SCUBA and Travel: Travel and Diving Destination: Bali, Indonesia

Published: 07 November 2016
Updated: 30 November 2016

By: William

INTRODUCTION

The name Indonesia is derived from Greek translation of the Indus River and the word nėsos, meaning “Indian island”. The name dates to the 18^thcentury far predating the formation of independent Indonesia. It’s known for beaches, volcanoes, Komodo dragons and jungles sheltering elephants, orangutans and tigers.

The capital of Indonesia is Jakarta located in Java Island. The phone code of Indonesia is +62. The currency is in Indonesian Rupiah, once you are in Indonesia you are already an instant millionaire, if you know what I mean! The current population is around 250 Million loving, caring and hospitable Indonesian people.

BALI ISLAND

Indonesia’s island is home to most of Indonesia’s Hindu minority which is 83.5% of the Bali population. The
island is a popular tourist destination, which has seen a significant rise in tourists since the 1980s. It is renowned for its highly develop arts, including traditional and modern dance, sculpture, painting, leather, metalworking, and music.

This is what I like about Bali; it is part of the Coral Triangle, the area with the highest biodiversity of marine species. In this area alone over 500 reefs building coral species can be found. For comparison, this is about 7 times as many as in the entire Caribbean.

TRAVEL EXPERIENCED

The traveller was assigned for a certain project that involved transferring of electrical power supply from the mainland Java Island to Bali Island. He was assigned in the island for almost six (6) months straight. For this, he is proud to say that he has contributed in solving the power problem of the island.

He have travelled to the country side of Bali Island and experienced the life of the local people. The place has a lot of temples and the people are very religious to their belief and tradition. Most of the houses have their own temple in order for them to offer to the gods every day.

He also met the family of his diving instructor, Mr. Suef. His diving instructor’s family welcome him warmly at their humble home which was surrounded by rice fields. The ambiance of the place was almost the same at the Philippines' provinces where life is in a slow pace and fresh air breeze coming from the seas and from the forest mountains.

He has witnessed the traditional Indonesian Hindu prayer before starting the project as shown in the video clip below.

PLACE TO VISIT

He recently visited Bali, Indonesia again with his family and first born daughter. His wife’s desire to visit the place has been fulfilled and she experienced the culture, beach, local food and tradition. Our daughter was still four (4) months at that time.

The most convenient way to travel with wife and infant, follow the list below!

Acquire an International Driver's License.
List the Location of the Tourist Destination.
Pre-Calculate the Distance and Travel Time for Each Destination.
Rent a Car (Self-Drive)
Purchase a Local Sim or
Rent a GPS Gadget
Plan to Visit the Farthest Place First
Enjoy the Land Trip

Below were our trips details: February 2016

First Day:

Arrival at Ngurah Rai International Airport

Hotel Check-in

Second Day:

Staying in at hotel, Novotel Bali Benoa

Trying the best Nasi Campur in Nusa Dua at

Bumbu Bali, a restaurant about 5 minutes’ walk from our hotel

Third Day:

3-hour drive to Pura Ulun Danu Bratan

Sunset at Kuta Beach

Trying Ayam Betutu at local food court in Denpasar

Fourth Day:

Driving and walking around Kuta area

Visit to AYANA Resort and Spa Bali

Fifth Day:

2-hour drive to Ubud (unfortunately the weather is not in our favor)

Sixth Day:

Hotel check-out

2-hour drive to Tanah Lot Temple, Bali

Depart Home

Photo Slideshow of the our Trip!

For him, it was a totally and drastically different experienced when travelling with an infant. Please try it yourself. It was rewarding and testing of patience in growing up a family. They say you will know better your partner if you travel with them. This trip has taught him a lot of handling negative situation and converting it to positive vibes. This experienced will only be gained by the person itself and cannot be passed on. So, please travel with your family! Plan ahead in order to avail the discounts for early birds!

They have decided to rent a car for the trip and that decision was very rewarding because they can control their own time. Their time will not depend on them. It will depend on their delicate, adorable and lovable daughter. Now a day with the help of Google Maps, you no need to have a local guide in order to travel around to the tourist destination. The travel is more private because of this new advancement in technology.

The diver on this trip decided not to check the ocean floor because of the tight schedule and it was his first time travelling with family and he want to concentrate on the task at hand.

DIVING LOCATION

He acquired his PADI – Open Water Diving license in Bali Indonesia. He was enrolled at Diving Centers Warner Lau – Pondok Sari. Please check the article SCUBA Diving 101 for more details about the diving experience.

So for him the family trip last February 2016 was the priority. There are a lot of diving shops and diving tour in the island. The places that he has dived were at the west side of the Bali Island and behind the Indian Ocean. It means calmer and clearer water. The visibility is high and suitable for a newbie diver. This was four (4) years ago.

MENJANGAN ISLAND
Dive Boat Ride