Halmahera - Guest Comments

Testimonials: Raja Ampat Dive Lodge

Raja Ampat Dive Lodge, December 2009 , By Isabelle and Marc (Language: French)

Testimonials: Diving Komodo, Raja Ampat, Misool, Banda & Alor
with Grand Komodo

Trip : Triton - RajaAmpat on NOV 21 - 03, 2008
Vessel : mv PutriPapua

Today I have come home to Switzerland from my wonderful trip to Indonesia. The highlight of my trip was clearly the cruise aboard the Putri Papua. This has been my 11th liveaboard cruise and it was one of the best so far. Compared to other liveaboards the Putri Papua is maybe a bit simpler than others, but the quality of service on the boat was really outstanding compared to almost every other cruise I have done so far. Jonny, Nowak and all the other guys from the crew did an excellent job to provide us with great diving, good food, good mood and last but last least a safe feeling all the time. We will for sure recommend the Putri Papua and Grand Komodo Tours to our friends and I’m already looking forward to come back (hopefully soon). The only thing we missed was Nitrox, but this is maybe difficult to arrange on a small boat like the Putri Papua. I’m not yet ready to book a next trip, but I have seen that you also offer land tours in Irian Jaya. This would maybe be an option for my next trip to Indonesia. Are you planning to offer these trips also in 2009 or 2010? Tom Weilenmann & party (Switzerland) (1st time)

Trip : Komodo tour on Nov 11 – 14, 2008
Vessel : mv Keti

We had a generous and friendly staff, good and varied food, nice tours and excellent snorkelling. We would like to thank everyone for the nice time aboard mv Keti. Marianne Kwok & Ronald Sperling (Netherland) (1st time)

Trip : Komodo tour on Nov 08 – 11, 2008
Vessel : mv Keti

I found everyone very helpful, pleasant and thoughtful. The cook / guide knew of my interest in birds & dragons & snorkelling and tailored my trip accordingly. The food was delicious. I will recommend your company to friends. An excellent trip. Christopher Newbold (UK) (1st time)

Trip : Komodo diving on Nov 07 – 14, 2008
Vessel : mv NusaTara

Nice and helpful team. Food was good. We are totally satisfied. We are looking forward to go on another trip with you ! Alex, Thomas, Sonja, Martin (UK) (2nd time)

Trip : Misool – Banda – Alor on NOV 02-18, 2008
Vessel : mv Raja Ampat Explorer

We are back from our holiday in Indonesia and started this week with our work in our offices. Puuh – the change is hard for us. It was a wonderful trip and we like to thank you and your crew for all the things they arranged for us. The organisation was absolute perfect. On every stopover (Bali-Makassar) we were received by a person and everything – incl. check in at the airline counter with excess baggage – was done for us. The service on board of Raja Ampat Explorer was fantastic. Our deck cabin (1112) was wonderful for both of us. I had an open food space bed and Petra like it more to be in a deck cabin than in a cabin down in the ship. The diving in this area is really outstanding. We also had luck with the weather. To say it in short words, it was one of our best diving trips we ever had. Therefore we are looking ahead to repeat the trip Misool-Banda-Alor end of next year. I don’t know whether the schedule is now fixed, but please pencil us in the next trip on Raja Ampat Explorer Nov/Dec 2009, preferable in the same cabin. Greetings from the cold Germany (rain, abt. 2 °Cels.) Petra and Rainer Tilker (Germany) (4th time)

Trip : Komodo on Oct 28 – 03, 2008
Vessel : mv Tarata

We are very content with the whole crew. The diving was very well organized. The cuisine was excellent. The boat is very comfortable and perfectly planned for diving. Lucury on board (AC in every cabin, anti – slippery mat). Crew is very attentive and helpful. Great fish books. Thank you for the great trip. Mac Himes Group (Germany) (1st time)

Trip : Raja Ampat on Oct 25-04, 2008
Vessel : mv PutriPapua

The boat crew are very helpful. We never had a perfect crew like this. The guide is not only a perfect guide but a perfect tour leader too. The cooking is very fine. Thanks for this wonderful trip. We will come again. Albrecth (Germany) (1st time)

Trip : Komodo tour on Sep 12-14, 2008
Vessel : mv Tarata

Trip : Komodo on August 20 - 22, 2008
Vessel : mv Keti

The itinerary well put together. Extremely well looked after, crew helpful + supportive + happy ! Food excellent + plentiful.Altogether an excellent trip. A wonderful experience of dragons, snorkeling and boat trip. Simon & Tanya & Thomas Russell (UK) (1st time)

