Category: Travel & Leisure

So, you are interested to explore the jaw-dropping underwater during your time in Bali? With its warm water and bright sky, this tropical island in South East Asia is just perfect to learn scuba diving. Plus, a lot of dive sites here has very slow currents with unbelievably wonderful marine life. It’s everything beginner divers could ask for. Scuba diving is a relatively new activity, and for any new diver, acquiring this skill is both exhilarating and demanding. Joining a scuba diving course in Bali is the right thing to do if you want to start underwater adventure.

Understanding How Bali Scuba Diving Course Works

When you first start reading about diving, you may become overwhelmed with the impression that it is too difficult for you, but don’t give up. Learning to dive is doable and consists of two parts: theory and practice. You’ll have access to all of the theory resources you’ll need to study and learn in the classroom, as well as a competent diving instructor to teach you the necessary practical skills. Do not worry too much. Though scuba diving could be quite difficult and frustrating for beginners, you can pass with flying colours if you do that right.

Acquiring the Practical Skills You Need to Master

Learning the fundamentals of scuba diving is a step-by-step process that you will be guided through before entering the water. Once you’re ready, you’ll study and practice your skills in a confined body of water, such as a swimming pool’s shallow areas.

Taking Your First Breathe Underwater

It may seem unusual to think that you can breathe via a mouthpiece while staying under water using air from your tank, but you will learn to do just that! One of the strangest yet enjoyable aspects of the diving experience is discovering this sensation. Instructors will demonstrate how to use a regulator to breathe with scuba mouthpiece.

Go Slow during the Dive

Little by little, add air to your Buoyancy Compensator (BC). Wait a few seconds and notice how the air changes your buoyancy. Reassess after a few puffs, a few breaths, and a few fin kicks. Slowly filling your BC prevents your dive profile from resembling zigzags on a saw blade. To rise, keep in mind that you should not add air to your BC. Instead, use your fins to slowly release the expanding air.

A Well-Fitting Mask Changes Everything

Masks is a minor thing that can cause major discomfort for divers. We’ve seen this happens in Bali scuba diving course more often than you think. Especially beginners who just learn how to adjust underwater—but being constantly disrupted by leaked water inside the mask. Nothing is more inconvenient than a leaking mask that slams into your ears or face. Diving is all about seeing what’s going on under the surface. If your mask is constantly leaking, it is a nuisance and obstructs your view. Start by getting a mask fitted by an expert for the best scuba experience. A correctly fitted mask helps you stay focused and absorbs the other techniques you need to learn smoothly.  

Take Your Time to Learn Buoyancy

You’ll hear a lot about buoyancy as a beginner scuba diver, and it’s something you’ll continue to understand and learn to regulate throughout your diving career. Don’t worry, you’re not alone; every diver has their own BCD, or buoyancy control device, to use when diving. This incredible underwater gear will let you manage your buoyancy (the capacity to float up and down underwater) so that you can dive comfortably and calm.

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Don’t Feel Pressured by Your Peers at Bali Scuba Diving Course Center

When you join a scuba diving course in Bali, you might see other newbies who happen to swim better than you, dive smoother than you, succeed at some skills quicker than you. Be calm; no need to compare yourself with others. Focus on yourself and what you can improve.

Scuba diving is an excellent opportunity to test your personal limits. While you may desire to try new things, don’t let people push you into doing something that doesn’t feel right to you. Don’t do what others want you to do; instead, do what you enjoy.

Are you ready to join your scuba class now?

Many people say that travelling will be so much fun if you do it alone, with partner, or friends but not family. Many horror stories about how travelling with family is such a nightmare. Fight with sibling, boring elders, or boring activities are some of the reasons why many people refuse to travel with family. However, it is not as daunting as you imagine.  Travelling with family can be fun and there are so many benefits you can get.

Best things you can get from travelling with family

Travelling with family can help strengthen the bond. Everyday’s life can make everyone in the family feel dull or exhausted. Long working hours, endless school projects, broken relationships, can put everyone in such a bad mood causing a hiccups in the family. By travelling together, you can share such rewarding experience that can make you feel closer to each other. With better spirit, you can create new adventures that all members of your family love. 

