Manado - North Sulawesi Earthquake

So how about we get "real" about the earthquake that happened here last night.
Yes it was strong, yes we all shook about a fair deal and some folk got a bit
worried, but this worry stems from the ridiculous information that we recieve
from incompetent media or shall we just call it "gossip" that is then printed and
broadcast by people that have absolutely no clue to what they are talking about
at the very least or just need to make a "headline" at any cost.
More than one media broadcast last night the imminent arrival of a Tsunami to
Manado!!! on what bassis did they divulge this information ? what information
did they have to make such a statement? what right do they have to scare
monger people into a frenzy and panic ? to the point that the Governor
of North Sulawesi had to make a public statement this morning that there
was no danger of a Tsunami, based on information received from Japanese
Tsunami warning system.
Lets stay a moment with the Tsunami scenario and the logic that should go
with it and lets ask the question, where was the epicenter of the earthquake?
North East Sulawesi, now Im not sure what maps the local media uses,
but on all the maps I have looked at Manado is on the oposite side of Sulawesi
Island from the Earthquake, so for a destructive Tsunami to arrive to Manado
it would have to do one of two things
1) Travel North, then at Bitung it would have to take a sharp left and then
travel South, then around Bunaken Island it would have to turn a sharp left
again to enter Manado bay......why do I think this is a little far fetched.
2) Travel West from its epicenter and hit Bitung, travel inland over many
mountain ranges to then arrive at Manado.....from the mountains!!!! again far fetched.
Yes ok, I will admit we did get a bit more wave action for about an hour last
night but nothing more than we would get at this time of the year and month
with a High tide of 2.47 and some strong NE winds, nothing more or less than normal.
So to those that have the honor and responsability of divulging information,
please get your facts right, we live in an age "information" pls look this up in a
dictionary and I think that you will see that " bullshit" is not one of its meanings.

Scuba Diving Holiday Promotion

Bunaken Cha Cha Nature Resort

Early 2007 Promotion -25%

Valid until 28th February 2007


• Valid for all “Diving Package” bookings, confirmed and paid for by 28th Feb. 2007.
• Valid for bookings made throughout 2007 as long as booking is confirmed and paid for in full by 28th Feb.2007
• No Refund available on this promotion, in case of cancellation up to 7 days before date of arrival, booking may be rescheduled to other date within 2007, though Seasonal adjustment to price may be necessary.
• Only 2 Superior cottages and 1 Standard cottage are included in this promotion for any one period, and thus “first come, first served” policy applies.
• Promotion is valid for Accommodation/Full Board - Diving
• Promotion is NOT valid for Transfers - Equipment rental - Drinks or any other amenity used at the Resort and not included in the booking and/or paid for at the Resort.

Sun Rise at Bunaken Cha Cha

Amazing Sun Rise at Bunaken Cha Cha Nature Resort

Moray eel

One of my better photos while Scuba Diving

Manado/ Bunaken - Cuttlefish

An interesting photo of a cuttlefish feeding on a shrimp

Manado/ Bunaken - Eagle Ray

Even though the weather has not been so good the last few days
with rain and waves, it seems that it hasn't effected what we can see underswater while scuba diving.
Eagle Ray at 20 mts depth in front of Cha Cha

Manado/ Bunaken - Happy New Year 2007

Its been a busy time at Cha Cha with Xmas and New Year celebrations.
A big thanks to all our guests for making 2006 memorable and giving us theconviction to
make 2007 even better.
And cos good things come to great people, our friendly Dugong paid us a visit outside Cha Cha
for 5 straight days and many of our guests had the luck to seehim/her, this photo taken by Reiko.

Bunaken Cha Cha Nature Resort Xmas Special

Xmas and New Year Promotion
Valid from 15 Dec 06 - 10 Jan 07
Limited Availability

Superior Cottage
4 Days/ 3 nights
Airport Transfers incl.
Full Board (3 meals)
Non Diver US$ 350.00
Diver US$ 550.00

Standard Cottage
4 Days / 3 nights
Airport Transfers incl.
Full Board (3meals)
Non Diver US$ 225.00
Diver US$ 450.00

Prices based on double sharing incl of taxes
Diving Package incl. 2 boat dives per day (6 dives)

Bunaken Cha Cha Nature Resort

Even though almost mid December, it seems that the weather is still holding up well. The "rainy season" this year has still to show its face, it seems that we are in the middle of an El Nino, so maybe this answers the question..why?
The last "real" rain we had was in the begining of August and since then it has been only a matter of eveing showers, just barely enough to help the Cha Cha garden not die altogether, luckily these small showers have lowered the possibility of fires on bunaken and thus we are no longer on "red alert" like last month, but dont worry our "red alert" system works well and our staff is always on the look out for any smoke as a sign of a possible problem.
The dry weather has made life difficult for the villagers on the islands, especially Bunaken, with its limited natural water supply, both humans and live-stock suffer even though a government grant did fund a water project, but what a mess, US$25k to dig a hole in the ground, find water and within 1 month the water was contaminated with salt water, the contractor made a tidy profit by giving the villagers something they could have got directly from the beach......salt water !!

