1

You seem to have gotten around Indonesia quite a bit. Several other regular posters on the Indonesian board have as well, and they often link to interesting blogs or web sites that they’ve made about their experiences here.

How about you? Do you have any interesting web sites or blogs that we can look at and enjoy your experiences and knowledge of Indonesia?

2

Well now BMF, full board and lodgings at the most popular losmen on Pulau Ai a couple of months ago (that's an island in the Bandas right?) was 80,000 rupiah per day per person - that's own room, three meals per day + tea and coffee on demand and fruit. I haven't visited the Togians but it must be really, really cheap!

3

Accommodation prices on the Togians are generally per person (great for you!) . Price on Poyalisa (part of theTogean group) is 125,000 per person, including room, all meals and as much snorkeling as you like- there's a small extra charge for very far away snorkeling sites..

For more information on Poyalisa Island, in particular, with pictures, see here:

http://slowtraincomingsalandrich.blogspot.com/search/label/Sulawesi%202%20Oct%202011

4

Hey there - I haven't been to any of the locations you're mentioning, but I have researched them all and I would say there's one big factor that might play significantly into your decision: it is currently "rainy" season in Maluku and Raja Ampat. Rainy periods are a little different there than from the rest of Indonesia. That doesn't necessarily mean you can't travel there (I'm sure Maluku and Raja Ampat are fantastic year-round) but you might consider that it won't necessarily be the ideal time of year to experience their best - especially if you plan to dive. Togeans though, probably have fantastic conditions right about now. But again, this is all based on my personal research, not from my travel experiences - sorry I can't be more helpful!

5

You will also need a LOT of time to get to Raja Ampat from Sulawesi.

6

Hello

Togian is a great destination but you need time to get there and boat schedules for togians are very few during the week (i think only one on friday). when do you plan to go??
In togian the location is really nice but many areas have suffered from coral damage and it shows. for ambon i have not been there myself but i know there are really strange creatures there and marine life is abundant and diverse. from north sulawesi (bitung) you can get a ferry to sorong (raja ampat), and also you have lion air that fly from manado to sorong. check the prices for both, as they could be nearly the same if you look with time in advance. in raja ampat new budget accommodations are spawning like crazy. many homestays provide the very basics, but english is always the problem even for basic communications. i hear other budget alternatives are soon coming to raja ampat like rajaampatbiodiversity.com so hopefully soon raja ampat will not be as expensive... the corals and marine life is the best in raja ampat, the variety of species is unbeliable and the scenery is remote and amazing.

hope this helps!

7

Just returned from Togians . Great place , amazing beaches and so so snorkeling ( depends on what you've seen before). 3 best sites for me were : Petrihedi reef, Taupan island( both near Poyalisa) and Taipei Island ( still can snorkel with quite a few sharks , especially during high tide).But as far as snorkelling is concerned Bunaken and around beats them all , easily!Banda is not the place to go right now due to the weather ( wait for september) . Havent been to raja Ampat but as far as i know it is THE place to go if you're looking for underwater world.

If you go to Togeans , avoid Kadidiri!!!