It was early dawn when I got out from my room at Je Meridien hotel where we stayed overnight in Sorong. But I was not alone because my other companions were also out of their rooms for breakfast and prepare themselves. Joni & Weka, our guides on this trip would meet us at 06:30 at the lobby and drive us to the pier. A few minutes past seven, four Toyota Avanza which was hired to drive us started moving towards the pier, located about 15 minutes from the hotel. Arriving at the dock, the crew swiftly moved all our luggages – clothes bags, diving gears, photographic gears and supplies – the results of last night snack-panic-shopping – into the small boat to be brought on board Temukira, a pinisi ship with the capacity of 12 passengers with 12 crew that are provided by a dive tour operators to serve divers – or even non-diver tourist – that want to explore Raja Ampat archipelago. Once we all boarded the ship, Alwi, the cabin crew in-charge for this trip, started presenting fresh fruit juice, a perfect answer to our thirst, as the scorching sun welcomed us on board. Exactly at eight o’clock, Temukira started moving, slowly left the port of Sorong. Our adventure begins!
This is my second visit to Raja Ampat. And this time, I can proudly say that I am a diver 🙂 I wouldn’t want to miss again the chance to enjoy the beauty of Raja Ampat underwater. Our main destination was Wayag, a group of islands located northwest Waigeo island, the largest island in the Raja Ampat archipelago.
The plan of the first day was to do the first dive or check dive and the second dive nearby the Mansuar island. But Raja Ampat is truly full of surprises. Even before we reach our first destination we have already received a welcome dance from a group of dolphins, escorting us for quite some time. Everybody threw down all the gears they were preparing to enjoy the attraction. We were still busy chatting about the dolphins when Vita, one of the trip member, shouting, “Whale on the left ..!“. We could see its large tail as it dove back into the deep of the sea. Raja Ampat was already spoiling us right from the start of the trip…
The first dive spot was Mioskon Reef, one of the favorite dive sites in the Dampier Strait. We were divided into three groups, each was escorted by one dive guide. Using two boats, each group was escorted to the dive point. We headed to 15-20 meters depth. With the good visibility, the first dive was a good start. A set of Batfish, Sweetlips and Yellow Tail welcomed us. And apparently the surprise of the first day was not over: we met Wobbegong Shark, on our first dive! Everybody was busy taking pictures with their gears. Reza, being excited, lost his pocket camera, slipped out of his hand and floated up to the surface. Luckily, Open, our boat operator, was right on top of us and found the camera. Open has a keen eye and always follow the divers with his boat so that when we come to the surface he will never be too far away to pick us up…
In the afternoon, we moved to Mike’s Point for the second dive. Visibility was even better, so we could more freely enjoy the scenery of hard corals as well as a collection of soft corals at this spot. Sweetlips passing in front of us. But the current here was also more powerful than Mioskon Reef. It immediately reminded me to of the expression often said by senior divers: No current no life. That’s right, it’s the current that is supporting the marine biodiversity in Raja Ampat. A turtle also passed by and then stopped at the reef in front of us to find his favorite meals…
Two dives on the first day was enough to remind me how it feels to be under the blue sea with all the beautiful scenery after being away from the sea of more than half a year, made me excited and couldn’t wait for the next dive.
After the first day dives, some friends chose to rest after shower, while waiting for dinner time. I myself was busy touring around the ship, locating for a good spot to photograph the upcoming sunset. Franky & Reza eventually joined me to enjoy our first sunset in Temukira. After the orange and red light on the western horizon was fading away, then we rejoined the others in the cabin, having dinner and rest, while Temukira moving ahead toward Wayag, our main target…
To be continued…
* Photos from this Wayag trip are stored at http://www.ismawanismail.com/gallery/index.php?/category/raja-ampat
Weeewww…. I really jealous with you… One day… 😉
Come on over, the pristine beach & water of Raja Ampat are waiting.. 🙂
It’s gonna be our responsibility to promote as well as to preserve the beauty & the diversity of this place..