Seven Tips to Enjoy Tangkoko Nature Reserve

An area of beauty...

Just about an hour north of the city of Manado (North Sulawesi), you can find yourself wondering the woods of the Tangkoko Nature Reserve on a mission to get a glimpse of its unique wildlife roaming the rolling hills and valleys in the shadows of Mounts Dua Saudara and Tangkoko.  The beauty of this reserve is being able to walk among the varied flora and fauna to observe its amazing wildlife roaming free.

Immerse yourself in the experience...

Immerse yourself in the experience of viewing such creatures as the black crested macaque monkeys, maleo birds, the Sulawesi bear and dwarf cuscus, and the hornbills who make this their habitat. The macaques, endemic to Sulawesi, usually can be seen in large social groups, playing, fighting or grooming themselves. While the cuscus, a pouched animal, can be seen among the trees when one is particularly lucky. But the star of the jungle has to be one of the smallest known primates in the world, the tarsier. Found only in Sulawesi and about the size of a fist, you have to wait until dark to spot this nocturnal big-eyed cutie.

Numerous species found only in Sulawesi...

Of the 127 mammal, 233 bird and 104 reptile and amphibian species found in the Tangkoko reserve, 79 mammal (including the cuscus and tarsier), 103 bird and 29 reptile and amphibian species are endemic to the island. As you will see on your visit, the Tangkoko Nature Reserve offers a nice protective environment to help in preventing the extinction these amazing animals.

When you're ready to venture into the reserve yourself...

Here are some pointers to make the most out of your visit:

1. Wear light, breathable clothing that dries quickly; preferably drab colors. Long sleeves and pants (tucked into your socks) help to prevent scratches and bug, leech & mite bites. Make sure to bring insect repellent.
2. Bring a waterproof bag in case of a downpour big enough for your camera, binoculars, and flashlight for night viewing.
3. Go slowly & quietly to less likely disturb the animals.
4. Seek out fruiting trees, especially figs, or pools & streams where the wildlife likes to gather. Take the time to sit and search for minute things that tend to go unnoticed.
5. Listen to the sounds around you. Rustling leaves, bird calls, or buzzing insects can often be cues that something may be about to happen.
6. When viewing monkeys, let them approach you on their own terms. If you stoop down and avoid looking directly in their eyes they will be less inhibited. Do not chase or pursue monkeys and never feed them. No matter how innocent they may look, wild monkeys bite and carry dangerous diseases.
7. When viewing tarsiers at night don't forget to be considerate of their extremely senstitive eyes. Try not to shine your flashlight directly in their eyes.

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Bunaken National Marine Park

Bunaken National Marine Park, established in 1991, is one of Indonesia's first marine parks and a top destination for snorkelers, divers, and underwater photographers. Centrally located in what is called the Coral Triangle, an area known for its biodiversity, Bunaken NMP is home to more then 390 species of coral as well as many fish, mollusc and marine mammal species.

The Bunaken National Marine Park primarily consists of the waters surrounding five primary islands - Manado Tua Island, Bunaken Island, Siladen Island, Mantehage Island, and the Naen Island. It boasts of more than 70 dive sites, including amazing vertical walls. 

Because of its significance as a marine habitat, both governmental and non-governmental organizations (national and international) work together to maintain a strong conservation program for its coral reefs and mangroves in the Bunaken area. This very rich coral ecosystem, which covers most of Bunaken National Marine Park, is dominated by fringing reef and barrier reef corals.  The park is also abundant in different species of reptiles, birds, and mangrove species.

Thousands of divers come from around the world every year to explore the Bunaken National Marine Park, hoping to snap a picture of an eagle ray, giant clam or maybe even a black-tip shark. The waters around Bunaken Island are so clear that even snorkelers can enjoy a glimpse of the amazing underwater life from the water's surface.

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Three Things You May Not Know About North Sulawesi

In this blog I return to the roots of how I began this whole thing. I started this blog as a means to get my groups excited about their upcoming adventure. Come next month I am leading a group to Indonesia to dive the waters of North Sulawesi, so I thought I would use my next few posts to give them a preview of what is to come.

