City Seahorse, Inc. - December 18, 2008
This newsletter contains:
-
2008 Trips
- 2009 Spring Trips
- Linda Cline's Dancing Fish Photo Gallery
2008 Trips
Yikes! We've been back in Texas about a week and I just realized I have to break out the sweaters. After 7 weeks in Raja Ampat and Bali, Indonesia its quite a shock to the system to be back to cold weather, pollution and prepared foods.
We had a couple of great trips in November with some very talented photographers aboard. I've included some of their comments and links to a few photo galleries below. Something for you to peruse and drool over during the holidays.
Unfortunately we had one person on a November trip who somehow didn't understand Raja Ampat's diving and what my special trips are all about. He is on a vendetta, posting a misleading trip review all over the net, joining forums just to insult me and his shipmates. I hope if you encounter this review you will research further and find the comments of others on his trip, the subsequent nearly identical trip (see Linda Cline's gallery!) and from guests on previous trips.
Those Exciting 2009 Spring Trips!
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| Raja Ampat Nov. 2008 |
April 22 - May 04: Sorong-Sorong. 12 nights. $4095+
May 08 - May 20: Sorong - Halmahera - Lembeh. 12 nights. $4095+
I'm offering a special "New Year's Bonus" to divers who book onto the April 22 trip and have their payment in by New Year's Day. Sorry, bonus for new bookings only. There is one single cabin available on that trip.
More info on the April 22, Sorong-Sorong trip is at http://www.cityseahorse.com/rajaampat
The May 8-20 trip is a bit of a savings as only 1-way air is needed from Manado. It's a great trip to extend with a few days diving at Lembeh Strait. Info about this trip is available at
http://www.cityseahorse.com/raja-ampat-halmahera-lembeh-strait-liveaboard-diving.php
All trips include Raja Ampat. Sorong-Sorong trips are 100% within Raja Ampat. Sorong - Halmahera - Lembeh trips will spend about 1/2 the trip in Raja Ampat.
I will not be offering spring (USA and Europe spring - April-June) trips after 2009. If you can't join us at other times of the year, 2009 will be your last chance. Spring trips have the advantage of being in Raja Ampat when there are few divers. This year the weather in late May was near perfect and we only saw one other ship during our two spring cruises.
Contact tours@cityseahorse.com ASAP for more info.
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Summary of Trips
I don't want to bore regular readers by repeating the trip summaries here. It is available for new subscribers (or if you need a reminder) in the August Newsletter at
http://www.cityseahorse.com/newsletters/2008Aug18.html
The October Newsletter contained links to several other galleries from guests on last spring's trips.
http://www.cityseahorse.com/newsletters/2008Oct15.html
Raja Ampat Galleries
Linda Cline is one of the most talented photographers we've ever had on board and also one of the fastest to get a gallery online!
She offered to share her images with you in this newsletter.
Linda writes about her trip "The loveliest reefs in the world...
Raja Ampat has held a magical attraction for me, and my visit there has been a long time in coming. Unspoiled reefs and great underwater critters, away from the crowds and the eco-pressures of the rest of the world. I finally got there on this trip, and we experienced a diverse range of habitats and marine life. From mangroves and jungle passages to current swept bommies and manta cleaning stations, this area has it all. I do intend to go back!
The trip was organized by Deb Fugitt and Tony Matheis to be photo-centric, and this focus made a great difference in my photo productivity, as we went to the right sites at the right times. Sometimes it was still a toss of the dice for currents, sunlight or visibility, but their locale specific knowledge really helped in choosing among our options."
Visit Linda's Dancing Fish gallery at:
http://www.dancingfish.com/gallery/photos/RajaAmpat08/
Linda loves macro.. There are plenty of good macro shots on her website. She actually chose to shoot wide angle in some areas where we were finding loads of critters... that's just how good Raja Ampat is for variety!
We're looking forward to Linda and Richard's return in November 2009!
Victor (1st Nov trip) recently wrote to a forum
"I have been on two trips on this boat with City Seahorse. I feel lucky, as their trips, often book up well in advance. They have been running trips to that area for over 10 years, and probably know the area better then most. <snip>. I think they run one of the best trips for photographers I've ever been on, and can't wait to get back next year. <snip> I have been on many trips where the diving is all about what the trip leaders want, they are NOT like that. They adjust the itinerary based on what people want."
If you are interested in a 2009 trip, send me an email at tours@cityseahorse.com.
2009 Liveaboard Trips
There are spaces still available on the SMY Ondina 2009 "normal" trips. The schedule is here:
http://www.cityseahorse.com/indonesia-liveaboard-schedule.php.
Contact me for individual or group bookings for 2009 or to start planning for your group for 2010.
Please note that I will not be able to assist with travel arrangements if your trip is booked directly with the ship or if you are using a trip voucher.
If you do not want to receive news and trip notices like this, remove your address from our list by using the Unsubscribe info at the bottom of this note.
Happy Diving!
DebF
Deborah Fugitt, City Seahorse, Inc. tours@cityseahorse.com
6387B Camp Bowie, #308, Ft. Worth, Tx. 76116
Phone: (817) 626-0636
www.cityseahorse.com/rajaampat
www.cityseahorse.com/raja-ampat-halmahera-lembeh-strait-liveaboard-diving.php
www.cityseahorse.com/indonesia-liveaboard-schedule.php