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March 2010 Update

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Wakatobi Pygmy Seahorse - copyright Ken Knezick OTHER Info and Resources



Matangi Island Resort, Matagi Island, Fiji FIJI --- Get Two Nights FREE at Matangi Island Resort

Matangi Island Resort -- Matagi Island is the smallest of a cluster of volcanic islands off the eastern tip of Taveuni. Wrapped around a submerged crater, the entire Matangi area is a Scuba divers mecca. Matangi Island Resort offers 14 private cottages set within lovely tropical gardens, along with a main dining and lounge area, a fleet of boats and a dive facility, plus three tree house honeymoon cottages built 30 feet off the ground in the embrace of ancient almond trees. In addition to offering some of Fiji's best diving, Matagi's also great for its beautiful white sand beaches, hiking through lush rainforest, or a cultural visit to one of the local native villages.

Matangi Island Resort, Fiji

Free Night Special plus a Room Category Upgrade -- The team at Matangi Private Island Resort are excited about their property and want to share it with you. So they have created the following specials to encourage you to visit. These are great opportunties, so don't miss out. Availability is limited, and these special must be booked in advance. Call or email Island Dreams now for complete details.

Free Night Special

Pay for 5 nights -- stay for 7 (all room categories)

Valid through March 31, 2010.
Minimum 7-night stay is required. New Bookings only.



Find complete:
Matangi Resort Pricing

Read Tina's new: Fiji Dive Resort Update

Also consider Ken Knezick's: Fiji Dive and Travel Report

Fiji is fine! Discuss the details with Rae at 1-800-568-2350 -or- email to: Rae@divetrip.com




MANADO & LEMBEH --- Best of Both World's Combination Packages

Lembeh Bunaken Combo - photo montage copyright Ken Knezick, Island Dreams Travel

Lembeh & Bunaken Combination Packages -- Island Dreams customized combo packages include all transfers forward from Manado International Airport, lodging and diving as indicated, hotel taxes, and three meals daily. Lodging at KBR in Traditional House room; and in Deluxe room at Hotel Santika. Upgraded room categories are available. On the day you transfer from one resort to the next, you will have three days of boat diving, so no time is wasted. Drinks, souvenirs, rental equipment, etc. are at the guest's additional expense, as is airfare to Manado. Prices are per person based on double occupancy. Prices and inclusions are subject to change.

Kungkungan Bay Resort + Hotel Santika Manado
Lembeh / Bunaken Combo Packages
Valid through March 31, 2010
Suggested Combo Package Options Double Occupancy Single Occupancy
9 nights lodging / with 8 days of diving
5 nights at Kungkungan Bay Resort
plus 4 nights at Hotel Santika
$1676 $1868
11 nights lodging / with 10 days of diving
6 nights at Kungkungan Bay Resort
plus 5 nights at Hotel Santika
$2117 $2357
14 nights lodging / with 13 days of diving
7 nights at Kungkungan Bay Resort
plus 7 nights at Hotel Santika
$2579 $2915
Combination packages include round-trip airport/hotel transfers, 3 meals daily, and 3-tank boat diving daily.
Pricing based is on Traditional room or Cottage Suite at Kungkungan, and Deluxe Room at Hotel Santika.
Room-style uprades are available. Please note that only two boat dives are included on transfer days.
All scuba diving pricing is based on air fills. Upgrade to Nitrox fills may be arranged.
Prices are per person, based on double occupancy, include all hotel taxes, and are subject to change.
Package inclusions are subject to change. No refund for unused portion of packages.

Find further details here:  
Best of Lembeh and Manado Combo Packages

Or simply speak with Tina at 1-800-346-6116 -or- email to: Tina@divetrip.com




El Ocotal Beach Resort COSTA RICA --- Special Dive Packages at El Ocotal Resort


Costa Rica is known today as a unique dive destination, and not only for its marine life, but because of its many other attractions. Divers have the opportunity to visit national parks, go white water rafting, big game fishing, horseback riding, bird watching, swim on secluded beaches, enjoy breathtaking sunsets and warm star-filled nights and feel welcomed by friendly Costa Rican people.

