Diving:

Another season is drawing to an end, and a tough season it has been for all of us in the dive industry. Sars and the Gulf War understandably made people debate whether they wished to travel. The South Pacific was no exception.

Over the last 12 months we have had pockets of really "Spectacular" diving and then there was the Milne Bay average which is still The Best Diving when you consider the diversity. Muck to spectacular reefs to walls.

Early in the season saw a lot of New Discoveries for the Chertan. We now know Milne Bay has at least 4 different species of Pigmy Sea Horses. The Chertan had the first ever sighting in Milne Bay and possibly the second in the world of a new species of Pigmy which has just been named after Neville Coleman. This species was first discovered on Lord Howe Island of Australia by Naturalist Neville Coleman and now we know it is here in PNG as well and probably in Indonesia. For those of you who are not familiar with Neville Coleman, he has got to be one of Australia’s most profile nature writers I have ever met. His enthusiasm and knowledge is unbelievable. Two recent publications by Neville are "1001Nudibranchs" and " 2002 Sea Shells". If you have seen them great. If you haven’t you should get yourself a copy. No self-respecting diver should be with out them.

Other discoveries included a strange looking rhinopious and another species of pigmy sea horse first photographed some 20 years ago but not seen since till now. A brand new species of Bristle Worm was found right under the boat at Lawadi. This worm was first spotted by Andrea Marshall and Maleta Luke. However, it was Roger Steene who was quick to point out this worm unknown and was more than likely a new species. The surprising thing is just how common this worm is yet; you never see it unless you know where to look.

Tawali Resort:

This year has also seen the near completion of our New Resort "TAWALI" located on the North Coast of the main land, approximately 6 miles from the most South - East tip of Papua New Guinea
Tawali Resort is being finished off with a PNG flavour in Air-conditioned Luxury.

A typical bungalow has polished PNG hard wood floors, a camera preparation and charging table, on suits, fridge and air-conditioning set in the jungle by the sea. All bungalows are connected to the main building by roofed boardwalks

The main building comprises of lounge, bar, kitchen, dinning room and a spacious out door deck over looking the sea from an elevation of approximately 80’. Tawali will offer complete dive packages to some of the best dive sites Milne Bay has to offer. Other activities from the resort will be sailing in a traditional canoe, bird watching, bush walks and trips to the Skull Caves.

We will keep you posted on the progress.

The Best In Diving!!
Rob van der Loos