In Reply to: Staying in tulamben posted by Cold Canadian on Wednesday, 13. February 2008 at 20:51 Bali Time:
Hi Cold Canadian,
I'm not a diver, so I cannot recommend in respect to this, but since you haven't got any response I can at least tell you a little bit in general.
Tulamben is rather boring, there is absolutely nothing you could do, except diving, from the landscape it's volcanic rocks with not much vegetation there, two or three smaller hotels, one (diver) resort and nothing else.
I would suggest to stay in Amed, there you will have much more options to stay, to eat and also the area is much nicer, in Amed you will find several diving schools and of course they also go to Tulamben for diving tours (ship wreck), which is only 30 min drive.
Something you shouldn't miss when going to Amed / Tulamben from West Bali is one of the most scenic roads on Bali.
In Amplapura you take the road down South to Ujung, visit the floating palce Puri Tamang Ujung, it's worth a visit, very beautiful, then follow the road on the coastline, the road is like a rollercoaster above the cliffs with great views, you will see Lombok, passing some unspoilt Balinese villages - it's really a nice drive!
Best regards
Thorsten