Manado September 2006

There is no disputing when the time arrives to finally depart on that long awaited holiday you can’t help wondering how it will turn out. As this was our first taste of a Scuba + Outdoor Pursuits Warm Water Rush, and meeting sixteen new buddies for the first time we were full of excitement and anticipation, as we waited to get underway, on our diving holiday to Manado, Indonesia.

Our first challenge was to meet at Scuba + Outdoor Pursuits – Cannock at the unearthly time of 05:00 hours, board our coach and head down to London. The second challenge was to check in at Heathrow without incurring excess baggage charges, and with his kitchen sink and dishwasher totalling just over 56kg, Pedram was having to draw on every ounce of Middle Eastern charm to get away with it. To the amazement of us all, and with a firm challenge to Kofi Annan’s position at the UN, he did indeed negotiate his way out of an extra charge (Wow !!).

Although a daunting prospect, the 17 hour flight on Singapore Airlines, went past like a dream. Well for Steve T, it actually did, because were pretty certain he actually managed the impossible, and slept for the entire flight.

Once we did manage to wake him up, Steve T and the rest of us arrived at our destination, the Sam Ratulangi International Airport. We were immediately greeted by the friendly Tasik Ria Hotel staff, who expertly stacked our bags (Jenga Style) into one of the pick-up trucks, and guided us towards our coach. The journey across the island, to the Tasik Ria Hotel, was amazing in itself, as we passed through Lush Green Forest; Bustling Little Towns and past Spectacular Waterfalls.

There was no time to waste once we arrived and Bjorn, the Eco Divers manager, and Danny the Tasik Ria manager, introduced us to what the resort had to offer. Ordinarily this type of meeting would be poorly attended, but “wow” not this time. The jetty bar was the perfect vantage point, to watch the awesome tropical sunset, as the sun dropped slowly into the sea, between the islands. Of course the two for one San Miguel deal, also meant we all stayed way beyond the end of the sunset.

Our base for the trip was superbly situated near to the numerous reefs of Bunaken National Park, where volcanic landscapes and lush rainforests create a unique backdrop to one of the world’s best, yet least known dive destinations. The waters here were home to many unusual species, for example the prehistoric fish “Coelacanth”, and Pygmy Sea Horses, as well as some more well known household names: White Tip Reef-Shark; Turtles, Eagle Rays, Napoleon Wrasse to mention but a few. The best bit, even far beyond the spectacular fish life, and coral, was the plain fact that the sea was absolutely “flat”, literally just like a mirror (sheer bliss !), oh and a very very very warm 28+ degrees.

The whole diving experience was simply superb, with not a single bum dive, or disappointing trip. We would rise with the sun, and head off for our open air breakfast in the restaurant, then walk down to the jetty and board our boat. With the area being a very well kept secret, we were never rushed or crowded, and all the dive sites were literally mind-blowing, with more marine life than you could comprehend. The newest of these life forms being our dive guides, who quite literally never actually needed to breathe, even whilst traversing the strongest of currents.

I had only completed my Open Water programme, with our Scuba + Outdoor group leader and Instructor Mark, on day one, I wasn’t able to jump in on all the dives, especially the really, really fast drifts. The remainder of the group however did, and judging by the slightly shocked; slightly grinning and defiantly amazed looks on their faces, those dives were something special. The prospect of heading through up-currents; down currents and round whirlpools still doesn’t appeal to me, but the others certainly seemed to rave over them, and hell if you want to see the “really big stuff” (with big teeth) that’s were they were.

My own favourites however were the little guys and the well hidden guys, the Leaf Fish; Pygmy Seahorses (and wow they really are small); Ghost Pipe Fish, Hairy Frog Fish and Cuttle fish. They were all around on the main reefs and walls, but by far my best day, was the one spent out in the Lembeh Straits, muck diving. Here the photo opportunities of rainbow coloured fish, set against a matt dark background was far beyond anything I had could have ever expected.

The superb diving was of course backed up by superb evenings of laughing, daftness and fun. Our regular routine saw us while away the afternoon, into the early evening, whiling away the time at the pool bar. Like a scene from “Only Fools and Horses”, there were all manner of frothy cocktails; umbrellas and straws, scattered around. It was however a very unique sight to see our barman climbing the adjacent Coconut trees for a receptacle for our next frothy mixture (sorry Danny).

As the newbies we were introduced to the tradition of “The House Party”, apparently a resident fixture of all Scuba + Outdoor holidays. After rounding up our “House Warming Gift” (generally borrowed from the hotel complex – he he he) we headed over to our hosts room, for a polite drink and high brow conversation (yea right !!).

To set the scene for those of you who still haven’t been lucky enough to attend one, imagine this Mark in Maya’s Bikini; Steve in his Bed Sheet and a selection of gifts ranging from a Ceramic Frog; Statue from Reception; Assorted Potted Plants; and a Barman to a real life Indonesian Frog, all squashed into someone’s room. Ok, got the picture, well now imagine the conversations, especially when Elaine and I got started (no Pedram its NOT an Elephant !), simply superb.

Whilst we continued diving, on the final few days, the rest of the group headed inland to the Coconut Groves, and Highland Towns. Our diving was of course great, but by all accounts their adventures were also something to see. I know I stopped eating when they described the local market, with its Dog (well one and a half actually); Rat and Bat section. I was however keen on the rainforest waterfall swim, although apparently Stevie H did have to drag Elaine away from the edge a few times, and Nicks camera dunking episode in the mountain stream didn’t appeal either.

All too soon, the eight days passed by and it was with sadness that we checked out of Tasik Ria Hotel, and waved goodbye to the Spa (Mmmmmmmm, now that was a really good way to end a days diving, bring on the Massage !). We really had enjoyed eight wonderful days there, and the company was totally superb, however there was still more fun to be had as we had our 2 nights (and more importantly two shopping days) in Singapore to enjoy.

I won’t bore you even more, but suffice to say the credit cards got max’ed out; the camera shops were happy; the Singapore Slings were lovely, and the Night Safari was simply amazing. So in a nutshell, if you plan on visiting Singapore, you defiantly need more than just two days there.

So that’s it, we’ve completed our first Scuba + Outdoor Pursuits Warm Water Rush scuba diving holiday. So what’s the verdict: