Minahasa Lagoon, Manado

Staff · Issue 17, Feb/Mar 2004 · pp. 38–43

Products mentioned: Nikon D100, Subal housing, Inon Z220 flashgun

38 “Would you like your baggage checked all the way through to Manado, Sir?” the attractive Singapore Airlines check-in lady asked. This was to be the start of a most relaxing week to assess a new dive resort at Minahasa Lagoon near Manado for a week in early December 2003. No need to reclaim baggage at Singapore, cart it to and from the hotel and then have to queue up again for the next day flight to Manado. I was checked right through. Luxury. Actually my trip really started from London Heathrow departure Gate 37. Has anyone ever flown from Gate 1? Is there a Gate 1? Or is Gate 37 just a cunning ploy to save the airline’s fuel bill by making you walk most of the way to Manado? Anyway after a 12 hour flight I overnighted in Singapore in the comfortable Golden Landmark hotel located far too conveniently near a shopping mall specialising in cameras and electronic goodies. I had to sow my …