Please pass this on to all your Vietnamese friends and acquaintances!

Wild Aid’s new Anti-Rhino Horn campaign for Vietnam

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Nyepi is a “Day of Silence” that is commemorated every New Year according to the Balinese calendar and this year it falls on March 31. It is a Hindu celebration that is mainly celebrated on the Indonesian island of Bali, and it is marked with strict silence, fasting and meditation.

For 24 hours everything on the island will be closed with no one permitted on the streets, with the exception of emergency vehicles. This enforcement begins from 6am on 31 March and continues until 6am on 1 Apr 2014. April 1st is also a public holiday after the enforcement has been lifted at 6am.

Although Nyepi is a Hindu holiday, non-Hindu residents of the island and tourists are not exempt. Although they are free to do as they wish inside their hotels, no one is allowed on the beaches or streets and the only airport in Bali remains closed for the entire day. The only exceptions granted are for emergency vehicles carrying those with life-threatening conditions and women about to give birth.

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As the situation in Bangkok has improved and continues to remain calm and generally peaceful, the caretaker government has announced the end of the State of Emergency in Bangkok and vicinities, which will now be downgraded to what is known as Internal Security Act (ISA) from Wednesday 19 March. The ISA is still needed to maintain law and order during the senate election on 30 March and the reruns of the general election, expected in April.

The removal of the state of emergency reflects on the overall situation within the capital and surrounding provinces which is now calm. Bangkok is now functioning pretty much as normal and people are going about their daily routines without hindrance.

While the above information is good news and a step in the right direction, we must still be cautious as two protest sites still remain active: Lumpini (Silom) and Pan Fah Bridge. It is anticipated that these protest sites will remain peaceful, but still advise visitors to avoid any areas of demonstrations, especially in the evening, as sporadic incidents and outbreaks of violence may occur without warning.

All areas outside Bangkok and other tourist destinations within Thailand, including Phuket, Koh Samui, Hua Hin, Pattaya and Chiang Mai remain unaffected by the demonstrations. These out-of-Bangkok areas also fall outside the jurisdiction of this State of Emergency.

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Located in Honiara, the new, SID12 million School of Tourism forms part of the Solomon Islands National University campus and houses conference rooms, a lecture theatre and several tutorial rooms.

The Solomon Islands get hardly any tourism and facilities are basic, but the islands are stunning, the people extremely friendly and the scuba diving excellent. Kayaking the Morovo Lagoon is a must do for anyone who loves the unspoiled.

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Only 3 spots left, if you haven’t got your April dive holiday booked, contact Symbiosis today to book and enjoy the 15% discount.

When:09 – 20 April 2014
Where: Raja Ampat, Indonesia
What: Liveaboard diving onboard Shakti
Offer: 15% discount
Price: WAS EUR 2,850 per person, now ONLY EUR 2,423 per person
Extra: Nitrox EUR 150 per person for 12 days trip

– Includes: transfers from/to airport in Sorong, diving, towels & linen use, 3 full meals a day with dive snacks, sea kayaks

– Excludes: Nitrox, dive equipment, beverages, Raja Ampat fee (Rp500.000 pp valid for 1 year use), flights, insurance

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Special 10% spring promotion on a 10 night liveaboard dive cruise in the Komodo National Park, Indonesia. Details:

Vessel: The MSY Aurora
Dates: 19 to 29 May 2014
Port of departure/return: Labuan Bajo, Flores
Price: EUR2,385/person sharing (normal price €2,650)
Extras: Komodo Marine Park Fee = €55/pax, Service Charge (€8/night) = €80/pax

Trip will be confirmed with a minimum of 6 paying guests.

Contact Symbiosis Custom Travel for more info or to book your place.

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The Papua New Guinea Government has announced that there will be a ban on Australians obtaining their tourist visas on arrival at Port Moresby, effective 1st March 2014. The Official Public Notice can be found here.

If you are an Australian travelling to PNG, you will need to obtain a tourist visa from the nearest PNG Consulate. For information on how and where to obtain a PNG Tourist visa, visit the PNG Immigration web site.

Currently there is no fee for a 60 day Tourist Visa to enter PNG.

Note that some passport holders from certain countries still need to obtain a visa prior to arrival (which does now include Australia). For the latest information regarding visa requirements and costs, please check the PNG Immigration web site.

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Spaces on FeBrina‘s peak season Papua New Guinea dive cruises are filling up fast! If you were planning on joining FeBrina on one of her Signature PNG Dive Cruises this September and October now is your chance to grab one of the last spots before we sell out. Trips with available space are as follows:-

3rd September to 11th September 2014
8 night Signature Itinerary: diving Kimbe Bay Reefs, Fathers Reefs and Witu Islands.
Special photography workshop cruise with Christopher Bartlett. An experienced professional photojournalist, Christopher Bartlett started taking underwater photos with a second-­‐hand 2 megapixel Canon in 2005. Since then his work has been published across the globe in publications such as X-­‐Ray, Scuba Diving, Diver (British and North American editions), Divestyle, African Diver, Duik, Dyk, Ultimate Adventure Magazine, Beyond Blue, Diving Australasia, Niugini Blue, Our Way, FHM, Scuba Diver Girls. In 2011, Christopher had three dive magazine cover shots published. He regularly shoots images for brochures and promotional material for clients in the Red Sea, the Caribbean, Eastern and Southern Africa, Papua New Guinea and the Galapagos. You can see some of Christopher’s work at www.bartlettimages.com. He is also the water correspondent for the Ecology Global Network.

