iDiveToday

Tuesday, September 13, 2016

Planning a dive trip to Tomia Wakatobi, Indonesia

Underwater photos taken in Wakatobi are found here, MsDeviant

GETTING THERE:

Destination

The name Wakatobi is a combination of 4 islands: Wangi-wangi, Kaledupa, Tomia and Binongko. There are diving spots in all 4 islands but the island known for diving is Tomia and that is your main destination.

Routes / Flights

Warning in advance, reaching Tomia is a long long long journey. My flight from Jakarta left at 4am and reached Tomia at 6pm same day (though note the time difference, Tomia is one hour ahead of Jakarta).

As the map illustrates, you need to...

1. Fly from Jakarta (CGK) to Makassar via Lion Air

2. Fly from Makassar (UPG) to Kendari (KDI) via Wings Air

3. Fly from Kendari (KDI) to Wangi-Wangi (WNI) via Wings Air

4. Take a boat from Wangi-Wangi (WNI) to Tomia via chartered boat

From Makassar (UPG) to Wangi-Wangi, Wings Air will be flying an ATR aircraft, I call it a 'propeller plane'. Basically its a small plane so consider the size of your hand carry bags.

*Makassar airport is listed as Ujung Pandang (UPG)

As of Sept 2016, only Lion Air and Wings Air flies to Wangi-Wangi. These two airline belongs to same company so if you book your flights through Lion Air, it will create your flight itinerary that includes Wings Air flights or Batik Air.

Booking the flights are easy but getting on a boat from Wangi-Wangi to Tomia might be a bit of a challenge. I searched the web on public boats fares and schedules, I found these: Wakatobi Tourism, Discover Your Indonesia and LittleNomadID. I didn't find a boat schedule that sails from Wangi-Wangi to Tomia.

Boat chartered for us

If you are going there on a dive trip, its best to ask the dive operator/organizer to arrange a chartered boat to pick you up from Wangi-Wangi to Tomia (that's what I did). If you are going there for a non-dive trip (but why?), its best to ask your resort to arrange everything for you. The island has limited choices of resorts/accommodation, here a list from tripadvisor.

Or if you are feeling fancy, try booking everything through Wakatobi Resort.

Alternate route: If you happen to be in Bali (Depansar DPS) already, then direct to Wangi-Wangi (WNI) then take a boat to Tomia.

TRAVEL TIME:

1. Fly from Jakarta (CGK) to Makassar - 2 hours 5 minutes

2. Fly from Makassar (UPG) to Kendari (KDI) - 40-60 minutes

3. Fly from Kendari (KDI) to Wangi-Wangi (WNI) - 40-60 minutes

4. Boat from Wangi-Wangi (WNI) to Tomia - 2 hours

Airport in Wakatobi - it's really nice and clean

Dive Organizer / Operator

Krystal Klear Dive (KKD)

Contact Details:

Florianus Jeheman - Customer Relation

KRISTAL KLEAR DIVE - PADI S-6267

Hotel Kristal, ground floor, Jl. Terogong Raya, Cilandak Barat,

Jakarta Selatan 12430

P: +62 21 75818025 | W: www.kristalkleardive.com

E: info@kristalkleardive.com, course@kristalkleardive.com,

travel@kristalkleardive.com

KKD WAKATOBI DIVING TRIP PACKAGE
SEPTEMBER 8-12, 2016
IDR 8,350,000,- PER DIVER (about 615* USD)
IDR 7,600,000,- PER NON-DIVER (about 560* USD)

Price includes: 8 dives at Tomia Island, 5 day 4 night stay at ABI JAYA Guest House and PATUNO Resort (the last night), Meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner), Transportation from Wakatobi Airport – Guest House – Dive Spot – Wakataobi Airport, Dive guide / Dive master, Scuba tank, weights and belts, Travel Insurance

Price does not include: Airline tickets, Equipment rental, Additional charge for dedicated guide, Additional charge for extra dives, Gratitude tip, Extras (meals, drinks, alcoholic beverage), Personal expenses (massage, telephone calls, laundry, etc.), Any items which we did not mention in “The price includes”

QUINN'S REVIEW

Journey to Tomia Island...

