Manado

Anyone stayed at Tasik Ria and/or Kungkungan Bay resort?

If so, what were the impressions? Taking a non diving girlfriend, so also need to make sure she won't be bored...

Thinking of going out in November - is this a good time? - I notice it's rainy season

Cheers

Steve

hi steve ,

there are 2 resorts which have an on-site spa facilities - Gangga Island Resort and Kima Bajo. I am sure your girlfirend wouldn't mind staying in either one of them. Topside, Manado also has several other attractions which many tourists miss out.

At Tasik Ria, you can arrange for a 1 hr massage at less than USD 8, but i'm sure the spa is more enticing to the ladies.

Both are nestled somewhere btw the Bunaken Marine Park and Lembeh Straits.

Eric

Thanks Eric - this is useful, I'll look at these

By the way, what other attractions would you rate around Manado?

Cheers

Steve

Steve,

There is probably a lot less for a non-diver to do at KBR than Tasik Ria. The resort itself is next door to Bitung which has very little along the lines of entertainment. KBR was finishing its pool when I was there and i think they may have a masseuse now. There are trips to the highlands and Tangkoko nature preserve but your girlfriend will probably not want to do these alone. The flight crew of a really rich guy who flew in to Manado and who was staying on his yacht was there and the non-divers were pretty bored after a few days.

It probably depends on how low maintenence your girlfriend is. If she likes sitting by the pool or reading a book while you dive, she will probably do great. A few years ago, I stayed on a dive resort on Beqa island in Fiji. A non-diving wife of a guy on the trip asked me as we were sitting in LAX what kind of shopping there was on the island. She gave me a really painful look when I told her that not only were there no shops but nowhere else on the island even had electricity or running water. About three days into the trip, she was clearly furious at her husband. Other non-divers seemed to really enjoy the place.

KBR is working hard to upgrade some of the amenities. I'd also try and get air conditioning if you can as it can be very hot there. It rained about 1/2 of the time I was there. Visibility was never great and the overcast only served to dim it down some. The better vis would probably be affected more by overcast at Bunaken.

Hope this helps

Thanks again, this all helps

I'm getting the gist of the place now...

cheers

Steve