Bicara Keindahan Laut, Steven Spielberg Datang ke Manado

Source: Okezone -- Rabu, 24 Agustus 2011

Steven Spielberg (foto: Ist)

SUTRADARA ternama Hollywood, Steven Spielberg, bakal datang ke Indonesia pada akhir tahun ini. Sutradara penerima tiga kali Oscar ini bakal berbicara mengenai keindahan laut dalam ‘Celebrate The Sea Festival 2011’.

Tak hanya Spielberg, sejumlah tokoh kelautan dunia di antaranya Emory Kristof (National Geographic Explorer-Penemu Titanic), Howard & Michelle Hall (sineas-DEEP SEA & Coral Reef Eden IMAX 3D), Steve Jones (penjelajah, wartawan foto bawah air), dan Ronny Rengkung (salah satu fotografer bawah air Indonesia) juga akan menjadi pembicara dalam acara yang berlangsung di Sintesa Peninsula Hotel, manado, 23-25 September mendatang.

Hal tersebut diungkapkan Sekjen Kementerian Kebudayaan dan Pariwisata, Sapta Nirwandar, dalam jumpa persnya, Selasa (23/8/2011).

Pada ‘Celebrate The Sea Festival 2011’ akan digelar serangkaian acara antara lain forum konservasi laut, presentasi film dan foto, lomba seni, seminar yang mengundang para tokoh kelautan, dan gala award ceremony.

Selain itu akan digelar festival film bawah air dan lomba foto bawah air internasional yang akan menjadi kompetisi menarik dan ditunggu-tunggu banyak fotografer pecinta bahari dunia untuk memperebutkan hadiah sebesar USD5000 (Rp42 juta).

Dirjen Pemasaran Pariwisata Kementerian Kebudayaan dan Pariwisata, Sapta Nirwandar, mengatakan 'Celebrate The Sea Festival 2011' merupakan event tahunan kompetisi pencitraan bawah laut terbesar di kawasan asia pasifik. Event ini juga diselenggarakan setiap tahun di Marseille, Prancis dan akan diikuti lebih dari 25 negara diseluruh belahan dunia.

"Melalui penyenggaraan ‘Celebrate The Sea Festival 2011’ kita ingin mempromosikan keindahan dan kekayaan laut Indonesia keseluruh dunia," ujar Sapta. "Karena selama ini pesona keindahan daratan Indonesia yang sering dipromosikan ke dunia Internasional," lanjutnya.

Selain itu, Sapta mengharapkan, untuk tahap selanjutnya, mudah-mudahan akan tercipta kesadaran lebih besar khususnya masyarakat Indonesia, mengenai kepedulian akan pelestarian lingkungan laut Indonesia ini

Salah satu Ketua Penyelenggara. 'Celebrate The Sea Festival 2011', Michael AW, menjelaskan Indonesia memiliki banyak destinasi wisata bawah laut yang mengagumkan, karena itulah Indonesia dipilih sebagai tuan rumah.

"Untuk menetapkan tempat penyelenggaraan saya melakukan riset dan akhirnya menetapkan Manado selama kurang lebih 6 bulan terakhir. Karena di Manado memiliki potensi besar untuk wisata diving dunia yang letaknya strategis, berada dalam kawasan segitiga karang dunia di Indonesia bagian timur. Hal ini yang membuat kelangkaan biota lautnya menjadi incaran para wisatawan dunia," tambahnya.

Winning Underwater Photos of 2011 Manado Ocean Festival

Source: www.wetpixel.com

Photo locations: Bunaken, Lembeh Strait, Manado Bay

Open Section Wide-Angle 1st prize.

Photographer: Delien Yusuf Sulaiman.
Equipment: Nikon D300, 10.5mm Fisheye lens.

Open Section Wide-Angle 2nd prize.

Photographer: Marthin Uada.
Equipment: Canon G12, Inon UWL-100.

Open Section Wide-Angle 3rd prize.

Photographer: Ronny Rengkung.
Equipment: Nikon D300, 12-24mm lens.

Open Section Macro 1st prize.

Photographer: Edo Angitan.
Equipment: Canon 5D markII, 100mm macro lens, 4x FIT Pro +8 wet lenses stacked.

Open Section Macro 2nd prize.

Photographer: Royke Hendra.
Equipment: Canon 7D, 100mm macro lens.

Open Section Macro 3rd prize.

Photographer: Delien Yusuf Sulaiman.
Equipment: Nikon D200, 105mm lens.

Compact Camera Section 1st prize.

Photographer: Rivo Malonda.
Equipment: Canon G10, +16 FIT PRO wet lens.