Travelling with family promotes global education. You see, we can learn from many resources anytime and anywhere. Travelling can be a learning opportunity for your family especially the children. It is great opportunity for you to introduce them to the world. Teach them how to socialize, adapt with new environments, etc. 

Experiencing new cultures can help a lot in their self-growth and development. Your children are in golden age where they can absorb language well through experiential learning. They may pick up new skills or understanding during the trip. Travel also teaches them how to respect and appreciate the environment more. 

Travelling with your family that consist not only your children but also your elderly parents is advantageous. It can help lifting up their mood and spirit. They might have experienced many things but travelling with the entire family will feel new. It can bring out their youthful spirit, making them smile and laugh more. 

Travelling teaches you how to enjoy the experiences and live at the moment. Sometimes we are all to focused on the future that we end up falling into stress. You might not be the only one in the family who experience it. Travel allows you to feel the moment and forget about the stress. It helps you relax while having fun with high spirit at the same time. No surprise if you return with new spirit and higher motivation. 

Travelling with family is enriching in so many ways. It promotes independence, togetherness, self-confidence, as well as interpersonal skills. Not to mention that it promotes health both physical and emotional. By having outdoor activities together such as hiking, camping, or climbing, you promote healthy lifestyle and appreciation of the nature. 

Travelling with family creates unforgettable memories especially if it is something rare you do with them. It will become something you cherish forever. Every fun and not-so-fun moments will be great stories you can recall in the future. Travelling with family can be such a sweet and wonderful experience depending on how you do and enjoy it. 

Observing the ocean’s tinier species brings joy to certain divers. They aren’t easily intimidated by the large and bold, such as patrolling sharks. They are especially proud to discover unusual, small, and well-camouflaged creatures hidden in a quiet nook of a pinnacle, as their attention is always based on the minute and mysterious. In reality, macro diving has a devoted following among divers. Tulamben, Bali, Indonesia, is one of the best macro diving sites. While the Tulamben is best known for the USAT Liberty Wreck, it also has other hidden gems that provide incredible macro opportunities. Prepare to be blown away—you may forget to return to the land as you become engrossed in these enthralling microorganisms.

Melasti, the Hidden Micro Diving Sites in Tulamben Bali 

The Melasti is one of few amazing muck diving spots in Tulamben Bali with amazing critter life. This location is snugly nestled along the Seraya coast, sometimes as blurred as the Seraya Secret itself. In fact, many divers have dived here without realizing it was the Melasti. Mantis shrimps and harlequin shrimp can be found hiding behind piles of coral heads or feasting on starfish. It’s also the best place to see Melasti’s two signature nudibranchs, the Donut Dorid and the Shaun the Sheep. They are frequently requested by divers—and they are not particularly easy to find, making them all the more rewarding!

Seraya Secret, Famous Site for Micro

Tulamben is only five kilometers away from the Seraya Secret. It’s a simple dive with gentle currents and great visibility. You can get to the site from the beach and descend into the 10 meter deep ocean floor. The seafloor is dominated by black sands. Other divers may find it uninteresting, but macro enthusiasts will adore it because it is teeming with life! An underwater macro photographer can spend hours scouring the seafloor for strange small creatures. The abundance of crustaceans and nudibranchs on Seraya makes it ideal for muck and macro. Expect to see Harlequin shrimps, which are a common sighting, as well as tiger shrimps, boxer shrimps, Bumble bees, Coleman shrimps, zebra crabs, and thousands of other species! Patience is a virtue; good things come to those who wait.

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Off the Beaten Path in Batu Niti

Not everyone is familiar with Batu Niti, another hidden site for macro diving in Tulamben. The location is past the Seraya Secret, in a headland and reef formation. The Batu Niti is a nudibranch paradise. During the nudibranch mating season, the site becomes even more active. Thousands of nudi will be seen all over the place, getting into action. Frogfish and coral fish are occasionally spotted. Corals and spongers of all sizes and shapes bloom in the area, adding to the beauty of the site. If you want to see something other than the macro, there are schools of barracuda, jacks, trevally, and even whale sharks nearby.

