Such was the beauty above and below the water, I returned once again to Komodo National Park in Nusa Tenggara Indonesia. I was last in Komodo in 2019. This Aggressor is a beautiful Phinisi style boat that sleeps a maximum of 16 divers, which is much better than a boat which has 30+ divers on it. As luck would have it, this first journey... nay odyssey... post COVID shutdown, was filled with a combination of delightful folk who are involved in the franchise and other Jolly Roger randoms like myself. Steaming out of Bali we didn't touch land until the 10th day when we "de-gassed" at Komodo Island, eventually disembarking at Labuan Bajo on then island of Flores.
With four dives a day available, and superb food and service on-board, the experience on the Ombak Biru or Indo Aggressor is outstanding. The crew are fantastic and focussed on ensuring everyone has a positive experience, the dive guides talented at spotting creatures and their knowledge of the dive sites exceptional.
With four dives a day available, and superb food and service on-board, the experience on the Ombak Biru or Indo Aggressor is outstanding. The crew are fantastic and focussed on ensuring everyone has a positive experience, the dive guides talented at spotting creatures and their knowledge of the dive sites exceptional.
As everyone strapping on a tank was comfortable in the water, we were able to just enjoy the delights on offer below the surface, and also have a fun time when back on deck,...
- Post dive hair care critical for Dive Team Star Wars
The thing about phone cameras and dive Go Pros is that someone is there to offer up to the vain-glorious amongst us an opportunity to pose...
Nearly every meal was served at this table on the foredeck. Each meal offering up different aspects of Indonesian cuisine. The food was plentiful and delicious. Though why we eat these beautiful creatures is something of a mystery to me. (not on the boat menu!)
Sunsets are marvellous whether at home or away, it's always a sight to behold if you take the time to stop and appreciate the world around you. Holiday time generates the space to appreciate our surroundings which is why we always find the setting of the sun more spectacular when away... and so we whip out our phones and snap away....
The beauty of a live-aboard is that it is easy to do four dives a day. In the water at 6.30am, 10.30am, 2.30pm and 6.30pm (night dive) This allows for plenty surface interval time between dives as well as plenty of chatting, napping and drinking... in the views. ( Any alcohol consumption ends diving for the day) However, "Bintang Time" was always a delight come the end of day. Below is a list of dive sites visited.
Dive Sites
Padang Bai: The Shore 17m Padang Bai: The Corner 18m Moyo West: Angel Bank 25m Moyo West: Long Reef 18m Salah Bay Sumbawa 5m Bidadari Island 20m Castle Rock 30m The Cauldron 20m Crystal Rock 25m Gili Lawa Bay 18m The Golden Passage 30m Makassar Reef 22m Tatawa Besar 25m Komodo Reef 20m Batu Bolong 29m Siaba Besar 22m Sabayur Kecil 25m Tatawa Kecil 23m Siaba Kecil 28m Wae Nilu 21m Mauan 18m |
The plan. was to fly from the island of Flores back to Bali Airport, hang out for seven hours (meh!) and catch a midnight flight to Australia. A little ugly but do-able right... then. on the morning of departures Jet Star sends a message.. Flight Cancellation. So, I get to enjoy the pool for a bit longer knowing. that I won't be spending hours at Ngurah Airport.
Then the next text message floats in... it will be 5 days before I can board a flight to home... ad with no room at the inn, I had to find another stable... in Bali. Time to switch pools.
Sanur is far from the maddening and youthful noisy crowd of Kuta, It is said that Sanur is where old people hang. out. I am okay with that. Temples. don't quite outnumber the bars but its definitely quite chill.
The. Jet Star delay did give me the opportunity to catch up with neighbours from Denton Mills who are living the Bali dream for a couple of years. Hello Penny, Digby and Eti. (Phil was working) They live in a traditional Balinese house out in Changgu.