Manado/ Bunaken -- "Cha Cha Frog Fish"

We have been away for a few weeks, but here is some exciting news...a Cha Cha colour Frog Fish, yes all will know that Cha Cha's colours are orange and blue, where did we find it...well thats a secret but I will let you into a clever thing I picked up some weeks ago.....use google earth and use the different colour variations of the sea in the image to tell you how deep the area is.
Ouch maybe I have said toooo much here, but it works, we have found underwater pinnacle with it and other info that has helped us in our quest for new dive sites.
Anyway back to "Froggy", found him/her at about 7mt deep, in rubble area, perched on this small sponge, never moved for more than 3 consecutive days....whats he/she waiting for?? who knows maybe a partner? but hey, who cares.

Cumi Cumi(Squid) Spawnning News.

Squid  Spawnning Day

Today, we spent a wonderful under water time to watch their spawnning sean at a a dive site in Manado,Bunaken National Marine Park.

Bunaken Cha Cha Nature Resort

 

Manado Tua Island

Manado Tua Isalnd

Just few days ago, I saw this fish in Tanjung Kopi point. The fish called "Ikekatsuo" in Japanese. We do not see this fish so often around this ara. It's got sharp body line and very small face.

Manado,Bunaken cute sea star

While we are diving, sometimes we find this type of cute pink sea star.
The size is less than 5 cm, but when I use frash for the picture, it's came out like this beautiful color. It looks like they try to resemble part of coral and mixed in a coral wall.

Maybe for many divers, not so interesting, but I like also this type of sea creature.

by Reiko 

Beautiful Tropical Diving

Montehage Island is a one of tropical Island in Bunaken National Marine Park.

As you can see, white sandy bottom at shallow water is just like a peacefull dream world. 

Limited Special Offer!!

In conjunction and to celebrate the opening of
Singapore Airlines new routes

Milan/ Singapore and Barcelona/ Singapore

Bunaken Cha Cha Nature Resort offers the following promotion price to

Italian and Spanish Nationals using the new route.

7 nights accommodation and full board in Superior Cottage
with 5 days of diving, two boat dives per day
for a total of 10 dives per person

Published price US$ 920.00 per person

Promotion price US$ 685.00 per person (Min. two guests)


Offer validity

For new bookings made between 10th June 2006 - 31st July 2006

Travel must be completed before 30th September 2006 Offer is
based on twin or double sharing

Extra day’s extensions available pls contact.

Min of one Italian or Spanish national must be in the travelling group.
Only valid for those using the New Route.
Full payment required within 7 days of booking confirmation

Subject to availability.

Singapore Airlines flies from Milan and Barcelona to Manado via Singapore

Singapore Airlines flies to Milan and Barcelona

From 19 July 2006,

Singapore Airlines will be the first and only airline to fly from
Milan and Barcelona to Manado via Singapore.
For information on schedules and rates pls click below.

http://www.singaporeair.com/saa/en_UK/content/local/IT/promo_fares/MILflight.jsp

Manado /Bunaken Diving Tanjung Kopi point

Great!!
The dive today was compleated. Nice sun, sea, and soround at atomospire.

Tanjung kopi, gentle current, 25mt visibility, lots of fishes, I like it.

Barrakudas, tunas, Jack fishes, wonderfull creatures.

I wish you were here!!

by Nyoman at Bunaken Cha Cha Nature Resort

Manado /Bunaken Dive log 14May06

It was beautiful day today.
We went dive to "Tiwoho" which is on the main land Sulawesi Island.

This dive site is popular diving point as a macro fish, and endless beautiful coral reef on the shallow part.

We saw many different kind of nudybranches, and found a couple of anemone fish protecting their eggs. Wonderful!

All of sudden at 3 meter depth, a group of the Buffalo fish passed in front of us.
Surprise!!

message and photo by Reiko (Owner of Bunaken Cha Cha Nature Resort)

Manado /Bunaken Dive log Raymond 10May06

Whip corals were amazing at Raymond on west side of Bunaken Island, and also unseen bottom was great, slow current, perfect weather all in one.

we had lot of fun today to see lot's of kind of fish in 1 dive, amazing planet!

Manado /Bunaken Today 8May06

There were not so many boats and divers today around the island, which means a good time for diving.

There is no doubt I will say, the rainy season just over, it might be windy in next few days but I guess it's only for a temporary.

Fukui was exellent today, and also Lekuan.

so pls come to bunaken and you will be a witness of the words "Best under water".