ahevepluto ٩(●̮̮̃•̃)۶: Bali Vacation

Bali Safari Dive (and Leisure) Trip

This trip, brought along innocent losses, precious smiles and laughter, wonderful quality time spent together, tears of guilt and deep heartfelt appreciation.

Because this is a long vacation, I cant possibly blog every single detail, so bits and pieces ya?

14th September, chauffeured like a princess from my office to the airport. Familiar faces greeted me, what I didnt know were the ups and downs I'm gonna face the next 7days.

Julia was soooo sweet to give each of us a call to say bon voyage! Hehe. Thanks babe!

Even before we board the plane, situation arose. A hero trying to stop a plane. Seriously. Because his swiss knife was being confiscated. All but two, belted themselves up on the plane already. The hero stood at the plane door, the hero's friend walked up and down finding his bag, opening up compartments, the friend wanted the hero to sit near them mah.

Roy and me sat together on the plane. While the rest slept, we both couldnt. We played chess, talked, and Tried to sleep. Arrival in Dempasar Airport was like a dream-came-true. We are all finally in Bali!! *cheers*

Took a short ride then checked into Stana Puri Gopa Bali hotel in Sanur. AikSeng suggested supper. So Jon, Roy, Aikseng,Kieren, YF and me went just across the street like some angmo pub and had first meal of the trip :)

Roy was my roommate. A noisy one. Someone who would wake me up at 2am to off the room lights for him. Really. After his warm tub bath. And after making alot of noises unpacking and packing and the procedure continues... Unpacking and packing.

And if the breakfast meeting time is 730am at the dining area, he would wake me at 730am sharp. And there, he stood at the door hurrying me while I was only about to have my first pee of the day.

We excitedly went to BIDP dive shop after breakfast to fill the forms and check the rentals. Then moved to Matahari Resorts in Tulamben and headed out for the first dive of the trip!

First dive was a shore dive at Seraya Bay. Alot of macro. But shore dive wasnt easy. It got me soooo tired I eventually had no strength to get out of the water after surfacing. Damn~

My green vege cum carrot dish::

Underwater Orgasm (need to say more?)::

My buddy, Roy, and the Moray::

Juvenile Puffer?!!::

Dive Safari was tough. We were just rushing for time again and again. 2nd and 3rd dive was at Liberty Wreck. Had really good reviews on it before I personally experience diving at Liberty Wreck. But I think the wreck itself wasnt fascinating, what is lively is the coral and marine life around it.

Our 3rd dive was somewhat being delayed and the wait for rental torches made it worse (dont ask me why the torches need not be paid yet my rental fins have to be). Our 3rd day dive became a night dive. They actually wanted to charge us USD20 for the dive but its not reasonable!! So nope, we didnt pay. *grin*

The night dive was the most memorable (horlan) coldest night dive I ever had!! Because the dive was unexpected to be conducted in the evening, I did not bring along extra wetsuit nor even my thermal rashguard. So there I was, freezing underwater at 25ºC. But the worst part is not the cold that caused me partially unconscious, it's... You guessed it, I horlan (lost my way)!! (Bu kui is horlan queen) I live up to my name!

Horlan nevermind, my own torch also bullied me, batts died. I blindly fin around shivering watching out for lights. After few minutes, I found a pair of divers, alot of hand signals commotion and then took me rrrreal long time to realised, wrong group. *puke blood sia* They were kind enough to bring me back to my group where only left a few divers already.

A supposedly short dive has ended up 67mins. Best of all, Bali shore no streetlamps! I practically gasping for air on land cos of the chill and darkness. Sigh. Torturous!

The night ended early just after dinner. And oh great, I'm feeling all sickish all over. Boo..~

I skipped breakfast and only wake when all were ready to check out from Matahari Resorts to the Padang Bai.

We stopped over at the bridge where we can see the magnificent view of Mt Agung. Of course, took peekchures!

Ice greeted us at the center!! He said he already knew we were coming cos he recognised my weight belt being delivered by BIDP ready for dives. Heh ^^

The 4th dive which is also the first boat dive. Current on surface was strong and almost no way to entry by giant stride. Actually there is, but I dont see anyone as patient to be able to guide me through. Onboard was hoping someone can patiently teach me how the fiak to backroll, when I heard a rude comment: "Dont know how to backroll then stay on the boat lar." That seriously annoyed me. Being the stubborn and timid me, and rage is in my head, I just jumped in.
Great, drifted by the monstrous current swiftly without control, without my fins. Called out to one buddy but he was busy videographing the others.

I wasnt panicking as I thought I would be. This time, I did listen to the brief, but oh gawd, I think the speaker talking to only meichin no matter how hard I strained to hear. Others? Can only understand half of what the speech was. As expected, the brief wasnt spread to those who couldnt listen. I have no idea.

So, I lost my fin. Was asked to retrieve it back but I knew it was gone, forever. I aborted the search, telling them to give up and the boat picked us up. I was left alone onboard.

