WWF

With Mermaid I

in Burma!

Liveaboard trip 10/03 – 21/03 2008

Thailand - Burma Dive Safari

Mermaid I

This trip was a very special one, arranged by WWF (World Wildlife Fund). No scuba diving, but instead snorkelling, bird watching and beach combing at some of the most remote islands of the Mergui Archipelago. Back on the boat, there were lectures everyday, ranging from ”Birds of the Mergui”, ”Marine Invertebrates” and ”Geology of the Mergui Archipelago” to ”The Sea Gypsies of South East Asia”. Very, very interesting, indeed!

We spotted Sea Eagles, Herons, Hornbills, Kingfishers and the beautiful Racket-tailed Drongo, just to mention a few. In the water, we enjoyed huge coral gardens, with some of the formations beeing up to 2000 years old! And, of course, plenty of marine life: Hawksbill Turtles, Bottlenose Dolphins, Mobula Rays, Blacktip and Whitetip Sharks and Jackfish were only a few of the sightings. We even saw a Minke Whale breaching close to the boat!

On several occasions, we also got the chance to meet the Sea Gypsies, the Moken people. Many still practising the gathering – hunting methods of surviving.

Excursions included trips into the vast mangrove forests of the area, especially at Lampi Island.

The Mergui Archipelago is one of the last remaining places in the world, where you can find completely unspoilt islands with as many beaches all to yourself as you like.

PJ Widestrand

Video-Pro
Mermaid I

Liveaboard diving Thailand, Myanmar, Bali - Komodo and the Andaman Islands.