Oh my, my (said the spider to the fly)..
First things first - the camera was purchased specially for this trip after Dave discovered that his Canon Rebel would require a housing and flash unit (and housing for that) that would cost more than the camera itself, more than double if I recollect. So he did some searching and came upon the Olympus C-8080 with a U/W housing, flash unit, arm, and flash housing as a kit that would cost about what the Rebel did. We discussed it, and I felt quite comfortable going with another Oly. Even thought it's not a DSLR, at 8MP shooting in TIFF or RAW mode (both of which this camera uses, as well as being CF
and xD capable) there would be little appreciable difference in use and results from a standard SLR. I LOVE this camera, it's the camera I used for the rest of the vacation shots. I find it SO much easier to use than the Canon, it's amazing. The Oly itself was just under $750, and I believe that the whole package was around $1600 (camera, flash, housings for both, and flash armature).
There were several Titan triggers in the area where we were diving, and they come in pretty close to shore (I saw them at depths easily less than five meters). On all dives and snorkeling we were almost stepping on lunare wrasses and undulated trigger babies. They swim into water only inches deep. Because the shores are pretty much volcanic rock and rubble, they are not exactly good sunning beaches, and difficult to walk through for beach dives.
We went exactly to a German resort called Tauch Terminal, in the village of Tulamben. It's on the north side of the island, so it takes a while to get there from Denpasar. I slept on the way in (we arrived at around 2am CST), and fell asleep on the way out, but I think the drive was around 2.5 hours , door to door. The reasons to dive this area are: not so many resorts, the U.S.S. Liberty wreck to the west, and the drop-off to the east. Amed is another popular (almost too popular) diving area, with many, many resorts available.
We flew China Air, but I'm hearing that this airline is a bit accident prone (haven't had a chance to check the veracity of this myself). Because it was China Air, we flew out of SFO into Taipei, and left August 23. We were diverted to Hong Kong on the way to Bali because of a typhoon, spent about six hours there. Great airport, but the sharkfin soup being a fast food offering was a bit disheartening and freaky. I still wish we'd gone ahead and spent the money on the duty free electronics, though, talk about cool gadgets! Total transit time was about 18 hours. We returned on September 4.
One thing of note for anyone considering a trip anywhere in Bali; do NOT bring $100 bills issued in 1996 - if you can find moneychangers who will accept them they'll try to give you less. It is very likely that you'll find moneychangers who won't accept them at all. Also, ALL money you take (don't bother with small notes at all, just change $20s & $100s for rupiahs) must be BLEMISH FREE. No marks, no stains, no tears, no visible wear at all, or again, they'll try to pay you less or may not accept them at all.
I never once felt threatened or uncomfortable with the Balinese, some of the German tourists were rather.. um.. chilly. :| I never met a Balinese/Indonesian national with whom I felt uncomfortable, and in fact found the rule to be quite the opposite. I believe that if you bother to learn a few words, and make "please" (mohon; said
moe-HONE) and "thank you" (terima kasi; said
teh-REE-mah kah-SEE) the words you use most, you'll always stand in good stead there. Hello is always known, and most everyone has a smile and a greeting for you. However, since we spent no time in Denpasar or Kuta I don't know if it's different in those larger city areas. I did notice that in towns and villages with lots of tourists the people were a bit more stand-offish, I wouldn't be surprised if they get tired of the pointing, the touching of heads, and gestures that are considered rude.
We spent our last day shopping in Ubud, near the Sacred Monkey Forest. I have never wanted anything to do with monkeys, and that still stands to this day. The shopping, however, is FANTASTIC. You must learn to bargain well, and learn first which establishments are fixed price and which are not. I am very good at bargaining.
Dave and I are actually having some Balinese friends look around for property, as we intend to return. If it's to a home, or something more, it's definitely in the cards. I'm rather fixated on the areas of Tulamben and Kubu.
