Indonesia Diving Part 3
As I have indicated in my first two Indonesia Diving blogs, diving in the Raja Ampat section of Indonesia offers some of the most spectacular marine biodiversity on this planet. This is especially true for small critters. Don't believe me? Then take a look at these photos by Seacology supporter Jason Marks.
These pics of a nudibranch (top left), scorpion fish (left) and a pygmy seahorse (below left) should have divers reaching for the phone to book a flight to the Raja Ampat area. How do you get there? From the U.S. one of the best ways is to fly into Singapore and then take a series of connecting flights to Sorong, which is the embarkation point for most dive cruises. You can also make your way to Bali and then connect from there to Sorong.
Though the small critters are what Raja Ampat diving is best known for there are some opportunities to get up close and personal with some of the biggest creatures in the sea - Manta Rays. At a dive site called Eagle Rock many huge manta rays buzzed right by us time and time again. It was so much fun that when we ran out of air we took off our tanks and jumped back in with our snorkels for more manta ray encounters. These are incredibly majestic and graceful beings.
The next day we visited Deer Village on Kofiau Island. Here Seacology funded both needed medical equipment and school supplies in exchange for the commitment of Deer Village to protect a 41,360 acre marine area. 
These photos by Seacology Germany board member, Suzanna Jamieson, show some of the waterfront homes of Deer Village (above right) and the traditional dance performance put on in our honor by the young women of the village (middle right). Also pictured is board member Doug Herst in front of the village medical clinic (below right; photo credit: Duane Silverstein).
In my final Indonesia blog entry I will take you with me to the beautiful island of Bali.
