The Canyon, Pulau Weh. Sumatra, Indonesia. March 2010. © Phil North

Underwater landscapes

  Indonesia: Pulau Weh [Sumatra] - March 2010

Dear English-speaking readers, this page is an automatic translation made from a post originally written in French. My apologies for any strange sentences and funny mistakes that may have been generated during the process. If you are reading French, click on the French flag below to access the original and correct text: 

I'll take you back to Pulau Weh. Under the surface, again. More than a month after my return from Indonesia, I am still sorting out my photos... Huge coral plateaus, delicate fans of gorgonians, multicolored swarms of fish in the blue: the sites of Pulau Weh offer beautiful landscapes!

Contrary to what I feared at the beginning, I was able to use my "standard" lens in the port provided in principle for the macro lens. According to the manual of the Ikelite box for the 7DIt wasn't possible. But in fact it does, it goes in.

The only thing is that you can't use the zoom. But frankly, I'm not a fan of the zoom underwater. Long live the fixed focal length!

The first (great) picture below is not of me. But it's one of the few pictures of me underwater !!! Many thanks to Phil North, English photographer and videographer based in Koh Lanta, Thailand.

The Canyon, Pulau Weh. Sumatra, Indonesia. March 2010. © Phil North

I love how the coral draws a pink heart, in the glow of the flash. It's really pretty. This picture was taken at the Canyon site.

The following ones are a mix of Pantee Peunateung, Meuduro, Batee Tokong... These are my very first tests with my standard lens (other than the macro one) with the 7D under water.

It took me some time to get used to the flash in this configuration. Moreover, it was often in not easy conditions. A lot of current, on most of the sites. And then, these are rather "deep" sites for those who, like me, prefer to stay within the limits of the no-decompression curve... You can easily find yourself with a small deco stop at the end of the dive.

But hey, this is the result. A totally different approach than macro! And I can't wait to do it again. Besides, I feel that I will soon have to invest in a dome, with the right fisheye lens...

Meuduro, Pulau Weh. Sumatra, Indonesia. March 2010.

Pantee Peunateung, Pulau Weh. Sumatra, Indonesia. March 2010.

Meuduro, Pulau Weh. Sumatra, Indonesia. March 2010.

Meuduro, Pulau Weh. Sumatra, Indonesia. March 2010.

Blue Jack Trevally (blue jackfish). Pantee Peunateung, Pulau Weh. Sumatra, Indonesia. March 2010.

Pantee Peunateung, Pulau Weh. Sumatra, Indonesia. March 2010.

Meuduro, Pulau Weh. Sumatra, Indonesia. March 2010.

Angelfish. Batee Tokong, Pulau Weh. Sumatra, Indonesia. March 2010.

Pantee Peunateung, Pulau Weh. Sumatra, Indonesia. March 2010.

Pantee Peunateung, Pulau Weh. Sumatra, Indonesia. March 2010.

Unfortunately, I did not manage to bring back any image of the underwater arch of the fabulous Canyon. The first time, I was with my macro lens; the second time, I think that's when my lens was left in manual mode (grrr); and the third time, the strong current prevented us from reaching the famous arch.

Too bad! The place is spectacular...

For the precise description of the various sites accessible from Pulau Weh, I refer you to the center page Lumba Lumba (in English), with which I dived in.

  Indonesia: Pulau Weh [Sumatra] - March 2010

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  1. Super Corinne....while waiting for the "fish-eye"! not bad for tests.
    it flanks me the cockroach !!! when will I finally be able to leave?
    need underwater sea world !!!!

  2. More pictures that make you dream... The more we do, the more we have to work when we come back... (we are still sorting out the 8500 pictures we took during our 3 months diving in Indonesia). For the arch, it is not serious, you will be obliged to return there!!! Hey, hey!!!

  3. Yeah!!! I don't regret having shaken my computer so that it stops making that weird noise... I can finally dive back into your underwater photos with pleasure... Always a pleasure, a real moment of relaxation and escape before going back to the Balanchine studio, without sun and under the neon lights...
    I really like the picture of you and the coral heart!!!

    😉

  4. @IsaetMarco: Here goes. I'm going to be "forced" to go back... It's good to feel understood!!!
    😀

    @ Helen: Yes, I too love this image. Good luck with the recovery under the neon lights!!!
    🙂

  5. Arf, but you track me ?! 8)
    I'll have to stop one day so that we can finally meet for real!
    Always a pleasure to go through your blog, a big big congratulations! Continue to enjoy life and make us enjoy!
    Bizzzzzzzzzz
    Pit

    PS to tease you : I send you the picture of the arch in private mail or you prefer to find it directly on my gallery :D Rebizzzzzzzzz

  6. @Pit: Looks like we have the same taste in destinations... 😉
    Thank you for this little note, I admit that I started by dreaming on your photos. I know where to find the arch, at least in pictures!!!
    😀

  7. wonderful indonesia! how do we go to Pulau weh! i intend to go there next year! what is the easiest way! thank you!

  8. @ Frances: The easiest way is to take an Air Asia flight: Kuala Lumpur - Banda Aceh. Once in Banda Aceh, cab to the ferry pier, then cross to the island. Very easy. Moreover, the airport of Banda Aceh issues now the "Visa on Arrival" allowing to stay in Indonesia. Good preparation!
    🙂

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