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Facing my fears – first scuba diving in Bali

Do you know that feeling when you scared of something so bad that everything what is related with it, makes you feel uncomfortable? You don’t have such fear? Then you are the lucky one.

Because of few accidents in my childhood I need to admit that I’m scared of being in deep water. I could say – scared to drown. I can swim but I never swim to a places where I can’t touch the ground. So almost all water activities, no matter how entertaining, fun they are – not for me. I never tried surfing, I tried snorkeling twice but both of the times were unsuccessful. About other activities in the water I even don’t want to think. Probably you can imagine what does it mean to try scuba diving for person with such fear?

Cuttlefish - first diving in Bali — Cuttlefish. Photo by Wira Wijoga

Indonesia is one of the best dive sites in the world and I’m not able to enjoy it? I feel like my fear punishing me double. But after seeing many colorful, inspiring photos from diving in Bali, hearing the stories and seeing how easily people do it for first time, even getting diving certificates – I took all my courage and decided to try it. I didn’t know how it will be, but I was stressed already couple days before going for scuba diving. But I did it – my first scuba diving in Bali. Here is how I cope with my fear and what I discovered.

Preparation – know what you want before choosing where to dive

Diving in Bali - pinterest — Pin it for later! Photo by Wira Wijoga

When I was thinking about my fear I wanted to feel safe. For me, the most important things were:

patient, experienced, knowing how to deal with people who has deep water fear instructor. And who could speak properly in English;
dive alone with instructor, not in a group (usually 1 instructor dives with 4 divers). So instructor could be beside me all the time and I could feel calm that in any case I will get a help immediately;
I wanted to go to diving site where is not so deep but as well to see the turtles (I can’t explain why – but I really wanted to see them in their natural surrounding).

You can find many good instructors for diving in Bali, beautiful diving sites like Tulamben, Amed, Pemuteran, Padang Bai. Around Bali – Lembongan, Gili islands. Everything depends what kind of underwater world you want to see.

But after talking with experienced diver about my wishes, we decided for first time dive to choose Padang Bai. Mostly because of the recommended instructor and possibility to see turtles.

How everything went – dealing with the fear

We came in early morning. I had instructions about equipment, how to use it in underwater, how to communicate with instructor when you can’t speak and many other needed to know things about diving. Later on we went by boat to the first diving site. After it I understood that I scared not only to drown but as well breath underwater. So I got more stressed.

First diving site was near the shore. No corals, only sand and some small fishes – we went there just to see how I manage with being underwater with all equipment, how I understood and can follow instructions.

The first thing I needed to deal with is to go to the water from the boat without any equipment. It’s easier to put equipment on, when you are in the water. Even holding the boat side but knowing that in that spot is ~9 m depth already was too scary for me. Instructor was convincing me that it’s safe but only after 3rd time, I resolve to do what instructor was asking. This is how big is my fear to drown.

Flying gurnet - diving in Bali — Flying gurnet. Photo by Wira Wijoga

After testing the mask and equipment we dive. My breath wasn’t normal – I was so stressed that my breathing looked like I‘m doing some heavy physical exercises. After being underwater ~30 min. and going to ~3 m depth I show the signs that I want to go up. We had some rest in the boat and I decided that I need to go back, like if I won’t do it now, I won’t do it again later.

Second time we went straight to deeper place – ~9 m. There I saw already octopus, many different size, colors fishes and etc. My wonder of the things that I saw became bigger but I still was scared and intense.

Later on, we had ~1-hour rest in the boat but probably stress, moving water, changing the pressure in the water made me sick a bit. But in the second dive site we should see more colorful fishes, corals and probably turtles. I came to see turtles – so I wanted to dive again even if felt not so good already.

Scuba diving in Bali — My body language shows how scared I was. Photo by Wira Wijoga

And here you go! Still panicky breathing but feel a bit more comfortable moving in underwater we went a bit more than ~9 m. depth. There I saw 1st turtle, then 2nd one and the 3rd one! My instructor told me later that I first time smiled when I saw a turtle. Yes, in this diving site was already similar view that I saw in all those underwater pictures before. I saw even that cute small one fish (clown-fish) from cartoon “Finding Nemo”. I still didn’t feel free, I was trying to understand how to move properly and not to hit corals or go up, down too quickly. But with instructors help everything went well.

