Κυριακή 30 Μαρτίου 2008

HARLEQUINN SHRIMP

Seraya Secrets, a black sand site located just about 4km south of Tulamben, in which coral and sponge oases can be found from 3m to 38m of depth, is constantly producing a variety of marine life such as Harlequin shrimp, ornate ghost pipefish, mimic octopus, the Colemans shrimp, Nudibranches, triggerfish and sea anemones.
To get to Seraya will take you approximately 2.30 hrs from the famous Bali resort of Seminyak. A higly suggested place for divers to stay is the Tulamben resort in which the Papas diving centre offer good services (transport included starting at 7 am) and prices.

Παρασκευή 28 Μαρτίου 2008

MENJANGAN BALI BARAT NATIONAL PARK

Menjangan Island the name of which means "deer", is located off shore the most mountainous point in far Northwestern Bali. Due to the island's protected position, the winds and currents rarely constitute a problem, so in location reefs are offered for undisturbed diving. Waters are crystal clear a factor that guarantees a visibility of 50m which never drops to less than 25m. The Island is part of Bali Barat National Park, a protected reserve area. To drive from Seminyak the southern Bali Resort, will take you 3hrs due to heavy traffic surrounding Denpansar, the Bali island capital. Once you pass the town of Tabanan and for the next hour, on your left spreads of wide area of rice field reaching to the sea.
The road condition is good (it's the main Java-Bali highway). Approaching the town of Negera the land becomes drier and there are lots of coconat plantations. Past Negara it's a half hour drive to Cekek, and at 3km farther a ferry crosses from Gilimank to Java. After 12km, you arrive at Mimbi Resort Menjangan,
where you may arrange a boat to take you to the place called "Post one". Depths range from 2m to 45m. This dive has a very simple entry and a remarkably contrasting terrain on both sides of the entry cut. One side has steep walls with deep crevices, and swimming to the left isn't that rugged, plus it's full of Marine inverts like fans and sponges. Swimming to the left side provides a seemingly endless array of fan coral, some in nearly 3m height in just 9m of water depth. Lacey gorgonians and delicate black coral trees adorn the reef. Barrel and immense platter sponges are also a commonplace. Fish life is active with schools of yellowtail cascading over the wall and unusual golden jacks swimming along the reef top.
This is one of the best spots in Bali Indonesia to photograph tropical marine life. I have shot my best pictures in this diving spot. Other diving spots in Menjagan island include: Craggy Walls, The Anchor Wreck, Post one, Post two, and Eels garden.
The papas dive centre is the best diving centre in Bali Indonesia.

APLYSIA-GEOGRAPHIC SEA HARE NEW NUDIBRANCHS BALI INDONESIA

I first found this Nudibranchs Syphonota geographica at sand bottom 10m deep in Seririt.

After mailing it to the Australian world expert Mr Neville Coleman for research, I received his reply two months later informing that it is a NEW NUDIBRANCH ! It is now included in Mr Colemans' publication NEW "ENCYCLOPEDIA OF NUDIBRANCHS" edition 20008, page 64.

Τρίτη 25 Μαρτίου 2008

KUBU KARANGASEM BALI INDONESIA

KUBU Dive spot is only 10km north of the Tulamben resort.It's a relatively new dive spot founded by the Japanese master diver Akira Ogawa(from Dive&Dives) two years ago.Today the local community does not allow dive trips to this beautiful and very interesting place,for which I'm lucky to have dived along with Daesuke who is the best master diver of Papas -dive.The last time I dived over there,I shot many interesting photos like the yellow boxfish,the pigmy seahorse,and many nudibranches.I feel disappointed that no one will ever have chance to shoot more photos at this spot.

SERIRIT NORTH BALI INDONESIA


SERIRIT NORTH BALI
Seririt,the place for the best underwater pictures in Bali, in 3hrs driving from Seminyak the famous Bali resort,start early in the morning at 6am from my villa Kumpul-kumpul in.Approahing the sandy beach there isn't much to see (neither an official beach organization),however as long as you start diving you may find soft coral from 6m to 25m deep.Those soft corals could be the subject of some magnicifent photos. I was lucky enough to be with the master diver Daesuke of the Papas-dive center.The sandy sea
bottom is full of soft corals, and a big surprices to me was tha I shot the rarest so called Zembra batfish,the
mimic octopus,the ghost pipefish, the small soft coral goby, the urchin shrimp,and many of nudibranches.I can reassure you tht Seririt will offer you a great deal of chances for great underwater pictures. At the end of your diving day, you may enjoy a light traditional dinner at the small (warung) Balines restaurand.Papas dive center is always very well organized to help you with any of your diving request or any problems might arise.











