January 29, 2010 – 4:07 pm
Asia Divers Summer Special
Book 10 nights unlimited dive package at El Galleon, Puerto Galera, and get 3 more nights free
Book 13 nights and get 7 free
Both offers include accommodation, breakfast and diving.
Click here for Dive Packages at El Galleon with Asia Divers
January 27, 2010 – 3:22 pm
Manolo Serapio Jr., Reuters
Thu Jan 21, 2010 10:23pm EST
MANILA (Reuters) – Revenue from a small hydropower plant that cost little more than a supercar to build, will help preserve 2,000-year-old Philippine rice terraces dubbed the “Eighth Wonder of the World,” conservationists say.
Visit the stunning rice terraces of northern Philippines Cordillera yourself: Trekking in the Land of the Ifugao
January 27, 2010 – 2:46 pm
By THOMAS FULLER
Published in The New York Times: January 18, 2010
SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA — Bullet by bullet, workers removed the detritus of Cambodia’s past. They pulled 300 land mines and 30,000 rounds of ammunition from the red dirt and then laid down a thick layer of asphalt. Today, what would pass for a very ordinary road in wealthier parts of the world is precious pavement for a country motoring toward prosperity and trying to leave its bloody past behind.
This was the original route for Symbiosis Expedition Planning’s Bangkok to Saigon Cycle Challenge which first took place in 2000. Each year we have to resurvey to find new trails that keep us away from the main roads which, even if they are not busy, are hot and dull to cycle.
This year’s Bangkok to Saigon Cycle Challenge will be the 10th and last – fortunately there are still a few routes that show you the rural beauty of Cambodia. Dates: 6-23 November 2010.
January 18, 2010 – 9:54 pm
Here are the first pictures in from Tim Peterson’s and Lousie Neilson’s moutain bike ride through the stunning Indonesian island of Flores.
Here is what they had to say about it…
Hi Christopher, Indonesia was fantastic. The trip went off without a hitch. The people, the cycling, the diving, the boat, all perfect! For us, this year looks like Eastern Europe, Slovenia and Croatia but Northern Vietnam to Northern Laos is on our short list!
Bena, outside Bajawa
She wove the baskets and is taming the chicken
Tim in Ruteng
Flying Foxes in Riung
Banana groves outside Sikka
On the Road
Jackfruit
Spiders' Web Rice Terraces of Ruteng
The Moana
Dining on the Moana
Komodo Dragon
Paradise
Cooling Off!
More about the Flores by Mountain Bike adventure organised by Symbiosis Expedition Planning.
January 18, 2010 – 2:44 pm
A few spaces have opened up on a photography expedition led by Andrew Sallmon between 31st May to 10th June 2010. The trip will take in the wonders of the Southern Visayas, starting in Dumaguete and ending in Mactan, aboard the SY Philippine Siren.
Andrew Sallmon is a freelance underwater and nature photographer specialising in images of marine wildlife and the underwater environment. During his 29 year career in diving and underwater photography his images and articles have been published in hundreds of books and magazines and displayed on the walls of large public aquariums and natural history museums throughout the world.
He began diving in 1979 and quickly recognised his love for the oceans, becoming a Scuba Instructor by late 1980. In the years following he certified over a thousand divers to all recreational levels while working in Monterey and San Diego, California, eventually relocating to Hawaii. He picked up his first underwater camera, a Nikonos II, in 1980 giving him the means to express to others the beautiful ocean he was experiencing almost daily. As his photographic skills grew he decided to move from Scuba Instruction and diving retail and charter operations to full-time underwater photographic pursuits.
Now he works full-time creating images for sale to publishers and magazines, teaches UW photography classes and leads UW photo expeditions and trips all over the world.
The cost is 2,400 Euro pp.
January 18, 2010 – 1:19 pm
Panunee Yacht still has a few places left on two 5 day/6 night liveaboard dive trips to India’s Andaman Islands, located between Thailand and Sri Lanka. Exceptional diving, despite being hard hit by the Asian Tsunami.
Dates:
06-12 April 2010
13-19 April 2010
Price per person, sharing:
Deluxe/Studio: THB61,250 (USD1,900, €1325, £,1,67)
Suite: THB 66,500 ($2,063, €1,437, £1,267)
Excludes:
1. Airfare
2. Land Transfer between Port Blair airport and the pier
3. Nitrox Fill
4. Rental diving equipment
Dive sites include Narcondam, Barren, Havelock, Invisible Bank, Passage Island. Port of entry is Port Blair.