Its really a long journey and it can be really tiring since its 3 flights and one boat ride to Tomia. Bring whatever you need to stay comfortable. And also expect flight delays, it could be as long as 1 to 2 hours delay.

Lion Air is know for their flights delays. We were lucky our departure from Jakarta wasn't delayed but our departure from Makassar was delayed for more than 2 hours. Airline provided us snacks (piece of break and water). Good thing is that Makassar airport is a nice airport, there are places where you can eat properly and wait comfortably. Airport have Starbucks, Gloria Jeans, Dunkin Donuts, Food Court and shops for souvenirs.

From Makassar airport, we flew to Kendari and lands in the airport to pick up / drop off passengers. We were bound to Wangi-Wangi airport so we didn't have to get out of the plane. We waited inside the plane with its engine off (no ac) and while the plane re-fuels. Total waiting time 45-60 minutes.

Reaching Wangi-Wangi island felt like a huge relief. Aerial view of the island is amazing. You'll know you're up to something awesome. From Wangi-Wangi airport, there's already a car waiting for us to bring us to the pier where our chartered boat awaits. Wangi-Wangi airport is small but nice and clean. Drive time from airport to pier is about 30 minutes. No Traffic and the view is enjoyable; you'll see lots of 'greenery', farm fields, traditional houses, locals waving and smiling at you, etc. Before getting on the boat, there is a restaurant near the pier and we ate our late lunch there - authentic local food, I like it.

After eating, we went to a small convenient store, we were told to buy our basic needs like water, snacks or toiletries because Tomia island doesn't have convenient stores and ATM machines, they have small stores but with limited supplies and options. I bought one 600ml bottle of water and one small bag of biscuit - which I regretted after reaching Tomia island. I should have bought more water and snacks but it didn't bother me much, I didn't starve in Tomia island and they have drinking water dispenser at the guest house we stayed at (I don't want to know how they refill that bottle!).

We stayed at Tomia from Thursday to Sunday, Sunday after lunch (after 2 dives in the morning) we started traveling back. We got on a boat back to Wangi-Wangi, spent a night at Patuno resort to catch our morning flight next day. We flew from Wangi-Wangi to Kendari, to Makassar and to Jakarta.

Dive Organizer (KKD)...

Organized! Florianus is very diligent in sending information needed to prepare for the trip. I didn't have to follow up on anything. On departure, we met the dive leader (Deden) at Jakarta airport, I didn't have to worry about anything on the itinerary. Aside from the flights which I need to arrange on my own, everything else is already set: transportation (land and sea), accommodation and dive schedules.

KKD also gave us free souvenir t-shirts which is awesome because I collect diver designed t-shirts.

Dive Operator (Wakatobi Dive Trip)...

Two wooden boats provided for us

Wakotobi Dive Trip (local dive operator through KKD), they provided us 2 boats for 6 passengers plus 4 crew, they didn't want us cramped in one boat which I totally appreciate. I have previously experienced a dive trip with only one smaller boat with 10 divers plus screw. It was cramped as hell.

The dive guide, Achamd, he is a seasoned dive guide in Wakatobi who used to worked for a dive resort in Wangi- Wangi and now he started running his ow in Tomia. He can't speak English much but he tries his best to brief us using a lot of sign languages and using few English words he knows. He knows the dive spots well though he is not the best spotter underwater.

They also gave us freebies, drinking bottle made from tin which looks like a dive tank. I love it.

Diver's Level...

Its best to dive in Wakatobi if you're an advanced diver (all dive sites are 20+ meters deep) or if you are already very comfortable underwater. Honestly, I find Wakatobi dive trip a very expensive trip and its best to enjoy the dives when you're very comfortable (some dive spots have medium to strong currents which will require divers back roll, negative entry). If you're still panicky underwater or gets easily sea sick or gets easily tired every after each dives, I wouldn't recommend going on this dive trip. Because if in case you get sick, its too expensive to miss the dives, its not refundable.