The boatman was such a nice person, Ice's friend. He thought I was in shock, he removed my BCD, my wetsuit even, gave me water and even dried my hair with clean towel then chat chat with me. Only minutes later he realised from his crew, oh I lost a fin. LOL.

And I ended up crying..

Their dive ended and Roy was first to board. Alongwith came Corine. Roy was pretty anxious but I refused to talk. He asked to see my hands cos yes, he knows usually I keep my injuries to myself. But nope, my hands are alright. Corine's left hand was bleeding, the 5 fingers, then I understood why Roy wanted to see my hand.

It made me cried even more. Because Corine's husband went look for my fin, thus she got hurt without anyone looking after her. I cried out of guilt, not shock. I was sooo thankful to Roy for looking after Corine. Really.

Back to shore and I heard what I guessed. News about the dive guides. News about our group's behavior. I was embarrassed, all I did was, "ya I know we all shouldnt, I'm sorry".

The rest went back to their 5th dive. Only myself, Corine and Jon stayed behind. Photowhoring and catch up with Ice. It's so nice to meet someone familar on a foreign island. =)

And we went back to Stana Puri Gopa Bali hotel for another two nights.

Had dinner at Stiff Chilli.

Earlier on, AikSeng used our bathroom for his shower. When it's Roy's turn, he shouted at me, "oei, your undergarments dont anyhow hang leh!" I looked at my bikinis at the window, mine's not in the toilet leh... AikSeng took almost more than a minute to realise its HIS lar! MEN~ boo.

AikSeng left us for his surfing.

While the rest went straight to room, Jon, YF, Roy and myself went for a night walk down the streets.

Smoked the Cigar to bed. Imagine walking to the washroom, you have to close your eyes. Freaking smoky! Got a complaint the next morning from the next -door saying we polluted the air on our storey. Ooops.

6th dive site was Manta Point. I was soooo hopeful to see Mantas seriously. Nitrox and non-nitrox divers were split into two different boats. And I tell myself die die have to backroll, be strong and brave, LOL.

All went well besides my screaming. Thanks Roy, for grabbing me upright when I backrolled. Corine skipped the entire day's dives.

Manta Point was cool, the drift is soooooo fun. The drift was so fun I forgot I wasnt using my split fins. It's Aqualung blades fins. I love drift dive. What disappointed me was, no manta sightings at all..

7th dive was finally the long awaited Crystal Bay. Where Mola Mola sightings are high. I was all prepared, geared up, with silly hood too!

Again, I rolled in with a scream (I think). Initially the dive was boring, nothing except to notice the coldness of the water. First Mola sighting I missed it. Then I saw YF from above pointing frantically. I knew should be Mola already..!

Hovering at a distance from them, I positioned my lousy PNS camera aiming at the deep blue. Strange enough, I turned around and noticed no one doing likewise. I started to doubt myself if I was seeing a Mola. Dont wanna end up snapping a silly fish.

But the view just got clearer, as it did, I couldnt feel the coldness anymore. YES YES, YES it's a Mola, with numerous bannerfishes around it. But wait...... oh gawd... no way.... please.... Shiet la, this Mola must be thinking I looked like jellyfish (their prey), because it kept coming! To the extend I was soooo close to it I can easily reach my hand to touch it. But nah.. I was terrifed, who can tell? Haha. I was soooo afraid if I fin, my legs would kicked the Mola, so I desperately used my hands to fin away from the Mola. Not kidding.

Molas (mind you, I didnt zoom at all!!)::

But yeah, I got so terrified busy finning away from the Mola I didnt realised it was my camera flash that scared the Mola away.

Sorry all, I really didnt know.. Anyway I was thinking my Mola pictures sucks so was thinking is it because those were taking without flash, so erm....... Oops.

Most satisfying dive of the trip accomplished! Too bad Corine and Pat missed it!

But immediately after I surfaced, I was reprimanded big time, for going down deep to 30m. I reasoned its only touch and go, besides, I was already terrifed finning upwards and backwards! And, I was above the nitrox divers I thought. Whats wrong with me at 30m? I dont know, but I heard, "fuck la". I swore I didnt hear any "ting ting" tank banging to attract my attention underwater during this dive.. =(

8th dive was at same site. This time not so lucky. So a pretty short dive. Too cold la. =p

And everyone seems to be in a happier mood, we plunged into the Hotel swimming pool!

I took him::

He took me::

Did the pictures make sense??

Then, my one fin came back and had a photoshot of it::

Had dinner by the beach but different restaurant though. But the wind was so strong and YF, Roy and myself were badly affected. So spend no more time and hurried swallowed our food and get out. Muahahaha.. And it seemed strange, every dinner the shortest waiting time is an hour.

Before entering the restaurant, I thought Roy was playing a fool, stuck a cig onto the supposedly God statue!! But came to realise, no la, it was already there.. Sorry lar

This night, only Bernard, Fred, Kieren (who slept snoring away), Roy and me gathered for simple wine. Roy's yawnings distracted me and we ended the night.

Checked out from hotel but left our luggage at the reception and headed to the same shore to board the boat for our last day of diving..

