Eric and Mike have both arrived in Yap.  Great weather has greeted us with sunny skies and flat seas.  This is Eric’s second visit to the island and a return to home for Mike who lived here for close to 3 years before relocating to Bali.

The festivities of Manta Fest 2008 kicked off tonight with a welcome cocktail and introduction of the week’s activities by Bill Acker, the founder of Manta Ray Bay Hotel and a legend of Micronesian diving.  It also gave a chance for Mike and Eric to introduce themselves and explain a little about what they will be doing over the coming two weeks.  Two brief videos of the hotel and Yap were shown on the giant screen of the Phinisi Schooner/restaurant “the Mnuw”.  After chatting to the guests and getting to know the folks a little, the schedule for tomorrow’s first official Manta Fest day was introduced. It includes an afternoon Nitrox class followed by a slide show from Eric on the big screen as the evening entertainment.  The morning dives will be at the famous Goofnuw Channel; hopefully we will get to witness some manta action for breakfast!

Other coverage:
- [Manta Fest 2008 Closing Words]
- [Manta Fest 2008 Day 7 Update]
- [Manta Fest 2008 Day 5 Update]
- [Manta Fest 2008 Day 3 Update]
- [Manta Fest 2008 Day 1 Update]