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THE RAJA AMPAT PHOTOQUEST

The world’s richest coral reefs with Martin and Sylvia Edge

Underwater images have the power to thrill the mind, to make one wonder at the marvels of the deep, the colours that nature arranges, the patterns and the shapes. And what admiration we have for the underwater photographers who have achieved these visual marvels. Can we do the same? Can we create such miracles of shape, texture, colour and light? Apply a little vision, a lot of imagination and Martin and Sylvia Edge will guide you towards ‘making’ images, not just ‘taking’ images.

Martin and Sylvia have worked with Divequest from the earliest days of its inception and have many years of experience on which to draw to develop the most stimulating, rewarding and enjoyable trips. Your photography skills will be propelled in leaps and bounds towards that ultimate, perfect underwater image. Martin is a great underwater photographer, for sure, but what really drives him and stimulates his interest more than anything else is teaching others. Little wonder that Martin’s students refer to him as their ‘guru’!

Photoquests are not about how much you know, how much equipment you use or even how much experience you have. They are about making wonderful images, about achieving your potential and, ultimately, having fun. Being amongst a group of like-minded friends who are also keen and eager to improve their photography is a huge advantage over taking a trip with the general diving public.

Photoquests are not about diving in large groups, following a timetable of events, attending formal talks or lectures. You dive when you want and with whom you choose. You don’t have to follow the dive guide unless you choose to! Some divers go their own way; some prefer to dive with Martin or with Sylvia and pick up ‘tricks of the trade’ by observation or by demonstration. Do things at your own pace. While as much photo dive time as possible will be provided, it will be up to you to decide how best to spend your time. Regimentation is avoided at all costs.

Why travel with Martin and Sylvia when you could go it alone? Firstly, Martin has no secrets. Everything he knows he will share with you. Secondly, if you chose, Martin will dive and take pictures with you, side by side: dive together, shoot together. Martin will point out both macro and wide-angle opportunities: teach you how to use your eyes, your mind, your memory and your imagination to enable to see ‘in pictures’, to see in your mind’s eye what the lens may capture.

Sylvia works along side Martin to compliment the work he does. Careful management of trip logistics ensures that the topside service and diving management works for each individual in as efficient manner as possible. During the ‘working’ day, Sylvia will conduct a series of modelling workshops and tutorials both in and out of the water. Topics include working with your model, selecting the right mask, fins and wetsuit to maximise the visual impact of the image and using a handlight to improve your images.

Sylvia is usually on hand to provide an effective buddy service or model. Her optional ‘Compositional Class’ is a popular speciality.

The reefs of the Raja Ampat are the richest reefs on earth, with more coral, fish and invertebrate species having been recorded here than anywhere else on our planet. Pelagic fish have not been fished out and still hunt these reefs in numbers. The condition of the coral is magnificent, the reefs pristine, the diving spectacular. Most dives are close to the resort, though some day trips to more far-flung dive sites may be offered. The house reef is there ‘at your door step’, quite literally.

The biodiversity of the area should provide enough photo-opportunities for everyone. There will be reefscapes and architectural dive sites to shoot, along with a very long list of species both common and rare. Most people will want to try to capture the ‘new-to-science’ bamboo or epaulette shark species that has the nickname ‘walking shark’. These amazing sharks are resident on the house reef, as are schools of magnificent Mobula Rays. There are over 700 species of molluscs to be found here as well as 1200 species of fish! The clear waters surrounding the resort are patrolled by some massive schools of hunting fish, while other special animals including Manta Rays, Wobbegong Sharks, Guitar Sharks, a number of dolphin species and also whales and turtles.

The journey to the resort is quite a long one, with two international flights and a long domestic Indonesian flight followed by a 5 hour boat trip (although the journey is broken up by two hotel nights). Fortunately, this should put a lot of divers off coming to Misool Eco Resort, but it won’t deter Martin Edge, now that he knows what is waiting for him on arrival!

Combine the quality of the teaching and photo support, the dive management, the comfort of the resort, the sheer exotic nature of this location and its unsurpassed marine life and you will know why you should be part of the UK’s first underwater photography expedition to this area.