Green turtle - diving in Padang Bai — One of seen green turtles. Photo by Wira Wijoga

But most probably because of the same stress, excitement and etc. I felt not good and showed the signs that I need go up. We reached the boat and here came after-effect of half of the day intense, stress – I felt so dizzy and weak, I felt that my blood pressure went down as well. I just wanted to reach the shore as soon as possible.

After talking with experienced divers, they explained me that it’s normal condition after 1st time scuba diving, especially with my fear. That I just need to have good rest and I will feel better later. And it was like that – after half of the day rest – sleep, proper food, next day I felt like nothing happened. Even couldn’t believe that I did scuba diving in Bali.

Here are some useful articles if you want to try scuba diving but have the fear for it:

My discoveries after first time scuba diving

To put on the diving costume takes much more time and effort that I thought. I even got some scrape on my fingers when was I putting it on.
Ocean water is so salty that after I got it to the nose and mouth (by accident) I thought it will destroy everything inside.
Being underwater I was so thirsty, inside mouth was so dry I even couldn’t swallow saliva.
I expected that just after first scuba diving I will see those beautiful colors of underwater world but being intense I was mostly concentrated to do everything correct and not to drown, so haven‘t seen everything that was around.
I didn’t expect that I will feel dizzy, weak and willing to vomit – it’s as well normal thing for first time divers (not for all of them but it happens).
Try snorkeling was harder for me than scuba diving in Bali. After second dive I didn’t feel that I can drown.

Moray eel - diving site — Moray eel. Photo by Wira Wijoga

Tips for first time scuba diving

Please note that these tips are based on my own experience and advice of professional instructors but before first time scuba diving talk about it with your instructor.

Day before diving is recommended not to drink any alcoholic drinks and have good rest – quality sleep. I would say, even better stay overnight before diving day near scuba diving place.
All preparation, diving, rest after it and etc. will take more than half of the day. Don’t plan too many activities after diving, most probably you will feel tired.
One of the best time for diving is in early morning when the water is still clear. But every day the condition in ocean is changing so before diving talk with instructor if it’s good time to do it.
Ask questions – everything that is in your mind. Once my ex-boss told me “there are no stupid questions only stupid answers”.
Not all diving center provide snacks during rest time, so take with you some water and snacks. Can be that you will feel hungry and thirsty.
Take some remedies for bathing to wash salty water from your body and towel.
You won’t be able to make photos underwater on your first time dive but you can ask instructors to make some pictures of you while you will be diving.
Things your scuba diving instructor will never tell you

Lion fish - scuba diving in Bali — Lion fish. Photo by Wira Wijoga

Where I did my first scuba diving in Bali

First of all, you should try scuba diving in Bali. Why? Here are 10 reasons for diving in Bali.

Scuba diving in Bali I did in one of the diving centers near Padang Bai fast boats harbor. It’s a small diving center (you even won’t find them in internet) but I choose it because of recommendations from experienced diver. I’m very thankful for my instructor Wayan for patient, positive energy, help, dealing with my fear and all understanding my first time scuba diving.

If you will decide to have diving or snorkeling trip in Padang Bai, here are the places where you can stay.

Scuba diving in Bali - pinterest — Pin it for later. Photos by Wira Wijoga

SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS

Have you tried scuba diving in Bali? Where and how was it?
If you didn’t try scuba diving, would you like to do it?
Do you have any other favorite water activities that would recommend to try?

Useful? Great! :) You might also like these:

How to extend Indonesian tourist visa in Bali
Uluwatu beach in Bali – where magic happen

Photos made by Wira Wijoga in Padang Bai diving sites where I made my first diving.

How to extend Indonesian tourist visa in Bali

3rd time I arrived to Indonesia with Indonesian tourist visa (for 60 days), which I made before coming here. I made it in Indonesian embassy in Denmark (this office is responsible for administration couple of European countries, including Lithuania). Indonesian tourist visa is possible to make in any other countries as well (once I made it in Penang island, Malaysia).

After 2 months I wanted to extend my tourist visa. At that time, I was in Bali, so I needed to do it in one of immigration offices there (you can extend Indonesian tourist visa in any Indonesian island where is immigration office, for example in Java island, Yogyakarta).