This trip is great for anyone looking to combine diving with the Goroka festival in the highlands, or who are just looking to exercise their photography skills in the beautiful surroundings of New Britain’s three most popular dive sites.

28th September to 7th October 2014
9 night Signature Itinerary: diving Kimbe Bay Reefs, Fathers Reefs and Witu Islands.
Due to a recent cancellation we have some space available on these trip dates.

8th October to 18th October 2014
10 night Signature Itinerary: diving Kimbe Bay Reefs, Fathers Reefs and Witu Islands.
Very few spaces left on this trip, we recommend enquiring as soon as possible to secure one of the final spaces.

For more, contact Symbiosis Custom Travel today.

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Fish Geek Week Dates at Lembeh Resort have been moved to July 18 – 26, 2014.
There is still time to take advantage of this unique opportunity. It’s going to be a very cool event. If you are remotely interested in underwater life, come and enjoy Mark Erdmann‘s and Gerry Allen’s presentations, one on one time and unbelievable stories.

Click here to book your space now.

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We are pleased to offer these Green Season promotions for the lovely HanumanAlaya and HanumanAlaya Villa in Siem Reap that begin on 1 April 2014.

A ‘Stay Longer, Save More’offer running up until the end of August will benefit guests who want to linger in Siem Reap and Angkor.

During September the offer changes so that HanumanAlaya rooms are half‐price and October has a ‘Stay 3, Pay 2’ promo.

From 1 April – 31 August 2014:
Stay minimum 5 nights get 50% Discount including breakfast
Stay minimum 4 nights get 40% Discount including breakfast
Stay minimum 3 nights get 30% Discount including breakfast
Stay minimum 2 nights get 20% Discount including breakfast
Stay 1 night get 10% Discount including breakfast.

From 1 September ‐ 30 September 2014
Stay minimum 1 night get 50% Discount including breakfast.

From 1 October ‐ 31 October 2014
Stay 3 nights, pay only 2 nights including breakfast.

Contact Symbiosis Custom Travel’s Sales Team as early as possible to book.

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Yesterday protest sites at Pathumwan, Ratchaprasong and Asoke we’re dismantled with demonstrations now taking place at Lumpini Park in central Bangkok and Chaeng Wattana government complex in the north of the city.

This spells good news for the public at large and tourists in Bangkok, as traffic can now flow as normal throughout the city meaning less congestion and difficulty getting around.

Despite regaining some kind of normalcy in daily life, and with the “Bangkok Shutdown” campaign effectively shutdown, the protest groups insist their objective, to overthrow caretaker Prime Minister Yingluk Shinawatra, remains the same despite moving to one central location.

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Enjoy up to 15% discount when you book a 6-night or 7-night liveaboard safari in Palau with the S/Y Palau Siren.

Dive some of Palau’s best dive sites, if not the World’s, including Blue Corner, Ulong Channel, Siaes Tunnel, New Drop Off, Chandelier Cave and the wrecks in Malakal Harbor amongst others. Up to 4 dives per day are scheduled and prices are inclusive of equipment rental & nitrox.

You can also snorkel in Jelly Fish Lake, kayak to the beaches and take a journey through the Rock Islands by speedboat.

An optional land tour on Peleliu Island to see historic sites from WWII and diving with Nautilus are also available upon request. (additional charges apply)

The following dates have limited availability:
04-11 Jun was 2800 Euro now 2380 Euro
02-8 Aug was 2550 Euro now 2170 Euro *
09-15 Aug was 2550 Euro now 2170 Euro *
16-23 Aug was 2800 Euro now 2380 Euro
07-14 Dec was 3100 Euro now 2635 Euro

Pay 5 Get 1 FREE when you book 6 divers at the pre-discount price.

*Trips may also be combined with 6 nights in the Visayas aboard the S/Y Philippine Siren

This offer is limited to the above listed dates and is for NEW bookings only.

Book before or by 31st March to enjoy the offer. Contact Symbiosis to reserve your space.

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Last chance to get a free night at the lovely Dabirahe Resort (formerly the Lembeh Hills Resort), Lembeh, Indonesia.

Book a minimum of 3 nights plus scuba diving package at the Dabirahe Resort & Spa, Lembeh Strait, Sulawesi and get one extra night for free… plus one free dive or nightdive.

Offer ends at the end of February and is valid for stays anytime during March 2014. Limited spaces so subject to availability.

Book quickly! Contact Symbiosis Custom Travel today.

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Due to one couple having to cancel their trip, we now have one cabin available on Mermaid I, diving the Komodo National Marine Park in Indonesia.

Dates: 23 April – 01 May, 2014
Boat: Mermaid I, Deluxe Cabin, main deck
Price: EUR2,800 per person

Contact Symbiosis now to grab this chance.

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Did you know that the Borneo Pygmy Elephant is the world’s smallest elephant?

Each sun bear has their own unique chest mark pattern, there are no two identical patterns. Similar to how unique our fingerprints are to us!

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