Trip : Komodo tour on August 17 - 19, 2008
Vessel : mv Keti

Very interesting and well organized excursion. The guide and the boat crew very helpful and friendly. I will not hesitate to recommend this trip to people. Lamuniere/Favre (France) (1st time)

Trip : Komodo on July 03-05, 2008
Vessel : mv Keti

We were very satisfied with the whole trip, the crew and mainly with the guide. The meal was served very well and they fulfilled all our wishes. Tomas Konvicka (Czech) (1st time)

Trip : Raja Ampat on June 29 – 09, 2008
Vessel : mv Putri Papua

Saya dan kids ingin mengucapkan terimaksih atas service dari Grand Komodo. Trip kami sangat menyenangkan dan saya pribadi sangat ingin kembali ke Raja Ampat dengan Grand Komodo lagi. Mungkin saya akan arrange trip dengan orang kantor saya. Dirzi Zaidan & Family (Indonesia) (1st time).

Trip : Raja Ampat on June 29 – 06, 2008
Vessel : mv Raja Ampat Explorer

Crewnya sangat helpful dan ramah. Diving + other activities memuaskan sekali. Kapalnya bagus. GREAT FOOD !! Overall sangat menyenangkan. Saskia (Indonesia) (1st time)

Trip : Komodo diving on JUN 28-05, 2008
Vessel : mv NusaTara

Many many thanks for all your work in arranging such a lovely holiday for Erin and myself . The diving in Komodo was fantastic and all the crew looked after me very well. The trek on Rinjani was wonderful. Our guide, Jay, could not have done more to make the trek so memorable. Our stay at Gili Meno was also lovely and gave us some some well-earned rest and relaxation after all the diving and trekking! I am now just settling into a new job in London but am already thinking of my next diving trip to Indonesia. Thank you once again for your help. I hope to see you again soon! Richard Weatherhogg (UK) (1st time)

Trip : Komodo on MAY 28 - 04, 2008
Vessel : mv PutriPapua

The entire trip was wonderful. The food was great and delicious. The cabins were very clean and the beds comfortable. The entire crew was helpful and friendly. The dive guides took us to intereing places and colorful reefs. We even got to see MANTA RAYS. Our dive sites were varied and all were interesting. The night dives were always in calm water. Our trip to Komodo enabled to see the dragons. That is something that I had wanted to do for 50 years. A dream came true ! your office staff was very helpful and friendly. We couldn’t be happier. Our suggestion : on the last night dock the boat away from the town. Sean & Sue KEARNEY (USA) (1st time)

Trip : Bali Safari Diving on MAY 29 – 03, 2008

I wanted to thank you so much for making my trip such a success !! I have forwarded all the infor to my friends, you made the trip so perfect for us !!. See you again. Colleen Callagher & Dan Silvera.

Trip : Komodo diving on May 25 – 30, 2008
Vessel : mv Tarata

Good diving and good diving. Worth to come again. Andy o Wai Kee & group (HongKong) (1st time)

Trip : Komodo & Rinca Tour on May 25 – 28, 2008
Vessel : mv NusaTara

Food excellent, crew very friendly, guide very helpful and knowledgeable. Everything was bagus and food enak. I will recommend this trip to my friends and tell the tour agent in Belanda that we were very happy with this trip. Franco – Yulianto – Patricia (Netherland) (1st time)

Trip : Komodo on MAY 16 – 20, 2008
Vessel : mv PutriPapua

I have lived in Asia for many years, only recently locating to Jakarta. I have been diving since I was a teenager having experienced many dive operations. The quality of service and experience provided by Grand Komodo ranks right near the top. The logistics from Jakarta were flawless. With all airport meet and greet on time. The boat was clean, the food excellent and the entire crew were very friendly. I felt like a guest in an old friend’s house. Everything even worked on the boat including aircon and hot water (spent a week in Thailand on a very expensive boat with NO A/C). The dive guide knew the dive sites, paid close attention to safety and was thoroughly engaged under water. The deck and boat crew did their jobs and sent us underwater with well filled tanks. I’ll be back! Raja Ampat calls ! Ralph Venzeland (USA) (1st time)