Bungalow at El Ocotal Resort Costa Rica’s north Pacific coast is the diving world’s newest discovery. Few places in the world have waters with such varies and plentiful marine life.

Couple this glory of nature with El Ocotal Beach Resort’s luxurious resort facilities, new dive boats and equipment; the resorts highly-trained, dedicated staff and Costa Rica’s most experienced dive masters; the country’s natural beauty and its warm, friendly people, and you have the most exciting alternative to traditional dive destinations.

El Ocotal's dive packages are now ready to bring you the best of Costa Rica!

Find pricing and details here: El Ocotal Resort

Costa Rica awaits you. Phone Christy at 1-800-346-6116 -or- email to: Christy@divetrip.com




Copyright Susan Young FIJI UPDATE -- Susan Young's Dispatches from Fiji

Island Dreams' dive travel specialist Susan Young has just returned from another familiarization trip to Fiji. A scuba instructor with her 100-ton ship captain's ticket, Susan lived for 15 years on the island of Grand Cayman, where she worked as a manager for Red Sail Sports.

When she travels on behalf of Island Dreams, Susan stays in touch with the office via emails which describe her experiences along the way. A compilation of her messages are reproduced in this report.
We hope that you will find Susan Young's unique insight and boundless enthusiasm helpful as you plan your own Fiji adventure.

Find it here: Susan Young's Dispatches from Fiji




Where's the kitchen sink? SAFE TRAVELS -- Travel Tips for the 21st Century

ALERT to New Baggage Weight Limitations -- This is an aspect of air travel that is currently experiencing immense change...and they are assuredly not making it any easier for the traveler.

Be advised that most domestic flights are now limiting passengers to a single checked bag, with a maximum weight of 50 pounds. A second bag may be checked, but at an additional charge of $25 to $100 or more per bag.

Some, but not all, international flights may still allow two bags at 50 pounds each. Overweight bags will be charged a penalty, or with increasing frequency simply denied loading aboard the aircraft. Carry-on bags are also being limited in both quantity and weight.

Don't be surprised at the gate. Phone your airline in advance, and/or check with their web site, and ascertain current baggage allowances. Then pack accordingly, or be prepared to pay extra.

Read the entire report here: Travel Tips for the 21st Century




NEW LIFT -- Singapore Airlines Now Flying from Houston

Singapore Airlines In an exciting turn of events, Singapore Airlines (airline code SQ) has just announced new service from Houston, Texas to Singapore, via Moscow. Now it will be possible to fly to Asia directly from Houston, making use of the world's top-rated airline.

This is an excellent new opportunity, affording easier travel to world-class diving destinations such as Bali, Manado, Raja Ampat, Wakatobi, and points beyond.

Find details here: SQ Begins Service from IAH




COMMENTS -- Guests Speak Out on Wakatobi

Wakatobi Dive Resort Island Dreams Ken Knezick has had plenty to say about Wakatobi...yes, he loves the place. But for another opinion, you can hear what a group of recent Wakatobi guests had to say for themselves.

Read the guest comments here: Wakatobi Guests Speak Out

Enjoy photos my Wakatobi guests: Wakatobi Guest Photo Gallery

Also see Ken Knezick's most recent Wakatobi Report: Wakatobi Update




TRAVEL REPORT -- Little Cayman Beach Resort

Jawfish with Eggs, copyright Tom Collier Thomas Collier, Travel Coordinator for the Houston Underwater Photographic Society, reports on the recent HUPS trip to Little Cayman Beach Reosort

"Bloody Bay Wall is an awesome dive location with many dive sites. The water was crystal clear with very little current - a perfect location for underwater photography. The corals were in good shape with plenty of the usual tropical fish. No large marine life to speak of with the exception of turtles, rays and the resident groupers (who are extremely friendly). A couple of reef sharks were spotted and an eagle ray was also seen several times. Sailfin blennies, jawfish (many with eggs), lobsters, sting rays and turtles were seen and photographed on most dives.