I read many stories how hard to extend visas in Bali, that immigration officers are corrupted and etc. Most of the people were suggesting for visa extension in Bali hire an agent and don’t deal with immigration officers by myself. But to pay for agent almost the same amount like cost visa extension fee I didn’t want. So I decided to extend my Indonesian tourist visa by myself. And I was nicely surprised how easy it was and not so scary as I was told. So, if you have enough time and want to save some money, I suggest to extend your tourist visa by yourself.

What you should do if you want to extend Indonesian tourist visa by yourself?

1. Choose immigration office that is near your staying place

I made my tourist visa extension in Denpasar office. Here are the contacts of immigration offices in Bali:

Bali immigration office Ngurah Rai (nearby Bali Airport)
Address: Jalan Raya Taman Jimbaran, Kuta Seletan, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361 (map)
Website: www.ngurahrai.imigrasi.go.id

Bali immigration office of Denpasar
Address: Jalan D.I. Panjaitan No. 3, Kel. Dangin Puri Kelod, Kec. Denpasar Timur, Denpasar, Bali, 80235 (map)
Website: www.denpasar.imigrasi.go.id
Opening hours: 08:00 – 12:00 am and 13:00 – 16:00 pm (Monday – Thursday)
Opening hours: 08:00 – 12:00 am and 13:30 – 16:30 pm (Friday)

Bali immigration office of Singaraja (north Bali)
Address: Jalan Seririt Singaraja Pemaron Singaraja, Bali, 81151 (map)
Website: www.imigrasi-singaraja.com

2. Go to immigration office 7-10 days before your visa will expire

As well check if during that period won’t be any holidays when immigration office won’t work.

I went 2 weeks before my Indonesian tourist visa expiration date. And I was happy about it, like during those weeks was Eastern holidays and I had some misunderstandings with my first sponsor as well. Extra couple days helped me to make everything on time.

3. Prepare needed documents before going to immigration

Bring a black ink pen with you. Application form should be filled with black pen. Even if in immigration office you can find it, but can be that somebody else will be using it.
Bring your passport.
Have 2 photocopies of your passport picture page and Indonesian visa page. 1 copy you will leave in immigration office, 1 leave for yourself because while passport will be in immigration office it’s good to have passport copy with you.
Have 1 photocopy of your travel ticket for departure from Indonesia. You must show for immigration officers proof that you are planning to leave after your Indonesian visa will expire (even if you are thinking to make another extension in a future).
You will need bring sponsor letter sign by sponsor. Here is an example of the letter I provided (places you need to fill marked in red). The sponsor can be a person from the place you are staying, your friend and etc. (if he agree to be a sponsor).
Have 1 photocopy of your sponsor’s ID. IMPORTANT, if you will make Indonesian visa extension in Bali, your sponsor should have living permission in Bali as well (if he originally from other island and his Indonesian ID (KTP) registered not in Bali) or Bali ID card. In this case if sponsor not from Bali, you need to provide 1 photocopy of Indonesian ID and 1 photocopy of living permission in Bali.
Have the address where you are staying (likely your hotel), your sponsors contact details.
Amount of 355 000 Rp in cash. You actually won’t need to pay on your first visit, but it’s good to make sure you have everything in order when you begin the process.

4. Dress properly before going to immigration

If you arrive on flip-flops and a singlet shirt you may be not be allowed entry until you dress properly.

shoulders and knees should be covered
no slippers
no barefoot
no bikini

5. Start the process of tourist visa extension

You will need to visit immigration office 3 times till your tourist visa will be extended. Here is the process for visa extension in Denpasar office.

1st time visit

Come with your sponsor in the morning (documents for visa extension officers accept till 2 pm, at least in Denpasar office).
Just after entering the office, on the right side in front, you will see the counter. Select “Application”, take a number and go to right side (you will see where many foreigners will be sitting). Sit down and wait till your number will be announced by speaker and you will see your number in TV screen.
When your number will be called, go to the counter 1 and give all of your documents and passport. Officer will check it and will give you red folder, 2 application forms to fill (how to fill forms you can find the examples in the left side after you enter the office). 1st form is about your contact details. 2nd again about your details and sponsor details. 2nd form should be signed by you and sponsor with a stamp.
After you will fill both forms (and contact details, passport number on the folder) bring them straight to the counter 1.
They will tell you to take a seat. Shortly after will call your name and give you a receipt that will say to come back in 2-3 days (on the receipt you will see exact day to come back and time period). Do not lose that receipt!

