Banda Snorkel 1
Beez Neez now Chy Whella
Big Bear and Pepe Millard
Fri 29 Jul 2016 22:27
|
Banda Snorkel Number One
 Ashore for nine o’clock, we found
our craft and Bear was soon
settled on the roof. We were going out with a guide, two drivers and
several boat crews.
 We were going to just above the ‘r’ in Vuurberg off Banda Api. Next stop above the first ‘u’ and finally after lunch off the west side of
Keraka. Our guide promised us “a great day in the
best spots”. We have really been looking forward to this trip.
 Out past the rally
boats against the wall.
 Looking over to our anchorage - Brahminy Too, Beez Neez, Matilda,
Wirraway, our local neighbour hiding Wishful Thinking and finally
Serica.
 A sleek local
boat, looking a bit like a hot rod methinks.
  Around the back of Gunung Api we
pulled in to the edge of the lava flow, not very
appealing I hear you say. Well, let’s give it a go. Soon in the water above
coral that has been growing here since 1988 covering the black base with a dull grey. Almost immediately curious fish came for a
closer look.
  Out to the steep
drop off (from five metres to two hundred and fifty in just a few feet)
there were clouds of fish.
    Back in the shallows we saw checkerboard, fancy, yellow and
blue in a tiny area, this is going to be great.
 So many different
fish in one small area.
   Brand new to
us.
 A big boy and
friends.
   Conscious effort to remember the pale, beige and brown chaps.
  A real
snooty and a beautiful Mr Fish.
   Healthy
coral, a big, fat blue starfish and some
interesting yellow coral.
  Wonderful to see a clownfish in a bright pink home. Parrot
and trigger rest together.
 A pipefish
almost got in my mask demanding his shot.
 A cheesy grin as this chap enjoys a
cleaner wrasse’s attention.
  The queue for the
cleaners was quite long.
 A new group to us. These chaps dangle
in the water, noses down, like so many leaves wafting
in the breeze.
  We met three such
herds and were absolutely fascinated.
    The coral
came in muted tones but very healthy.
          So many different
colours amongst the parrots. - the best of
the rest........
        ALL IN ALL AN AMAZING
SMORGASBORD OF FISH
INCREDIBLE LAVA, NEW CORAL AND SO MANY
FISH |