Travelling solo is fun and there are benefits you can gain from it. However, there are also the downsides too and one of them is feeling lonely. Travel alone can make you prone to feel lonely because don’t really have anyone to company. Also, not everyone is comfortable talking to strangers especially when they are alone because they feel more vulnerable. Yes, letting strangers know that you travel alone can out you in vulnerable position sometimes. 

Tips to not feel alone when solo travelling

Choose your transport well. If it is possible for you to reach your destination by train then do it. Many travelers find trains more social compared to plane for example. The setup can give you more opportunity to get socialized with other passengers. There are usually people who travel in group consisted of family or friends. They are fun to talk with and they even often invite solo travelers to join lunch or dinner.

Choose your accommodation

Usually, hotels are less sociable so the opportunity to sociable and mingle with other is very small. Instead of hotels, you can book a room in hostel or B&B. they usually have common rooms you can use to meet other travelers and have a cup of tea together. Join communal tables for breakfast and share stories with other travelers you meet there. So you don’t have to eat alone all the time. 

Seize the day

Make the most of day tours you take while travelling. There are times when you like to spend time alone. However, there are also times you feel like you need to meet with other people and socialize to feel less lonely. Then, you can join an evening tour for example during your trip. There you will meet new people you can talk to and get to know with. Who knows maybe you can even make friends for life. 

Talk to strangers

Small talk with people you meet might not be your cup of tea but you there is always room to improve. You can learn how to talk with strangers. Socializing even just by simply have a small talk with strangers is challenge for introverts. However, you ca learn how to do it and gain more confidence to do it well on your own. 

Join a class

Take a class during your trip can help you meet some companies. If you travel alone for short period, there is very little chance for you to feel lonely because you spend your days doing many things. However, it can be different when you travel for long-term. There will be times that you feel lonely and need companies. Hence, taking a class to learn something new in a place you visit can be a whole new experience. 

Go local 

It is also suggested that you go local when you travel alone. Go to local coffee shops, diners, or even flower shops. Be friendly with the locals to build trust and connection with them. They will slowly notice you as regular and treat you like one of their friends. 

Before deciding to travel to some places whether internationally or domestically, it is a must to check the update of guidelines provided by your local authorities. In some places around the world such as the Unite States, the coronavirus is still spreading and the case reported daily is still very high. Even The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) still maintain that travel even within the U.S still increases the risk of contacting and spreading COVID-19. 

Visiting Walt Disney World on COVID-19

Despite high number of COVID-19, some travel destinations and tourists attraction are starting to reopen their business. However, there are still measurements taken to ensure the safety of everyone. New policies and guidelines are made as preventative action. 

Parks & attractions are opened, but resort is closed

The resort itself has not been reopened everything. However, the parks and attractions can be visited. Although, you won’t find some features like it used to be. Visitors can enjoy Disney Springs, Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground, The Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme parks, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Epcot.

Limitation in attendance

There are things to consider before visiting such as limitation in attendance. Also, Disney themselves are not selling new tickets rather giving priority for those who already bought the tickets and have not been able to visit due to the pandemic. Also, it is a must to make reservations online in advance. New system is applied to ensure the safety of everyone. You can also check for more information by downloading My Disney Experience App.

Take all the necessity precautions

If you have made a reservation and got the date to visit, you need to take precautions to stay safe during your visit. For example, face covering is a must. The staff won’t let you enter the place if you don’t put on your face mask. There will be temperature screenings as well at the entrance. There is limitation to the period of your visit. The place itself operates from 09.00 a.m to 07.00 p.m. 

Social distancing as always

The guests have to follow social distancing rules by keeping distance within 6 feet with the others. In one day, the guest will be allowed to visit only one park so no park hopping this time. Also, do not expect for Minnie Van Service because it won’t be available. 

