Diving News

15.-17.2.2015 professional photographer and dive instructor Ralf Åström comes to Living Colours in Bunaken to arrange photography seminar which concentrates specially in black and white photography and composition.

Ralf Åström started working as full-time advertising photographer in 1985 and nowadays he's working from his own studio www.shadesofblue.com. Rafu has worked full-time and part-time scuba instructor since 1992 and since his OWD in Australia he has always dived with camera. From 1994 to 1997 I worked as a Scuba instructor and photo-pro in the Caribbean ( Belize, St. Lucia, Aruba and Bonaire).

This is what Åström tells about the seminar:

Since I've gathered thousands of underwater images during the years I have recently tried to find new ways of differentiating from the mass of underwater pictures.

The digital age has made it easy to get carried away by shooting pictures of "everything that moves" without thinking of composition. Visualizing and preparation will prevent us from filling our hard drives with unnecessary junk.

Keeping these things in mind I have prepared a underwater photo seminar held in the premises of Living Colours, Bunaken.

We will also work on editing images in color as well as concentrating on visualizing in black&white.

It is easier to create interesting B&W images in poor condition, without strobe or the right lens than with color. With available light, shadows and forms we can create stunning timeless images good enough to hang on a wall.

For editing images and custom conversions to B&W we will use Photoshop and Lightroom.

Some of my underwater images you can find here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/rafu1/sets/

The seminar is for all skill levels but advanced photographer will gain more since we are concentrating more on the artistic side of photography.

Reguirements: Own underwater camera (any level), laptop not required but good to have.

Price 150 eur (not including dives).

Book UW photo course: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

MSV Amira in February 2014, picture Essi Havula.

Living Colours together with Aventura are arranging a liveaboard trip to two of the world's richest coral reefs in January 2015. Trip begins from underwater paradise of Raja Ampat National Marine Park with liveaboard MSV Amira and contienues to Living Colours Diving Resort, which is located in the heart of Bunaken National Marine Park.

Nearly 3 weeks lasting diving trip begins with a flight from Manado to Sorong, where the MSV Amira liveaboard will pick up the divers towards magnificent diving spots. 52 metres long MSV Amira is equipped with top-quality navigational system and security and rescue equipment. The safety of divers is highly valued. Ship has 8 double cabins and 2 single cabins. Every cabin has a private bathroom with shower and all the cabins are in natural light. Well-equipped MSV Amira has an atmospheric restaurant, romantic lounge area and large sun desk.

Black manta ray in Raja Ampat National Park, picture Markus Dernjatin.

Raja Ampat in Papua is a world-famous diving area where several shark species and mantas can be found. You can spot over 1300 different fish species and over 500 different coral reefs have been recognized in the area. In addition to underwater scenes the tropical beauty of the nature will delight travelers in an 8 -day diving safari

After 9 nights in Amira we will head back to Manado and continue to small idyllic Living Colours resort with a professional dive centre. Living Colours is based in the heart of world famous Bunaken National Park.

Read what divers who went this year say about the trip!

Duration
20 days, 17 nights at the destination

Price
5 290 €, Price without Helsinki-Manado-Helsinki long-haul flights is 3 990 €/per person in a double room.

Additional price for the single room 990 €.

Itinerary
3.1.–22.1.2015  
Days 1-2 | Flights to Manado, Manado 1 night 
Days 3-11 | Raja Ampat 9 nights
Days 12-18 | Bunaken 7 nights
Days 19-20 | Manado – Helsinki

Specialities
• Two top-class diving destinations in one trip
• Group size exceptionally only 16 persons
• We will meet in Helsinki in the beginning of the trip. Intendant Markus Dernjatin will have a lecture about Indonesia´s coral reefs and the spectrum of different species. During the trip we will have two meetings; in the first one we will discuss about coral reefs of Bunaken National Park and biology of Raja Ampat archipelago and in the second one we will revise the species we have seen during the trip.

Flights
Helsinki – Copenhagen 09.30–10.10
Copenhagen– Singapore 12.30–07.15
Singapore – Manado 09.25–13.05
Manado – Singapore 13.50–17.05
Singapore – Paris 23.55–06.55
Paris – Helsinki 10.50–14.50
Long-haul flights with Singapore Airlines

Divers relaxing between the dives on the deck of Amira, picture Heini Härsilä.

Included in the price
- Above mentioned flight tickets with taxes
- Mentioned (or equivalent) accommodation with meals mentioned
- Airport transport mentioned
- Full board in Living Colours and Amira liveaboard (excluding drinks)
- 10 dives in Living Colours and max 4 dives per day during Amira liveaboard.
- National Park fee in Raja Ampat

NOT included
- Office fees 20 €/per person
- Indonesian departure tax
- Visa for Indonesia (35 USD)
- Additional divings and diving courses in Bunaken
- Rent of diving equipment
- National Park fee in Bunaken (around 15 €)
- Possible airport taxes
- Other things not mentioned

Read more and book:

http://www.aventura.fi/matka.php?matka=3189

Read what divers who went this year say about the trip!

 It's time to say food bye after a great week: Ali, Tommy, Joni and Heini. Picture: Living Colours Diving Resort.

The lucky diver Tommy Kuusisto won accommodation package for two people in  Helsinki Travel Fair January 2012. - Many of Bunaken's dives leave me speechless, Tommy says after the dive week in Living Colours.