Misool Eco Resort offers a choice between Reef View and Water Cottages. Reef View Cottages are a short 5 minutes walk from the restaurant and dive centre, but the walk is over a steep hill (luggage and any gear you need will be carried for you whenever you wish). The Reef View Bungalows are not air-conditioned. Water Cottages have the advantage of air-conditioning, are close to the dive centre and restaurant and are actually built over the resort’s house reef. Step off your veranda and land in the epicentre of biodiversity!

For full details of the diving and accommodation to be found at the delightful Misool Eco Resort, please see our general Raja Ampat holiday description.

Outline Itinerary

Thursday 15th October: Singapore Airlines midday flight from London (Heathrow), or morning flight from Manchester, bound for Singapore.

Friday 16th October: Morning arrival in Singapore, where we connect with an onward flight to Jakarta, arriving at midday. Transfer to a local hotel for an overnight stay.

Saturday 17th October: Early morning departure for Sorong, arriving in the early afternoon. Transfer to a local hotel for an overnight stay.

Sunday 18th October: After breakfast transfer to Misool Eco Resort’s speedboat for the transfer to Batbitim Island. Lunch will served onboard. Early afternoon arrival at Misool Eco Resort. Settle in to your room, take a swim or gather your photo equipment and try out the house reef.

Monday 19th October – Wednesday 28th October: Diving and exploring the rich reefs of Misool.

Thursday 29th October: Morning departure from the resort by speedboat, with a tour of the lagoon and lunch served on a deserted white sandy beach before arriving at Sorong. Transfer to a local hotel for an overnight stay.

Friday 30th October: Transfer to Sorong airport. Afternoon flight from Sorong to Jakarta, arriving in the early evening. Transfer to a local hotel for an overnight stay.

Saturday 31st October: Morning transfer to Jakarta airport. Singapore Airlines morning flight to Singapore where we connect with a midday flight bound for London (or an evening flight bound for Manchester). Evening arrival in London (Heathrow). (Arrival at Manchester is on the morning of Sunday 1st November.)

£2542 Sorong/Sorong

Important: There will be an 8% reduction on the Sorong/Sorong tour price, including any applicable Nitrox, room upgrade or single occupancy supplements, if you make full payment to us before 30 November 2008.

Includes:

• Transfers in Sorong.

• 2 nights in a local hotel in Sorong on a twin/share, half-board basis.

• 11 nights full board (breakfast, lunch and dinner)on a twin/share basis in a Reef View Cottage at Misool Eco Resort.

• 10 days of diving (including 2-3 boat dives daily and unlimited, unguided shore diving on the house reef between 0700-2100).

• Raja Ampat Marine Park entry fee.

• Fuel surcharge, currently €50 (subject to change).

• Services of Martin Edge and Sylvia Edge as leaders.

Nitrox Supplement: £207

Room Upgrade to Water Cottage: £573

Single Occupancy Supplement: £423 in a Reef View Cottage (£358 in a Water Cottage). Please note that, while we will endeavour to find a room-mate for those on the tour who are single travellers and would prefer to share accommodation, in the event of a room-mate not being available the single occupancy supplement will apply. Room-mates will be allocated on a first-come first-served basis.

Deposit: £1200 (for the Sorong/Sorong arrangements)

Note: Should two people travelling together apply for the last place on the tour, we may, at our discretion, increase the group size by one.

For details of the diving and accommodation, please see our Misool Eco Resort holiday description.

Flights: From about £1001 to Sorong via Manado, or from about £1246 via Jakarta. We will quote you the airfare applicable, based on current fare levels and booking class availability, at the time of booking, based on your individual requirements (for example, you may want to extend your holiday, or travel from an airport other than London, or use a different airline). Our quote will include all taxes and fuel supplements applicable at the time of quotation, as well as our service charge.

Accommodation en route to Sorong: The cost is not included. We will book you a room if your flight arrangements require overnight stays in Jakarta, Manado or elsewhere.

HOLIDAY COMBINATIONS, STOP-OVERS AND ADDITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS: Flights between London and Singapore are operated daily, so it is quite simple to stop-over in Singapore if you wish. The lovely Marina Mandarin hotel offers comfort, luxury, a chance to do a touch of shopping, explore the orchid gardens of Singapore or simply enjoy some fantastic food. It is also easy to combine a visit to the Raja Ampat with one of the other Indonesian dive destinations. Talk to us about the possibilities.