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Papua New Guinea New lower price! Only $3995.00* We are going back to PNG (Papua New Guinea.) We have had many great trips throughout Milne Bay and Kimbe Bay. This time we are starting out at Tawali Resort in the heart of Milne Bay for four nights (Jan. 22 - 26, 2008) followed by eight nights January 26 - February 4 aboard the Spirit of Niugini (which used to be the Aqua One that we enjoyed in Thailand). Tawali Resort Tawali Resort was built under a rainforest canopy where all of the wonders of the natural world--orchids, birds and exotic sounds--surround you. You will also be able to interact with the fascinating local culture, where fishermen glide by in dugout canoes and families bring fresh produce daily. The resort is remote and only accessible by boat. Located on a volcanic bluff overlooking the clear protected waters of Milne Bay, Tawali offers us a unique location to dive, relax and enjoy the unspoiled wonders of this magnificent part of the world. Learn what it really means to step back in time where the worries of the world fade and the magic of nature unfolds. The cabins are simple but fresh and clean. Covered walkways link the main reception and dining areas with the rooms themselves, which are huge. Two Queen size beds, air conditioning, ceiling fan, mini bar, fridge, safe, a well-appointed modern bathroom, and what may be the ultimate private balcony. Tawali is a unique resort proud of its hand-crafted elegance. It was built entirely by the local population with all carvings and woodwork painstakingly produced entirely by hand. The coastal day dives include the best Milne Bay muck diving as well as wonderful walls with an abundance of soft corals, large sea fans, anemones with clown fish and large pelagics, such as hammerheads and whale sharks. Trips are scheduled for mornings and afternoons with two dives per trip. Diving on coastal sites is done from two 22-foot boats with twin 50 Honda engines with a maximum of six divers per boat. Spirit of Niugini (previously the Aqua One) The Spirit of Niugini is a nice boat, 35 m long with a beam of 6.5 m, specially built for 16 divers in 8 staterooms, each with private head and shower, piped-in music, reading lights, hair dryer, wardrobe and plenty of storage space. The upper deck rooms are slightly smaller and have The dive deck provides gearing up and storage areas. Large twin staircases lead down to the diving platform. Diving is done from the deck when moored and from one of the two 15-foot support inflatables. There are hot towels after every dive and four showers and a toilet are on the dive deck and dive platform. Nitrox is available for Nitrox certified divers at $8.00 per tank, or $15.00 per day with whole trip package for up to 5 tanks per day. THE DIVING The diving we experienced in Milne Bay was certainly
different from any other trip we have taken. After a few dives on the lovely reefs, most of the group opted to return to the muck diving to look for the lovely emperor shrimp on the cucumber, new nudibranchs, pipefish that look like the halimeda algae, yellow frogfish with odd gray patterns, mating octopus (at least three pairs in one small area 15 feet deep), and on and on. It was fabulous.
I was entranced by this incredible nudibranch crawling along a leaf. In the natural light it looked just like the bottom, but by changing the strobe angles I could make it show clearly. Most importantly, diving is planned in association with world famous Rob Van der Loos. His experience with finding creatures in Milne Bay is unequalled so while he is operating his boat the Come join us for this unique land/sea adventure. We will enjoy clear water coral sea mounts and fascinating world famous "muck" diving at its most awesome. The destination is safe and friendly, the food is fine and the diving is fabulous. What more can you want? I will be there to help you with your camera, so that takes care of the last wish. I know, you wish it were free--sorry about that. Herb and I will not be doing a land tour on this particular trip--time and business constraints will keep us in Grand Cayman. If you wish to tour the highlands and the Sepic River area, we will suggest an itinerary to you so that the group can travel together. It is a wonderful tour, and everyone should do it at least once in a lifetime. We've done it four times, and each was unique and special. COST Cost of the hotel/dive boat portion is $3995.00* if paid by check or cash, or $4155.00* if using a credit card. (*This discount price applies only when booking your air through Poseidon Ventures Tours. Add $400.00 if you making your own air reservations or using points.) Poseidon Ventures Tours will be planning all of the air and add-on itinerary. Contact
Kim Nisson, 359 San Miguel Dr., Newport Beach, CA 92660 USA.
Phone: 714-644-5344, Toll Free: 800-854-9334, Fax: 714-644-5392 poseidon@fea.net. We often fly through Australia to Port Moresby. There is sometimes an overnight in Australia or Port Moresby, although we should not need one on this trip. There is one internal flight from Port Moresby to Gurney airport at Alotau (where we get on the boat for our short trip to the resort). This flight will be arranged for the entire group. Details on this portion of the trip are handled by Kim. We can arrange stopovers and side trips on the way if you wish, including a land tour and inland river cruise in PNG. It is impossible to get final pricing from the airlines and often from PNG land operators, and prices may change up to seven months before departure. Thus, be patient when making your plans for your PNG land tour. This is one of the most spectacular trips that we do, so call now for a reservation-Call: 607-330-3504 (internet connection through our NY number) or 345-949-5864 (our Cayman number). Both ring on the same phone, the first one is just cheaper for you. Click here to reserve your space Updated September 18, 2007 |
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windows and the below decks rooms are larger, but no windows. On the main deck, there is a smallish lounge/dining salon/entertainment area with large panoramic windows; on the upper deck is an air-conditioned lounge that serves as the photography station and library. There is an open-air barbecue/eating area and an open-air sitting area forward. Of course, there is sun bathing on the very top deck accessible by ladder.
We often dove on dull
gravel slopes or sea weed flats and I asked myself why I had bothered
to travel halfway around the world to see this? But when I approached
a lone crinoid, I soon noticed the beautiful harlequin ghost pipefish--no--
two, no-- three ghost Pipefish--WOW! And on the gravel swam a long,
black pipefish--new to me, and by the rock under the crinoid a rare
saran shrimp, new to me and not in any book that I could find either.
And that is the point of Milne Bay diving--you don't always see a
lot on every dive, what you do see is all new.
Chertan, he is directing this new boat in where to find the best sites and creatures.
