fishy .. fishy

Had my very first experience of snorkeling. Some might say what?? After all these years living in Bali? Yeah, after all these years living in Bali. The thing is, I’m not really crazy about the ocean. I love the beaches here, the waves are great to watch, the sand is so welcoming and the ocean.. I can’t really describe it.

I remember the first time I was there in bathing suit ready to swim (after so many years never been to the beach) my only reaction was, “heck, there’s a whole lot of water!!!” Then the images of me drowning and caught in a current just so mind boggling. I almost canceled going in. but that would disappoint my friend. So I braved myself, grabbed the boogie board and jumped into the water. I went, but I didn’t last long. That was about a year ago, in some beach called Bingin.

This time it happened again, I went because I was sort of ‘dragged’ by another friend. She’s snorkel freak, but having trouble finding someone who would spend a weekend somewhere. So after some talking we agreed to go on a day trip. Just ride, jump in the water and come back. She was so excited she even got this disposable underwater camera. Not a bad idea.

The trip was quite exhausting, 3 hr drive to Tulamben. It was worse because I was in some medication and had to take antibiotic. I could sense something was not right, but I calmed myself.

We made it there, changed into our wet suits and took a plunge. The view was intoxicating!! I’ve always loved watching nature shows, and now seeing these colorful school of fish around the USS Liberty shipwreck (in real life), it was just amazing.

Then something bad happened. Not trying to be too graphic that will disgust you, my dear readers, I had a seasick (well, not exactly cause the symptom was already there on the road), and I threw up. My friend thought I was going to do it on land, and not feeding the fish. But I promised her there was nothing for the fish, it was only water and my medication. Do you have any idea what antibiotic mixed with salt water taste like? Sorry, yuck! oops :D

We went to the small warung, I tried to brace myself. 15 mins passed by, we went back into the water. I told the guide that if I got sick again I would go back on my own, and he should stick around with my friend.

It was quite an experience. Talked to some experienced divers and they shared their experiences, even challenged us to take up diving. Very tempting, but I just got a lot of story around that. The sickness, and other stuff. But sure is tempting.. hmmm..

Dare devils

I never understand why lots of motorbike riders in Bali drive like they’re insane. For one thing, the lifestyle here is laid back, easy, and time is definitely not equal money. So why on earth are they speeding up? If they do this in the morning and they know they’re late, fine. But speeding at 9pm, and risking other people’s lives (and theirs of course). Someone I know tried to explain, “You don’t know if they’re on their way to signing a 5 billion rups contract!!”. Syeahhh right!

Anyway, several months ago a guy I know passed away, and I happened to know his wife too. It was heartbreaking that he had to die at the age of 29, just 8 months after his wedding. He was on a motor ride (driven by another friend) and the bike collided with a dog (happen ever to often in Bali!). It was fatal because he didn’t wear a helmet.

And just yesterday, one cook I know had an accident too. We can’t really know what happened, he was riding by himself, it was around 11pm. It was said he crashed in a truck. He was just 28, left a wife and 3 kids.

Despite what happened I still see people in my boss’ management driving around with no helmet. Really want to smack them on the head! It just makes me angry. I know very well the helmet won’t save you, but it’s a minimum precaution. There are other factors of course, but the way you drive counts too. Well, in the end I believe they all know this, and it’s their decision to take precaution or not, and let fate takes it course.