the turtle discovery tour

THE TURTLE DISCOVERY TOUR
2014
OUTLINE
The Save Our Leatherbacks Operation (S.O.L.O.) planned research expedition in 2013
was frustrated by a series of adverse developments in Papua, Indonesia. A pending
conflict i s w o r s e n i n g between the seven villages (that claim traditional
ownership of our "Leatherback Beach" and additional land from the sea up to the
Vogelgopf Mountains behind the nesting beaches. S.O.L.O. will resume its expeditions
when the strife issues are settled.
In the interim, S.O.L.O., in conjunction with four very motivated turtle
environmentalists on Bali and Java islands, are cooperating to form a TURTLE
DISCOVERY TOUR to begin in September, 2014. We selected the “Island of the Gods
(Bali) and East Java, Indonesia from which to operate this expansion of our activities.
We are still providing support to “our village” in Papua by “back door” methods.
Five of the seven marine sea turtle species (Loggerhead, Green, Olive Ridley,
Hawksbills and the Leatherback) visit these beaches; mostly at night, to mate and nest.
We have selected the month of September to visit the beaches because of the higher
probability the turtles will come to nest.
Our Hosts: Heinz von Holzen, a M a s t e r C h e f from
Switzerland, proprietor and cook of Bumbu Bali, Restaurant
and Cooking School and Rumah Bali Bed & Breakfast.
(www.balifoods.com)
Heinz and his team are heavily committed to turtle protection
and recovery along Bali's beaches, including a dynamic rescue of a large leatherback
from local fisherman. (Please find more information on Heinz and his operation on
their w e b s i t e , a b o v e ) .
Chris Brown (www.reefseenbali.com) is a transplanted
Aussie who came to Bali 22 years ago, Chris has become heavily
involved in turtle conservation. He built his hotel, Reef Seen Bali, (16 beds max) on the
northeast coast of Bali on the "Java Sea." His resort is a self-built property which
includes a turtle recovery tank. Chris has 6 dive boats and a large array of rental
dive gear. The dive locations are right in front of the resort.
Tony Medcraft. Another transplanted Aussie who operates a dive resort and a resort
at the Tulamben WW II wreck and is also located among a rarely seen “muck dive
area” right off shore. (www.TulambenWreckDivers.com). We overnight at his NEW
dive hotel.
Each of these entrepreneurs will host the Turtle Discovery Tour
when we travel through their respective areas of knowledge.
In the planning stages of this new Adventure, we have formed an alliance with a sole
environmentalist in South Java; Wiyantyo Haditanojo (Pak Wiwit) who has spent his
own money over the last three (3) years in efforts to save the many species of sea
turtles. ( www.bstf.org), He needs support. S.O.L.O. will ring
the bell for him. Those who join me will meet him. “Wiwit”
has helped organize the Java portion of the Adventure. He
will be out there at midnight walking the beach with us.
Our tour will cycle among Bumbu Bali/Nusa Dua and Pemuteran Wisata Tirta/Reef
Seen Divers' Resort and the Tulamben wreck. We will explore for nesting and
swimming turtles by land and by sea with stops at exciting dive locations where some
turtle species forage and sleep. We will also be able to dive a NEW underwater marine
park, developed by Chris, dedicated to the sea turtles. S.O.L.O. has arranged for a
statue of a Leatherback Turtle to be on display under the sea. We will be among the
first to dive on this very new site. The Press conference about the marine park is set for
ADEX in Singapore in May.
Pre-registration is suggested to reserve a place in the dynamic, yet relaxing and
educational, list of activities. (Send inquiries, questions, and reservation requests to
Larry@ [email protected].)
A USD $500 p e r p e r s o n deposit is required to reserve a space. Only 6 spaces are
now available. The deposit is fully refundable for any reason on or before March 20,
2014. ****A minimum of six (6) people are necessary to stage this adventure.
Reservations for Children under age 16 are not accepted.
For American citizens, the full cost of the expedition can be
100% tax deductible, including hotels and air fares.
EVENTS AND SCHEDULES (subject to change). See map
included.
Day 1: September 06 Arrival at Bali's new airport. Obtain visa on arrival ($25.00).
Airport transfer to Bumbu Bali and check into Rumah Bali, our hotel for days 1 to 3.
PM Open time. Dinner at liesure.
Day 2: AM Balinese cooking class 6:30a.m. G o w i t h H e i n z t o a village and an
ocean market f i s h m a r k e t visit. As we go along, the guests learn about the many
environmental challenges which the Indonesian people face.
9:30a.m. Cooking Class of the items purchased. ALL pitch.
Cooking Class finishes with lunch of the items that you purchased and cooked; served to
you in the thatched outdoor dining room.
PM The staff will present discussions about what will happen
as we search for the turtles and the do's and the don'ts of handling
turtles and eggs. Then a time to rest and relax within Rumah Bali. Spa
treatments can be arranged. Dinner at leisure.
