Indonesia - Banda Expedition

This article discusses following locations:

It is our fourth day back in Switzerland and I promptly got my first covid infection in 6 months. Hurray! Time to write!

It feels surreal to have a large keyboard and screen in front of me.

Outside, the grey clouds intertwine and the dense cold air keeps flowing through the open window. It is quiet, clean, fresh.

Indonesia seems far away, already.

Before my memory greys out like the clouds, I tell you the story of the last trip of our 6 month sabbatical:

Liveaboard across the Banda Sea

If you haven't read our Galapagos Blog article then you might not know what a liveaboard ist. Yes, yes, in that case I am a bit bummed but don't worry, this piece of artsy literature is still waiting to be read by you, here. So, a liveaboard means, guests stay on a ship with diving gear, food, accomodation and a whole crew for a certain time.

Usually the start and end of such liveaboard trips is the same harbor. But around here, when the season changes, the organizers alternate between Komodo and Raja Ampat once a year. Because of better diving conditions. This excursion from Maumere (near Komodo) to Ambon (near Raja Ampat) took 14 days.

Unfortunately, during this liveaboard we didn't find much macro. The dive sites were catered more towards seing big animals. And we did see countless Trevallies, Tuna, Sharks - Hammerheads only on one dive, though. Well, at least we were allowed one sunset-dive where we stumbled upon the famous Mandarin Fish and some of our other critter friends.

So, would we do this liveboard again? No, definitely not. Not only did it feel like a rush because we had to cover a distance of 1300km. We also transited almost each night and sleeping with the loud motor was not so nice. And it also meant that we averaged only about two dives a day.

Would we do any liveaboard again? Probably also no. We had our fair share of liveaboards and muck diving is definitely our biggest source of fun and it's easier and cheaper doing shore dives.

Anyway, here are some nudis for you guys:

And here are some creepy eels:

... and finally, the beautiful Mandarin Fish:

It's time to say goodbye! To islands, sea, sun and company!

May we part amicably and see each other soon, again!

... and now enjoy our first pizza and wine in 4 months back home with our dear friend, Teddy!