will we are doing and he will accomplish it. Of course, ridding ourselves of pollutants is like the pruning or purifying spoken of in the bible its painful and often you are out on that limb on your own but PRAISE GOD!! We endure for His name and His graces never leave us. Have a great weekend and God bless you and your family.
Posted by: Pedro | April 28, 2012 at 09:40 PM