So have you been to Bali, too? I have, and so very many times. I was born and raised in East Java and I remember each year my folks would cart the family for a 3 week vacation to Bali. Vacation would start at 4:30 a.m. with a 16 hour ride to Kuta, Bali. After the bouncy car ride, roads are not like roads here in the U.S., a ferry ride, and then another 3 hour ride to Kuta we were ready to go to bed. But the long car ride was worth it when we smelled the salty area and heard the roar of the waves in the background. Kuta back then was a small tourist town where one could walk and ride peddle bikes without fear of being hit by taxis, motorcycles, and other motorized vehicles. Poppies Lane 1 and 2 were the center of Kuta but today you have to fight hard to find these small lanes in the metropolis of Kuta and her surrounding tourist towns.
So where the heck is Bali? Well, Bali is one of the many islands of Indonesia. This green lush island is nestled between the south east corner of the island of Java (about 2 miles away separated by the Bali Strait) and between the Komodo and Lombok islands. There is around four million people residing in Bali and most Balinese adhere to the Balinese Hinduism religion. Tourism is primarily focused on the south of Bali in towns such as Kuta, Sanur, and the Nusa Dua area. Up north you will find lush mountains and rice patties with traditional Balinese villages. The north also has great scuba diving areas such as Tulamben and Amed. In fact the North is where you can get away from the hustle and bustle of tourist life and only hear the waves crashing and the wind whistling through the trees. The center of Bali, around the Ubud area one can enjoy many spa resorts where you can unwind with great spas and drink in hand. Did I say drink? I meant book in hand!
Get on the web and Google or Yahoo Bali and you will find endless reasons why many throughout the world place their foot prints on this island. For me Bali is part of me. It is my vacation and scuba diving hang out. One of the greatest dive shops and dive agents you want to use in Bali is Aqua Marine. They are not only top notch but the best in the area! You can reach them by going to http://www.aquamarinediving.com/. Bali is where I get to enjoy one of the diverse cultures of Indonesian as well as the great Indonesian foods. There is something about Bali that just says “go barefoot and take a chill pill.”
Cheers,
Diving Doug
AKA: Doug Gulleson