When Tommy Kuusisto, 43, saw more than two years ago the congratulations e-mail in his inbox, he couldn't believe his eyes: one week accommodation for two people in Living Colours Diving Resort in Bunaken National Park, Indonesia.

- I always put the lottery tickets in but this is the first time I actually won something, he smiles on his last night in Living Colours, sipping cold San Miguel beer in Safety Stop beach bar.

Tommy and his diving buddy Joni Hakala, 33, planned this trip quite some time and finally September 2014 they got their holidays together and what a trip it has been!

- I would not change one thing about it. This whole trip has been quite an adventure and great experience under water and on land, Tommy says.

The amazing biodiversity of Bunaken! Picture: Markus Dernjatin.

"Now I understand what biodiversity means"

- The first day showed me what a great visibility means. My eyes opened when I realized what biodiversity actually could be. So many species of fish and other marine life in the healthy reefs. I've really come to respect the small stuff more here, Tommy describes his diving experiences in Bunaken's walls and mucks.

Tommy sends his biggest thanks to boat crew and captains, but he specially wants to say few words about the local dive guides.

- Living Colours' dive masters are doing absolutely terrific job when guiding underwater. Not even the smallest nudibranc can hide from the dm's, he laughs.

The giant turtles have impressed Tommy and Joni.

- I've never seen so many and so big turtles anywhere, Joni says amazed.

- And never seen sharks so close by either, he continues.

Evening turning to a night at Safety Stop. Picture: Matti Salmijärvi.

Tommy says that many of the dives have left him speechless. One thing that has made his very happy is that he dive sites are so close by so there's time to do other things as well.

- I've lost my heart to this place, Tommy shouts over the Safety Stop's loud laughing and music.

- I hope this night never ends. But we will come back, that's for sure, Tommy smiles and cheers with crowded bar full of tanned smiling divers.

(Living Colours)

February 2015 Living Colours Diving Resort is filled with zen mode: Yoga teacher Cynthia Joanne from Ocean Sound Yoga comes to Bunaken National Park to lead Living Colours' Scuba-Yoga Retreat!

9.-18.2.2015 - Eight days of yoga, diving and enjoying Indonesian delicacies with fresh coconut juice and fruit juices. We welcome the new day with sunrise yoga lesson followed by breakfast. In the morning Living Colours' wooden dive boats take us for two dives in beautiful Bunaken National Park's world famous walls, and return midday back to the resort to enjoy lunch with many vegetarian options with fresh seafood from local fishermen.

Afternoon is time for relaxing in the hammock or reef lovers can go for an additional dive. Or how about traditional Indonesian massage before the sunset yoga lesson? After Cynthia Joanne's sunset yoga hour we all gather in the restaurant to enjoy evening dinner together and night time can be spend in our downstairs beach bar Safety Stop or listening the jungle sounds from your bungalow.

SCUBA YOGA RETREAT 9.-18.2.2015

Retreat includes
- Accommodation for 9 nights in our traditional wooden bungalows
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner, coconut juice and fruits
- 8 days of diving (2 dives per day)
- Sunrise and sunset yoga lessons daily
- Transportation from airport to Bunaken island and back

What is NOT included
- Flights
- Scuba gear rental
- Soft drinks and alcohol beverages
- Yoga mat (bring your own!)
- Marine Park Entrance (approx. 10 EUR)
- Indonesian visa (on arrival 35 USD)
- Internet use (15 EUR per bungalow / whole stay)
- Laundry services

Additional
- Dive courses (OWD, AOWD, RD)
- Extra day dives (afternoon) 20 EUR
- Night / Dawn dives 35 EUR
- Dolphin tour
- Massages and other spa services
- Apex regulator services

Prices
1200 EUR pp / double room
1300 EUR pp / single room

Reservations

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See full price list https://livingcoloursdiving.com/en/rates
Check out diving courses https://livingcoloursdiving.com/en/diving-snorkling/padi-dive-course

SilkAir (Singapore airlines' regional wing) flies to Manado four times a week and Singapore airlines connects Manado every where in the world. Also Indonesian flight companies have excellent connections to Manado, check e.g. www.garuda-indonesia.com.

Want to stay longer? Ask other packages from our reservation! Not yet a diver? No problem, we can teach you! :)

Yoga instructor Cynthia Joanne

Cynthia’s deep passion for yoga infuses every aspect of her life. Her teachings are full of joy, compassion, and an authentic desire to help students connect to their own limitless potential. Her dynamic vinyasa classes offer students the opportunity to go beyond what they thought possible, while also giving them the tools to meet those challenges safely and with enthusiasm.

While teaching yin and restorative sessions Cynthia cultivates a nurturing environment that encourages deep relaxation and peace. In all her classes, Cynthia interweaves the ancient teachings alongside progressive creativity (and killer playlists).

Cynthia is the founder and co-owner of Ocean Sound Yoga in Koh Tao, Thailand, where she teaches a variety of classes to people from all over the world. She offers mentorship programs, leads workshops and retreats internationally, and serves as faculty on 200hr teacher trainings. Cynthia will always be a student first, and a teacher second, of this sacred practice. She travels around the globe to study varied lineages from master teachers, and is deeply dedicated to her own practice, both on and off the mat.

Above all, Cynthia’s studies, travels, and life experiences have shown her that the central tenet of yoga is absolutely true: we are all connected, and we are all ONE.

Read more about her
http://www.oceansoundyoga.com/bio.html