Coolest Critters in Lembeh? [Archive]

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Jonathan Bird

08-22-2006, 01:26 PM

Jonathan Bird

10-12-2006, 06:32 PM

I can't believe that nobody here has been to Lembeh. Marty Snyderman just got back from there so I sent him this thread to see if I could entice him into posting. Hello, Marty? Ya out there??

Meanwhile, this is not a shot from Lembeh but a species that can be seen there. I shot this pygmy seahorse in the Philippines.

http://www.jonathanbird.net/jpegs5/pygmy_sea_horse1.jpg

Jonathan

P.S. My 200th post! WOO HOO!

Clay Coleman

10-12-2006, 08:51 PM

I haven't been, but my frequent shooting buddy, David Breidenbach, has been and is heading back in a few weeks. I'll see if I can get a few posts from him. I've seen some of his photos, and they are typically great. -Clay

tarczy

10-13-2006, 01:56 AM

Visit this link for some Lembeh Strait photos from a good buddy of mine - Rod Klein.

http://www.rhkuw.com/gallery/KBR06J/index.html

Rod lives here in L.A. and is credited with turning me on to underwater digital photography five years ago when we met on the Belize Aggressor. He was doing something completely unheard of at the time . . . dare I say it . . . teaching digital underwater photography (something akin to blasphemy! :eek: ).

He's a great guy and I'm one of his biggest fans (even though he sold his commercial building in Downtown L.A. without me :confused: ).

Here are some additional links to Lembeh critters . . .

http://www.rhkuw.com/gallery/lembeh/index.html

(BTW . . . Rod and I were talkin' about Lembeh five years ago when NOBODY could locate Lembeh on the map!). Truth is . . . Rod had the time and the expertise to bring Lembeh into the limelight as a premier dive destination while I hung back as a commercial real estate ho! :D

May I suggest that Rod be invited as a contributing member to the board?

Jonathan Bird

10-18-2006, 06:17 PM

May I suggest that Rod be invited as a contributing member to the board?

Hell yeah! E-mail me some contact info. Actually, you are his biggest fan so I think you should invite him!

Thanks for those links....nice pics!

jonathan

Clay Coleman

10-19-2006, 01:28 PM

Jonathan: My friend David Breidenbach (who'll be in Lembeh next month) forwarded this blog from Tony Wu. www.tonywublog.com/20061013/back-from-north-sulawesi.html#more-82
I thought you might enjoy it. -Clay

Jonathan Bird

10-25-2006, 06:43 PM

Interesting blog, especially the part about his digital camera going on the fritz! There's something you don't expect!

Jonathan

dbh

11-02-2006, 10:00 AM

I don't think that you can limit it to one single "coolest" critter. I have done 2 trips to the area....both on live-aboards so we dove Bunaken, Bangka and Poulisan (sp?) too (clear water....colorful soft corals, etc.).

In Lembeh, you will see Frogfish and Nudibranchs with every color you can imagine. Hard to beleive because you are diving in black sand with fish remains (from fishermen) and garbage (from fisherman and villages). Great vis is 15' - 20'.

Gallery from my 2004 trip:
http://www.myunderwaterworld.com/NSulawesi2004.htm

Trip report from 2004:
http://www.myunderwaterworld.com/NSulawesi%20trip%20report.htm

Gallery from 2006 trip:
http://www.myunderwaterworld.com/NS06.htm

I didn't do a trip report for the 2006 trip, but I was on the maiden voyage of this boat:
http://www.odysseadivers.com/ver2/liveaboard_odyssea1.php

You are in for a treat!

Dave

dbh

11-02-2006, 10:05 AM

a good buddy of mine - Rod Klein.

We won't hold that against you :-)................

(I actually roomed with Rod on the Kona Aggressor in 2003 and took his photo course....he is a nice guy!)

Dave

docrobina

11-19-2006, 02:14 AM

I'm heading to Lembeh next year and I can't wait. Although I have done diving in that part of the world before, I have never actually been to Lembeh. So I thought it would be fun to start a thread with pictures of the "coolest critters in Lembeh".

Anyone been there?

Jonathan

When are you going to Lembeh, and where are you staying????

I'm going on Adventure Komodo to northern Lembeh and Sulawesi islands (the ones that head up toward Philippines) next summer. Lembeh Straits were wonderful when I was last there Dec 2004. Did one night dive where the inimicus were pink, in pairs and I found 9 of them on one site!!! Some sort of devilfish orgy. The weird fish and critters list goes on and on!:)
Robin

Jonathan Bird

11-19-2006, 09:16 AM

When are you going to Lembeh, and where are you staying????

October next year, Staying at Diver's Lodg Lembeh

http://www.diving-on-sulawesi.com/

Jonathan

docrobina

11-19-2006, 01:04 PM

October next year, Staying at Diver's Lodg Lembeh

http://www.diving-on-sulawesi.com/

Jonathan

I looked at the website you posted as I hadn't heard of Diver's Lodge. Wow, what great rates. The "unlimited" dive package looks to be a complete bargain, and the Nitrox charges are really low.

