WAKATOBI PHOTOQUEST

Create superb images in an underwater photographer’s paradise

Wednesday 6th October - Wednesday 20th October 2004 (15 days)
Leader: Martin Edge
Group size limit: 12 divers plus leader and assistant

Martin Edge is widely acknowledged as one of our leading underwater photographers and is probably the finest teacher of underwater photography skills in Britain today. His students range from those who have just acquired their first underwater photography equipment and are keen to master the art of underwater photography to those who are professional photographers still striving to perfect their skills. Martin’s expeditions combine the stimulus of diving with a group of like-minded people (who constantly discuss and exchange ideas on underwater photography) with continuous input from Martin himself in superb diving locations. Martin Edge’s remarkable teaching skills are amply demonstrated by our Divequest Gallery. Many of the photographs included in the gallery have been taken by photographers who have studied with Martin. The standard of their work speaks for itself.

During the trip, under the experienced leadership of Martin and with the support of Sylvia, you can expect to learn both macro and wide-angle techniques including working with shallow water and sunlight, framing the shot, composition and indeed any topic that turns up. Slide critique will be included. Exploration of new techniques and experimentation will be encouraged. There will be informal discussions and seminars with some one-to-one teaching. Sylvia Edge will assist with trip logistics and organization. Her role includes some teaching, informal discussion, slide critique and one-to-one tuition. She is on hand to offer her services as an experienced underwater model (thus saving some long-suffering partners from endless hovering).

With E-6 processing available on a daily basis at Wakatobi, mistakes can be rectified, techniques developed and skills honed.

Please note: As Martin uses his own ‘think and consider’ approach to underwater photography it is advisable that clients wishing to apply for places on the expedition should have attended one of Martin’s weekend courses in the UK. Details of these courses can be obtained by contacting the Divequest office.

Why Wakatobi? Wakatobi fulfils all the essential requirements for providing the perfect venue to relax and learn. Firstly warm, clear waters with a variety of both wide-angle and macro subjects available any time of the day or night (literally), followed by reliable and speedy film processing and, of course, professional advice. The reefs of Wakatobi have been carefully protected so that underwater photographers have a fantastic choice of fish life and invertebrates, together with magnificent corals and even a wreck!

Mornings start with a dive briefing at 0800 followed by a 2-tank boat dive. Surface intervals are taken on the boat, which returns around 1230 for lunch. In the afternoon house reef shore diving is available, or you may take a water taxi up the reef. Dusk and night diving are available on the house reef at any time of the day or night (Wakatobi request that you respect the buddy system), but organised night/dusk boat dives are usually arranged around twice a week.


Itinerary

Wednesday 6th October: Malaysia Airlines midday flight bound for Denpasar via Kuala Lumpur .
Thursday 7th October: Midday arrival in Denpasar. Transfer to Sativa Sanur Cottages for an overnight stay.
Friday 8th October: Transfer to Denpasar Airport for 3 hour private charter flight to Tomia followed by a 10-minute boat ride to Wakatobi. After lunch take a tank, take a water taxi and dive...
Saturday 9th October-Sunday 17th October: Dive and take photographs to your heart’s content.
Monday 18th October: Morning diving followed by a guided tour of the island in the afternoon.
Tuesday 19th October: Midday departure from the island by private charter arriving in Denpasar mid-afternoon. Early evening flight to Kuala Lumpur and onwards to London
Wednesday 20th October: Morning arrival at London (Heathrow).

£2541 London/London (non-divers £2015)

Includes:
• Scheduled flights London (Heathrow)/Kuala Lumpur/Denpasar/Kuala Lumpur/London (Heathrow) by Malaysia Airlines.
• 1 night bed and breakfast accommodation at Sativa Sanur Cottages on a twin/share basis, including transfers to/from Denpasar Airport.
• Air and boat transfers between Denpasar Airport, Bali and Wakatobi Dive Resort.
• 11 nights full board accommodation (breakfast, lunch and dinner) on a twin/share basis at Wakatobi Dive Resort, including coffee, tea and biscuits 24 hours per day.
• 10 days diving (2 boat dives daily, plus afternoon house reef tender boats and unlimited shore diving tanks 24 hours per day), dive guide for boat dives, cylinders and weights.
• Services of Martin Edge as group leader and Sylvia Edge assisting.

Supplement for Grand Bungalow: £329

Important: On the charter flights there is a 125 Kgs per person total weight allowance, including your personal body weight, hold luggage and hand baggage! Usually extra weight allowance can be allocated.

Single Occupancy Supplement: If you are travelling alone and are willing to share a room with someone of the same sex you can avoid paying any supplement at Wakatobi (but not at Bali if no room-mate is available). If you prefer to have a room or bungalow to yourself a supplement of £919 applies if staying in a Standard Room or £1300 if staying in a Grand Bungalow. Single occupancy supplement at Bali: £20.

Deposit: £500

For details of the diving, accommodation and flights, please see the Wakatobi entry earlier in this brochure.

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

Note: Flights between London and Denpasar are operated daily so it is quite simple to extend your holiday on Bali if you wish.