Sipadan Selects

A few images from Sipadan 2008, Photo Workshop with Mauricio Handler; lots more still to work through. A close to perfect trip.

All are uncropped, a little spotting, basic curves and sharpening. (Mauricio's rules for the week)

Love the croc & cutlefish shots. Great group of images. How did you like Sipidan overall?

Thanks.

My wife and I had a great time. We stayed at Sipadan Water Village (on island of Mabul) which was very nice. Food was decent but not great, my wife would have liked air conditioning. Diving was great particularly at Sipadan Island itself, but also at Kapalai and Mabul (more for macro / critter stuff) and right off the dock at SWV. Water temp 84 degrees. Dive and hotel staff were great.

There is a problem with diving at Sipadan because they now require permits which are issued daily. Mauricio's influence ensured that we got to dive at Sipadan island for two full days of the five official dive days. We did an extra day ourselves. To top it off we used miles to go business class on Singapore Airlines, what a dream. This was my first time diving in Southeast Asia and I'm hooked. And yes, this feeelthy American did tip. (Inside joke from an old thread here on WP)

To top it off we used miles to go business class on Singapore Airlines, what a dream.

Not only Singapore Airlines, but Business Class on Singapore Airlines! You know, there is no going back to coach from now on. Those upgrades are like crack. Once hooked...

I too am in love with the diving in that part of the world. I'm trying to get back there ASAP, and had a trip planned for March, bags pre-packed and was then told I was contractually obligated to other things in the trips' timeframe. First real snit I've thrown in several years.

I was on a trip last year to Layang Layang and two of the divers were heading off to Sipidan from there. I was seriously thinking about joining them (they offered) but had been away for 1 1/2 months already.

Glad to hear the overall impressions were positive.

Yes, Jeff, I agree that you will be hooked now!

I'm so glad you and your wife enjoyed it and I like your photographs!! Yes the croc fish is great; he really posed for you didn't he? And the turtle, from a unique perspective and the cuttlefish who just caught something? Very cool.

Thanks! Carol

Jeff,

Nice set of images, I think the croc fish is my favorite. How was Mauricio's workshop?

James

Jeff,

 

Nice set of images, I think the croc fish is my favorite. How was Mauricio's workshop?

 

James

Thanks guys.

James,

There were only 5 of us doing the actual workshop, and as you know Mauricio is pretty unique in his approach to light and motion underwater, so it was great to get a lot of one-on-one time with him to see how he works and thinks underwater.