Compact Camera Section 2nd prize.

Photographer: James Mamoto.
Equipment: Canon G11.

Compact Camera Section 3rd prize.

Photographer: Toar Pantour.
Equipment: Canon G10.

Manado Ocean Festival May 2011

 Source: Visit Indonesia (www.indonesia.travel)

From May 22nd to 28th 2011, the sea-side capital of North Sulawesi, Manado, will once again present its fascinating marine marvels through a series of events called the Manado Ocean Festival 2011. The event will be highlighted with world class competitions including an international underwater photography contest, a national Jet Ski competition, Miss Ocean Contest, and many more. The Festival will also feature Sea and Underwater themed exhibitions.

Among participants and invitees planned to attend the Festival is former Miss Indonesia and diving enthusiast, Nadine Chandrawinata. She will be joining hundreds of water sports enthusiast and the general public in a week-long Marine festival.

The International Underwater Photography Contests will kick off the Festival on May 22nd and last until the last day of the Festival on May 28th. The traditional Ketinting Boat Race is scheduled to take place from May 24th to 25th, while the regular photography competition also commences on May 24th and last to May 28th. The Miss Manado Ocean Beauty Pageant is scheduled to be held from May 26th to 28th, and the Seafood Cooking Festival will leave visitors mouth watering on May the 27th. On shore, an exciting Beach Volley Tournament is also a highlight of the festival held from May 24th to 28th.

Chief and the Secretary of the Committee, Suhendro Boroma and Pahlano Daud, said that the Festival is held to further promote Manado as a prime beach and marine destination and in a follow up to earlier international events such as the World Ocean Conference (WOC) and Sail Bunaken, reported sulutpost.com. These international events have  also placed Manado among top Beaches and Marine destinations in the world; this is solid proof that places such as Bunaken , Manado Tua islands, and the untold diving spots in the area have received worldwide acclaim.

The Manado Ocean Festival 2011 serves as an invitation to international tourist to enter the enchanting Sea and Underwater wonders of Manado.

For more information please visit the event’s official website: www.manadooceanfest.com

Or you can contact the following Email: info@manadooceanfest.com

Most Popular Dive Destinations in Indonesia

Sumber: Divemag Indonesia Vol. 1 No. 012, Feb 2011

Tahun 2011 sudah berjalan dua bulan, pasti udah punya dong target dive site yang bakal dikunjungi tahun ini. Kalo bigung mo diving ke mana duluan (karena Indonesia di mana-mana keren tentunya), this article will help you guuuuuys. MOST POPULAR DIVE DESTINATIONS IN INDONESIA! Popular di sini bisa karena beragam kriteria, seperti aksesnya mudah, biota lautnya cihuy, pemandangannya breathtaking, atau karena memang fasilitasnya sudah lengkap. Beragam kriteria itu ahirnya membuat kelima dive destinations di bawah ini menjadi yang paling banyak orang cari di search engine.

#5 LEMBEH

Ini dia tempat kegemaran para fotografer underwater spesialis macro. Yup! Karena Lembeh ini memang terkenal akan biota-biota makronya. Kelebihan lain dari tempat ini adalah akses yang mudah dan fasilitas-fasilitas dive center yang cukup banyak. Jangan lupa untuk berkunjung ke Taman Nasional Tangkoko bila sudah berkunjung ke Lembeh, kan biar lengkap tuh, setelah liat yang kecil-kecil langsung deh liat yang item-item gede di Tangkoko: yaki dan yaki! Yah… kalau masi mau liat yang kecil lagi, ada Tarsius juga kok di Tangkoko.

#4 TULAMBEN

Tempat yang satu ini memang menyenangkan. Aksesnya mudah, baik untuk mencapai Tulambe-nya atau pun untuk nyeburnya yang beach entry (mengurangi sewa prahu). Alasan lainnya adalah Tulamben memiliki pilihan penginapan yang beragam sehingga bisa disesuaikan dengan ketebalan kantong masing-masing, trus aplagi kalau bukan karena objek Tulamben yang spektakuler: USS Liberty Shipwreck!

#3 WAKATOBI 
Wakatobi rupanya membuat banyak diver penasaran, terbukti dengan banyaknya hit tentang Taman nasional Wakatobi. Taman laut yang memiliki garis pantai sepanjang 600 km ini memiliki kehidupan bawah laut yang membuat para diver drooling. Masih ada waktu untuk nabung kalo mau ke Wakatobi, coz waktu terbaik untuk mengunjungi Wakatobi masih dua bulan lagi, yaitu pada bulan April s/d Juni dan Oktober s/d Desember tiap tahunnya.

