BALI - some questions

[mesje]

I am planning to visit Bali for 7-8 days in Mai and beside some diving and would like also snorkeling (because my wife doesn´t dive). I would like to stay at PadangBai and make some trips. I would like to ask some questions:
1) Tulamben - Is 1 day tour enough? Is the Liberty wreck good visible while snorkeling, or it is much better to dive there?
2) Menjangen - is it worth to go there for snorkeling or diving? Is it enough to go there for 1 day tour, or better stay there overnight?
(in April)?
3) I would like to enjoy also big waves - where can I find the proper beach?
Thanks for every information

 

[Cacia]

The Liberty viz was not that great the day we were there.... 30-40 ft? I am sure it depends on the tide.. Current might be an issue for snorkeling that....

GREAT snorkeling off shore of Scuba Seraya, Tulamben....macro stuff. About 20-30 ft.

Ribbon eels...nudis. She could freedive down, its so shallow. You could dive right below her..easy peasy.

 

[Leejnd]

Hi...I'm in the process of doing massive amounts of research on an upcoming 3-week Bali trip myself. Having not been there yet, obviously I can't answer your questions with any experience, but I can tell you what I've found out through my research. Hopefully more people with Bali experience can come in and give you the real skinny.

I'm planning on spending a few days in Menjangan. From what I've read, the dives there are among the best in Bali, and there are more great dives there than you can do in just one day. Plus, it's a haul to get there from anywhere else. The place that was recommended to me is the Mimpi Resort, which has its own dive operation and seems to have some pretty decent packages. There are also lots of things for your wife to do while you're diving, much more so than Tulamben.

As for surfing, the popular spot is the Kuta-Legian-Seminyak area.

I bought the Rough Guide to Bali -- it's really been a great resource as I plan this trip, as it's geared towards travelers who enjoy adventure. There's also a great forum for Bali travelers where you might get more questions about surfing answered: www.baliforum.com. It's populated mostly by Aussies who go to Bali pretty regularly, so they've been able to answer lots of questions for me.

Good luck, and let us know what you decide! And be sure to come back and post your experiences, since my trip isn't until Sept.

 

[Cacia]

Bali is so romantic, ...sigh

Our first day in Tulamben, there was a brush fire at the top of the volcano and I got up and saw the smoke and said "WOW...I did not know it was a LIVE volcano!"

It made for some drama though...

 

[Leejnd]

OHMYGOD! Now that's just cruel. How long is it 'til September???

 

[Cacia]

he he...I am inspired FOR you.

You will love it. be careful to vet your driver, the roads (driving) are dangerous. Talk to the guys before you get in the car..."look here, I'm in charge,... (nicely)" I usually just say "I'll tip you if you don't scare the crap out of me, okay?"

If they laugh and say "okay" I get in. If they glare at you or have no idea what you just said, I don't.

We were lost with the only scarey looking guy in Bali for four hours in mountain roads, blasting metallica, passing on blind curves, and glaring at me in the mirror. I wanted to escape but did not have any water.

 

[Leejnd]

he he...I am inspired FOR you.

You will love it. be careful to vet your driver, the roads (driving) are dangerous. Talk to the guys before you get in the car..."look here, I'm in charge,... (nicely)" I usually just say "I'll tip you if you don't scare the crap out of me, okay?"

If they laugh and say "okay" I get in. If they glare at you or have no idea what you just said, I don't.

We were lost with the only scarey looking guy in Bali for four hours in mountain roads, blasting metallica, passing on blind curves, and glaring at me in the mirror. I wanted to escape but did not have any water.

That has got to be the best advice I've gotten yet! LOL!

 

[LekicINC]

There are also lots of things for your wife to do while you're diving, much more so than Tulamben.

Like what?

I looking at almost EXACTLY the same trip to bali 7-8 days with a non diver, but I am going in August, so i am looking for what else there is to do in dive areas As of right now, I am planning to do day trips from Sanur to keep my girlfriend happy. 2 hours drive at least to all the good sites it looks like. :sad:

 

[drbill]

Catherine... those photo collages have me wanting to go. Beautiful! Just need to get one of my lovely buddies to agree to a romantic dive trip (I know they'll "buy" the second part of that... it's the first part they might be iffy on!).

 

[Cacia]

a very wonderful place, Bill.

...lots of pretty girls there though..you could hang in Ubud and scrape one up I bet!

I thought Balinese were very attractive people. They seriously have no stress on their faces. All those blessings all day, I guess.

And the best part...the most affordable place I have ever gone. I would say it is the best value I have ever gotten for my vacation dollar. I did love Ubud very much.