Where in the World is Sulawesi?

Located between the Indian and Pacific Oceans, Indonesia can lay claim to fame, with over thirteen thousand islands, as the world’s largest island country. Some neighboring countries include Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, and Australia. Among Indonesia’s many islands, you will find its third-largest island, Sulawesi, near the center of it all. It has been said that Sulawesi is shaped like a tropical orchid, with each peninsula being one of its petals. Sulawesi is formed by rigid volcanic mountains, covered with dense jungle, rice patties, lakes, and surrounded by magnificent coral reefs protecting its beaches.

What's So Special About North Sulawesi?

The lush northern region of Sulawesi is home to the friendly people of the Minahasa, Bolaang Mongondow, Gorontalo, and the Sangir-Talaud. The Minahasans are the primary group centered around the provincial capital of Manado. The entire northern area, however, has a strong tradition of trade and contact with the outside world. Just north of the mainland you will find the island of Sangir-Talaud. This island acts like a natural bridge with the Philippines, allowing for many influences of the Filipino culture, including political and religious structure. It was the Filipino influence that encouraged the locals to raise coconuts, nutmeg, copra, and cloves. Economic prosperity today from tourism and agriculture means that North Sulawesi is the most developed province on Sulawesi. 

In Indonesia’s colonial days, the first European traders to come in contact with Sulawesi were the Spanish and Portuguese in the 16th century. Eventually, though, the Dutch followed and pushed out their predecessors, leaving a lasting impression on this region. A stronger influence in North Sulawesi than anywhere else in the country, the Dutch language is still spoken among the older generation, and well-to-do families often send their children to study in the Netherlands.

Remnants and monuments to World War II can be found on Sulawesi. With the war came Japanese occupation from 1942-1945. This time in history was a period of deprivation for the island. The Dutch gave up their control without a fight, dispelling any myths of their superiority. Initially welcomed to the island nation as "liberators" in most parts of Indonesia, the Japanese gradually established themselves as harsh overlords. In 1945, Manado was bombed heavily by the allies, driving out the Japanese forces.

During the war of independence against the returning Dutch that followed the departure of the Japanese, there was bitter division between pro-Indonesian Unitarians and those favoring Dutch-sponsored federalism. The appointment of a Manadonese Christian, Sam Ratulangi, as the first republican governor of eastern Indonesia was decisive in winning Minahasan support for the republic.

What More is to Come?

In my upcoming blogs, I will discuss the areas of North Sulawesi we plan to visit and dive, including the Bunaken National Marine Park, Bangka island, and Lembeh Strait, as well as our land adventures to Mahawu Volcano and the Tangkoko Nature Reserve.

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5 Tips for More Enjoyable Flights

Do you feel pretty beat up when you get off the plane?  Here are a few suggestions to lower the wear and tear on your body, and make your next flight a little more enjoyable.

HYDRATE

Airplane cabins can be worse than the Sahara Desert when it comes to lack of moisture. Because of this, you seriously need to remember to hydrate during your flight.  Keeping your body well-hydrated will make you feel more refreshed, and keep your digestive system happier too.  An easy rule of thumb to remember is take your body weight in pounds and divide that in half, then change those pounds into ounces.  That's how many ounces you should drink in a day to keep yourself well-hydrated.

ESCAPE THE NOISE

Invest in a good set of noise-cancelling headphones.  Trust me, you won't regret it and you will be glad you spent the money.  Noise-cancelling headphones are great for blocking out the drone of plane engines for hours on end.  You can actually hear your music or movie clearly.  And BONUS, it dampens the screeches and screams of the child sitting in the row near you that you just can't escape from.  I personally prefer the earplug style versus the over-the-ear headset because I found them more comfortable to sleep with.

