Sunrise Divers - Thursday 13 May 2010

Famous photographers on Mermaid 1

We are delighted to have Stephen Wong and Takako Uno on board with us again in Komodo. Stephen and Takako regularly join us on Mermaid and offer our guests complimentary photography advice and shows of their photography from all around the world.

Stephen and Takako are delightful people and good friends - your guests can join us on board Mermaid I June 20-29 and June 29-July 8 2010 cruises - maybe other dates as their schedules allow.

Mermaid 1 - Full Information

Here's a brief biography on these remarkable globally recognised Marine Photojournalists :-

A Joint Profile of
Stephen WONG & Takako UNO

Based in Hong Kong, full time husband and wife marine photojournalists since 1997, Stephen & Takako are crisscrossing the oceans from the Arctic to the tip of Argentina.

Stephen & Takako's works have been published in over 20 countries and 100 individual journals & publications, including National Geographic, BBC Wildlife, Nature's Best, Unterwasser & GEO. Their works have appeared in more than 40 photo exhibitions.

Their images have received dozens of awards in international photo competitions, including four times in the renowned BBC Wildlife Photo Contests. Stephen has been awarded as Hong Kong Underwater Photographer of the Year in both 1997 & 1998 by HK Underwater Association. The couple often serves as photo contest judges worldwide.

Takako has discovered four new species of Nudibranchs, with one species now common-English named as Takako's Trapania and another species as Uno's Trapania. Her Manatee image has been selected by PADI to be used on its homepage. The duo has also photographed new species of Snapping Shrimp & Octopuses and also has 30 species of Cetacean (whales and dolphins) images in their collection.

Their recent achievements:
Both Stephen & Takako's images have been exhibited at the prestigious Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington DC of USA; Takako's Seahorse images are currently exhibiting at Monterey Bay Aquarium (Monterey Bay, California, USA) till 2013; furthermore, 3 of Takako's Pygmy Seahorses have been featured in National Geographic (Sea Life: New Pygmy Seahorses found); and in 2009, both Stephen & Takako have been inducted as members of the prestigious Ocean Artists Society, founded by Wyland & Talbot.

Stephen and Takako's images have appeared in over 70 books, including co-authorship of Sipadan-Mabul Islands,Celebrate the Sea & Gorontalo Hidden Paradise. The couple's signature publication, An Ocean Odyssey- a 240-page wide blue pictorial anthology, has received broad international acclaims. Stephen & Takako's images also appear in Bernando Sambra's Oceans; in Andrea & Antonella Ferrari's Art of Underwater Photography; and in Max Ammer & Conservation International's Raja Ampat - through the lens of underwater photographers.

For more of Stephen & Takako's detailed profiles and works, please visit their websites, www.stephenwong.com & www.takakouno.com.



Mermaid 1 Liveaboard - More Improvements

As from now, the excellent Mermaid 1 liveaboard has some new improvements, ready for the Komodo diving season June - October.

1. Membrane System
We are delighted to announce our nitrox membrane system. Filling at 600 litres a minute equals fast turn arounds and unlimited nitrox available for all divers - no matter our destination or tank size - 12 litres or 15 litres - guest's choice ! Nitrox is euros 6 per fill or for an "all your dives on nitrox" package 20% off !

2. More Camera Tables !
The membrane system means lots of extra deck space so more good news - we have added 2 extra camera tables and fresh water rinse containers...masses of room for all photographers on board. Plus we added shelving for guest's to keep their small items close to hand on the deck...

Mermaid 1

3. Warm deck towels !
Towels straight out of the dryer after each dive - just heaven !

4. Kayaks !
For those who want to relax on the quiet waterways around Komodo and Burma we have also added some kayaks for your spirit of adventure

5. How do you like your eggs ?
Cooked to your guest's specification in the saloon and served piping hot - as one would expect from any 5 star service !

Mermaid 1 - More Infomation

Mermaid 1 Komodo and Raja Ampat cruises