Diving from Paradise Dancer

  Bitung, Sulawesi, Indonesia
Tuesday, September 9, 2008

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Paradise Dancer

I am writing about ten magical days of diving aboard a brand new diving vessel: Paradise Dancer, part of the Peter Hughes organization - http://www.peterhughes.com/destination/northsulawesi

As luck would have it, we were one of the very first groups aboard, and even though it is designed to carry 18 passengers - THERE WERE ONLY SIX!!!!

Paradise Dancer is described as "the largest yacht in the Dancer Fleet coming in at 57 meters (188 feet) in length. Constructed out of wood, she is a three masted motor schooner inspired by the majesty of the US Schooners circa 1800.The interior style is that of a "floating boutique resort" and features high end amenities guests expect of the Dancer Fleet!

All of the state rooms are larger than traditional liveaboard state rooms (at 180 sq. ft. each, more than 60% larger than an average liveaboard cabin) and each cabin has private ensuite facilities and air conditioning. There is also a 470 square foot "Master and Commander Suite " at the stern of the main deck that features a king size bed, separate sitting area with a sofa, and table with chairs that reminds guests of the "captains quarters" from the schooner design that inspired her."

In addition to ourselves there was a professional photographer - Jeff Hunter, he flew in with his friend from San Diego, Kristine - Jeff's wife is not a diver! - and also mother and daughter team Alice and Bevin. The six of us were very compatible.

Also, for this trip the unbelievable Master & Commander Suite - our home away from home - was only $400/pp over the base price for the ten days; now it is an additional $800 - $1,100/pp depending upon season.

Master & Commander Suite: Our cabin!

Master & Commander Suite: Our cabin!

Jackie writes in Bitung students' books

At the airport in Bitung the students wanted foreigners to write in their books information about where we were from et cetera. Jackie had been writing for about 30 minutes when Jeff and Kristine appeared and I sent some of the students over to them.

Jeff and Kristeen write too!

Breakfast was wonderful everyday

Meals were served either outside on the Main Deck or inside the Main Salon. The food for a dive boat was 5*; the galley staff went out of their way to meet dietary needs, the food was fresh, good choices for all meals, simply plenty in quantity and quality both in the food and in the wine/liquor departments. All we had to do was cry out "Hendrickkkk we're staaaarrrrrrvvvvving."

Dinner is served

In the front right of the dinner image is Wendy Brown, one of our wonderful dive masters. Wendy, we would dive with you anywhere; you too Garry Bevan, another Dive Master (he is in the breakfast image between Kristine and Bevan on his left).

Paradise Dancer: All-time unbelievable sunset

One evening we encountered what I describe and the all-time unbelievable sunset. It was absolutely amazing; I had never seen such colors as the sun went down.

Paradise Dancer: All-time unbelievable sunset

Paradise Dancer

And one afternoon after diving we did a Paradise Dancer photo shoot; the crew even raised the sails at anchor - we never did actually sail the boat. Good fun!

Paradise Dancer

Jak testing our NITOX bottles

We very much enjoyed our diving. During our dive trip to the Great Barrier Reef we obtained our NITROX (mixed gas) certification and put it to good use this trip. Jackie is testing the mixture to make sure we dive safely. We hated returning to Bitung and the end of our trip. The next entry presents a sampling of our underwater adventures.

Goodbye Jeff and Kristine