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Riau Archipelago w/ Alice Lee
  Riau Archipelago consists of more than 3000 islands that cover an area from central east Sumatra up to Natuna islands in South China Sea. Some of the islands were named and majority small islands are uninhabited. For centuries the islands have provided a safe haven to traders and sailors from Europe, India and China and as a result they have strong foreign historical links. The province capital is Pekanbaru on mainland Sumatra. The major islands are Bintan, Batam and Natuna Besar.
Alice Lee talks with Charlotte of Dive Global about one of her favorite destinations in Asia: Riau Archipelago in Indonesia and more...
Charlotte: Can you tell us a little about yourself and how you got into diving?
Alice: I grew up by the South  China Sea, in a small town called Kuantan on the East coast of Malaysia. As a child, I loved the sea. My father was a diver and taught me how to swim when I was 7 years old. Back then, underwater cameras were rare and expensive. He could only bring back shells to show me what he could see. The level of environment awareness wasn't what it is today. But I must admit that those shells and corals sparked my imagination. After years of snorkeling off the East Coast islands of Malaysia, I finally saved enough money to take the plunge in 1997. I could only afford 2-4 local trips per year. Yet, they were always memorable ones.
Charlotte: What is your favorite diving destination and why?
Alice: This is difficult to answer to that question. One of my favorite diving destinations is Perhentian Island, the most northern island off East Coast Malaysia. My first dive there was 4 years ago. Ever since I have been returning every year. I like the diversity of the marine life and coral reefs, the "Kampong" (Malay for village) atmosphere and the friendliness of its villagers. I also love diving in the Riau Islands for the unpredictable aspects and bio diversity of the sites. And being the first one diving unexplored areas is always very exciting. I even have a dive site that has been named after me "Alice's Rock".
Daisy Coral, photo taken in Riau Archipelago, Indonesia.
Charlotte: What is your most amazing diving experience you've ever had?
 Alice: I am still looking forward to see my first whale shark and manta ray. But I would say, the biggest shipwreck I have ever seen. A massive Dutch Freighter that sunk 5 years ago north of Bintan in the Riau. It is about 200 meters long and still fairly intact although very rich in marine life. It gives you a very special feeling when you dive such a huge vessel with many areas that have yet to be explored.
Charlotte: How did you get into underwater photography?
Alice: 4 years ago, a friend of mine lent me his underwater camera, an Ikelite Aquashot for my trip to Perhentian. I took a lot of pictures but I had made a big mistake I hadn't put any batteries in the strobe. Everything turned green. This was my first experience of underwater photography. I persevered and used the same camera for a trip to Cebu, Philippines 3 years ago. This time I get some very nice shots. I think that it is after this experience that I really get hooked. Doris, photo taken in Riau Archipelago, Indonesia
Charlotte: What equipment do you use and why?
Alice: I bought myself my first underwater camera, a Nikonos 5 when I moved to Singapore in 1999. My initial setup was with 2 Sea & Sea Ys50 strobes, a 35mm lens and a set for macro. For a year, I have learned a lot from the mistakes I made. Tough! But with practice, I manage to take some good shots sometime. I chose Nikonos 5 because it is a very good camera that can give professional quality photographs and still cheaper than Housing systems. Early this year, I have purchased a new strobe, a 'Subtronic Alpha' for better wide-angle photo. I will also get a 15mm wide-angle lens soon.
Charlotte: Do you have aspirations of becoming a professional underwater photographer? You are clearly very talented!
 Alice: Well, it's a dream to have my collection of photos published in magazines and books. I like photography on-land and underwater, I like to share with people the things I have seen. Of course, if I could make a living out of it. But it is an expensive hobby and there is still a long way to go. Deserted Island,
photo taken in Riau Archipelago, Indonesia
Charlotte: Is there a dive destination you have never been to but are dying to explore?
Alice: There are so many, just open a dive magazine and there are dozen of them that I have never been and would like to go. Hmmm! I think I'll choose Mabul for my next trip, there you can find the best of both worlds, tiny little macro and giant pelagic, a diving heaven that is so near; yet I've never been. This will be the best place to practice with my new 15mm lens.
Charlotte: What's your favorite animal to photograph/film and why?
 Alice: I like nudibranch; they normally come with an outstanding display of colors and shapes. Slow movement makes the shots easier but first you need to spot them. They are also good subjects to photograph when diving in limited visibility. I actually like to take any kind of macro organism. Many divers only look at big subjects, and they don't realize what they miss. Since I started macro photography I've discovered so much. At the moment, I dive very often in Riau, Indonesia, where I work as a part time Divemaster. Sometimes, when there is group of photographers, I will bring along my camera. Riau is a very good place for macro and I love it. Flatworm, photo taken in Riau Archipelago, Indonesia
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