BLOCK OUT THE LIGHT

If you're like me, you have a hard time sleeping on planes.  Partly due to noise, but also due to light.  Even if it's a red-eye and they turn out the lights, I generally have someone next to me watching a movie or on their laptop.  If my body senses light, it thinks I should be awake.  I fight this urge by making sure I remember to throw a nice, comfortable eye mask in my carry-on bag just for this very reason.

SUPPORT YOURSELF

Airplane seats don't seem to really be designed with a passenger's comfort in mind.  There is no support for your lower back, and your head feels like it is continuously being thrust forward.  To make sure you keep that nicely shaped "C" in you lumbar region and keep your back feeling comfortable, you need to make your own support.  You can do this by cushioning your back with your jacket, or using a small pillow or blanket you have packed into your bag (or better yet, maybe the airlines gave you one for the flight).

GET UP

If your flight is a long haul, make sure you get out of your seat occasionally and take a short walk up and down the aisle.  If there is room near the bulkhead, lavatory, or galley, take a few minutes to do some stretching.  This will help loosen your sore, tight muscles and get the blood flowing through your body again.  If you can't escape your seat because of a sleeping neighbor, try these in-seat exercises for your calf and feet muscles:

• Every half hour or so, bend and straighten your legs, feet and toes where you are seated.
• Press the balls of your feet down hard against the floor or foot rest every so often. 

Keeping the blood flowing through your legs will help alleviate the danger of deep vein thrombosis (blood clots in the legs) caused by being immobile and in tight, cramped quarters for a long period of time.

How about you?  Do you have any tips you'd like to share to make that long flight a little more comfortable?

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Seven Packing Faux Pas

Sometimes I think one of the most stressful and confusing things leading up to a vacation is knowing what and how to pack for the upcoming getaway.  Most of us are probably guilty of packing things we never use during our trip and end up wondering why we ever wasted the precious weight bringing it along to begin with.

And what about when you've arrived at your destination, you are standing at the baggage carousel in the airport and you get that terrible feeling in the pit of your stomach because you're all alone now and your bags are nowhere in sight?  Why did you pack everything important in your checked bag?

Well, here are 7 faux pas to avoid when packing for your next vacation.

1. Packing your valuables and medications in your checked bags

First things first, remember the mantra "money, tickets, passport".  This runs through my mind endlessly as I grab my bags and head out the front door.  Always make sure you have these very important items on your body, in your purse or in your carry-on before you leave home.  Of course, these days you might not have the "ticket" on your person, but rather the boarding pass on your phone, but the mantra will still work to make sure you have downloaded your boarding pass and have your phone with you.

Second, any medications you will need to take on a regular basis must always be with you in case your checked bag is delayed.  Another suggestion, leave your meds in their prescription labeled bottles to avoid any misunderstandings in Customs.

Finally, try not to take a lot of valuable items with you, but if you must, keep them close.  Once your checked bags are out of your sight, there is always the chance some unsavory individual will think they like your belongings more than you do.

2. Forgetting to pack your essentials

Make sure to always cover your bases in case your checked bags don't arrive with you.  Carry important items, such as reading glasses or backup contact lenses, cases & drops, with you for comfort on the plane and when you arrive.  Also, always carry at least one change of clothes, extra undies and your bathing suit so that you can survive a couple of days until the rest of your clothes arrive.

3. Packing your camera in your checked bags

Don't pack your camera anywhere you can't get to it.  You never know when that great photo opp is going to happening, and you'll miss out on the chance to snap a great photo if your camera is in your checked bag.  Also, having your camera with you may save it from being damaged.  Remember that baggage handlers have to transfer tons of bags during their workday and are not always so gentle moving your bag from the plane to the cart to the carousel. 

Also, make sure you have your backup power or a charger with you in case you use up the battery faster than you expected.

4. Checking and believing the weather at your destination

If you are like me, you are always checking the weather apps for the forecast for wherever you are heading off to next.  But don't always believe it.  After all, how often do our weather forecasters get it right at home?  I suggest packing layers.  They may say it is going to be in the 80's the whole time you are there, but don't forget the temps may drop when the sun goes down or a short afternoon rain may blow in.  Just make sure to have a light sweater or jacket with you for when that happens.

