Eco Divers News

Eagle-eyed Hilary Elder spotted an error when Emperor Divers' Red Sea centre in Nuweiba thought they had spotted a mimic octopus. Great excitement abounded and the news went far and wide in their newsletter. Where it was picked up by Hilary who pointed out that she had taken an actual photo of a mimic octopus when diving with Eco Divers a couple of years ago.

And so the oracle of Lembeh marine life was consulted...Cary Yanny. Cary confirmed that the Nuweiba octopus was not a mimic but a 'starry night' variety.

Here's Hilary's photo of the mimic octopus...

And here's the photo from Nuweiba of the, now known to be, starry night octopus

If you've ever stayed at Kima Bajo in the past, you'll know that one of the things that makes this lovely boutique resort so unique is its undulating landscape of small hills. The cottages are dotted between palm trees around these hills giving the resort a wonderful village-like atmosphere.

However, it also means that some energy is needed to get back to your room after diving as guests' rooms are above sea level. Well, not any more! Kima Bajo is raising the service standard in Manado to a new level with its new shuttle service coming in 2009.

Using a quiet, energy-efficient 'people carrier', the service will run between the dive centre at sea level and the resort's reception at the top of the hill. So getting back to your room is as easy as hopping on and enjoying the ride. You can catch the shuttle when the dive boats return from the morning and afternoon trips each day. The first vehicle is expected to enter service at Kima Bajo in June. (Of course, this isn't compulsory so if you prefer to walk to your room then we won't mind in the slightest!)

On 22 February Kima Bajo Resort & Spa welcomed its new GM, Philip Hill, who replaces Karin van Zyl. An American by birth and graduate of the prestigious Cornell University School of Hotel Administration, Phil brings with him 15 years' hotel management experience in Indonesia. He has been in charge at a number of 5 star resorts and hotels including the Ramada Bali and the Park Royal Jakarta. Outside Indonesia Phil also worked as Director of Food & Beverage at the Hilton Gateway Hotel in New Jersey, USA and has held posts in China, London and Saudi Arabia. What a wealth of top-class experience!

Kima Bajo Resort & Spa and Eco Divers welcome Phil to his new post and wish him enjoyment and success.

Kima Bajo's Nibong Restaurant has undergone a total transformation over the past couple of weeks. The roof has been elevated to a height of 7.5 meters and expanded to encompass the entire top floor.

A beautiful new bar was added where barman, James, creates signature drinks like a blue Nibong Sunset and old favourites such as Singapore Slings and Mojitos.

With convenient wireless internet connection this new area has really become a great place to get together for Kima guests who want to share their photos and the day's experiences, get in touch with family and friends or just watch the sun set over the Celebes Sea.

Great contestants, great judges and great diving were the three magic ingredients that made the Australasia Scuba Diver Shoot Out at Kungkungan Bay Resort a great success.

This was the third digital shoot out to be held at Kungkungan and the quality of the pictures this year was amazing. Special mention to our three category winners, Ronny Rengkung, David Henshaw and Indra Wonowidjojo. Also a big thank you to the amazing spotting ability of the dive guides at KBR.

Portfolio winner, David Henshaw	Portrait winner, Indra Wanawidjojo
Macro Behaviour winner, Ronny Rengkung

Eco Divers dive masters have found literally hundreds of mating mandarin fish in the waters around Kima Bajo. The mandarinfish or mandarin dragonet (Synchiropus splendidus), is a small, brightly-colored member of the dragonet family, named for their extremely vivid coloration, similar to the robes of an Imperial Chinese mandarin.

While they are slow-moving and fairly common within their range, they are not easily seen due to their bottom-feeding habit and their small size (reaching only about 6 cm) and are mainly known for and seen during their interesting mating ritual that takes place daily at sunset.

2009 will be a year of change for Eco Divers. From 01 April Tasik Ria Resort will take over the management of the dive centre in that resort, leaving Eco Divers to concentrate its Manado services at Kima Bajo Resort & Spa.

From October 2008, Eco Divers is teaming up with Oxygène Diving. With its roots in Scandinavia, Oxygène is an international network of dive retail stores, dive resorts and liveaboards in Sweden, Finland, England, Malta, Egypt, Philippines, Pemba, Croatia, Estonia, Canada and Tenerife. The Oxygène Diving core values are: Caring, Competent, and Fun.

Oxygène was looking to expand its dive centre chain to North Sulawesi, in order to offers its client-base more destination choice and saw Eco Divers as the most suited dive centre for their high standards, so the marketing cooperation was formed.

"We are delighted to be working with Eco Divers," says Henrik Almers, CEO of Oxygène International. Eco Divers' Managing Director, Jim Yanny, added, "We have always aimed high to provide excellent service levels and products. We immediately recognized a high level of affinity with the core values of the Oxygène group and believe that this cooperation will bring benefits to our business and, more importantly, to our customers."

For more information contact:

Oxygène International AB
Henrik Almers, +46 709 15 39 00, Stationsvägen 4, S-430 63 Hindås, Sweden
info@oxygenediving.com
www.oxygenediving.com

Eco Divers (Oxygène Indonesia)
Jim Yanny, +62 431 826833, Manado, North Sulawesi, Indonesia
info@eco-divers.com
www.eco-divers.com

Air Asia has started a new direct service between Kuala Lumpur and Manado. This flight service will run three times a week. Kuala Lumpur is a major Travel hub in Asia with most international airlines flying there.

Air Asia offers some unbelievable bargains on their flights. They even have a special rate for excess dive equipment. Check out www.airasia.com for more information.

We're delighted to be welcoming Luca Vaime and Miho Takeda to Eco Divers team on July 1. They will manage our new dive operation at Kima Bajo Resort & Spa. Luca and Miho, who were recently married, come to us with a wealth of experience in diving. They have worked previously in the Red Sea, the Maldives, Thailand and, most recently, have managed an upscale dive centre right here in Manado. Luca is Italian and Miho Japanese and between them can speak Japanese, English, French, Italian, Spanish and Indonesian. We wish them success and enjoyment in their new job.