JULY 2011
Dear Raja4Divers
We are sitting in the Je
Meridien Hotel wishing we were back at Raja4Divers. It has been less than 24
hrs, and we already miss the friendly staff and diving at the resort:(
This past week has been
amazing. We enjoyed great diving, especially learning photography with Claudia
and Leon. As beginner underwater photographers, we learned so much and now feel
more confident about taking pictures. The course inspired us immensely and we
can’t wait to come back with our own strobes! We learned the basics of
underwater photography and developed an eye for taking better photos. Every
beginner photographer who comes to Raja4 should definitely take this workshop!
(Zitta)
Many thanks to Maya,
Claudia and Leon, Armin and Sabine, the helpful staff and our wonderful dive
guides Danci and Nikson for making our holiday so memorable!
We look forward to seeing
you again soon!
Zitta - Indonesia / South Africa
Kathy – Korea / USA
VIEW ZITTA'S FULL IMAGE GALLERY (Imaging Team assisted)
VIEW KATHY'S FULL IMAGE GALLERY (Imaging Team Assisted)
VIEW THE TRIP MOVIE - coming soon (by the Imaging Team)
IMAGING COMMENTS
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| Sunset in front of the restaurant |
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| Front: Zitta, Kathy, Kim, Back: Claudia, Leon, Dennis and Johan |
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| Long time dive buddies Zitta and Kathy |
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JULY 2011
Mir
hat es hier sehr gefallen. Meine ersten Tauchgaenge waren sehr toll und das Tauchbrevet
hier machen zu duerfen war für mich die absolute Spitze. Dieses Resort ist echt
der schoenste Ort auf der ganzen Welt (die Schweiz ist natuerlich auch sehr
schoen). Ich freue mich bereits in einem Jahr wieder hier zu sein. Muss nur
noch Papa ueberzeugen!
Ich hoffe
es wird hier weiter so froehlich und lebhaft zugehen. Hoffentlich kommen bald
ein paar Angestellte fuer die Kueche
damit Ami, Thresy und Yanniek nicht mehr so viel zu tun haben.
Herzliche
Gruesse
Jasmine
11yrs
Vielen
herzlichen Dank an ALLE für die ganz tollen Ferien hier bei Euch auf PEF!
Bis
bald
Thomas
9 yrs
Von
ganzem Herzen moechten wir der ganzen Pef-Crew fuer den wunderbaren Aufenthalt
in einem traumhaft schoenen Ort unter vielen netten und froehlichen Leuten
danken. Vor allem Sabine und Armin gebuehrt unserer besondere Dank fuer die
Super-Tauchgaenge sowie die sehr zuvorkommende Tauchbegleitung unserer Kids.
Ruedi
Herzlichen
Dank Maya, dass auch wir an Deinem Traum teilnehmen dürfen!!!
Bis
nächsten Juli (Claudia) – vielleicht! (Ruedi) - aber sicher doch!!! (Claudia)
Claudia
PS1Thomas
wird seinen 9. Geburtstag in besonderer Erinnerung behalten – ganz herzlichen
Dank auch dafuer!
PS2
It’s so nice to be Commissioner of such as wonderful place.
Hadorn family - Switzerland
VIEW THE BIRTHDAY MOVIE - (by the Imaging Team)
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| Thomas beats a Papuan drum |
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| by Jasmine |
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| Jasmine, Ruedi, Thomas and Claudia Hadorn |
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JULY 2011
Beautiful resort, great dive sites, great companions. Too sad to leave this place. One week is definitely NOT ENOUGH!!! We made good friends here in the resort. Diving with Leon and Claudia was good fun.
WE WILL BE BACK!!
Kim and Dennis - Singapore
VIEW KIM'S FULL IMAGE GALLERY (Imaging Team assisted)
VIEW THE TRIP MOVIE -coming soon (by the Imaging Team)
IMAGING COMMENTS
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| Dennis and Kim |
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| Kim with Zitta, Danci and Kathy |
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| Dennis and Kim underwater |
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JULY 2011
I have travelled far to see new oceans and distant shores. Here, I walked in the tropical jungle, saw wild orchids, cocatoos and exotic butterflies. Climbed a hill and was astonished by the beautiful vistas that surrounded me. The sight of little islands with white shores and turquoise sea will always stay in my mind. I smelled the sweet scent of rotting leaves in the mangroves. Dived the most prolific reefs in the world. Saw sharks, mantas, millions of fish and colourful corals. I made good friends and had lots of fun. Thanks to Maja and the Raja4Divers team for making this possible. It was an amazing 2 weeks that went too fast.
Claudia and Leon, many thanks for your friendly assistance and special care to make this a unique and extraordinary trip.
I have taken underwater pictures for some years, but decided to do the photo workshop with Claudia - taking classes on my holiday?? It was very interesting, I understand the behaviour of light underwater, enjoyed the practicals, not to mention the fun and laughs in the Studio (Batfish face). I can't believe the improvement of my pictures over the last 2 weeks.