9th dive site is slightly warmer, they said. But nope, I'm not risking it, I still cover myself warmly, only less my gloves, find them a chore, cant feel my hood, cant feel my hair, cant feel anything! Didnt see anything much anyway.

10th dive is a different site but also didnt see much anyway..
11th dive (last dive of the trip) was back to Crystal Bay, for Pat's sake and all the photographers' sakes. Well, it didnt matter to me much whether we were going which dive site. My molas had been achieved. My mantas are almost impossible, I went a total of THREE places with Manta sightings but never once witnessed before, really gave up lor.

ME::

Cant believe we plunged into the pool again at the hotel. Okway, me was to pee. But what's wrong!?! Chey~

All of us were unchanged unbathed and headed to Dewi Seri Hotel in Kuta after loading our luggages that were left at the reception early morning. Safari Diving quite cool right? My style, no need shower after dive. Ho ho ho.

Haiya, but reach Hotel had to bathe la. Because everyone would. Best, the room is at FOURTH floor! No lift hor! Not only the stairway is very narrow, every step of the flight of stairs is wide. Horror.

Night view from my corridor::

Everyone gathered and AikSeng brought us to a restaurant for dinner. As usual, the waiting time is 1hr shortest. *Giggles* I didnt realised I taxed every of Roy's food even before he gets to taste them till he complained. Best dinner ever in Bali!!! I had KING PRAWNS! Worth it all man!

But cost a bomb la~

After that, just a short walk around the nearby areas as everyone seemed tired..
I have evil friends. While climbing up a short steep slope to the memorial namelist, i got halfway in the middle, with Roy in front and YF beside. Best, none came to my aid. Trying to save my face from the passerbys, I tried a step up but failed and stumbled downwards. Damn. YF witnessed and laughed. TRoy said he didnt hear me calling out to him. EVIL!

Headed to Lobby area Lounge and sat there for awhile chatting. Wasnt long before everyone head to bed. As usual, my roomie will drag his ass for sometime before entry to dreamland. We struggled watching TV till late.

1st day of R&R. Had buffet breakfast complimentary by the Hotel. Then we all decided to head to the beach with AikSeng, intention to watch him surf. Taking the opportunity to meet up with James and his group as well.

The 'fake' surfer girl::

Sunshaded shoppers::

Then noticed the locals have to pray everyday! (for good luck)::

Everyone was shopping along the way! It took like forever to reach the beach, till James called and called.. Arriving at the beach, hot, hot, AND HOT. We didnt stay long before decided to go Hard Rock Cafe for lunch, where we all just had our breakfast. But, James and his group were flying off, so..... Okway.

We had our Buddy Shots just near HRC.

Roy & Eve::

While the rest decided to continue shopping, Fred and Corine, YF and me went for Massage which is just like doorstep from out Hotel.

Before Massage (oops, YF sleeping already?)::

Sat at the lobby waiting for AikSeng at sunset.

By the time he arrived, we assumed it was too late to head to Tanah Lot as planned. So we went Fortun Restuarant, Jimbaran for dinner. A short ride. Beautiful shots of sunset were taken too.

But cannot understand why got cheeky people trying to bury my feet in the sand under our dining table...

After dinner was more shopping. Phew~

As usual, last one standing for shopping, Roy, YF and me. Bought a REAL authentic Bintang tee! *shame* Came all the way to buy authentic goods. LOL, and i managed to drag them along for my horse carriage ride! Yeah!! My desire achieved!!

Video on how the horse's tail keep swiping my thighs!!::

I bought Frog again.. Hands itchy::

Look! Found PLUTO's PUNCH and YF ordered::

Hmm.. Strangely enough, after I had a shower, I realised, Fred, Bernard, Kieren had came over for wine session. So Roy and myself joined them. I think we sat till near 2am! Oh gosh. And I was frantically applying mosituriser layers and layers of it while chatting with them.

Our last day in Bali, had the same buffet breakfast. Waited for gears to arrive scheduled ETA 10.00am. But they arrived slightly later and imagine I had to carry the gears up to my room at FOURTH floor and back down to lobby again! Ok la, YF carried up me though. Down was funny, narrow stairway and my bag is huge, I got stuck! =x

Left the bags at reception and we chiiiiiong out to do last minute shopping! But as expected, last day in Bali means majority would have left zero rupiahs to spend. Ha! So all scrambled around the town for money exchange.

Took two respective cabs to Dreamland, surfers' paradise.

While 8 of us went, 3 stayed behind for relac shopping. After Dreamland exploration, Fred, Yf, Roy and me went back to Hotel for BodyScrub, while the remaining four went to some other temple.

Gathered back at lobby and the van picked us up to Tanah Lot.

Again, the wait was long.. YF, AikSeng and me wouldnt want to miss the sunset so we went in first. We saw the "temple" where you can enter when there's low tide, but we could see abit of tide already yet.... WE WENT! Roy chased up, as usual. We got blessed by washing with holy water, flower tucked behind ear, rice stuck on forehead. Heh!!