Contact Symbiosis for more info and booking (sorry, no webpage for this cruise).
January 9, 2010 – 5:37 pm
Jakarta, Indonesia – Camera traps deep in the Sumatran jungle have captured first-time images of a rare female tiger and her cubs, giving researchers unique insight into the elusive tiger’s behaviour. Read more on the WWF website on this story.
January 8, 2010 – 7:59 pm
The Apsara Authority (AA), who run the Angkor temples, have announced that the upper level access to Angkor Wat will re-open from 15 January 2010. This access has been closed since October 2007 whilst restoration work was on-going.
The AA have put certain conditions in place such as only 100 people can gain access to the upper level at one time, and for a period of 20-30 minutes only, depending on the time of day.
They demand all visitors dress respectfully, no under 12s are allowed and only English-speaking guides will be allowed. After 1 month they will review the success of the visitor controls they have put in place.
And because of the visitor numbers to Angkor Wat these days, those who wish to reach the top will certainly have to queue to get a place.
December 20, 2009 – 4:27 pm
MERMAID II :-
Similans/Richelieu Rock Jan 27-31 on board Mermaid II is a confirmed cruise so take advantage of our last minute rate of € 699.
December 17, 2009 – 1:35 pm
Ever wanted to take the plunge, but you have been unable to take that giant leap because you are D/deaf or hard of hearing? Do you find it hard to understand instructors in big classes? FRUSTRATED??
Not anymore…
The SY Philippine Siren is running a special dive cruise for the deaf and hard of hearing in August 2010. Participants will be diving the waters of South Visayas in the Philippines.
Dates: 16th to 26th August 2010
A wide range of communication methods are used to ensure that everyone can understand and participate, including: BSL, ASL, lip-speaking, gestures and fingerspelling
NOTE: The trip will be a mix of D/deaf, hard of hearing and hearing people.
A few places have already been filled so do not wait too long before securing your space. Contact Symbiosis for more details.
December 16, 2009 – 1:59 pm
Symbiosis is offering 5 Complimentary Passengers*, out of a maximum vessel capacity of 16 passengers, for confirmed Full Charter bookings on any of the following Tambora dive cruises in Indonesia:
2010
2011
December 15, 2009 – 10:44 pm
Last minute savings of 25% off normal rates for dive cruises aboard the Tambora in Indonesia, including:
Book now: contact Symbiosis today
November 25, 2009 – 12:53 am
Dive the World famous Lembeh Strait while staying at the original Kungkungan Bay Resort, the longest established dive resort in the area.
Special Offer:
Offer applies to stays up until 31 January
Stay in a beach front accommodation, dine in over the water restaurant, dive with the number 1 dive operation in Lembeh Strait.
OR combine 2 great dive destinations: Lembeh and Bunaken:
All Inclusive Package for 4 nights at Tasik Ria Resort + 3 nights at Kungkungan Bay Resort: Total $968
Price includes:
** Note: 1) dives are day dives. 2) This offer is good for all room categories – upgrade charge applies
November 21, 2009 – 12:44 am
Buy 5 days 4 nights, pay only 3. ½ nights.
Book the value package 5 days 4 nights and pay only the price 3. ½ nights
6 days 5 nights pay 4. ½ nights
7 days 6 nights pay 5. ½ nights
8 days 7 nights pay 6. ½ nights
And for 9 days 8 nights package you only have to pay the price for 7 nights.
October 22, 2009 – 5:36 pm
M/Y Spirit of Niugini – Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea
Full Boat Charter: 13 Paid, 3 more go free
Plus, FREE NITROX
Half Boat Charter: 7 Paid , 1 extra for free
Plus, FREE NITROX
+ Guaranteed Departure!
7 Night itineraries – Starting at: $2,380 based on double occupancy
Package Includes: Deluxe accommodations, all meals and beverages (except sodas & alcohol beverages), airport transfers and 4-5 dives per day. Not included: Port fees, Reef & Chamber fees, fuel surcharges and any person purchases.
Contact Symbiosis Expedition Planning for more info.