Thank you so very much for the Bali info. I just left a deposit for Wakatobi for August but then read someone's email stating N.Sulawesi/Gangga Island is just as good for half the price. Know anything about that? The travel agent recommends Alam Kulkul and Alam Jiwa/Shanti for places in Bali but your recommendations sound much better. Know anything about them? Again, loved your most informative review of Wakatobi and appreciate your Bali referrals. Look forward to hearing from you soon.
Sorry I didn't get back sooner ... been gone and/or busy a lot and haven't been checking the 'Board. Wakatobi is our only experience in Indonesia, so I can't say anything with authority about other places. I can tell you that I have read that there are other places in the region with similar diving, and I can also say that I have heard that Wakatobi is not cheap for Indonesia. Having said that, I still stand by what I did say in my review of the resort, and we are not people who are interested in paying more just because we can do it, because we can't. Wakatobi is very service-oriented in ways that really benefit a diver, in my opinion. However, you can no doubt have a very comfortable trip with great diving for less money.
Were it not for the fact that we were also celebrating our 25th anniversary, and honestly used that as an excuse for a blowout trip, we may have sought a cheaper alternative, which is our usual mode of travel. So, while there is probably similar diving available in Indonesia, I think Wakatobi is priced reasonably for what it delivers for the whole experience. And in our minds, some of the dives at Wakatobi were truly stunning.
I'm afraid I can't tell you any more about lodging in Indonesia than I did in my post of December 18th, where I talked about the Tjampuham and the Green Garden in Bali.
Hope this helps ... you'll love Indonesia, wherever you dive, I believe. And don't miss out on some land time in Bali ... a magical place with some of the most wonderful, gracious people I have ever met.