#2 BUNAKEN
 Banyaknya tempat diving “baru” di Indonesia seakan membuat bunaken “istirahat” sejenak dari perbincangan diver nusantara, tapi ternyata di dunia maya internasional, Bunaken hangat dibicarakan. Fasilitas yang lengkap dan akses yang mudah membuat Bunaken tetap bercokol di nomor dua sebagai tujuan diving populer di Indonesia.

#1 RAJA AMPAT
Sudah dapat di duga tooh? Dive destination yang satu ini menjadi top hit di search engine, bahkan mengalahkan pencarian dengan keyword “dive Indonesia”. Reputasi Raja Ampat sebagai ekosistem terumbu karang dengan keanekaragaman hayati tertingi di dunia membuat para diver dari berbagai belahan dunia ingin datang ke kepulauan ini. Hmmm… apalagi ditambah dengan pemandangan di atas lautnya, tebing-tebing kapur saling menjulang… Aaaahh slurp.

Dive Promo: 5D/4N Bunaken & Lembeh

Dive Package: Bunaken, Bed & Breakfast

Dive Manado: Bunaken & Lembeh

Manado Calendar of Events

If you have difficulties deciding the best time of the year to visit Manado, the following calendar of events might enlighten you.

Figura Festival: 5 February
Figura Festival is among the most anticipated parades where over 200 people would take on the road in costumes that represent various professions—security guard, police officer, the army, teacher, lawyer, even janitor. Women and men would cross-dress, and adults would put on school uniforms. The parade also showcases such local cultures as the War Dance and traditional handicrafts, along with comedic plays and pantomimes. Figura Festival is intended to be a safe, fun, and free entertainment for the whole family.

Toa Peh Kong (Cap Go Meh): 3rd week of February
Also known in other countries as the Lantern Festival, the feast is named after one of the Buddhist gods and is held on the 15th day of the Lunar New Year.  The parade starts from a 300-year-old temple in Chinatown, showcasing the Lion Dance and physical endurance of Thang Shin, believed to be the gods’ representative on earth. To prove his divine powers, the Thang Shin would thrust and slash his body with a blade, supposedly without shedding any blood. Toa Peh Kong is open to guests of any religious backgrounds. However, due to the violence, we do not recommend this show for visitors with children.

Easter Walk: 4th week of April
During Easter, 100 churches from across North Sulawesi would send representatives to replicate the Jesus Christ’s crucifixion walk to the hill of Golgota. Easter celebration starts with a mass worship service, followed by a 10 km (6.2 miles) walk by actors playing the role of Jesus and the Roman soldiers. You can also feel the locals’ creative streak as they build mini Golgota hills in their neighborhoods, usually to be contested. Easter is a major religious event in predominantly Christian Manado.

Courtesy of Brisbane Times

Independence Day: August 17
Join a unique celebration of the Independence Day underwater. In 2009, more than 2,480 local and international divers broke the Guinness World Record by commemorating the 64th independence day of the Indonesian Republic under the sea. The dive began at 10 AM and lasted for 30 minutes at the depth of 10 to 20 m off the Malalayang shore. The previous record was held by Maldives with 958 divers in 1997. Although not for world record, the underwater celebration is held annually.


Bunaken Festival: 15-24 September 
This festival is held on Bunaken Island to commemorate the anniversary of North Sulawesi province. The celebration displays local cultural attractions and sea carnival, and sometimes features cultural showcasing from neighboring Asian countries. 

Christmas: 25 December
The anticipation for Christmas usually begins from the first week of December, where all sorts of Santa Claus—large and thin, white- and black- bearded, with Black Pit and without—do not only sit in shopping centers, but visit one house to another. When it comes to Christmas, Manadonese people like it big. In 2010, for instance, the tallest Christmas tree in Asia (50 m) was erected at the shopping district, and a Christmas tree made of artificial reef and coral (4.6 m) was planted underwater, at 10 m deep off the Marina shore, for the sheer pleasure of snorkelers and divers. Finally on Christmas Eve, fireworks fill the sky and people exchange Christmas greetings only a few minutes after midnight. Experience a tropical Christmas like no other in Manado.
 
New Year Eve: 31 December 
On the New Year Eve of 2011, Manado broke the national record for the longest fireworks at 90 minutes. Stand at any corner of the city, and you can still have a full view of the fireworks as they are launched sporadically and spontaneously by people across the city. If you hold an Advanced Diving License, we can assist you to celebrate the Old and New underwater. Or, we can arrange for you a midnight trekking tour, so that you can catch the New Year’s first sunrise from the top of highest mountain in North Sulawesi, Mt. Klabat.