The political demonstrations by the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship in Thailand (aka UDD or “red-shirts”) are expected to start in provincial areas on 11 March 2010 and reach Bangkok on 13 March 2010.  The main demonstration is expected to occur near Government House and along Ratchadamnoen Road in the Dusit district of Bangkok, but the UDD has also announced plans for demonstrations in other parts of town.  As a result, traffic congestion and difficulty of movement is possible throughout Bangkok.

While UDD leadership has pledged that the demonstrations will be peaceful, the possibility of violence cannot be ruled out and the government has invoked the Internal Security Act (ISA), which enable the police and military expanded powers to maintain security.  The Foreign Minister also gave assurances that all officials would proceed in accordance with the rule of law and with the utmost restraints.

The Thai government is doing its best to provide the utmost security to all residents in Bangkok and Thailand, including the diplomatic corps and other foreigners.

MV Raja Ampat Explorer has a last minute special deal on a dive cruise to the  amazing Raja Ampat archipelago in Indonesia’s West Papua Province equivalent of one night free.

Dates: 23 April – 03 May 2010

MV Tarata has last minute discounts on 2 departures to the awesome Komodo National Marine Park in Indonesia.

Dates:

• 26 March to 02 April
• 05 – 12 April 2010

We have our first bookings on this tremendous island hopping, diving and kayaking adventure in the Philippines in May, and need a few more people to make it happen. This trip is that it is ideal for divers and non-divers together as there is equally as fun to be had on the surface as under the water.

This is NOT a trip for people needing polished, city standard hotels with air-con! This is back-to-nature for those keen to get away from the pollution and noise – a reminder of how life should be!

To mark the London International Dive Show later this month, Symbiosis is offering a 50% Dive Buddy discount  on a huge array of dive cruises, departing between April 2010 and January 2011, in Indonesia aboard the Tambora.

Bookings MUST be confirmed and paid for before the end of April 2010.

Dive destinations include Raja Ampat, Mollucas, Lembeh, Eastern Borneo (Sangalaki, Derawan, Maratua, Kakaban!), Bali, Tanjung Pandang and Komodo.

Check out the Tambora page on the Symbiosis website for a list of cruises that qualify.

South Visayas, Philippines on the SY Philippine Siren

3rd July to 13th July 2010 – 30% off – Now 1,680 Euro per person

10 nights full board including soft drinks and beer, up to 32 dives, nitrox and scuba equipment rental.

Symbiosis is offering a 20% discount on the following three liveaboard dive cruises in Indonesia, aboard the stunning Siren traditional Pinisi sailing schooners:

Halmahera to Sulawesi, Indonesia on board the SY Mandarin Siren

• 19th to 29th July 2010 - 20% off – Now 1,760 Euro per person
• 10 nights full board including soft drinks and beer, up to 32 dives, nitrox and scuba equipment rental.

Komodo, Indonesia on the SY Siren

• 29th July to 8th August 2010 – 20% off – Now 1,960 Euro per person
• 10 nights full board including soft drinks and beer, up to 32 dives, nitrox and scuba equipment rental.

Lembeh, Indonesia on the SY Mandarin Siren

• 3rd to 9th September 2010 – 20% off – Now 1,056 Euro per person
• 6 nights full board including soft drinks and beer, up to 20 dives, nitrox and scuba equipment rental.

Discounts apply to new bookings only and cannot be used with any other offers. Discounts are valid until the end of March 2010.

To book,  contact Symbiosis NOW

We have added some scheduled, join-in departures of this great mountain bike ride through the volcanic island of Flores, Indonesia.  We have also managed to keep the costs down so no change.

See here for update, or scroll down for some pics from Tim Peterson & Louise Nielsen from California who completed the ride late last year.

Meanwhile, we have a one lady keen to do this ride later this month (28 March departure from Bali) and are looking for others to join her.

Contact Symbiosis today if interested.

After the February 26 Supreme Court verdict in Bangkok regarding the disposition of former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s frozen assets, small explosive devices were discovered and/or detonated outside five separate banks in metropolitan Bangkok. No people were hurt but some minor damage was caused to nearby windows.

In the lead up to the expected March 14 demonstrations and rallies by the anti-government UDD, it is possible that more of these small explosive devices may be planted. These incidents are politically motivated, not acts of international terrorism, and travel to Thailand remains generally safe.

Big discount on this dive cruise in Miln Bay, eastern Papua New Guinea….

• Boat: M/Y Spirit of New Guinea
• Dates: 20-29 March
• What?: 9 nights full board, inlimited diving
• Location: Miln Bay  in eastern Papua New Guinea
• Price: from USD2,295 per person

Contact Symbiosis NOW

15% discount on the following sail & dive cruises aboard The Moana in Indonesia’s stunning Komodo National Park.

• 13–18 March 2010 (6 day cruise)
• 20–25 March 2010 (6 day cruise)
• 03–07 April 2010 (5 day cruise)
• 17–22 April 2010 (6 day cruise)
• 24-29 April 2010 (6 day cruise)

Special last minute rates for these cruises:

• 5 day cruise with unlimited diving:  €723 pp (down from €850)
• 5 day cruise not including dives: €553 pp (dives at €25 per dive)
• 6 day cruise with unlimited diving: €846 pp (down from €995)
• 6 day cruise without dives: €663 pp (dives at €25 per dive)

Contact Symbiosis now to book or for more info.

Two last minute liveaboard specials in Indonesia:

1. 21 March – 05 April 2010:  Misool to Halmahera aboard the MV Temukira.  2 night discount, worth US$ 540

2. 26 March – 05 April 2010: Raja Ampat Archipelago, West Papua, aboard the MV Raja Ampat Explorer.  1 night discount, worth US$ 285

Contact Symbiosis Expedition Planning now to book or for further info.

The Angkor Butterfly Centre (ABC) is an interactive butterfly exhibit located 25 km north of Siem Reap, home to Cambodia’s famous Angkor Wat, on the road to the Landmine Museum and Bantey Srei temple.

The exhibit consists of a netted tropical garden with hundreds of free-flying butterflies, all of which are native species to Cambodia.

The enclosure is South East Asia’s largest butterfly exhibit and provides residents and tourists with an eco-friendly environment to learn about butterflies.

At ABC it is possible to experience butterflies feeding and flying very close at hand and to witness the complete life cycle of many species. The butterflies (in pupae form) are farmed sustainably by people from villages in the Siem Reap Province.

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

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.

Read more…

Visit the stunning rice terraces of northern Philippines Cordillera yourself: Trekking in the Land of the Ifugao