This was actually the first dive we did in Bali at Tulamben, our second being at the Coral Garden which was the subject of an earlier post. The dive starts with a swim across an area of sandy bottom where our guide pointed out several different kinds of brightly coloured Nudibranchs (Sea Slugs) dotted around. We soon reached the start of the wall that drops away to 40 metres and gives the dive site its name. Continue reading “Tulamben ‘Drop Off’, Bali – July 2013”
Farne Islands – August 2013
The last time I dived the Farne Islands must have been about 7 or 8 years ago, probably the year that I started diving. The islands make frequent appearances on television programs due to their bird colonies and also due to the seal population. It is the opportunity to dive with the seals that is the draw for divers visiting the Farnes and I didn’t have to think twice when an invitation to do so came from a friend.
It was an overcast day when we arrived at Seahouses to meet up with the others and board one of Billy Shiel’s boats the Glad Tidings VII. Continue reading “Farne Islands – August 2013”
Tulamben Coral Garden, Bali – July 2013
When we signed up for a day of diving in Bali we weren’t quite sure what to expect after our five days of stunning diving at Bunaken in Sulawesi. We opted to stay along the stretch of coastline on the North East of Bali known as Amed, partly because it was reputed to have good diving.
After a wander around the various dive centres checking out what kind of dive packages they offered, we eventually chose Jukung Dive whose dive centre was a stones throw from our hotel. This Dutch owned concern has a very impressive dive centre and a great cafe/restaurant where we had lunch each day after diving. The divesites were at a location further up the coast at Tulamben which is best known for the wreck of the USAT Liberty (where we spent our second day – the subject of a later post). It’s a very picturesque location for starting a shore dive, with the local outriggered fishing boats sitting at the top of the beach where you kit up. Continue reading “Tulamben Coral Garden, Bali – July 2013”
‘Turtle City’, Bunaken Island, Sulawesi – July 2013
There was some deliberation during the planning stage of our holiday to Indonesia whether during our first week on Sulawesi it would be better to stay at a dive resort on the mainland or to stay on Bunaken Island itself. Having returned I can now say that we definitely made the right decision when we opted to stay on Bunaken Island. The scenery was spectacular and diving every day with Manado Tua (which looks for all the world like a mini-volcano) as a backdrop was certainly no hardship. Most days Manado Tua was even crowned with a little puff of cloud just to complete the effect. 🙂 Continue reading “‘Turtle City’, Bunaken Island, Sulawesi – July 2013”