Thanks,
Johan - South Africa
VIEW JOHAN'S FULL IMAGE GALLERY (Imaging Team assisted)
VIEW THE TRIP MOVIE (by the Imaging Team)
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| Johan with diving group |
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| Johan and Leon |
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| Johan and the 'Papuarazzi' group |
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JULY 2011
On behalf of 'Papuarazzi' Anders and myself, thanks much for a great week! The brand new resort is a pleasure to stay in. We had great fun with our group of 6 'Papuarazzi' making a video and receiving great support from the Imaging Studio. We thoroughly enjoyed diving with you guys!
Until we meet again!
Poul - The Netherlands
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| Anders and the group |
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| Poul's luminous anemone and clownfish |
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| Poul and the group |
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JULY 2011
Every now and then in life the Almighty grants us the opportunity to meet some very nice people and the opportunity to see some very beautiful places which for some (or most people in fact) exist or visible only through books, magazines, tv screens and computers.
As I sit here on the open patio overlooking the vast ocean of blue, turquoise and green, I know I am blessed because I get the best of both - the most wonderful of people and the most gorgeous of scenery and nature. The dive sites here are incredible, but the people are even more so. Zainol and I have been here before, to this Raja Ampat Island back in 2006 and we remember the wonderful sites and beautiful waters. Which is why we come back here again. But apparently we are in for a great surprise as the whole islands are much more beautiful now and the resort that we are staying in is, dare I say, even ten times better, in terms of service, and facilities, the staff, the crew, the room, the view, and the fellow guests too!
Thank-you Maya for living up to your dreams for realising this beautiful resort that I believe must have been painted in your mind years before it finally opens this year. Achieving your dream eventually turns into achieving ours, for verily having such a place and people as what you have is such a precious treat indeed.
Thank-you to all the staff and crew, from those behind the kitchen, all the way to those who look after our rooms and our dive equipment, our clothes, our food etc etc. We have been well treated indeed.
Terima kasih kepada Yoris, Yansen dan Demianus di atas keprihatinan yang tiada tolok bandingnya. Dedikasi yang ditunjukkan oleh ketiga2. Boat crew ini amat dihargai. Amat bertuah kami bertiga di layan dengan begitu baik sekali sepanjang dive trips di sini. Kamu tidak akan kami lupai.
To Armin and Sabine and Yanniek and Ami and Tres - the smiles on your faces simply are the flowers that adorn the invincible gardens of this island. We have yet to meet such pleasant hoteliers (if we may call you that!) as you all are. Thanks a million!
Last but no least, to our dearest Claudia and Leon - what an honour indeed. Leon to put it simply, if this whole Pef is one big Chocolaty Vanilla cake, the you would be the icing that perfected it. And if the cake were to be adorned with one candle, it would have to be the one and only Claudia. To the both of you, our heartfelt thanks for all those jovial, happy, sweet, memorable moments. In life, we do not remember days, we remember moments. And the two of you have made our moments in Raja Ampat truly breathtaking.
As the very first three Malaysians who step foot on this lovely Pulau Pef, we thank each and every one of you for a time, though brief and short, truly WELL SPENT. We look forward to visit you again.
From our hearts to your hearts,
Nuraiza - KL, Malaysia
Rozainol - KL, Malaysia
Max - KK, Malaysia
VIEW NURAIZA'S FULL IMAGE GALLERY (Imaging Team assisted)
VIEW THE TRIP MOVIE (by the Imaging Team) IMAGING COMMENTS
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| Nuraiza, Max and Zainol with staff and guests |
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| Nuraiza, Zainol, Max, Johan and Anders |
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| Max, Zainol and Nuraiza underwater |
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JULY 2011
So, my four weeks in the Raja Ampat are finished, and I can say I have had an amazing trip. The resort is very cute, and the bungalows capture an island feel (though A/C and a shower would be nice). The Papuan staff are all extremely friendly and more than happy to help.
Thank you to all who I have met during my stay, you all made it an enjoyable one. This was my first trip to the Raja Ampat and will certainly not be my last. I came here for a month but could happily spend several years. It has been a joy.
Nikson: you are by far the best dive guide I have ever had the pleasure of following, you really capture the essence of the Raja Ampat through your knowledge and energy underwater. The many dives I did with you were unquestionably the highlights of my trip. Wherever you, Leon and Claudia are, I will come to dive, hopefully still here:)
Leon and Claudia: I love the Studio, and you two. As we have all seen, while working with you, my photos have made leaps and bounds, and for that I am thankful. Without you two, the time I have spent on land would have been much less fun, boring and lonely even (I would probably have imaginary friends by now). So thank you both, for your teaching, help and friendship.
To Mihel, Jansen, Richard and Demianus, you guys are an amazing boat crew, and have made diving extremely easy - you were great to be around, always smiling, and great sense of humour.
Thank-you all, until we meet again PEF.
