StanKase

Louise: We are going on the "Best of Indonesia"-Voyage 2. The itinerary call for 1/2 or a day of dive or snorkeling on 3/6,3/10,3/11,3/12,3/14,3/15 and 3/16. Only on one does it say "may" be able to snorkel. The hoffice in your backyard indicated that if I wanted the most snorkeling and some diving this was the trip to go on. With 7 stops of 1/2 to 1 day to snorkel we hopefully will not loose more than 1 or 2 (I'll be disappointed but not upset).
But on the land day, I forget the one, but not the one the one that says all day, my question about morning and afternoon trips would be relevant if you could answer it.
THANKS.

Louise

That is great that I had the wrong cruise - I know that more snorkling will make you happier. I don't have a brochure and would have to go through each individual day to figure out which one you are talking about. If you could give me the particular day you are talking about......

StanKase

Louise; It is the March 2, 2010 "Best of Indonesia"-Voyage-2. That way they make it seem longer but you really begin the trip trip on March 5 and end AM on March 18th. Therefore of the 13 days on-board there are potententially 7 snorkel/dive days and 5 land tour destinations or so it seems.So when you see the island land tour that is not the full day my question is based upon your travels with them do they go out in the AM for 2 or is it normally 3 hours and then do they go back onto the island just to offer an activity, unless you want to stay aboard and read, just to make the clients feel they had 2 outings but it often is almost more of the same. Am I making my point? Thanks once again.

Louise

I don't know which day you are talking about so don't know what they have in mind. It might be that once back on board for lunch, the ship will be moving on to another location. I really don't remember staying in the same place all day. In the great scheme of things does this really make a difference?

StanKase

Louise: I know it does not mean much to some people but in the Galopagos we went for 7 full days and on 2 stops we went on to Isabella from 9-12 and then again from 1:30-4 and while it was very hot we saw 98% the same reptiles as well as the same birds.I realize my wife and i could have stayed on-board but we thought we would miss a lot of major sightings.
On March 10 on our trip if you do not mind looking at we have a stop and I am sure you have had similar ones on your several journeys: When they water-land on the island generally how long do they stay (I realize it depends of course how much is there to see) and when they might return to the island in the afternoon was it for a shorter or equal time and did you get the feeling that "I saw most of that in the AM" and while the guide was informative it was "an activity for activity sake" and I would just as well have stayed on board and relaxed? Does that clarify my question. I know I must be getting you annoyed with all the questions but my wife and I remember that trip to Ecudor in a negative light for that very reason after having spent about $13,000 in 1997.Prices have come down since but they were allowing fewer boats in 12+ years ago.

Louise

It looks to me like March 10th is either a full day of snorkeling or perhaps the ship after the morning snorkeling is proceeding on to the next stop which might be the next day. I think the only way you will know for sure is to call Zegrahm and ask them exactly what is their schedule. A lot of the places you are going I haven't been so can't help you in that respect. I don't remember duplicating excursions in any location though. Too bad that happened on your Galapagos trip - I thought it was amazing but one excursion on each island would have been enough for me too.

StanKase

Loiuse I checked and they said they do not know until 30-60 days prior to departure. I am going ahead hoping that the $30,000 with air (purchased on my own plus trip insurance through TravelGuard, far better than what they suggest)is a memorable trip. Our $25,000+/- trip to Egypt/Israel last October was very enjoyable but not up to our expectations despite the fact we had good private guide/drivers and stayed at 4 and 5 star hotels.
We are going to add a 4 night- 3 full days- to Central Java staying at Losari Resort and hire private guide/drivers for day trips to see from what I hear awesome natural beauty not found in Bali, Thailand or Malaysia.
I cannot thank you enough.
Stan

Louise

I am glad I could help a little bit. You will have a wonderful time. I see you have John Yersin from England as one of the leaders - you will love him. He is a bundle of energy and each morning when time permits he has "stretch & groan" excersizing for whoever wishes to partake. I met his wife and him years ago on the Clipper Adventurer from Scotland to Iceland. I have been on cruises with him since then. His wife and I still correspond. I know most of the others. Natalia and Thomas are great and Kim Saunders is wonderful.

Don't take flippers unless you are really attached to your own as they have them on board. Also, it seems like in the last few years nobody dresses up much at all at dinnertime. Capris or slacks and a blouse or shirt - nothing fancy. I don't even remember a captain's dinner the last time.

I went to Egypt with my niece about 5 years ago with Maupintour. It was a fabulous trip. A very small group of 7 - I actually enjoy being with others - at least when everyone gets along.

I didn't get insurance through Zegrahm either although I thought their air rates were good considering the one way flights.

Looks like you are going to have a pretty relaxing spell at the end - the resort appears to be lovely. You will have to let me know how you liked the whole trip. Have a wonderful time. Let me know if you have any more questions. Louise

StanKase

Louise; We returned from our Zegrahm Expedition to Indonesia last Friday. It was just as you described. An excellent organization with quality guides, good service and interesting guests. The ship was 85% full probably due to the economy but they did not spare any expense really. The food was satisfactory. Breakfasts and lunches were quite good but the dinners ranged from fair to good. The folks who had begun at Port Moresby said the dinners were far superior the first 2 weeks compared to the Indonesian portion we were on. They may have changed chefs in Monado to an Indonesian chef to get local flair, If so, that was not a good idea. But we went for the snorkeling and diving and we could not have asked for better locations. The guides went out 1 hour before a stop for the day and scounted the best spots and then in a very organized manner transferred us from the ships to the zodiacs and into the water and back to the ship. We were able to be in the water 12 times in 14 days. Most of the land stops were very interesting where the locals really needed the funds that Zegrahm gave them to show us around. Some of the stops were to ceromonial and it was like the locals were asked to "dance for dollars" and we would have preferred just walking around and asking questions with our Indonesion guideon-board Lek doing the translating.the guides were quite knowledgeable and Mike Messik was an exceptional Expedtion Leader. After the trip ended in Bali we flew on our own to Central Jave and with a pre-arranged guide through Borbudortravelandtours.com we had an exceptional 5 days getting off the beaten path to areras the tourists are not aware of. Sure we visited the major Buddist Temples and magnificant Dieng Plateau but to gain acess to small villages tucked in behind rice fields was very informative and special. So all in all our 3 weeks between the expedition and land tour in Central Java was terrific.