5. Overpacking

Now I know I just suggested packing layers, but don't go overboard.  Lay out all the clothes you might think you will need while you are away, and then take away half of them.  Worse comes to worse, it is generally cheaper to have your laundry done at the resort than it is to pay those extra bag or weight fees to the airlines.

6. Packing too many shoes

One pair of sandals and one pair of closed-toed shoes are generally all you truly need unless you are partaking of some adventure where you need to bring specialized shoes, such as hiking boots or water shoes, with you.  Maybe for ladies one extra pair of snazzy sandals or pumps for that romantic dinner, but no more.  Pack yourself a durable pair of  "neutral" flip flops or sandals that will go with any outfit.  They are generally light-weight and easy to squeeze into any suitcase.  Wear your second pair of shoes while traveling.  I generally prefer to wear a pair of elastic-laced slip-on sneakers that are easy to take off and put back on at TSA because I prefer to wear socks when walking through airport security.

7. FORGETTING TO PACK YOUR SENSE OF HUMOR

It's inevitable.  No matter how much you plan, the unexpected will happen.   Maybe it is waiting a day or two for your luggage to arrive.  Maybe it is a miscommunication between you & a taxi driver, and you end up taking an unexpected tour of the island.  Or maybe it is a friendly gecko who visits you nightly and thinks it is his job to crawl onto your bed and sing you to sleep every night.  Whatever it may be, you will enjoy your vacation more if you can just take a step back, let it go and laugh.  After all, you could be stuck behind your desk at work instead.  Which is worse?

TRAVEL TIP:  When traveling with a companion, pack half of your clothes in each other's bags.  The odds are small that both bags will be lost, so this way neither one of you is terribly inconvenienced.

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Even on Vacation - Take Time to Stop and Smell the Roses

Do you ever find yourself completely exhausted at the end of your vacation?  Do you get home and realize you never took a break to rest while you were away?  Do you get so caught up in trying to see everything, and do everything you could in that short bit of time, that you never stopped to take a breath?  Well, even on a dive vacation, I suggest you don’t dive the entire time.  You need to shed that gear and enjoy your surface interval.  And for you avid photographers, both above and below the water, you must pull the camera away from your eye once in a while and soak in your surroundings beyond the viewfinder.  As the saying goes, “take time to stop and smell the roses”.

Then one day I chose to leave my camera on the boat...

After getting my first underwater camera I couldn’t dive without it.  Every time I went into the water, it was attached to my gear.  I was afraid that I might miss out on an opportunity to capture that magic image; that one perfect moment; that one rarely-seen critter.  I was constantly seeing the underwater world through my lens only, and missing out on the whole big picture.  But then one day I chose to leave my camera on the boat and just dive.  Wow, it was almost a relief.  I found my air consumption slowed and my sphere of vision grew.  The dive was almost more relaxing.

Now I’m not saying that when I dive without my camera I don’t miss out on opportunities for great images.  There have been those times where I’ve had amazing experiences that I wished I had captured with my camera, but that’s ok.  It is a constant joke amongst my dive buddies, that if it wasn’t captured on camera, then we didn’t really see it, but I realize when those times happen what I actually take away from that dive is the full experience.  How that wonderful animal interacts with those around him and how it is an important part of that whole environment.  I may not have a picture to take home with me, but I have a great fish story to share with my dive buddies, and that’s great too.

So how do we balance experience and relaxation?