Day 3: AM Early Morning. Discover the beauty of Bali. Guests will transfer b y a i r
conditioned vans with Bali English speaking guides who will
r e m a i n w i t h t h e g r o u p . W e w i l l d r i v e to Pemuteran on the northwest coast
of Bali. Along the way, we will visit areas of Nusa Dua, Tabanan, and an old temple,
followed by a drive across some of Bali's most beautiful and best rice fields which are
listed as UNESCO World Heritage locations. (GREAT photo opportunities. Near the top
of the mountain range on the North side, we stop at Kopi Shyuk restaurant for a
“potty” break and to provide guests with an opportunity to see how many spices and
coffee are grown in this region. T h e r e , we will enjoy an ala carte typical Balinese
lunch where we learn about the various crops like coffee, cloves, etc. We have arranged
a demonstration of the making of “Kopi Lewak” species of coffee; the world’s most
expensive at about $750/pound. The drive from Munduk t o Pemuteran will take about
one hour from Munduk.
PM Check into hotel in Pemutean and meet the owner, Chris Brown. An
afternoon and a night dive are scheduled.
Day 4: An early morning one tank dive. Breakfast and then board transport to the
Bali-Java Ferry. Cross over to Java and meet up with “Wiwit”. Check into your hotel
for the night. Visit Banyuwangi Sea Turtle Foundation ( www.bstf.org), Then have
lunch at a traditional “Warung” restaurant. Drive East to a small village on the Java
Sea. Board small boats to travel along a mangrove swamp to the 20 km long turtle
nesting beach at “Semenanjung Blambangan Game Park where a buffet dinner will be
provided by the Park Rangers. Rest up until about 9 p.m. when the Park Rangers will
go searching for nesting hawksbill and olive ridley turtles and other species.
Day 5. Late breakfast at about 10 a.m. Board the Java-Bali ferry back to Reef Seen Bali.
Afternoon dives and a night dive are scheduled. Diving on Temple Garden/Temple Wall
site/ Nyelam di Taman Puru/Pura Tembok Lokasi in search of swimming turtles and their
local reef foods.
PM Diving on Bio-wreck/Bio-Boomer site. Search
for foraging turtles.
Day 6: Pemuteran reef conservation. Search for
turtle beach activity.
AM Day dive and/or snorkel trip to
Menjangan Island, two dives. Search for turtles swimming.
PM and Evening: Dives as will be scheduled. Dive at sunset to
see/film mating Mandarin Fish in shallow water off the beach.
Day 7: A diving day. Search the beaches for signs of turtle nesting and emergence of
the babies. Beach wardens will help and explain what they do.
Dives as will be scheduled. Chris has arranged a Bali traditional feast with a Turtle
calling dance by a local village. Can be a super photo opportunity. At sunset see the
mating mandarin fish. (A fantastic photo opportunity. Can snorkel to see these.).
Day 8: AM/PM
Beach searches for turtles . Transfer to Tulamben. Mid-day shore dive at the
U.S.A.T. LIBERTY shipwreck.
Late afternoon "muck dive" off t h e beach at Tulamben. Stay the night at Tony’s Dive
resort. Evening activities will include a Balinese feast dinner with traditional dancing
(alcohol extra charges). Two (2) afternoon/night dives are planned on the wreck.
Day 9: Early morning after breakfast we dive along the shore (“muck diving” to
search for baby turtles and other emerging species. Then we drive South to Nusa
along two world heritage photo sites for exceptional photos (weather permitting).
Midafternoon we re-check in at Bumbu Bali Resort. Dinner at a restaurant of choice.
Night beach walk for all with guides.
Day 10: A two tank dive off Nusa Pineda island. We are transported to Sanur and
obtain a dive briefing and check out dive gear if needed. Then a 2 hour motor sails to
Nusa Pineda where the giant Mola Molas (Sunfish) may be seen. This can be a deep
dive (over 100 feet); depending on the Mola location. A buddy system is strongly
suggested as several divers have been swept away by erratic currents; mostly down
wellings.
During the surface interval break, we will visit a newly formed
Village (Pelilit) turtle sea turtle beach protection (from egg poachers)
activity. This village is using traditional village law to provide local
enforcement.
Dive # 2 in afternoon will search for either Mantas at a cleaning
station or a wandering pod of white dolphins. Then motor sail back to
Sanur and drive back to Bumbu Bali Hotel.
Evening activities will be a farewell dinner and traditional village
dancing. After the meal and ceremonies, think about packing to
depart on day #11.
Day 11 (September 16): Morning after breakfast, finish packing and
search for gifts in nearby shops to carry back home. Hotel will
organize departure times to meet your flights.
The cost is $2,450. per person. (Currency fluctuations or exchange rates not included.),
and excluding air transport. The rate includes all expenses on the Tour, except
personal charges and alcoholic beverages. Meals taken outside of the resorts we stay
in are at guest expenses. Rental dive gear is the responsibility of each guest to pay
the resort directly.
This space left for your notes:
TURTLE DISCOVERY TOUR- 2014 .
1. Airport
2.TanjungBenoa(BUMBUBALI)
3.Trip accrossBali
4.Tripacross Bali
5.Tripacross Bali
6. Trip across Bali
7. Pemutaran
8. East Java
9. Tulamben
10. Back to Nusa Dua