Ten years after a first trip in Bali, I was looking forward to re-live the emotions that this island gave me as a first timer hopping that the east coast was still unspoiled by resorts developers or tourists unruly attitude.
We set Tulamben as our base since it’s also the diving mecca and I wasn’t opposed to get back underwater!
After 3 long hours started in Denpasar Airport, our driver drops us at Ocean Sun resort recommended by a friend (he was right!).
This region has evolved to the 21st century, there is now an ATM and even a “Starbuck style” Café / restaurant, a lot of shop take bank card as payment and Revolut is free from fees in some of them!
It looks like the wet season is not yet over and the heavy skies hide Mount Agung most of the time but waking up early gives me a chance to snap few pictures
Mid morning brings more clouds and hide the “navel of the world” as Balinese culture seems to believe.
Let’s explore the coast line… the weather did not serve us much for tropical paradise look and I knew from last visit that large pebbles over black sand make the beach of Tulamben. Divers are already moving toward the Liberty ship, resting on her side 30m deep. Even snorkelers can see her since the mast almost reaches the surface (2 or 3 m under the surface)
Back to the other side of the main road, the fields are following the early slope of the volcano… green on black a dual tone that lacks the blue skies to be pleasing! therefore, I will focus on the people and their occupation. Traditional farming seems to be completing the tourist service in this region…
by now, I realise that my autofocus is way off target and despite manual adjustment, I will need to forget about this very practical feature and use my old eyes to avoid further blurry pics. I start by still creatures and move on to local birds
back to people with an added manual focus constraint
After few day in the clouds and a turbid sea shore forbidding snorkelling, time to move to another known place: Amed.
Not too far, the beaches are still black but smoother!
still.. the water is in the same condition… Rather that the shore, let’s go inland in a narrow valley where rice paddies always sell the touristic Bali!
The following day, we ride around to the south of the Mount Lempuyang. The sky has opened a bit a the pictures get slightly better.
We’ll finish our stay in Sanur where the weather was much clearer but the Bali Vibe much less authentic!!!
Back to London and the nasty surprises of a first day back commuting to work!
