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Not cheesy at all! Sounds like a great one and I’ve heard good things about that resort too! My husband and I just returned from Lembeh Resort (not too far from Dive Into Lembeh) and if they share dive sites, you will not be disappointed at all! Let that anticipation build because it is SO worth it! So much so that less than a week after we returned, we booked our 2026 dates.
In terms of luggage, this was our first trip to Indo with all my gear as well. We went with Think Tank’s Airport Advantage carry-ons.
https://www.thinktankphoto.com/products/airport-advantage.
They worked great for all the flights- fit into every overhead bin. We had no problems at all- no weighing, no second glances by the airlines. This was a change from Pelican cases that I usually use.
For flights, we went with LionAir airlines as the regional carrier based on our origin/destination and flight times- wanted to make sure we had enough time to make connections/bags to transfer from Taipei (We were flying from Washington DC to Taipei and then into Bali and finally Manado for the inbound trip). My main concern was making sure that there were enough alternative flights to Manado if we missed a connection. Connection and bag-wise we were fine but I’d buy the additional weight straightaway when you book the regional flight. One of the peeps in our group had some hassle because her checked luggage was overweight- and she hadn’t pre-purchased. Nothing she couldn’t sort out but no one wants that at O-dark-thirty in a foreign airport. We got through unscathed because we prepaid. Anyway, and I apologize if you’ve already thought of this, but I would also check the on-time consistency (for lack of a better description) of the flights you’re looking at. We lost 2 dive days because of last minute flight time changes with LionAir. (Our incoming and outgoing flights to Manado were both changed. Our outgoing flight from Manado was moved up to 0600 on our departure date- rather than our late afternoon departure originally scheduled.) Curious to see if someone else can chime in with their experiences and who they recommend is the best regional carrier in Indonesia? It’s a long trip from The States but that first dive makes it all worth it.
And funny you mention the Blue Heron Bridge. I just booked a long weekend there with PuraVida first part of May. Can’t wait! Always heard good things! And will bring my diopter with! 🤞 The nudis in Lembeh are MUCH bigger! The shaun the sheep, on the other hand, are not- they are the smallest, little, fastest moving critters out there! 😉
You will love everything about Lembeh. And enjoy the 9 days of disconnect. It is marvelous. 🙂