1000 divers in independence day

[Kuntarini]

Hello there!

Indonesian Navy together with Indonesian divers are going to hold a breaking record event in Indonesian Independence Day in Menado : 1000 DIVERS.

Let's join and gather with divers from all over the world!! It's open for foreigners, too.

The interesting part is : return transportation by KRI (Naval Ship of Republic Indonesia) with free meals along the journey, and free accommodation on board (KRI) during the staying in Menado. Wouldn't it be memorable experience traveling with Indonesian Naval Ship?

So far it lacks of publication, so spread the news to foreign media. The ship is open for foreign journalists too.

Should you have any thing further to ask, please call the numbers I posted below.

Hereby the itinerary and the registration information :

I. Registration Places

1. Jakarta : Posko Sail Bunaken
Dinas Penerangan Angkatan Laut
Gd. B lantai 1 Mabesal Cilangkap
Telp 021-8723315
Fax : 021-84590878, 021-8710628

2. Surabaya : Dinas Potensi Maritim (DISPOTMAR) Lantamal V
JL. Laksda M. Nasir No. 56 Surabaya
Telp (031) 3282483

3. Makassar : Dinas Potensi Maritim (DISPOTMAR) Lantamal VI
Jl. Yos Sudarso No. 308 Makasar
Telp. (0411) 315211 ext. 128

4. Manado : Dinas Potensi Maritim (DISPOTMAR) Lantamal VIII
Jl. Yos Sudarso No. 1, Kairagi Weru Manado
Telp. (0431) 851300
Mobile phone : 081356104432


II. Registration Dates : 7-15 May 2009

III. Registration Requisites

• Minimum Age : 18 years old
• Submitting ID card copy
• Submitting Diver Certificate copy
• Own complete Diving Equipment
• Filling in Registration Form
• Filling in Statement Letter
• Paying insurance – the amount is to be announced
• For Foreigners : agree to follow the rules set by the committee.

IV. Participants Will Be Provided :

• Transportation by KRI (The Naval Ship of Republic of Indonesia)

-Jakarta – Manado return with free meals during the voyage
-Surabaya – Manado return with free meals during the voyage

• T-Shirt and a cap
• A certificate signed by KASAL (The Chief of Navy Forces Staff)
• Free Accommodation on board (KRI) during the event in Manado.

V. Itinerary (Temporary)

• Briefing :

Jakarta : 14 May 2009
Surabaya : 16 May 2009
Makassar : 18 May 2009
Manado : 20 May 2009

• Boarding the KRI from :

Jakarta : 9 August 2009
Surabaya : 10 August 2009
Makassar : 12 August 2009
Manado : 14 August 2009

• Rehearsal : 15 August 2009
• Final Rehearsal : 16 August 2009
• Event : 17 August 2009
• Return home from Manado : 19 August 2009
• Arrive at Surabaya/Jakarta : 23/24 August 2009

Be there!

Salam,

Tari

[atlantis]

Me!Me!Me! I am already there!
I'll drop by DISPOTMAR in Manado one of this day to register.

Thanks Tari to let us know about it...
What a shame, it happens in MY city and I am not even aware of it

I have to admit that I stayed away from all the fuss that are gonna happen in Manado for the World Ocean Conference next month.
http://www.woc2009.org/home.php

[Kuntarini]

Hi Atlantis!

I know that you're going the one who respond this.......hahaha.......

By the way, could you do me a favor, a member of indobackpacker mailing list questioned me whether it is supposed to be 1500 DIVERS instead of 1000 DIVERS. I am a bit hesitate here.......So, could I please to ask you to ask this to DISPOTMAR staff, and would you ask for the confirmation whether transportation from Jakarta by KRI is free or not? My understanding is it is free, but I may be wrong. I would be glad if you could post the staff answers here so that everybody can read the correct information.

Thank you very much before, Atlantis....

[atlantis]

I'll do it for you Kunta, who is such a good promoter of Indonesia!
However, I'd be away from Manado this week and I may come with the answer only by the end of the week.
However, I for sure will post the answer.
Take care,
Olivier

[ohmdafyd]

Sounds like a fantastic experience...wish I could dive..

[atlantis]

Never too late to learn. My oldest student was...70+! She came to me at a time I was still teaching, with a doctor certificate and that cool dream to once in her life dive! Nice old lady.

[Captain]

Hello there!
[*]For Foreigners : agree to follow the rules set by the committee.

Not sure to get that one ?

I guess locals must agree NOT to follow the rules set by the committee then ? or they can just do as they wish...?

Unless that means that those bloody lawless (as opposite to Indo) foreigners are reminded that they must follow the rules which are assumed to be automatically & fully respected by locals ?

Beside that, it is quite a nice & original experience. I wish I would have time...

[atlantis]

KRI (Kapal Republik Indonesia) are military ships. Therefore I guess that some areas are restricted to foreigners and photos souvenir are strictly regulated, as it would be with any military ship in any other country (on top of areas stricly forbidden to non military members, whatever nationality they are). Just a wild guess.
Another reason could well be about the diving part. It is not gonna be a recreational diving stuf/fun dive and I guess that they fear that foreigners misunderstand the underwater program with a fun dive.

Kunta, I have part of your answer. It is 1500 divers. My wife already knew about the program and did not even tell me about it !
I'll post here further infos from DISPOTMAR.

[Captain]

I indeed thought it was a kind of fun dive experience for Public Relation purposes (for the army & also to encourage Indo tourism).
About National Security, in western countries there are often open days & air show where public (foreigners included) can visit military ships / military airplanes with a lot of freedom to take pictures (except new "top secret" such as stealth airplane).

[simarkbotak]

I guess locals must agree NOT to follow the rules set by the committee then ? or they can just do as they wish...?

Unless that means that those bloody lawless (as opposite to Indo) foreigners are reminded that they must follow the rules which are assumed to be automatically & fully respected by locals ?

This might be a bit OOT, but when I went to Bunaken a year or two ago, I remember that the guides on the boat we hired to go snorkeling, said. "It's ok to stand on the Reef, just don't let the bule's see you."

No wonder indonesian tourist destinations get wrecked so quickly, not by tourism, but by the locals.