No dining at the restaurant

During your visit, you won’t be able to dine inside the building because the restaurants are still close for the time being. So, do not expect for dining experience like it used to be. The payments are also arranged contactless and cashless to minimize any physical or close contact between the staffs and the guests. 

It’s gonna be a different experience

The experience you will get by visiting Walt Disney World will be different due to the global pandemic. Therefore, some major perks and events won’t be available for the time being. This information helps you to know what to expect if you plan to pay a visit. You may consider another alternative for more fun travel experience during pandemic.

If you are looking for holiday inspiration, think of sailing journey to Indonesia’s exotic Flores “Land of Dragons” in a Phinisi style Komodo liveaboard. This might not be your usual summer holiday where you book beachfront villas or resort for staying. It’s one holiday package that ticks all the list; gorgeous destinations, sunny skies, blue ocean, and more beaches than you can count. And you can have it all—the summer adventures and lodging—in one booking. Here’s why Komodo liveaboard could be your best holiday.

Holiday in Komodo Liveaboard is Like Nothing Else

How many times you wake up in a sailing boat, looking up to the vast ocean that spreads before you? Mostly made in the tradition of Bugis’s wooden Phinisi schooner, Komodo liveaboard is the manifestation of far-flung adventures and a forgotten past which is filled with modern comfort. You can go sunbathing in the top deck’s loungers, chilling in the indoor saloon, and cradled in cozy cabins with hotel standard facilities. Do nothing except relaxing, enjoying the journey, and exploring the islands and the sea. Think nothing of the meals and accommodation. The liveaboard crews will prepare everything; from breakfast to dinner and housekeeping to preparing diving equipments, they’ll do everything you need. It’s time to immerse fully on the holiday—and how often you get to do that?

Interminable Skies, Ocean, and Deserted Islands

Never run out of ocean and gorgeous islands to explore in Komodo liveaboard holiday. You’ll get some of the most stunning panoramic landscape right in the doorstep. Well, right on the deck, to be precise. The surrounding islands also give equally beautiful sceneries once you reach their top hills. Views of never ending oceans, punctuated with small uninhibited islands lined with stark white beaches would definitely left you in awe!

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A Raw Adventure in Pristine Wilderness

This is the fuel of any Komodo liveaboard trip. A chance to have raw adventures in untouched islands, which kept pristine as how nature made it. No beach clubs, no man-made pools, no hotels scattered along the coastline. Everything is natural—and in this age, it’s the epitome of luxury travel. 

Freedom to Reach Remote Waters with Komodo Liveaboard 

Before this, liveaboard was mainly popular among divers. This mode of travelling allows them to reach some of the remotest waters to dive in. It also allows them to dive on dozens dive sites for several days straights. The Komodo liveaboard can give you the same things, definitely. You’ll be able to dive and snorkel on some of the remotest dive site in Komodo like the batu Bolong, Crystal Rock, China Town, and many else!

The coronavirus outbreak that is happening worldwide has put us on hold from doing any activities that will require moving from place to place. Travel restrictions are not only happening in one country or two but is hundreds of it especially in those affected by the covid-19. Some countries have ease travel bans and restrictions. However, many people still find it scary to start travelling especially for leisure purpose. If you are still unsure of going abroad, you can also find some safer alternatives. As for now, you can also start planning your first post-pandemic vacation with a luxury train trip.

Recommended luxury train trips to take after pandemic

Taking a train to travel from place to place may not be a new thing for you. However, it is still different from a luxury train trip. It provides you high quality service, stunning scenery, peaceful rhythm of the rails rocking, and luxurious amenities to enjoy. Thus, you can choose a luxury train trip for your first post-pandemic travel and start planning it now. Here are some of recommended luxury train trips you may consider for your next travel plan.

Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian Express

The Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian Express usually operates eight times a year to provide a luxury train trip experience. It takes you to between Moscow Vladivostok over 12 nights. Places you will be passing through include Novosibirsk, Irkutsk, Lake Baikal, as well as Ulaanbaatar. The train will stop at some spots to allow train riders to sightseeing. This train also has modern equipment with three cabin classes to ensure the comfort and safety of every passenger.