Overall Dive Experience...

It's very enjoyable! Though I love all dive trip experiences. What I saw underwater is not much different from what I saw in Bali, Manado or Lombok. Here are the underwater photos I took, MsDeviant

I met people who dove in Wakatobi, Raja Ampat and Komodo, all of them said that they very much prefer and enjoy diving in Komodo than Wakatobi and/or Raja Ampat. Komodo is also way cheaper and more accessible than Raja Ampat and Wakatobi. Well, I have yet to experience diving in Komodo.

If you want to use Nitrox, you have to inform KKD in advance because it is not readily available in the island. Same with night dives, you have to inform KKD way in advance.

Tomia Island

You probably already have a picture of how Tomia Island is, based from description above. Staying there is really "back to basics". Which I totally didn't mind at all as I grew up in a farm and my generation didn't grew up with mobile phones, internet connections nor cable TV. Electricity, the island is powered by a generator that is only turned on from 3pm to 6am next day. The island is very serene, I can hear myself breathe. In the morning, I hear children playing in the water and in the afternoon, I hear children playing outside our guest house. There are few motorbikes and cars in the island. Starting 5pm onward, the whole island becomes so quiet, the water is so calm I can't hear any waves. If all of these bothers you, then come prepared or book the more expensive option, Wakatobi Resort or don't come at all.

Our first day in Tomia, we arrive at sunseet, Beautiful!

2 minutes walk from our guest house is a plaza

Across the plaza is a beautiful viewing deck for sunset

Just Amazing! Beautiful Sunset!

The Beach...

Accommodation

Heavenly! Like really?! Beautiful beach and you are the only ones there?! No noise! No annoying tourist (hahaha)! No annoying vendors! Just you and the beach!

At Tomia, we stayed at Terapung Guest House for 2 nights. Traditional Indonesian house (though its made of concrete not hut), traditional meaning some rooms have bathrooms and some rooms doesn't. The bathroom is also traditional, it doesn't have a shower. There's only a pail and a water dipper (no option for hot water). Toilet, traditional floor toilet where you need to squat and some bathroom has the not so normal toilet - you can sit on it but it doesn't have a flush. You have to use the pail to flush.

The bedroom is basic, there's air conditioning but it takes time to cool but theirs an electric fan. The bed is not so comfy, one pillow and no blanket. Good thing I brought my jumpers and long pants pajamas and a 'sarong', it can get cold at night. I didn't dare asking for blankets.

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to take photos of the room and the guest house. Overall, the house and room are okay. It's not disgusting. It's just basic. I see the staff every morning and afternoon sweeping and mapping the floor. Oh and you are to leave your shoes/flip flops outside the house / by the door. You have to be barefoot inside the house.

We spent our last night at Wangi-Wangi island, at Patuno Resort. It's a proper resort with awesome comfortable rooms and OMG! soft pillows, bed and duvet. It felt like I was rewarded for enduring 2 nights of rough sleep at the guest house.

Overall Experience: I'd rate it as 8 out of 10! If the cost was cheaper, I'd give it a 10!

'til my next diving adventure!

Other Scuba Diving Adventures and Underwater Photos:
   TOMIA ADVENTURES - Wakatobi Indonesia
   BALINESE MANTA RAYS - Bali Indonesia
   A CLOSE UP WITH A HAWKSBILL TURTLE - Bunaken Manado Indonesia
   MY FIRST TIME TO DIVE IN THE PHILIPPINES - Anilao Batangas Philippines
   MANTA RAYS DECIDED TO TAKE A DAY OFF - Manta Point & Nusa Penida Bali
   UNCOVERING U.S. ARMY CARGO SHIP - Tulamben Bali)
   STROLLING AROUND CORAL GARDEN - Tulamben Bali)