Lembeh Strait is such a special wonderful macro place. Have a great trip.
Robin:D

PS. Make sure you go to Tamkoko Park to shoot the Tarsiers on a dry day. If your resort doesn't do a booking, KBR does. I unfortunately didn't get to go, as my friend turned up sick that day and they require two persons to go. Another couple went a couple days earlier, and came back with great pictures of the little animals.

Jonathan Bird

11-20-2006, 01:57 PM

Hi Robin,
I was planning a trip to KBR but I was frankly shocked at their "westernized" prices. In the Philippines and Indonesia, everything is cheap, and I was annoyed that KBR has used its popularity to raise prices to the point that they rival Cayman, in a country where people are paid under a dollar an hour. Seems like they are taking advantage of us. So I asked around and I have a buddy who has been to Divers Lodge many times and loves it. He put me on to the place. The owners are very friendly and knowledgable. My friend that recommended it has never steered me wrong. He has been EVERYWHERE!

Jonathan

allison finch

03-16-2007, 04:37 PM

:D

I just returned from Lembeh. I stayed at the Kasawari Lodge, which was absolutely top notch. As far as the wierdest critter.....as soon as I struggle through all my pics and figure out how to post them, I might offer a few.

Robyn C.

03-16-2007, 09:48 PM

I just returned from Lembeh. I stayed at the Kasawari Lodge, which was absolutely top notch. As far as the wierdest critter.....as soon as I struggle through all my pics and figure out how to post them, I might offer a few

Hi Allison. I'm glad you had a nice time at Kasawari.
I'm leading a group trip to Wakatobi in Oct. '08 and a few of us want to do a side trip to Lembeh. Kasawari is the place I think we've settled on as I'm hearing nothing but glowing reviews about it.
I'd very much like to hear more about your stay there and see your pics!
Happy diving, Robyn

Clay Coleman

03-16-2007, 09:51 PM

Hi Allison, and thanks for the post. We'd definitely like to see some new pics from Lembeh! -Clay

allison finch

05-24-2007, 05:33 PM

Here are a few of my favorite critters;

http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w162/allisonfinch_photos/Eelinabeerbottle.jpg

allison finch

05-24-2007, 05:36 PM

Or, maybe these are my favorites;
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w162/allisonfinch_photos/yellowpygmyseahorse.jpg

allison finch

05-24-2007, 05:39 PM

Hi Allison. I'm glad you had a nice time at Kasawari.
I'm leading a group trip to Wakatobi in Oct. '08 and a few of us want to do a side trip to Lembeh. Kasawari is the place I think we've settled on as I'm hearing nothing but glowing reviews about it.
I'd very much like to hear more about your stay there and see your pics!
Happy diving, Robyn

Kasawari is the best land resort I've stayed at. Here are a few pics of the facilities;

http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w162/allisonfinch_photos/Kasawaridocks2.jpg

http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w162/allisonfinch_photos/Kasawari2.jpg

http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w162/allisonfinch_photos/Kasawaripool2.jpg

As far as being set up for photographers.....they are wonderful. The camera room has everything you will need. You have your own area with plenty of charging stations. They give you a basket. Before every dive, you put your rig in the basket. An employee carries it to the huge dunk tank and watches it (with or without you) as it is water tested. They then carry it to the boat for you. After the dive, they carry it back to the dunk tank and carefully rinse it. Then they carry it back to your station in the camera room. I never had it so good!

Clay Coleman

05-25-2007, 08:16 PM

Allison, that is some great stuff. Browsing through those photos makes me feel like I've been spending way too much time in the Gulf of Mexico. -Clay

D70S

05-29-2007, 09:36 PM

Jonathan Bird

09-26-2007, 11:51 AM

Allison, thanks for sharing your experience. That seems like a fantastic place!! How were the prices? The pool looks the same color as the ocean...is it a salt water pool? I like that they carry the cameras and take care of you. I'm spoiled, and that's the way I like it. I carry my own camera at home...I like to have someone else to carry it when I'm working!

I'm leaving in a week to head out to Lembeh and will post pictures and a little trip report when I get back. Actually, if they have decent internet, you can expect daily updates!! Man, you gotta love digital! So stand by. I can hardly wait....look out critters, here I come!!

Jonathan

Jonathan Bird

09-29-2007, 05:51 PM

Well, I leave for Lembeh tomorrow. I am planning on starting a Lembeh trip Blog thread, because they have internet where I'm going. I should be able to upload some pictures and describe the experience as it unfolds. Stand by!

Jonathan

sorvju-f

09-29-2007, 06:38 PM

Jonathan Bird

01-15-2008, 07:03 PM

I am posting an update to this thread for those that find it in the future. There are two interesting Lembeh blogs on this site now with a lot of pictures.

http://www.uwphotochat.com/forums/showthread.php?t=367

http://www.uwphotochat.com/forums/showthread.php?t=343

Check them out!

Jonathan

allison finch

07-13-2008, 11:42 PM

Thanks Allison for posting these images.

I will be going on the group trip next fall with Robyn C who posted above.

Very much looking forward to going there and using my camera and my new Subal housing.

I have supplied a number of folks going on your trip with sand spikes. I hope they help you get great photos.