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| Scott's credo. |
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| Scott's wobbegong with glass fish. |
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| Scott captures Leon shooting video of a large school of jacks. |
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JULY 2011
This is indeed an amazing place. Of all the places I have dived at this has to rank amongst the top.Good service. Good food. Good accommodations. Friendly staff. Great dive guides and not forgetting Claudia & Leon for their great photos and videos. We'll be the envy of the rest of our diver group when we go home. Definitely coming back again!! Thanks once again to Nikson, Yoris, Danci, Leon, Claudia and our new friend Scott! (Nikson, Yoris, Danci - keep making music!)
Cedric - Singapore
Raja Ampat is still the most *magical* diving location for us. We've been wanting to come back, but the roughness of the previous eco resort left us reluctant. This place is beautiful: nice comfortable bungalows, great food, no repeat of beautiful dive sites for 5 diays, and most importantly very warm & musically gifted Papuans. Leon & Claudia are the most enthusiastic & real underwater imaging professionals I've met. And they've set up the most hi-tech studio I've seen in a remote island, with free satellite internet wi-fi, you have an extended stay here without being disconnected. * Tip: Bring Nespresso capsules, you'll make Leon & Claudia very happy!
Peter - Singapore
One of the best dive trips I've every had...accommodations lovely, dive guides are wonderful, dive sites are exquisite and people are amazing. Special thanks to Leon,Claudia and not forgetting my wonderful friend NIKSON! u guys ROCK!!! First time we actually tell ourselves - WHEN WILL WE BE BACK? NEXT YR? WHICH MONTH??? Oh wi-fi is wonderful too! Can't wait to see the video! C-Tribers will definitely be back! Love you guys! Thanks loads! Bye Jim!
Lay Hoon - Singapore
"Where is Raja Ampat?" - this is the question I got when I told people I am going there for holiday. A great place for diving holiday I must add. A diving paradise that all divers will envy. Raja4Divers - a week here is too short. You will want to spend additional, & additional weeks. Excellent dive sites, friendly staff and dive masters, who allow you to list your dive wish list. What else can you ask for?
Leon and Claudia's professionalism in underwater photography and imaging are eye opener to me. They are making us a video!! A perfect holiday. Would love to come back again - soon, very soon, if I can.
Thank-you - Nikson, Yoris, Danci and the boat staff for the safe dive trips,
-Claudia and Leon for making this diving trip such a joy and memorable one!
Gim Hong - Singapore/Australia
From ADEX 2011, 5 of us from the C-Tribe made it to Raja4Divers in July for one week. It is right at the top of my diving bucket list. The destination proved to be beyond words, and the warm and enthusiastic people make the trip perfect! DIving with Claudia & Leon, Scott the exuberant sunshine from the Bahamas, and Nikson, Yoris & Danci has made the diving that more extraordinary. Un sejour vraimant extraordinaire! This place has gone back to my bucket list!
Tsu Soo - Singapore
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| Gim Hong, Cedric, Scott, Leon, Demianus, Nikson, Danci, Lay Hoon, Peter and Tsu Soo. |
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| Yoris, Cedric, Tsu Soo, Gim Hong, Lay Hoon, Nikson and Peter. |
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| Lay Hoon, Danci and Gim Hong. |
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JULY 2011
Wow! Wow! Wow! our 3rd trip to Raja Ampat, and this time on beautiful Pulau Pef. And for 2 weeks, no less! the time has flown by, We are so fortunate.
Terima Kasih Banyak to the always helpful, ever friendly Raja4Divers staff - from the boat crew, dive staff and dive guides, to the administrative, kitchen, laundry and house-keeping staff - you have all made us feel so at home on your island home, Pef. Our musical welcome and Jake's birthday celebration will not be forgotten.
Nikson - you are "the man"! A dive guide "par excellance"! Thanks for showing us the reefs and fishes of dive sites near Pef, the Passage and in Dampier Strait. We loved diving with you and look forward to more.
Thanks especially to Claudia and Leon. For 2 years we have looked forward to seeing you again. Your photography and videography instruction and coaching has been invaluable. Claudia I think I'm ready for your workshop "Part 2" (Pat). It was worth the wait. We so appreciate your expertise and enthusiasm for diving and have enjoyed you both during dives, as well as at real times (in the restaurant or on a deserted island), on jungle walks, snorkelling with manta rays and conversation in the wonderful Imaging Studio (complete with A/C!) Your attention to the "small details" made it so special to be here - you are the host and hostess with the "most" and "mostest". We look forward to next time together.
Maya - sorry we missed seeing you this time. Our "hats are off" to you for what you are accomplishing here. We look forward to returning to Pef when Raja4Divers is completed.
Selamat Tinggal!
Your friends,
Pat - Boston, MA, USA
Jacob - Denver, CO, USA
VIEW PAT'S FULL IMAGE GALLERY (Imaging Team assisted)
VIEW JAKE'S VIDEO (coming soon)
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| Jake, Scott, Pat, Claudia, Leon and Nikson. |
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| Jake and Nikson with a cuttle fish. |
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| Pat photographs a black Manta ray. |
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