In Reply to: First timer advice needed posted by rival on Wednesday, 4. July 2007 at 00:32 Bali Time:
My snorkelling suggestions in order of preference:
1. Over the ship wreck at Tulamben just north of Amed
2. Blue Lagoon, a little bay over the hill at the back of Padang Bai
3. Drifting in the current off Nusa Lembongan
Religious festivals
New Year - Nyepi, moves around March/April is a fabulous time - I think there is a day where everything closes and you have to stay inside. This is probably the one you heard about. In general the religous festivals are fantastic. We were invited to a small village to take part in their new moon celebrations. It had the air of some our agricultural shows in Australia, with vendors set up selling stuff you would never buy any other time. There was heaps of light hearted gambling - even the kids were into that! On another occasion we witnessed the reclaiming of a previously buried local in readiness for the cremation ceremony. A Balinese friend refers to this celebration as the ' Stairway to Heaven ' night when the heavens open and spiriets can enter. Their ashes are then set adrift in coconut shells with ducks to accompany them. My friend gets all her ducks that way!! Happy travels.