Today was our first full day in Bali, and Justin arranged for us to go scuba diving in Padang Bai (a coastal city of Bali).  It takes about an hour to get there from Ubud, so we had to leave around 7 am.  They arranged for the restaurant to open early for us so that we could have breakfast before we had to leave.  We even ordered the night before, and they had it ready to go when we got there at 6:30 am.

The group we dove with is called Geko Dive.  The dive shop is located right on the beach.  It was only the two of us diving with the guide, so we got plenty of attention (4 staff on the boat plus us).  We did a 2 tank dive.

The really nice thing about this location is that the reefs are very close to the beach.  The boat rides were only about 5 minutes.  We had about an our bottom time each dive.  Between dives, we were able to go back to the beach rather than sit in the boat.

Both dives were really great.  I was afraid that we were going to be disappointed– the Great Barrier Reef is a tough act to follow! But, we were both very impressed.  The visability was very good and there was tons of sea life:  fish, coral, turtle, sting rays, cuttle fish, eels, and even a baby reef shark.

I know that many people WANT to see sharks, but I am the opposite.  My stomach drops whenever the dive guide gives the shark “sign.”  All the ones that we have ever seen were very small and hiding under rocks….and that’s fine with me!  I know that I have mentioned this before, but I am probably the most nervous, experienced diver ever!!  Every time I’m sitting on the edge of the boat (with my back to the water) holding my mask and regulator with one hand, I think to myself, “how the hell did he talk me into this again?”  Then I say a quick prayer that this isn’t the time I get eaten by Jaws, and I do a backwards roll into the water.

The dive guide even made fun of me this time!  He was pointing out things to us under the water, and he pointed to an eel.  The eels are usually hiding in some coral and you only see a little bit of them.  This one was out in the open.  As soon as I saw it, I swam away to the other side of Justin as fast as I could.  As soon as we got up to the surface, he started teasing me about it.  I thought it was a snake (and I wasn’t going to get a closer took…..I was outta there)!!!

Overall, we had 2 great dives.

For dinner, we ate at Naughty Nuri’s.  It is a BBQ place that Justin heard about, and we were craving some ribs.  They were delicious!  Of course, we pigged out!

Tomorrow, we are going to see some of the sights in Bali, such as the temples etc.  I don’t think that many of the people who stay at the Chedi Club have done quite as much planning in advance as Justin has. Japa has nothing to do!!  I’m pretty sure that we are more low maintence than some of the other guests!

12 nights and counting………

XOXO Alyce