Like Grand Cayman in the 70s, Raja Ampat in West
Papua, Indonesia, is the must-go place for divers. Of
course, not everyone can afford such an excursion, but for
those who can, one new book provides an excellent guide,
and another provides enough photographs so you'll know
what you're missing.
For armchair divers, the 288-page coffee table-sized
book Raja Ampat, through the Lens of, with a score of photo
contributors listed, hit the market early last year and lets
you see the kinds of critters you only read about - - the
pygmy seahorse, blue ring octopus, picture dragonet,
archerfish, as well as the seascapes of amazing hard and
soft coral. I especially like the many above-surface photos,
where the wildlife, villages, people and spectacular islands
provide an understanding of the uniqueness and precious
environment. The text is informative, as are the bios of the
nearly two dozen
famous shooters,
including David
Doubilet, Mark
Strickland, Burt
Jones and Maurine
Shimlock, Gerry
Alan and Rogers
Steene. The list
price is $61 but the
200-plus pages of
color photos from
these pros are well
worth the price.To
order, go to www.undercurrent.org and click on 'Books.'. Our profit goes to preserve coral reefs.
For travelers, Burt
Jones and Maurine
Shimlock have spent
more than 1000
hours chronicling
the wonders of Raja
Ampat and have
produced Diving
Indonesia's Bird's Head
Seascape, a 176-page
paperbound book
that describes 130
dive sites of Raja
Ampat, Triton Bay
and Cenderawasih
Bay, while offering
practical information
about the area. The
detailed descriptions
of the sites, complete
with GPS coordinates, explain the terrain, how to dive
the site, and the kinds of animals, coral and critters you
can expect. As a tourist diver, you'll be riding along with
guides, so you can only hope your leader knows the sites as
well as Burt and Maurine. If not, their book will help you
advise your guide - - better leave it with him afterwards - -
and help you complete your log book accurately once you
have surfaced. A number of excellent photographs will
help you identify many of the critters you will encounter.
If you have been to Raja Ampat, or dream about going,
this thoughtful and well-illustrated book is for you. The list
price is $35, and the book is available through us at
www.undercurrent.org/bookpicks