Underwater Videos:
   UNDERWATER WORLD Video Playlist

My Beautiful Life Adventure continues at....
   http://mybeautifullifeadventure.tumblr.com
   https://www.youtube.com/MsDeviant
   https://msdeviant.blogspot.com
   http://idivetoday.blogspot.com
   Follow me on INSTAGRAM: @icqnd

Thursday, August 4, 2016

Planning a Dive Trip to Gili Trawangan, Lombok Indonesia

GETTING THERE:

Destination	Gili Trawangan, Lombok Indonesia
Airport/s	Bandar Udara a.k.a Lombok 'Praya' International Airport (Airport Code: LOP) More information about Lombok Airport More information about Bali Airport More information about Jakarta Airport Jakarta Airport CGK Terminal & Airline Guide
Routes/Flights	There are no international direct flight to Lombok. However, Garuda (Indonesia Flag Carrier) issues connecting flights. Passengers will still need to transit either from Jakarta Domestic Airport (CKG) to Lombok Airport (LOP) or from Bali Domestic Airport (DPS) to Lombok Airport (LOP) but people usually take the speed boat from Bali to Lombok or to the Gili Islands (as shown in the map below) If you are coming from Jakarta, there are direct flights from Jakarta Airport (CGK) to Lombok Airport (LOP); LionAir, CitiLink, BatikAir, or Garuda. From the airport, you need to travel by land to Sengigi - here you will find the pier to the Gilis or even to Bali. At the airport arrival you will see taxi service / car rental desk, that is one option to get to Sengigi. The other option is to take the metered taxi; Blue Bird or Express taxi (note they will try to negotiate for fix fare but if you can, insist to turn on the meter). Average one way cost is Rupiah 140,000 to 160,000 from airport to Sengigi. Note that there is additional airport taxi surcharge of Rupiah 17,500. Travel time is 1 hour 10 minutes (depending on traffic). From Sengigi, take a speed boat to Gili Trawangan. Here are your options: Bali Ferry, Lombok Fast Boat, Gili Bookings, Blue Waters Express, Gili Get Away If you are coming from Bali, there are flights to Lombok (LOP); LionAir. But the distance is too short for plane (30-45mins), people normally take the speed boat. It will take about 2 hours 30 minutes travel time to Gili Trawangan (depending on weather condition). From Bali to the Gilis, you can book/buy your tickets from either of these options: Bali Ferry, Lombok Fast Boat, Gili Bookings, Blue Waters Express, Gili Get Away If you are feeling fancy, you can also take helicopter, Air Bali Other info you might need to know: Sports Equipment Check-in are available for Air Asia, LionAir & Garuda. You can purchase additional luggage weight when booking your tickets online. Garuda offers 26KG Sports Equipment free of charge (this is as of July 2016, pls visit Garuda website or call costumer service for any updates/changes in their check-in policies). Please note that if you are arriving at CGK International Terminal (Jakarta International Airport), you have to take a bus to domestic terminal to take your flight to LOP / DPS. Flight Time (Jakarta CGK to Bali DPS): 1 hour 45 mins. (Time difference: Bali is 1 hour ahead of Jakarta). Flight time (Jakarta CGK to Lombok LOP): 1 hour 55 mins. (Time difference: Lombok is 1 hour ahead of Jakarta) When flying domestic via local low cost carriers/budget airlines, delayed flights (arrival/departure) are expected, LionAir is known for this. So be prepared to wait as long as 1 hour to 2 hours at the domestic terminal. You can directly book tickets from airline websites as mentioned above or you can find and book flights through the following sites: NusaTrip.com, Tiket.com, Traveloka.com, Booking.com. Domestic Indonesia flights are usually cheaper at NusaTrip.com