Δευτέρα 24 Μαρτίου 2008

COLEMANS SHRIMP, SERAYA BALI INDONESIA

SERAYA SECRETS
Two hours drive from Seminyak Famous Resort area in BALI ,arrive in to SERAYA, Located in 3m to 40m in frond of Scuba Seraya Resort,about 4km south of Tulamben North BALI this sloping black sand site, with coral and sponge oases has become one of the major macro havens of the Indo-Pacific, constantly producing Harlequinn shrimp,ornate ghost pipefish,mimic octopus and lots of other sought-after denizens.
The setting could not be more perfect for snorkellers,with Mt Agung clearly visible in the background and colourful rows of traditional [jukung] fishing boat lining the sandy beach.You can easily see the bluespotted rays,crinoids and hard corals below.
According to Daesuke my stellar dive guide in BALI from Papasdive, night diving here is also a promising proposition.
Nudibranchs,triggerfish ,sea anemones and a host of other invertebrates are commonplace here,but you will want to keep an eye out for the emerald-coloured mantis shrimp,Colemans shrimp host in urchin,
The best place for professional Photographed, most of me Photos i take here.
Thanks to Mr HARRY from Bali Cyber Cafe & Restaurand for help to burn the photos to CD.

THE TULAMBEN WALL


Should you want to take a break from wreck diving, there is a good coral wall beginning just off the eastern end of the beach. The rocky knoll southeast of town plunges straight down into the sea, and coral grows along its face. You must be cautious whom you dive with or what group you follow, as the fine gray sediment here is easily stirred up.
The Tulamben Wall is known for rare species, including the Longnose Hawkfish,
Large barrel sponges sprouted from the slope, and sponges in general, like the tube, vase, and encrusting sponges were abundant here. Once we left the wall, the coral grew only in small knolls.
The final part of dive was a short glide over black sand. This environment, though it may appear featureless at a first glance, is the home to many skeleton shrimps, ornate ghost pippefish, and juvenile scorpionfish.
Women from nearby village transfer the dive equipment on top their heads. Mimpi Tulamben resort provides for good Bali lunch and coffee. Papasdive offers an excellent service in affordable prices. Once more I would like to thank Daesuke for helping me to shoot my most interested underwater photos.

Παρασκευή 14 Μαρτίου 2008

SECRET BAY







Start early in the morning at 6am from my villa Kumpul-kumpul inn at Seminyak (the famous Bali resort area) and driving for 3 and a half hours you arrive at Secret Bay an odd little backwash near Gilimanuk opposite to the ferry landing from Java. The depth ranges from 0.6m to 12m and has some of the strangest creatures in the tropical sea. My mendor TAKAMASA TONOZUKA (owner of “dives & dive” well-organized company) one of Bali’s most knowledgeable marine expert and underwater photographer, has discovered this dive site. The normally calm, shallow and clear water is a delight for anyone interested in learning about marine life .The bay’s rare and abundant creatures make it the best place for professional undewater macrophotographers. The water is crystal clear at high tide in the morning. The cold current that feeds this bay seems to play a large part in attracting these creatures. The walk-in shore entry is easy, and the visual treats start almost immedialtely upon submersion. Clumps of seagrass host camouflaged pippefish, fire urchins, tassled filefish, and cardinal fish. It seems that every fin kick brings something new into view. Seahorses blend in with plant life, while small cuttlefish hug the bottom.
LOG-WORTHY: my dive guide Daesuke of “papasdive.com” is highly recommended for his trained eyes which can pick out hard-to-see creatures like delicate ghost pipefish, which most divers swim right by, mistaking the fish for a piece of seaweed. From Secret bay (at Gilimanuk) heading all the way across Bali are Tulamben and Amed Bali’s main attraction for all levels of divers. Many thanks to my Mendor Takasama Tonozuka.