"A morning boat trip to the Tibbets, a Russian destroyer, sunk off Cayman Brac was another highlight of our trip. There is an modest additional charge for this excursion but well worth it. The wreck is an excellent location for wide-angle photography; although so is all of Bloody Bay Wall. Our only dilemma was what to shoot - Wide-angle or Macro? This dive trip to Little Cayman certainly offered up an abundance of both."

Read Tom Collier's complete story here: Little Cayman Report




Island Dreams Tours & Travel GROUP TRIPS -- Don't Miss the Dive Boat!

Our 2009 trips are sold out, and 2010 groups are filling quickly. If you'd like to join in a exciting group conducted tour, with new friends, good fun, and great diving...don't miss the boat! Now is the time to act.

Enjoy the world's finest diving with Island Dreams’ experienced divemasters and instructors. Our trips are designed for enjoyment, safety, and fun. Single diver?...no worries, we'll find you a dive buddy. A deposit of $500 per person guarantees your space; final payment is due 60 days prior to trip departure. You may pay with MC, VISA, AMEX, DISCOVER, or check. But remember that availability is limited, and please be advised that all dates of travel and prices are subject to change. Let's go diving!

Groups for 2009 and 2010:   Island Dreams' Conducted Group Tours




PHOTOS of the MONTH -- Wakatobi 2009

Wakatobi 2009
Revealed with the Nikkor 105 mm Macro Lens
Photography by Ken Knezick - Island Dreams

Square Spot Anthias at Fan 38 - Copyright Ken Knezick, Island Dreams Square Spot Anthias at Fan 38 - Copyright Ken Knezick, Island Dreams

Wakatobi 2009 -- In this gallery we offer a selection of macro shots from September 2009, made on Ken Knezick's thirteenth visit to Wakatobi. On this trip, all Ken's underwater shots were produced with the Nikon 105 mm macro lens, on the Nikon D2x digital camera. The system was contained in a Nexus submersible housing, firing a single Ikelite DS-25 strobe.


--Click Images to Enlarge--

Wakatobi 2009 Macro - Copyright Ken Knezick, Island Dreams
Fire Dart Fish
Wakatobi 2009 Macro - Copyright Ken Knezick, Island Dreams
Barnacle Blenny
Wakatobi 2009 Macro - Copyright Ken Knezick, Island Dreams
Stare Down
Wakatobi 2009 Macro - Copyright Ken Knezick, Island Dreams
Fan Dancer
Wakatobi 2009 Macro - Copyright Ken Knezick, Island Dreams
Yo!
Wakatobi 2009 Macro - Copyright Ken Knezick, Island Dreams
Beautiful Butterfly
Wakatobi 2009 Macro - Copyright Ken Knezick, Island Dreams
Pygmy Seahorse
Wakatobi 2009 Macro - Copyright Ken Knezick, Island Dreams
Say What?
Wakatobi 2009 Macro - Copyright Ken Knezick, Island Dreams
Pygmy Seahorse
Wakatobi 2009 Macro - Copyright Ken Knezick, Island Dreams
Clownfish with Eggs
Wakatobi 2009 Macro - Copyright Ken Knezick, Island Dreams
Ssshhhh!
Wakatobi 2009 Macro - Copyright Ken Knezick, Island Dreams
Clownfish with Eggs
Copyright 2009 -- Ken Knezick, Island Dreams. All rights reserved.
Do not copy these images without prior explicit written permission.



Use these resources to learn more about Wakatobi:

Dive the world from your desk. Explore Island Dreams':   Destination Photo Galleries

Make some pictures of your own:   Join Ken Knezick on an upcoming Conducted Group Tour




Island Dreams Tours and Travel: We are a full service, wholesale travel agency, specializing in scuba diving and adventure travel. With a broad range of contacts and bulk airline contracts, we can help you with discount airfares and excellent travel values worldwide. But please also be advised that modern travel is a constantly changing environment. All prices, schedules, package inclusions, and product descriptions in this website are subject to availability and subject to change without further notice.

Thank you for your interest in Island Dreams.
It is our pleasure to serve you!


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Click "Get Started" to begin planning
your personal Island Dreams adventure.



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