We all know vacations are a wonderful thing.  They are our opportunity to discover a world outside our everyday life.  They are a chance to learn new things and experience all sorts of stuff.  And vacations are supposed to be a breather from our hectic schedules.  So how do we balance experience and relaxation?  I think it is a matter of remembering “everything in moderation”.  For me, I find it necessary to just find a few moments some time in my day to just stop and decompress.  Did you go out for your morning dives and come back to the resort for a delicious lunch?  After lunch, head over to that lovely hammock just beckoning to you and give your body some time to digest its food while you kick it and grab a few winks or enjoy a good book.  Or how about taking advantage of your resort’s spa services?  I love a relaxing evening massage before I retire to my room.  It really unwinds my muscles after an exhilarating day of diving and helps me to have a deeper sleep.  Maybe it is a romantic stroll on the beach while enjoying a warm tropical sunset with your loved one.  And how about on that last day of vacation, when all your gear is getting a chance to dry before packing?  You might find some time to sit around your laptop with your group of dive buddies and share your photos, fish stories and a lot of laughs.

Don’t forget the relaxation part.

So remember, your vacation is your chance to get away and relax.  Don’t forget the relaxation part.  Reality will be waiting for you when you get home.  Always take time to stop and smell the roses.  Make sure it is a deep, relaxing breath before you move on.

Do you have any favorite relaxation tips you’d like to share?  Something that helps you overcome the possible stress of getting to that fabulous resort?  Or maybe something to help you unwind while heading back to reality?  I’d love to hear from you.  I can always use some great words of wisdom.

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Your Comfort Zone is the Danger Zone to Your True Travel Experience

I think my desire for exploration and adventure was born in the back of my family's station wagon. As the youngest daughter of a Navy officer, moving from station to station consisted of packing up as much as we could in the moving van, then smooshing the rest of our belongings, along with ourselves and the family pets, into the largest vehicle we had and hitting the road. As I sat on the back bench seat of that station wagon, I watched out the tailgate window the receding view of the place I had been, while in my mind I was dreaming of the place I was heading next.

Being a military brat left me with an unquenchable thirst to experience the world. I want to see as much of its wonders as I can before I die, from its people and all the different cultures, to its natural beauty both on land and under the sea. This desire has a profound effect on my vacation choices. I don’t often return to a place I have visited before. Why, you ask me? Because there are so many other places I have yet to see.

Don't you want to see and experience something new?

Don't you want to see and experience something new? There is a whole world out there to see, smell, taste and experience. Often times I find travelers who get set in their ways. They found a destination once upon a time, a long time ago, where they felt comfortable and year after year they return to that same spot, never trying anything new. Sort of like migratory birds, huh? Why would you limit yourself to the same old thing year after year? Are you afraid to visit destinations you don't already know? Why? Take a chance.

I am an advocate for leaving your comfort zone at home.

I am an advocate for leaving your comfort zone at home. Break away from the danger of your hum-drum comfort zone and visit someplace you have never been before. I find travel to a new destination exhilarating. Yes, I get a little nervous at first not knowing exactly how things are going to go, but that is what makes it an adventure.

While you are at that new destination, make sure to experience its soul as much as you can. Take time to visit with and get to know the locals. And don’t forget, you never learn more about a culture than through its food. I’ll grant you that sometimes this type of experience may be a little scary and not so palatable to your taste buds, but you never know. You might find a new type of cuisine you love. Also, don’t forget to enjoy a cultural experience too. Maybe it’s a visit to a museum, a local market day, or an exciting carnival. And last, but not least, do something adventurous, like zip-lining, white water rafting, a helicopter ride, or a hike in a rainforest.

Use your travel specialist as your resource for possibilities.

Now you ask, how are you supposed to find out about your next destination and all it holds in store? Use your travel specialist as your resource for possibilities. Let them know where you've gone in the past and activities you've enjoyed. Whether you prefer to travel alone or in a group. If you prefer modern, metropolitan resorts or something a little rustic and out of the way. Maybe you are looking to celebrate an occasion and need suggestions on doing something special. Let your travel agent know your needs and desires, then give them the opportunity to find that place you've always wanted to go but never knew. That's our job. That's why we're here for you. We lay the groundwork for your next worldly discovery, so that there is no need for you to worry...just enjoy the journey. Do you know where do you want to discover next? Or do you just want to take a leap into the unknown?

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