Trip Report: East of Flores Snorkeling and Adventure Cruise

We arrived at Maumere airport after a non eventful flight on the No Frills airline, Wings Air, but they did have seat belts!

There to greet us were Karl, the Cruise Director and Linda, the Cruise photographer, together with some crew members. They quickly arranged the collection of our bags, and the well oiled Seven Seas system had us aboard the Seven Seas within forty five minutes of landing and we were out to sea.

Once aboard we were asked to choose our cabins and settle in. Karl gave us a safety/introduction meeting and introduced us to the Crew. We steamed through the night and next morning found ourselves in a beautiful cove, Tanjung Gedong, on the Flores coast line.

Now was the time to snorkel, swim, relax and enjoy Nature. We returned to the Seven Seas for a scrumptious lunch, (all meals were scrumptious), and a gentle siesta, before visiting the village above the bay. A gentle forty five minute stroll, and we were in the village, with amazing views of the coast line....miles and miles of golden beaches untouched by human hand.

Next morning, bright and early, we concluded that the boat had travelled to the Island of Lembata, and once again we were moored in a secluded cove, not far away was the Smoldering Volcano of Ilo Ape, amazing to be sitting under it as she gently puffed away. Karl appeared like a Fighting Cock and got us into the boat, to sober up and enjoy some beautiful snorkeling, amongst the coral reefs.....Octopus, the most brightly colored fish any of us have ever seen, amazing coral....this is why we have chosen the Seven Seas.

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Ronald Josiah Taylor (1934 - 2012) - A Tribute

Ron Taylor, Australian icon of ocean exploration, scuba diving pioneer and innovator, visionary underwater filmmaker and marine conservationist, left this world behind as he made the ultimate plunge into the eternal sea of night.

His legacy is an awareness and appreciation of the ocean and its inhabitants unknown in Australia and throughout the rest of the civilized world fifty years ago. His story, of the journey from an unsurpassed marine hunter to a passionate conservationist putting himself on the line has led the way to a renaissance in thinking and understanding for three generations to the current state of conservation awareness in Australia so admired around the world. Ron Taylor has inspired every major underwater image maker and cinematographer working today and will be admired not only for his flawless technical ability as a filmmaker, but for the quiet, unassuming, grace of a gentle man working with subtle dedication to make the underwater world a better place and a lasting environment for the next generation and generations to follow. There has never been a better friend or dive buddy, a more patient listener or down to earth conveyer of underwater exploration.

» CLICK HERE TO READ THE COMPLETE TRIBUTE

20% Discount Offer on December 9-21 Cruise Banda Sea and Raja Ampat

DUE TO A LATE CANCELLATION WE HAVE A LAST MINUTE 20% DISCOUNT OFFER FOR CABIN 9 ON DECEMBER 9-21 CRUISE BANDA SEA AND RAJA AMPAT. STARTING AMBON DECEMBER 9 AND ENDING SORONG DECEMBER 21.

Turtle charity

Initiated by WWF and the Indonesian government, the first Coral Triangle Day was celebrated in a total of 7 countries, in approximately 40 locations by more than 30 organizations and establishments, participated by an estimated 10,000 people around the region. Participating countries included: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Timor Leste, and Australia - where one or several Coral Triangle Day activities took place on 9 June 2012.

Coral Triangle Day activities ranged from beach and underwater clean-ups, most of which will continue for the rest of the year, whole-day bazaars, responsibly-caught seafood cooking exhibitions involving local chefs and celebrity chef Bobby Chinn, educational talks and exhibitions, children’s activities such as face painting and art competitions, beach walks, and live musical performances among many others. A picture slideshow of all these events can be viewed at www.panda.org/coraltriangle/day

Everyone was also encouraged to post their own photos and videos on the website and a video compilation made by Alam TV Bali, with generous support and collaboration of its founder and Seven Seas friend Amir Rabik, can also be viewed at vimeo.com/44520466.

The Seven Seas contributed a cabin for a full trip in Raja Ampat for the CT auction, and the proceeds of the winning bid are now supporting the work of the Indonesian Turtle Foundation, in its efforts to stop illegal trade of sea turtles in eastern Indonesia and the work of the Serangan Turtle Centre on Bali.

Bali is world famous for its rich, vibrant culture and gracious society: major attractions for its world class tourism. Historically Bali was one of the six main turtle trade centres in Indonesia. Prior to 2000 more than 30 thousand sea turtles were killed and traded for their meat. Marine turtles are local, national, regional and international icons of endangered marine species and local national and international campaigns have asked for total protection of the species making trade and consumption of turtle meat, and turtle eggs illegal. Balinese used sea turtle’s heads and meat in religious ceremonies. In 2000, conflicts between conservation NGOs, and those promoting the trade came to a head.

To address this, WWF with government and other local partners implemented three strategies since 2001:

1. A broad public campaign to change community perception on the turtle use. This campaign resulted in public support for non-lethal use of turtles for ritual purposes. Turtles could even be replaced by images from paper or other materials. The Hindu Faith Council (Parisade Hindu Dharma Indonesia) supported the formulation and issuing of a customary regulation (Bhisama) in 2005 regarding the use of turtle for ritual purposes.
2. Provide alternative livelihoods to transform the business of the turtle traders to something else. The tragic events of the Bali bomb in 2002 provided opportunities for WWF to start communicating with communities at the two villages that were at the center of the turtle trade (Serangan and Tanjung Benoa). USAID funded a Crash Program aiming to address unemployment due to the reduced tourist arrivals after the bomb, and some of this was used to promote turtle friendly tourism. Most traders in Serangan and Tanjung Benoa stopped operating turtle abattoirs and developing turtle parks for education and tourism attractions. The Serangan Turtle Conservation and Exhibition Center is one example.
3. Strengthening of law enforcement to stop the remaining illegal traders. WWF supported the involvement of local communities of Serangan and Tanjung Benoa in surveillance activities (e.g. informants, patrols). Since most of the turtle traded in Bali originated from other parts of Indonesia (east Java, lesser Sunda islands, Berau Islands, Aru archipelago, etc), a network of law enforcement agencies was facilitated in enhancing their capacities. This resulted in a significant increase in apprehension and legal processing of turtle traders and transport boats.

The three strategies together reduced the annual number of turtle traded over 90% compared to the traded amount prior to 2000. Unfortunately however, the economic incentive to keep hunting turtles and trade them in other parts if Indonesia is still present, so the work needs to continue. The Seven Seas support hopes to help a little in the turtle conservation efforts of the Indonesian Turtle Foundation and Serangan Center and we recommend you visit the centre if you have some time to spare while on Bali, to support their work as well.

I am an angle charity

As posted on our newsletter and website in June, Seven Seas also contributed one cabin for the auction held at KuDeTa in Bali, for the benefits of the I am an Angel charity, celebrating its 10th year anniversary this year. The proceeds of the winning bid all go to projects supported by IAA in Bali, which include a variety of activities supporting children and mothers education and health, and additional income generating activities for rural poor households in Bali.