Red folder, 2 application forms

Stamp

Receipt with information about when to come next time

2nd time visit

Again come in the morning (don’t forget to take money and receipt), go to the cashier (straight after you enter the immigration office). Give your receipt (no need to pay now). They will make some paperwork and will call your name and tell you to go to the counter 3.
With your receipt go to the counter 3, give it them. Wait till they will announce your name.
After they will call you, you will need to go back to cashier and pay 355 000 Rp in cash. Later come back again to the same counter where they will give you new number to go to make photos and finger prints.
Take a sit and wait till you will see your new number in TV screen and hear that they announce your name. Go to make photos and finger prints.
After it, they will inform you when to come back to take the passport.

3rd time visit

With your receipt go to counter 5 and give it to the officer.
Sit down and wait till they will invite you to sign the list that you get back the passport.
You will get back your passport with a stamp inside with date till which you have extension

Important: if you will come to extend 2nd time your tourist visa on 2nd visit you don’t need to make picture and finger prints again. You need to go straight to cashier, pay money and show the receipt in counter 3. Officers will put the date when come back to take the passport.

Tips for making Indonesian tourist visa extension in Denpasar office

If you didn’t make photocopies before coming to immigration office, you can do it in office are. Go to left side before entering the office. There you can buy a stamp for sponsor form as well, but there is no printing possibilities.
Around immigration office you won’t find nearly ant place to print documents, so better take care of it day before coming.
You should plan to stay in immigration office from 1 to 3 hours each time (depends on amount of people who are making visa extension). If you make 2nd time extension on 2nd visit you will need ~40 min.
If you are going to immigration office (for 2nd visit – pay money and take pictures) on the last day of the month – the cashier will work only till 12:00 am (not till 14:00 pm like other days)

That’s all! Your Indonesian tourist visa extended 30 days extra.

You can extend tourist visa 4 times (each time for 30 days). After it, if you would like to stay in Indonesia again, you will need to go abroad to make new visa. I did it in Penang island, Malaysia (it was quick and easy process).

If you think that all this process is too difficult for you or you don’t have time to come 3 times to the immigration office, you can use agent service. What is the difference to make visa extension with the agent?

If you take agent service you will need to go to immigration office only 1 time to make pictures and fingerprints.
You will meet agent 3 times – to give documents and tell needed information, go to make photo and come back to take the passport (some agents even bring and take papers from your place).
The agent will be your sponsor too, so you won’t need to provide sponsor letter and copies of sponsor ID.
It will cost more, approximately from 600 000 to 850 000 Rp (agent service and visa extension fee). The price depends in which city you will use agent, how fast you want to have extension (it’s possible to have it during couple of days paying more).

Did you made Indonesian visa extension in Indonesia? What was your experience? If you have something to add extra, updates – fell free to do it in the comments :)

Useful? Great! :) You might also like these:

How to get Indonesian visa in Penang island
Visas types and requirements for entering Indonesia
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Uluwatu beach in Bali – where magic happen

Sometimes on my mind I have exact places which I want to visit. Sometimes just let myself to get lost and stop somewhere on the way. Most of the time, the second choice gives me more surprises. Small trip to Uluwatu beach wasn’t exception.

I got suggestion to go to Uluwatu beach after the daytime. I thought it’s a bit too long way just to stay there for couple of hours (from my place, near Sanur, it’s ~1 hour one way). I suggested just to go on that direction and stop somewhere where we will find a sign “pantai” (in Indonesian language it means “beach”), just to enjoy the sunset (in that area it’s really beautiful ones).

Somehow all beaches on the way we missed (Green Bowl, Balangan, Dreamland, Bingin, Padang-Padang) and still arrived to Uluwatu beach.

First of all, this beach name a bit confusing. In internet you can find 3 different names: Blue point beach, Suluban or Uluwatu beach. After some research I understood why it’s called differently. “Suluban” is the original name and people just gave extra name “Blue point” because of the water color when you look to it from the top of the cliffs. “Uluwatu” beach is different one, straight under the famous temple Uluwatu (Pura Luhur Uluwatu). You can find this beach just on the left side through cave when you are heading to Suluban beach (no signs – just try to find the entry in the cave or follow others).

