Manado - Day 3

Day 3
8th Dec 2006

J went diving at 7am. Got up at 8 and ordered my breakfast - fried eggs layered with melted cheese, bacon and tomato on toast. Had breakfast on the verandah , looking out to the azure sea and neighbouring islands with the breeze blowing through my hair, coconut trees swaying, clear blue sky, the waves breaking at the shore…Are you jealous yet? But seriously, it's picture postcard pretty. Loving every minute of it.

It's full house at KBR since we got here, but most of the guests left today. The only guests left are the US Marines. They’re staying here while training the local coast guards. I expected them to be a rowdy bunch, but to my surprise they were quite well-behaved. So, here I am at this idyllic island resort with all these gorgeous, beefy hunks walking around. Nice eye candies for me. Not doing anything wrong by Mr Man, just enjoying the view..hihi

(ok, gotta split..it’s beer o’clock with my new buddies by the pool ;)

Manado - Day 2

Day 2
7th Dec 2006

Amazingly, I had a pretty good sleep lastnight. Normally it would take me a couple of days at least to adjust myself and get comfortable enough to sleep well in a new environment. I guess its not hard to fall asleep to the sound of waves rushing to the shore.

Opened the door to a beautiful, sunny day. Clear blue sky, breezy. Friendly resort staff greeted me as I was walking to the restaurant. Started raining while I was having my breakie. It did nothing to dampen my happy mood.

After breakfast, I went up to check my mail and chill out at the tv / library area above the restaurant which has a spectacular view of the bay and other islands. It was so relaxing that I lost track of time. Before I knew it, it was already time for lunch.

“ Mr Isley would like you to join him for lunch at the restaurant. May I take your order now, ma’am?”, asked the staff while I was staring at the water, lost in my own thoughts.

The day went by quickly. Had so much to eat for dinner..I’m definitely going to gain weight here. yay!

Smiled all the way back to our beautiful chalet by the beach, under the moonlit sky, on a starry, starry night..A very happy bunny indeed.

Manado - Day 1

Day 1
6th Dec 2006

It was a 3hr flight from Singapore to Manado. We arrived at Manado airport at about 2pm. Jim & Cary was there to give us a nice, warm welcome. They run Eco-Divers, which runs Kungkungan Bay Resort & Tasik Ria Resort.

The drive from the airport to Kungkungan Bay Resort (KBR) took approximately 1 ½ hours. Passed by lots of churches and neat wood frame houses, with picket fences and flower gardens. As the driver drove down the hill to Kungkungan Bay Resort, this was my first glimpse of KBR..





All I could manage to say for the next half an hour was ‘Wow!!’, over and over again. :D

Had dinner with Steve & Miranda , the managers of the resort, Kevin Haigh, owner of Red Sea Images, Caroline (who runs Tasik Ria Resort with her husband, Bjorn), her cute baby boy, Moi and a Swedish guest, Anika.

Dinner was sashimi, tom yam kuung and Minahasan chicken curry. Simply delicious.

Kevin shared some underwater photos that he’s taken on this trip. They were amazing, especially the ones of the flamboyant cuttlefish hatching from its egg. Amazing colours.

Knackered by 10pm, we headed back to our chalet. Can’t wait to explore the resort in the morning.

Hello Manado!

So, here I am, finally. Manado. And it’s absolutely gorgeous!!! ‘Where?’, you say? That’s what friends & family said when I told them where I was going. Few people know about this beautiful place or are fortunate enough, as I am, to visit. Let’s give you a little run down on Manado…

Manado





Manado city is the provincial capital of North Sulawesi, Indonesia.. The Island of Sulawesi, previously known as Celebes, lies like an orchid shaped island in the pearl chain of the Indonesian archipelago. The next tourism city by 2010. Manado itself dominant by Minahasan ethnicity which most of them came from nearby region called Minahasa & Tomohon. Manado itself known as "The twelfh Province of Netherland" with majority Christians. 'Dutch in Minahasa & Manado' is the starting point for exploration of the Minahasa region's many attractions.





One of the most western oriented people in Indonesia, the Minahasa, are Christians and friendly people. Their first contact with Europeans was with the arrival of Spanish and Portuguese spice traders. However it wasn't till the Dutch landed on their shores that they became totally Christianised. Dutch influence grew subduing indigenous traditions. "Minahasa" refers to the confederacy of tribes and existing monuments bear evidence to the ancient system of tribes and clans. Fun-loving and extroverted, the Minahasa people live in neat wood frame houses, with fences and flower gardens, giving Manado a European feel.

There is a wide range of hotels and restaurants. Those with an adventurous palate should try the famously hot and spicy Minahasa cuisine. The Minahasan curry is scrumptious! Very much to my liking. The city's numerous shops and markets are filled with an abundance of consumer goods and agricultural produce, while behind every building are glimpses of emerald hills and azure sea.

Inland from Manado, a trip through the Minahasa Highlands will take you to intriguing prehistoric above-ground burial sites, volcanoes, hot springs, the highland lake Tondano and breathtaking panoramas of lush mountains, coffee and coconut plantations, orchid gardens and terraced hillsides. From Manado, also be sure to visit the Dua Saudara Nature Reserve, home to birds and other wildlife unique to Sulawesi, such as the Tarsier - the smallest monkey, cus cus, Hornbill etc.

Getting to Manado, North Sulawesi

Manado ( North Sulawesi ) is an accessible capital city, reachable via international flights from Singapore / Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur), Philippines (DAVAO) and domestic daily flights from Jakarta, Surabaya, Balikpapan and Bali.






I am staying at the beautiful Kungkungan Bay Resort. Fell in love with it at first sight. Life is so good to me…

Our home :D

A little bit on my home for the next 2 weeks… :D

Kungkungan Bay Resort (KBR)

Kungkungan Bay Resort is a renowned upscale dive resort set in a large bay on the protected side of the beautiful tropical island of North Sulawesi. Kungkungan Bay is a part of the world famous Lembeh Strait which in the last few years has become the premier macro and critter diving destination in the world.



In harmony with the surrounding nature, Kungkungan Bay Resort, or just 'KBR' to its many fans, is built on a former coconut plantation. Kungkungan faces the Lembeh Strait and guests dining in the over-the-water restaurant have an unfettered view of this unique and peaceful setting.

Facilities at KBR include a private jetty with camera rinse tanks and hot showers, swimming pool with swim-up bar, lounge, internet access ( even by the beach!) and lending library. Restaurant service is available 24-hours of every day. Currently under construction, the resort’s facilities will be enhanced with the opening of a health spa to cater to your every need from traditional massage to coiffeur treatments or sauna.