Nice trip right from the start. Everything arranged & coordinated including flights, hotel, meet/greet at airports & even T’Shirts. Comfortable live-aboard, clean and tidy. Food was excellent. Crew were attentive & friendly. Cabins were always made up & tidy by time we finished first dive every day. DM was very knowledgeable about the dive sites & what we would find there. Very safety conscious & ensured we were always in line with the dive plan. An excellent trip which we would definitely recomment to friends & colleagues. Mv PutriPapua was very nice. Eric Doguet & Rob Drysdale (USA) (1st time)

Trip : Komodo Flores Tour on May 10-18, 2008
Vessel : mv Tarata

Staff was wonderful, so attentive. I stepped on sea urchin and the cook very gently cared for my aching feet! They made me feel so safe & secure each time I step in or out of the boat. Little suggestion is to offer cereal at breakfast as an alternative to what is prepared hot (which is always delicious). Diane Ganci (USA) (1st time)

There can not be any improvement in kindness, attentiveness and overall care. Food was very good and choices wonderful. However a good tomato sauce for pasta would be good instead of bbq sauce. For breakfast a little more choice in cereal including fiber or farina. Nice wooden boat. The crew always work with smile on their face. Best banana pancakes. Peter & Richi Hoekstra (USA) (1st time).

The trip was fabulous. The crew is so wonderful, strong and caring !! Everyone very attentive, willing to help out in any way. Will tell all our friends and relatives !!!! Dr Anne R. Shteir & Nancy W (USA) (1st time)

I was very impressed at the ship not having cockroaches. The crew was very helpful to two guests who were not so able to move easily. Everything was very nice. Kathy Win (USA) (1st time)

My experience on this ship and with all of the crew has been completely satisfactory and most enjoyable. This being my first trip to the Indonesian islands. The crew was attentive and courteous all the time. Thanks for a memorable experience ! Filomena Yarussi (USA) (1st time)

Trip : Komodo on APR 27-02, 2008
Vessel : mv PutriPapua

Excellent. This is the best dive site and crew. The boat is clean, the food tasty, the cook friendly. Everyone helpful. We will come again for sure. Beautiful place, expecially under water, marvelous. Thanks a lot deep from our hearts. Mo Mei Ling (HK) (1st time)

It is a very nice trip. Relax, funny. Saw a lot of fish, coral, 8 mantas in one dive ! Excellent ! Enjoyed the strong current. Good service, nice food, experienced DMs. Chan Saw Tak (HK) (1st time)

Trip : Komodo on APR 23-29, 2008
Vessel : mv Tarata

Hey, thanks again for a great trip. Kids, adults, everyone had a fabulous time. I really appreciate all the help you extended us making it happen. The crew were a fantastic group of guys. Delightful. Joel Simoneti and Jakarta International School group (4th time) (USA)

Trip : Komodo tour on APR 17-19, 2008
Vessel : mv NusaTara

Excellent tour, perfect guide. Alex Papadimitropoulos (Greece) (1st time)

Tour was set up well, everything went according to schedule. Good safety when snorkeling and swimming, always someone watching. Crew was very helpful and friendly. Neil P. Kelly (Thailand) (1st time)

Trip : RajaAmpat on APR 13-18, 2008
Vessel : mv TemuKira

Best service. Crew are very hospitable. Very good delicious food. Netnapa Yingkitpinyo, Alonghorn Intarachai, Panutcha Bunnag (Oui) (Thailand)

Trip : Komodo tour on MAR 23 - 30, 2008
Vessel : mv NusaTara

The diving was great. The guide knew the current and led us well. The food was delicious. A really good week of diving. Sandra McCrossan & party (Canada) (1st time)

Trip : Komodo tour on MAR 19-22, 2008
Vessel : mv Tarata

Semua yang kami alami sangat menyenangkan sekali. Semua awak kapal sangat baik sekali pelayanannya. Pisang goreng setiap hari. Pengalaman melihat komodo, koral dan ikan dilaut tak akan pernah kami lupakan. Kami akan menyampaikan pengalaman ini kepada orang-orang di Jerman, dimana kami tinggal. Leny Madlung family (Germany) (1st time)

Trip : Alor on MAR 10-22, 2008
Vessel : mv PutriPapua

Very good and helpful crew. Good diving, good food. We were very satisfied (Dr. Michael Bode) Alles super (Willi Winkelmann).

Nice trip overall and very good mood stimulated by the crew onboard ! Good coordination (Dr Lutz Weise).