If you will go straight – it’s Suluban beach. If you will turn left (where is the rock) will be Uluwatu beach

Second, it’s not proper beach where you have plenty of space for bathing or other activities. It doesn’t have soft sand (mostly covered by stones and small pieces of corals). As well going for swimming in the Indian ocean you will need pass many rocks in the water.

Uluwatu beach surrounded by cliffs, stones

Third, this place called one of the best places for experienced surfers, so you should understand that the waves are high and strong. Also the best time to enjoy swimming is in the morning and daytime. It becomes like a natural swimming pool forms between the beach and reef. Later the water comes up and hide all rocks under the water, so you can harm yourself while swimming in strong waves.

Uluwatu beach sunset — Black dots in the ocean – surfers waiting for the “right” wave

In any case this place is really worth to visit, like it’s something different from usual beach views of South part of Bali. And you don’t need to be a surfer to enjoy this place. There are many local eating places “warungs” where you can just take a drink, relax and have the romantic sunset view. If you are lucky, you can see turtles swimming in the turquoise water as well. Probably one of the most known places to have really good time is “Single Fin bar”. It’s a bar situated on one the edge of the limestone cliff overlooking Uluwatu beach and Indian Ocean. As well they have live music every Sunday.

But what is so magical about Uluwatu beach?

Beside an unusual beach view, high cliffs, beautiful sunsets, some people say, that cave through which you need to pass to Uluwatu beach is magical. Why/how magical this cave I don’t know but I have my own interesting story to tell.

Usually sunsets comes ~5.30-6 pm in South part of Bali. While enjoying time in Uluwatu beach I saw that many people start to leave the beach even before 5 pm. I thought that probably they want to see other places or do something else. After we decided to go out as well, we turned to direction that we came in and where a bit surprised. We didn’t find the cave exit through which we pass inside. We looked around maybe we missed it. But no. We were a bit confused how come it happen, where is the exit. But suddenly in front of us came black local dog that we saw before playing in the beach. He just looked at as, went couple steps forward, again looked at as, like calling “fallow me”. First time I remember one scene from documentary movie (I forgot the name) when guy told – “if you don’t know which direction to choose, follow the animals that you will meet on your way”. So, I said – “yeah this dog going home and know where is exit”. So I started just talk with dog saying “go doggy go home” and he started to walk straight and we followed after him. Our exit wasn’t too far but it was covered already by tide, that’s why we didn’t see it. The waves each moment became higher and stronger, so we needed to wait to pass it and not to get totally wet. I think if we would wait a bit longer, we would need to swim through the exit. And it’s not the easiest way, like there are many big rocks. When we were passing inside we needed even to lean.

So how not to call it magic? When the dog appears from nowhere and waiting for us to show the way?

Before entering the beach there are no signs informing about timing when people need to return and not stuck there. Suluban beach is more open, so you can easily see and know how to get out. Even there are people who are standing on the cliffs and starts to whistle for swimmers and those who are in the beach that it’s time to go from there, like it’s becomes danger to stay. But in Uluwatu, nobody informs you.

If you are not sure if worth to go to Uluwatu beach, you can read some other travelers review about it and here are some more nice pictures of this place which probably will convince you to come here.

Tips for visiting Uluwatu beach:

Location: Jalan Pantai Suluban, Pecatu, Jimbaran
There is no entrance fee but for motorbike parking you will need to pay 3 000 Rp, for a car 5 000 Rp.
It’s a beautiful place for pre-wedding, wedding pictures and other photo sessions but if you want to make them on “special place” you need to pay extra “fee”.
You can find there not only eating places but as well some souvenirs shops, showers. But after 5 pm almost everything is closed. Even only 1 toilet was open.
I think, if you are not a surfer to spend there whole day you won’t have much things to do. But you can visit my mentioned beaches above during the daytime and stay in Uluwatu beach for a sunset. Or after staying in Uluwatu beach in daytime and go to Uluwatu temple (it’s only 10 min. drive from the beach), to see the sunset there and enjoy the Kecak dance performance. As well you can stay for a longer time in Bukit Peninsula (here are some good deals for hotels in Agoda, Booking or TripAdvisor) and discover really nice places, not only my mentioned beaches and enjoy other activities.

Would you like to visit Uluwatu beach? If you have been in Bali, which beach you recommend to see?

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