Bali Hai Reef Cruises

What can I say here .... professional, professional, professional.
These guys take the cake when it comes to reef cruises. The whole experience was just superb. I have been on many of the big boats off Townsville and Cairns and this was better. On the way out we were serenaded by a band on the back deck who even entertained us by playing "we come from a land down under". The boat also had the cleanest toilets I have ever seen on a boat.
Once we got out to the reef we were just amazed at the quality of the platform and coral reef. A snorkelers delight!

Bali Hai Reef Cruise offers a full day's activities - above and below the water. The luxury Bali Hai II catamaran moors alongside the purpose-built pontoon in peaceful Lembongan Bay. See the island's exotic marine life and colourful corals from the comfort of our semi-submersible coral viewer. Try snorkeling for a closer look or enjoy a host of other activities: unlimited banana boat rides, a cultural tour of the island or the exciting 35 metre waterslide. Dropping into the ocean is lots of fun! And when you've worked up an appetite, feast on a delicious buffet served in air-conditioned comfort.

- Departs at 9.15am - Returns at 4:15pm
- Price : US$85 - Children 4 to 16 years half fare
- Infants under 4 years free
- Family Package US$229 - 2 adults + max 3 children (4 to 16 years)
- Includes: o Air-conditioned hotel transfers
http://www.balihaireefcruises.com/

Geneva Handicraft

WOW! Do I love this place - absolutely!!

Geneva is a Bali experience all in itself, not to be missed. Geneva is a big warehouse type place where you get a trolley and wind your way through floors and floors of photo frames, baskets, wooden boxes, cushions, blankets, incense holders & everything else you can buy at the stalls and markets in Bali. As if they aren't already cheap enough there, Geneva is cheaper again! I always visit here first before shopping for anything home decoration wise in Bali.

The last time we left this place the bags were piled so high in the car we could not see each other, we were laughing so hard we were crying! We just couldn't believe how little we had spent and how much we had purchased!

Geneva is located at Jl. Raya Kerobokan No. 100, Kuta - Bali, INDONESIA, almost all taxi drivers know where this and if yours doesn't - quickly get out of the cab! LOL, find a new taxi that will take you there otherwise you will be missing something extra special!!

They have a website where you can check out "some" of their goods, there are thousands more.

http://www.genevahandicraft.com/

Waterbom Park

Woohoo! This place was a blast! Considering myself a bit of a waterslide connoisseur, I was a little skeptical that Waterbom was going to meet the mark. Pleasantly I found that it exceeded the mark and more. This place is absolutely spotlessly clean, very safe and tonnes of fun! The slides are some of the best I've ridden and the kids area is superb.

Located in the center of Bali's Kuta area, Waterbom offers a unique blend of thrilling waterslides and refreshing pools set in a tropical garden. World-class slides and rides are built and maintained to strict international safety standards. If you're in Bali with children, (or a youthful sense of fun!), Waterbom is a definite must - at least once, probably more….

Operation Hours: 9am - 6pm (closed only on Hari Raya Nyepi / Seclusion Day)
Admission ticket: Adult : US$ 21Child : US$ 11 (2-12 years old)

http://www.waterbom.com/index.php

Scuba Diving in Bali & Indonesia

One thing I love almost as much as shopping is Scuba Diving!

I have dived in many places including Thailand (amazing diving) and while I haven't dived Bali yet, I hear only amazing things. I did in fact Dive Indonesia in September 2008 as I went there for my honeymoon. Well actually we went to a magical place called "Wakatobi". It is located a 2.5 hour charter flight from Bali. They say that this place has the best house reef in the world! - And it does! The wall diving was spectacular! An all inclusive week will set you back approx $2100US, but hey, if its as good as the reviews, its just a drop in the ocean so to say. By the way, I live in Far Nth Qld on the Great Barrier Reef so I guess that's saying something.

Amazing places I have heard about in Bali include;

Tulamben - USS Liberty wreck (no currents easy dive 5m-30m)

http://www.tulambenwreckdivers.com/

Menjangan Island - National Park (day trip from Kuta)

Blue Lagoon (Sharks!)

Nusa Lembongan / Nusa Penida

http://www.aquamarinediving.com/

Amed
http://www.ameddivecenter.com/index.php


I will post an update about this once I have dived these sites.

Absolutely worth a visit ....Dreamland Beach

Dreamland Beach is located on the west coast of the Bukit Peninsula in South Bali and therefore only a short ride from Bali's major tourism spots. The beach provides basic accommodation and cafes for surfers and day trippers. One of the most beautiful beaches on the island, it is also renowned for its dangerous shorebreak.

After a short drive on a bumpy road our cab driver parked the car. We were surprised to find this place quite crowded and a number of surfers passed us on their motorbikes. People were gathering at the beach to watch the sunset from one of the many local bars and restaurants. We had to walk down a path and stairs to reach the beach. You could spot hundreds of surfers in the water from the top of a hill waiting for the next big one.

Dreamland Beach is really beautiful and the azure blue water looks quite inviting, nevertheless swimming is possible even though sometimes there can strong currents. Locals rent beach chairs for a couple of dollars and try to get you into their establishments. Eventhough Dreamland Beach was crowded at that time of the day and the stretch og beach is actually relatively short, you still got the impression that this is a totally laid back and special hangout spot for surfers and backpackers from all over the world, who happily intermingled with the locals.

People just gathered to watch the surfers, have a beer and a chat and watch the sunset and the ocean.