Eastern & Oriental Express

Eastern & Oriental Express also offer luxury train trip. This train usually takes vacationers to travel between Bangkok and Singapore twice in a month. They provide two and three-nights itineraries. The train will run you through some of top scenic areas in Thailand and take a detour to the popular River Kwai bridge. This train is built with modern cars to provide luxury standards. There are three levels of cabin to book.

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Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express offers modern, luxurious train trip. It is even considered as one of the top lists. The train will take you to travel through the most stunning views between Paris and Istanbul. It usually offers luxury train trip once a year. Thus, many people book in advance to avoid being in placed in long-waiting list. It offers five-night itinerary in which three nights on trains two in hotels because this train doesn’t have on-board showers. This train consists of modern cabins to accommodate travelers.

Pride of Africa by Rovos Rail

Pride of Africa provided by Rovos Rail offer five luxury train trips every year. It consists of 15-day itinerary to travel from Dar Es Salaam to Cape Town or the reverse. The train will pass through Bostwana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, as well as Tanzania. This train still uses older equipment for the majority of it. However, they are already updated to current standard. There are on-board toilet and shower to accommodate travelers. This trip also include safari stops that can make it more interesting to experience.

With one of the longest coasts in the world, Indonesia has so many dive sites to choose from. Each dive sites in Bali has something unique to offer, and this island is home to many of them, from the most popular to the most opaque. There is something for everyone in Bali, as both beginners and advanced divers can find dive sites that suit their specific abilities, but there are also dives where conditions can vary widely. Some are easy for beginners to dive and are located around the island, while others are easier for beginners and divers. 

Dive Sites in Bali; How You Know It

Although they are quite remote, Pemuteran and Menjangan Island, where the largest and most popular dive site in Bali is located, are worth a visit. The island is known as one of the best dive sites in the world for both beginners and advanced divers, but it could be more difficult to get there. Occasional divers may prefer to make the trip to the Nusa Islands and stay in the south of Bali, near Kuta, Sanur or Ubud.

Popular Bali dive sites include the shallow Coral Garden, where Buddhist statues were made artificial reefs, the Nusa Penida Reef, the USAT Liberty Wreck, and the shallow Japanese Wreck around Tulamben and Amed. There is much more to choose from and there are many more dive sites for your next dive trip to Indonesia.

Diving with Currents

If you want to try dive sites in Bali with stronger currents, try the other two sites reserved for more experienced divers, such as Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Islands. We do not recommend it unless you are from abroad specifically to dive, as many of the other dive sites in Indonesia are more impressive.

Why Bali Dive Sites are So Good

The variety of corals is impressive and the variety proves that Bali is one of the best diving destinations in the world. This dive site in Nusa Penida is the only one where you can see manta rays in Bili. The jetty is also a paradise for micro life enthusiasts and a great place to look for nudibranchs. Some of the best nude dives in Bali can be found in front of the Secret Bay.

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Big Animal Attraction

Manta Rays and Mola Mola are some of the highlights that attracts divers from all over the world to visit Bali. They loves tropical water and strong currents, which what Nusa Penida is known for. These species are somethings that you will never see in America or Europe. So if you want to see them in their natural habitat, you should really see them here in Bali.

For more information about diving in Bali, visit PADI Travel or the PADI Dive Shop in Bali to plan your dive today. Come here to learn diving from some of the most experienced dive masters and explore the various dive sites in Bali.

To reach your travel destination, you can use various modes of transportation. One of the safest is most efficient is plane. You can book a flight for your travel plan and you just sit comfortably throughout the flight. However, it is also common for passengers on a plane to do or experience many different things.

Things you should not do when on a plane

During a flight, you have right as passenger to enjoy all amenities and services given by the airline. However, you also have to respect other passengers and the flight attendances as well. It is highly suggested that you don’t do these things when on a plane.

