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Photo credits to Jim Watt and Kararu Dive Voyages.

Warm greetings to all readers of the Kararu Dive Voyages Newsletter.

In this edition, Komodo is our chosen theme. For starters, don’t miss our exciting trip report on Kararu’s latest cruise to Komodo. Next, scientists have recently proven that the lethal bite of the Komodo Dragon, is actually delivered via poisonous teeth, not bacteria, read on for the “gory” details.

And lastly, help us make Komodo one of the 7 natural wonders of the world, find out in this issue how you can help us vote. And after all that exciting news on Komodo, read about our great specials coming up for Raja Empat trips, check it all out below.

Trip report from another great Komodo cruise

Our first twelve day Komodo trip this year just ended and it was amazing. We welcomed back some friends from Northern California who were with us last year in Raja Ampat. Our first full day was spent at Banta, where we saw the first manta of the trip along with adolescent white tips hiding under table corals, turtles and a trio of mobula rays. The night dive added a giant frogfish that one of the guests thought should have been tested for steroids, stargazers, snake eels and more nudis to the trip tally.

On to Gili Laua Laut, where we had the highest octane dive of the trip at a site called Hard to Find Rock. When the current is running the action is non-stop, with upwards of a dozen white tip sharks, a couple of grey reefs and at least fifty Giant Trevally looking to dine on some of the thousands of Fusilier, Surgeonfish and Schooling Banner fish that were just trying to make it through the day.

Crystal Rock had as many big schools as we’ve ever seen there. There were about a hundred Sweetlips hanging out together and a school of a thousand Humpback Snapper.

Throw in some patrolling Blue Fin Trevally, more Giant Trevally, a huge Napoleon Wrasse and a Spotted Eagle Ray and you’ve got fish soup Komodo style. Another dive at The Cauldron, and then we ended the day with cocktails on the back deck watching the sun go down.

The next morning we went to see the Komodo Dragons on the island of Rinca. When we got to the ranger station there were seven or eight dragons anywhere from three to seven feet (one to two+ meters) waiting to greet, and or eat, us. The guided trek through the back country of Rinca was a nice chance to get back on solid ground.

Overnight we made our way south, where we spent a couple days diving the pristine waters of Horseshoe Bay. Cannibal Rock is one of the healthiest most species diverse dive sites on earth. There were rhinopias, frogfish and nudis, living among a mind-numbing assortment of corals and sponges in as many colors and textures as you can imagine.

You have to see it to believe it. It really does live up to the hype. The diving at Yellow Wall o’ Texas and Torpedo Alley was outstanding as well.

From here we made our way back north and ended with a day and a half in Sangeang where we saw the (un)usual assortment of weird and wonderful critters that call it’s black sand/muck home.

Sightings included frogfish, ghost pipefish (ornate and robust), tozeuma shrimp, pom-pom crabs and dozens of different nudibranch. It’s really hard to put into words the richness of the experience when a group of really nice, fun-loving people who are crazy for diving, seeing new and unique marine life and having a good time doing it get together aboard the Cheng Ho and sail the waters of Komodo. These guys had a blast and they’re coming back next year to do it again. Maybe you should come and see for yourself what the buzz is about.

P.S. Strong winds out of the south prevented us from diving Manta Alley, in Langkoi, this trip, but on the next trip we went there and saw fifteen to twenty mantas.

Safe Diving, Pete Fratesi and Kristine Hobson

Komodo dragons use poison to kill their prey

It is no secret that the Komodo dragon has a very lethal bite. What the dragon has been keeping a secret from science for years is the belief that the cause of death from the Komodo dragon's bite was due to bacteria living on its teeth. Recent research, has shocked the scientific community revealing that the real cause of the deadly bite is due to a powerful poison in the Komodo dragons’ sharp serrated teeth.

