Getting Scuba Certed!

Hey Everyone! Rashmi and I are now in Padang Bai (still in Bali). We spent a few days in Kuta just exploring the town, beachm and trying out different cheap warungs (restaurants). They have a lot to offer for a good deal. We found a great place to stay that was very clean and faced a beautiful garden. We signed up for our PADI Open Water Scuba certification class with Aquamarine diving just...4 days ago and are now certified!


We Started with some classroom theory and swimming pool practice, and then the next day went to Tulamben to dive the famous Liberty shipwreck there. The minute I went underwater there was a whole new world of fish and brightly colored coral on display. We saw some very beautiful tropical fish while practicing our underwater skills. Although neither of us are experts on tropical aquatic life we were able to spot eels, an octopus!, many clownfish, a few lionfish, some tubeworms, a ray, and a flounder! After doing 2 dives in the area we were dropped off at Padang Bai where we dove today. The dives were in the Blue Lagoon which has great coral formations and a beautiful drop off wall.

We also found a great deal on a hostel. For $8 we get our own little chalet, with a loft, multiple sitting areas, a bed with mosquito netting and it includes breakfast! Tomorrow we plan to do some snorkeling in the Blue Lagoon and then start moving on. It's a wonderful change to be close to the ocean with access to the beach and good seafood!


Speaking of food, we've been having random cravings for western dishes and a running joke of ours is to find some German noodles called spätzle. By chance we came across a authentic German restaurant in Kuta called Mama's! There they served cheese spätzle which was actually very good. We will probably go there again when we are back in Kuta.




Hope you are all doing well!