Pick A Fight

Picking a fight is something you should never do during a flight, be it with another passenger, flight attendances, or the pilot. Getting into a fight will only get you kicked out from the plane. Well, it is not literally but if it’s necessary, the pilot will land the plane in the nearest airport to ask you to leave. Remember that during a flight, it is easy to feel stress such as being uncomfortable when someone in front of you reclining their seat. Instead of getting into a fight, talk with them politely. If it cannot be resolved, talk to the flight attendance.

Getting Drunk

Getting drunk during a flight is something you should never do. Intoxicated passengers often cause trouble and that’s why most airlines contracts of carriage contain clauses specifically stating this. You will be removed from the plane if you found to be drunk. There was even a case when a sober woman was being rejected to take a flight because she looked intoxicated. Thus, make sure to avoid alcoholic beverages during a flight.

Keep Your Phone Turned On

Keep turning on your phone even when the flight crew ask you is a horrible thing that can put you in jeopardy during a flight. You have to follow the rule of the airline even if you have right as passenger. It is for everyone’s safety that passengers are asked to turn off their phones. If you forget to turn off your device you will be reminded by the crew to turn it off. If you are being persistent to keep turning on your phone, it is highly possible for you to get booted.

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Neglecting Hygenie

Another thing you should not do during a flight is to neglect your hygiene. Keep in mind that you are with other passengers in the cabin. Forgetting to wash your hand or using soap after doing your business can cause terrible problem for everyone. The other passengers will get uncomfortable during the flight and you will be uncomfortable too with all the whispering and stares you get from others. Thus, make sure to keep your hygiene even during a short flight.

It is important to respect each other during a flight. Try to be more understanding with the situation. However, don’t violate the rules because it is for everyone’s well being and safety.

 

The holiday season is just around the corner and you just cannot get enough of planning on your next sweet escapade. But why, out of all things, it has to be resorts, you think. For some people, the idea of staying in resort might not be as familiar as booking rooms in a hotel. You might think a resort is a bit crowded with large families with shouting children or something over the top, but that’s because you haven’t really experienced the true comfort of a resort. Especially a resort in an island as nice as Bali where it is synonymous with beaches, blue skies, relaxation, and tropical fun! Here is five reasons why staying at Bali resort, such as the Nusa Dua resorts, is perfect for your next trip to the Island of God.

Being A VIP for A Weekend in Nusa Dua Resorts

On regular days you might be an office worker juggling with daily tasks, endless meetings and phone calls. On Nusa Dua resorts, however, you gonna feel like VIP all day long. You will get a taste of receiving special treatment and having all your needs met by the resort. Your fridge is stocked with all-time favourite snacks and drinks (no more late night trip to minimarkets!), you will have your own personal concierge, and having 24-hours room service ready. Having even your smallest wish granted is one of the best feeling you can have in a holiday.

Enjoying the Best of Gastronomy

Resorts know how to spoil your palate so much. From fuse of Italian foods, seafood, Japanese cuisine, to amazing interpretation of Balinese local food, everything taste just amazing. You will find your stomach growls in a minute.

Luxury Sunbathing at Best of Swimming Pools

Resort screams for multiple, large pools and that’s their pride. You can spend all your holiday time coated with sunscreen from head to toe and have the best, uninterrupted sunbathing session in one of the pools. The Holiday Inn Bali Benoa, one of the largest Nusa Dua resorts in the island for example, has four pools including an infinity pools facing right to the beach and a pool with bars where you’d love to hang out.

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Get the Best for Social Media

For social media afficionado, here’s the real deal of staying at a resort. You got the best instagrammable backdrop, you can take a shot in every corners and result in stunning photos, and every assistants there are more than ready to help you take the picture. Nusa Dua resorts is ideal for taking the best holiday shots, really. Lines of palm trees, white sands, impressive pools, and endless blue waters, down to the beautifully designed decorations.

Everything You Need Right on Your Doorstep

You want to go surfing? They’ll book the best surf school for you. Want to experience a Balinese cultural excursion? Just look at the schedule. Need a rejuvenating spa for your tired body and soul? It’s just one call away and you don’t have to move anywhere. This, dear travellers, is the beauty of Nusa Dua resorts.