When allowed to flows freely onto a gaping wound in its prey, the venom from the teeth thins the blood of the victim, increasing blood flow, creating a state of shock and ultimate death. Good thing we accompany you on our excursions with guides with big sticks and our safety record over 11 years is 100%! Interested in reading the full scoop, click HERE

New Seven Wonders of the World

The ancient Greeks loved to compile lists of the marvelous structures in their world. Though we think of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World as a single list today, there were actually a number of lists compiled by different Greek writers. Antipater of Sidon, and Philon of Byzantium, drew up two of the most well-known lists.

Today many people think the time has come for a new list of the Seven wonders of the world. The Swiss-based New Seven Wonders of the World is a project that attempts to revive the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World concept with a list of modern wonders. Komodo is proposed to be part of this new 7 wonders of the world list - to vote please click HERE

Villa Markisa resort bali

If you haven’t already tried the newest exclusive resort in Tulamben, East Bali “Villa Markisa” , you are in for a real treat! Nestled at the foot of Bali’s most famous volcano “Gunung Agung”, Villa Markisa’s private bungalows offer individual service and great attention to detail. Dive Bali’s most famous site, Tulamben’s USS Liberty shipwreck just minutes away by high speed tender boat.

For scuba divers who prefer critters, “Seraya Secrets” is directly in front of their beach along with a myriad of other tantalizing dive sites. If you have a few days before or after your trip with Kararu, check it out!

For more information visit their web site HERE

Red Hot Special Deals in 2009

There are a few spots left on some upcoming trips to great diving destinations so forget about world recessions and book fast to receive very attractive discounts!

We have selected an amazing Banda Sea trip as well as some Raja Empat itineraries where we still have limited availability. Diving these areas is an absolute “must” and if you haven’t witnessed first hand the underwater wonders in this area, here is your chance!

Don’t forget to Skype or contact us at info@kararu.com or kararudive@gmail.com for direct booking inquiries. We are looking forward to assisting with your booking. Please quote, “September - newsletter” to receive our very special discounts for these listed trips. NB: valid for new guest bookings only!

22-09 Maumere/Ambon ( OCT. 05-16, 2009 )

Join Kararu Dive Voyages for the best of Alor, the Banda Sea and Ambon - three fantastic dive areas all in one trip! Departing from Maumere, Flores, this trip will take you straight to the many incredible dive sites in the Banda Sea region. This little-visited area has some of the world's richest reefs bursting with unspoiled corals and pelagic fishes.

You can expect reefs bursting with life, huge sea fans and sponges, some monumental hard corals, and more fish than your mask can cope with.

This trip ends in Ambon, which gives us the opportunity to dive some of the excellent macro and muck-dive sites which this area offers. Place your booking now!

25-09 Sorong/Ambon ( NOV. 15-26, 2009 )

Departing from Sorong, Irian Jaya, you are right on the door-step of the many incredible dive sites which Raja Ampat offers. The Raja Ampat island group of Irian Jaya is currently one of the hottest diving destinations on the planet.

Extreme bio-diversity and untouched landscapes rivaling those of the Pacific combined with world class dive sites make these islands one of the world's last scuba diving frontiers. This cruise ends in Ambon which offers world-class macro and muck-diving. Place your booking now!

26-09 Ambon/Sorong ( NOV. 27-DEC. 08, 2009 )

Departing from Ambon and it;s stunning macro and critter life, you will head towards Irian Jaya's Raja Ampat islands, which boast an enormous variety of creatures on the reefs and have recently become a world heritage site. Marine bio-diversity is evident everywhere rivaling any tropical rainforests in species density.

Extreme bio-diversity and untouched landscapes rivaling those of the Pacific combined with world class dive sites make these islands one of the world's last scuba diving frontiers. Contact us for a special deal.

Please contact us for more information about these special deals

The Kararu team and management looks forward to welcoming you on board our vessels for the liveaboard scuba diving expedition of a lifetime. Please feel free to contact any of us at any time or see the 2009 and 2010 cruise schedules at our web site. www.kararu.com/schedules