Adelaar Cruises
Contributor
Sangeang Api is an active complex volcano on the island of Sangeang in Indonesia.
It consists of two volcanic cones and happens to have amazingly unique dive site.
Thankfully, most divers tend to have an adventurous spirit and won’t let a little volcano “burp” ruin their dive holiday plans to Komodo National Park, one of the most famous dive destinations in the world. Long dormant volcanoes and even currently active ones create rich substrate, which in turn creates unique dive environments for marine life. Our itinerary to Komodo includes a full day at Sangeang where you will find world-class diving at the base of this active volcano. If you are not “most divers” and need a little urging, look at it this way: are you going to miss out on world-class dive sites in Indonesia, just because of some inconveniences that may (but probably won’t) happen during your dive holiday? With a little preparation, you can have more control over what Mother Nature throws at you.
Here are a few tips when making you dive travel plans to this part of the world.
#1 Security and Peace of Mind for a Few Extra Bucks
Always purchase travel insurance. You’ve just spent a good amount of money on your trip, why wouldn’t you spend a few extra dollars to make sure that if something goes wrong you’ll be reimbursed. But please take note that some plans cover Natural Disasters and/or Acts of God in their policy, and sometimes it’s an add-on, either way make sure you know what is covered. Travel Insurance Review says: “A natural disaster is typically defined by travel insurance plans as a flood, fire, hurricane, tornado, earthquake, volcanic eruption, blizzard, or avalanche that is due to natural causes”, but it’s important to note that not all of these disasters are included in every plan’s description of coverage. Some travel insurance plans specifically exclude events like volcanic eruptions and avalanches, for example, classifying them as ‘acts of God’ instead. So check with your agent for a plan that best suits your destination.
#2 What’s the Rush?
Give yourself time to get there and home. Recent guests aboard Adelaar Liveaboard Cruises, Bali-Komodo-Bali itinerary, were very glad they had a few spare days prior to the cruise. Lombok’s Mount Rinjani decided to reek a bit of havoc on their travel plans, by making itself known with a small eruption. Bali’s Airport promptly closed for two days and their flights were cancelled from Singapore. Having planned for a few days in Bali before their cruise to Komodo National Park, they were able to reroute their air travel to Java and come overland, via Mt. Bromo. Part of the adventure is getting there, and they now have a wonderful memory of east Java and north Bali to add to their travel adventures.
Ring of Fire – Mt. Bromo in South Java
#3 Avoid Lines at the Airport.
Always book your ticket through a reputable dive travel company,and ask if they havea 24-hour help desk. If you have a disruption in your air travel plans the agent can access your reservation anytime of the day to reroute your flights, re-book your car or contact the tour operator on the other side of the world. By doing this, you won’t have to go to the airport and wait in line or sit on the phone to re-book your travel plans.
Airport Delays after Mt. Rinjani Eruption
#4 Low-Cost Carriers – CANCELLED until Further Notice
For some unknown reason, budget carrier policies are more cautious. They are the first to cancel flights and the last to resume. When Singapore Air, KLM, JAL, Lufthansa and other major international carriers resumed service to Bali, after Mt. Rinjani erupted, some of the low-cost carriers did not, saying “it is at the discretion of their pilots”.
"It Was an Act of God, It’s Not My Fault!"
Whether it’s your boss, customers, clients or loved one who couldn’t make the trip, you can always fall back on this statement (it usually works). Look at the bright side, there are worse places than paradise you could “have to wait” for a cancelled flight to resume (and in this happens, refer back to #3 above “part of the adventure is getting there”).
For more articles, photos, videos, information on Indonesian dive travel and Komodo National Park; check out the Adelaar Cruises website.