Quinn's Review	I always fly direct flight from Jakarta to Lombok, I find this option more convenient considering that I have extra large luggage / sports equipment luggage. Easier and more convenient way (though not necessarily the cheapest) is to request your hotel or your dive operator to arrange the airport transfer for you. They will arrange a private van waiting for you at the airport arrival and bring you to the pier then to Gili Trawangan (and vise versa) via private speed boat. I haven't tried taking the boat from Bali to Gili Trawangan though I have 3 friends (who traveled separately and in different months) tried this route and wouldn't dare doing it again. If you are traveling with kids or if you have a weak stomach or gets easily sea sick, may I suggest flying to Lombok instead. My friends who took the boat from Bali to Gili Trawangan said that it was very wavy and felt very dizzy for the whole 2 hours and 30 minutes on the boat.
DIVE OPERATORS	Blue Marlin Dive Gili Trawangan Contact Details: Hannah Dixon - Bookings Manager \| T. +62 (0) 370 6132424 \| E. info@bluemarlindive.com W. www.bluemarlindive.com Their dive boat goes out 3 times per day (night dive is available upon request), each boat trip is a single dive trip, dive sites are 10-15 minutes away from dive center. Cost: 35USD per dive (night dive is 45USD, Nitrox tank is 10USD) - this includes all gear rental, dive boats and dive guides. If you do 5 dives and more, you'll get 10% discount, 10 dives and more, you'll get 15% discount. Plus divers need to contribute to Gili Eco Trust Fund: 50,000 Rupiah (about 13-15USD). Please check with Hannah for rates, there might be some changes/adjustment in their cost. Above are the rates I got when I dove with them 2 years ago.
Quinn's Review	Extremely professional and punctual. The dive guides and boat men takes safety seriously. Of all the dive trips that I have been to in Indonesia, they are indeed the safest and their attention to detail is impressive. Very friendly staff too, very accommodating.
ACCOMMODATION	There are 2 options. Which side of the island: Sunrise or Sunset side of the island? The sunrise side is where the pier is at, restaurants, bars/clubs, party place. The sunset side is if you want it more peaceful and enjoy the beautiful sunset. TRANSPORTATION within the island, no motorizes vehicle. There are only horse carts, bicycles and walking/jogging. I cycled around the island and took me just 45 minutes. The island is that small. Hotel Villa Ombak This is on the sunrise side, near the pier and near Blue Marlin Dive (5 minutes walk or even less). Hotel Ombak Sunset This is on the opposite side. Less noise from the pier and party place. It's only 10-15 minutes walk from/to pier (depending on how fast you walk, I enjoyed walking) Blue Marlin Dive Accommodation The dive center also have accommodation for divers. Room rates for those diving with Blue Marlin; the bungalows are $40 USD per night, and the two smaller rooms are $35 USD. All prices include tax and breakfast. And they do have a famous party night every Monday night. Please check with Hannah for rates, there might be some changes/adjustment in their cost. Above are the rates I got when I stayed with them 2 years ago. AIRPORT TRANSFER: All above 3 can arrange airport transfers but you must book in advance, one way trip will cost around 900,000 (65USD) to 1,000,000 (*75USD). This is the rate I paid 2 years ago. This includes private van who will pick you up from Airport then bring you to the pier (or vise versa),private speed boat from pier to Gili Trawangan (or vise sersa). For Hotel Ombak Sunset, it will include the horse cart from pier to the hotel (which is on the other side of the island), 5 minutes horse ride, its fun.
Quinn's Review	I have stayed in all 3 accommodations above in different months. Villa Ombak and Ombak sunset, the rooms are clean, spacious, AC are working properly, hot/cold water is fine, service is good, Wi-Fi, breakfast from western to local good. I'd give these two hotel a tumbs up. The hotel also provides bicycle for rent, in case you want to cycle around the island - I highly recommend doing it, its fun. Blue Marlin Dive Accommodation is very basic, basic needs for a diver. Space, hot/cold water, AC and internet WI-FI. Least favorite here is the breakfast, its not buffet. They have pre-set menu but not much, really basic like toast, egg and juice. But this didn't bother me a lot because there are other cafes around.