The First Day

So, here I sit on airplane number four, and still have one to go. I am currently between Jakarta and Sorong, from where I take a two and a half hour boat ride to get to Raja. New York was certainly a convenient stop, I bought everything I needed for the trip still, and found the most amazing dive shop I have seen in my life. I was awe struck, two stories, hole in the wall. Operated by none other leisure pro, but it was still impressive. Bought a new dive computer, underwater flashlight and a folding dive knife. I got all the batteries my underwater camera and flashes. Other than the tedious shopping, I had time to hangout with some friends. We had drinks and a snack at a place called "the copper door tavern" on 22nd street and 3rd avenue. after that I was off to the long fight, after jackass john, my taxi driver got me lost I finally made it onetime, and the sleeping aids were beginning to kick in. I slept the entire flight to Hong Kong, and took another for Hon Kong to Jakarta. I woke up in Jakarta, got off the plane and felt like I was in the Nassau straw market, people were selling things everything, and U.S. Money made you god. Soon after landing I found a local who spoke very good English, and he helped me to the hotel. I had a nice room for my 10 hours, woke up to my computers alarm clock and headed out. I got to Jakarta's domestic terminal at 3 am so about 2 pm Nassau time. It was still dark out, but possibly one of the coolest airports in existence. Once inside, you go back out onto covered walkways amongst an impressive garden.  I am now on express air, 737-300 in the emergency exit all alone, so I have plenty of space.

            we are beginning our decent to the midpoint of Jakarta and Sorong, and I can see my new ocean, looks similar to Nassau, but the islands have far more hill structure on them.

We landed in some place of which I do not know the name, but after being in the airport for 30 seconds, I was told to hurry, as the flight had boarded. For once I did as I was told, and surprisingly I have made all of my flights to get to Raja Ampat, so let the beer flow boys I am worry free. This plane is a little more referred and turquoise seats give it a mi d of. Nauseating 80s feel. I mean it even has ashtrays. It's a Boeing 737-500 for those interested

            After landing at Sorong, I was amazed to see there was no fence around the airport, and people were walking all around the runway, and on closer inspection, people had huts built just off the side of the landing strip. We pulled up onto an open area, got into a bus and went to a hectic little room named "baggage claim". This room made a commodity trade pit look organized. Here I met Leon and Claudia, and handed my bag tags to a magical taxi driver who secured all of my bags. At this point, I learned that it was too rough to go over to the island, so we were staying in Sorong for the night. We had lunch at a cool restaurant next to the hotel, and had amazing grilled fish with chili sauce, and fried rice. After that I went to a mall/supermarket thing with Leon and Claudia, and it made City Market look well stocked and convenient.

            We looked through this large store, bought a few things the guys needed for the island and headed to the Raja4Divers office, and hung out, catching up on what we were all up to. We stayed there until 6 and went to pick up two other customers from Singapore. We went to another amazing little hole in the wall, and had amazing prawns with green chili. We just got back in, and have to be up at 6 tomorrow so I'll write again soon.

It's not often that I am up at 6am, and never before have I been happy about it, but today is most definitely different. I woke up at 5:30, took a shower, locked myself out of my room, had housekeeping let me back in, and upon reentry, I looked out of my window, which granted has very little view, but in the distance I can see mountains. None of this is what has me happy. Yesterday was horrible, wind and rain, and though still rainy, the winds have died down to little to none. This means that not only will we get to the island, but it will also be a quick dry ride. We get picked up from the hotel at 6:30 and leave Sorong at 7.

            Finally made it to the resort, and my definition of paradise has definitely been updated; I mean this place it amazing. We had a three hour boat ride of rough water and constant bumps, in a government boat about 30 feet long, that teamed of gas fumes, but now that I am here it was well worth the ride. I am sitting on the porch of an amazing bungalow on stilts on the beach, the waves breaking on my stairs. The people here could not be more friendly and helpful, and are reluctant to let you do anything for yourself. I have tons of photos; some are in the article, but click on the floor stream to see them all. We start diving this afternoon, but I won't start taking underwater photos Till later this week, for now I plan on getting an idea of what to look for on the reefs, and relaxing while looking around. I will be taking tons of photos of the resort though so keep looking.

            I went on my first dive this afternoon; It was amazing, a little murky because of the weather. The coral life is amazing, lots of colors; I definitely plan on taking my camera down very soon. Back at the resort now, passing on the second dive, I am a little tired, and with the bad visibility I would rather relax a bit.