got crabs?

I think I do

One more as I still have not converted very many pics yet. I can't keep up with you.

One more as I still have not converted very many pics yet. I can't keep up with you.

That's a great orang utan crab though.

Confrontation!

another one

and another

and another

one more

Ha Ha, I could only get the eyes in the frame of the one above!

Love the lighting on the PC Herb!

and another

Nice zebra crab. I didn't see one.

This was the day after you left us on Bangka - FANTASTIC SITES for tiny stuff & frogfish...

This was the day after you left us on Bangka - FANTASTIC SITES for tiny stuff & frogfish...

We had a Zebra crab dive on the cold side of Komodo, cannibal rock and the site next to it, but the vis was literally pea soup and extraordinarily cold. Didn't find any fire urchins myself. Others did but failed to catch the zebra crabs.

We did another few dives at Lembeh too at the end of the trip, this is where we got the Zebra Crab. Jahir, was once again good to us with plenty of remarkable goings on... However, no sign of the hairy types. KBR guides have probably stolen them and relocated them on their house reef again.

As I understand, Eric will be able to tell us soon.

Who did you dive with? I trying to set up a trip to Manado/Lembeh. KBR is all I can get feedback on. Can't seem to get a review of Lembeh Resort/Murex.

Who did you dive with? I trying to set up a trip to Manado/Lembeh. KBR is all I can get feedback on. Can't seem to get a review of Lembeh Resort/Murex.

I did the Murex liveaboard with the others, but I had to leave early to catch a Bali liveaboard I'd already scheduled. I stayed two nights and one dive day at the Murex Lembeh Resort. 3 years ago I spent two weeks at KBR. They are directly across from one another in the straight.

Both are run in a similar manner. Rooms are individual huts are are generously sized. The eating areas are actually resturants where you order from a menu. The service staff greets you after dives with the menu so the service time is speedier. Dives are done out of skiffs and short boat rides of 15 minutes or less. Each skiff hold no more than 6-8 divers and 1-2 divemasters. Dive times are generally flexible. One day on the liveaboard I did more than 5 hours in 3 dives. The land operations are less flexible, but 70 minute dives are no problem (but you may need to ask, as some dive masters may not be accustomed to custumers wanting that).

Where Murex differs is that the resort is newer and more "vertical". You climb stairs rather than walk long paths but the effort to get around is the same. The resort naturally gets better breezes. The sleeping areas are air conditioned (a huge plus) and the dive and camera centers are much improved over KBR. The dive skiffs are huge compared to KBR, easily more than twice as big and quite diver friendly despite their "local" appearance. The grounds have a nice all-tile pool and are immaculate, just like KBR. My impression was that the food was better and the menu more varied but a lot can change in three years.

Unfortunately, there seems to be something bad going on between the two resorts and I heard bad things about KBR while I was there. I don't think it's reliable but I'm interested to find out what condition KBR is in. Vickie, my travel agent, is friends with the KBR owner and says the negative rumors are untrue. Still, I'd give strong consideration to Murex instead. You get air condtioned bedrooms and better camera areas and dive boats. Those are all pretty compelling advantages. Considering the diving, you'd have a great trip at either place.

A 3rd option - cheaper again - Sulawesi Dive Quest have a resort in Lembeh. Just around the point from Murex resort.

I was there in March. They were still building the resort around us at that time! Things have probably got better but ...

- no a/c

- no choice of meals, and sometimes the food was inedible (overcooked to a leather consistency)

- no camera room

- no power during daytime

However the diving is probably just as good!

Some friends who went after us took a week's supply of instant noodles with them! I don't recommend this place unless budget is critical, but it IS there.

-David

I understand there are two "backpacker" style resorts in the straight. Sounds like you hit one of them, David.

Same Zebra different angle...