All the best ! DMs very pleasant and professional! Very thoughtful crew and good understanding (Olaf Galeke) Dr. Michael Bode & group (Germany) (2nd time)

Trip : Komodo on MAR 08-15, 2008
Vessel : mv NusaTara

Diving: Manta mania and more
Boat : simple, but perfect for us (we love the deckchairs)
Food : we love the cook !!
Service : again, simply the best
We come back !
Best diving I ‘ ve ever had !!! Great DMs, great crew !!!
Ute Kerstingjohanne & Martin Niesen & group (Germany)(1st time)

Trip : RajaAmpat on MAR 02-12, 2008
Vessel : mv Raja Ampat Explorer

Really enjoyed pearl farm tour. Nice to have map of Raja Ampat area so each guest can plot route of trip. Very good food ! Big lagoon very beautiful. Very nice dive sites. Need bigger sink in bathroom. Boat is well maintained. Staff consistently friendly and helpful. It was nice to see so many familiar faces still working on the boat after 1 year. Also it was nice to see now the the entire crew, from the captain to engineers, chef, cruise staff, dive guides etc work together to help things run smoothly. Reference library should include a more compact fish guide, about the size of the nudibranch & crustacean books. Also a book on corals. Margaret Neuer (USA) (2nd time)

Really enjoyed the diving and live-aboard facilities (first class). The crew and DMs were knowledgeable and very friendly (fantastic team). Norman Birah (USA) (2nd time)

Good trip, good diving, good food ! Have a world atlas and books on coral, anemones. Add fans to dining room. Map of Indonesia on wall. Very enjoyable experience. Good job, happy smiles ! Excellent trip ! Nedd bigger sizes in T-shirts. Use label or marker for each water bottle at beginning of trip so passengers don’t keep taking new bottles. E.L. Dunn (USA) (2nd time)

Trip : RajaAmpat on FEB 19-29, 2008
Vessel : mv RajaAmpat Explorer

Hello from Russia, Moscow ! The group of our tourists with instructor Victor had a rest 19 - on February, 29th on a yacht Raja Explorer, route Raja Ampat. We wish to tell many thanks for an excellent trip, all was pleasant very much . Now we would like to make booking of the same yacht next year. There is some fotos from our trip. Marina (Russia)(1st time)

Thank you very much for your professional service. We’ve already met the best diving in the reality. Hope, we’ll see again. Instr. Victor Igolkin (Russia) (1st time)

Trip : Misool & RajaAmpat on FEB 12-25, 2008
Vessel : mv TemuKira

I had a wonderful dive adventure although I was somewhat sick for the two weeks. DMs assisted me in strong current. The food was delicious. I was assisted with my equipment and enjoyed practicing Indonesian. Great trip. The crew really tried hard to make our trip enjoyable. The captain ran the boat flawlessly & provided fresh fish. The food was great. Great host & great DM.Beverly & Dean Knight (USA) (1st time)

Trip : RajaAmpat on FEB 07-17, 2008
Vessel : mv RajaAmpat Explorer

Diving was so exciting (Sandra Lai) (China) (1st time)

Thank you very much for making this trip a really enjoyable experience. The boat is comfortable. The staff are all very helpful. The guides were very experience and planned our divers very carefully and took care of all of us. (Eileen Ma & Peter Wang) (China) (1st time)

Good boat and helpful staff. Good leader and professional / experienced guides. Very friendly and helpful crew. (Stephen An) (China) (1st time)

Trip : Raja Ampat on JAN 31-10, 2008
Vessel : mv TemuKira

Great diving and dive guides with terrific eyes, Very nice food !! Crew is very attentive to our needs. (Bonnie Wong & Kelvin Lee) (China) (1st time)

The best diving in the world ! Excellent coral formations and there’s always something ned to discover on every dive. Wobbegongs, ponton’s pygmy seahorse, mangrove forests, manta rays, huge gorgonian sea fans, Denise pygmy sea horse, brueringed octopus, epaulette shark … this place is a photographer’s dream. (Michelle Wu) (China) (1st time)

I twisted my ankle on my for day onboard. One of the crew volunteered to offer massage on my leg. My ankle was recoverd on the day after. Your crew save me a dive trip. (Camil Adam Minu) (China) (2nd time)

Team work is our strength, Quality our tradition …..
INDONESIA …… Unity in diversity ……