Pristine waters at Nusa Lembongan.
Learning to dive has been on the top of my bucket list for the last two years so when I finally found a friend who was willing to skip town for a few days, I leaped at the chance to get certified. We spent the week prior studying intensively before shamelessly figuring out which Instagrammable outfits we should pack for each day.
Getting ready for my first dive at Crystal Bay. It took me about 10 minutes to get into the wet suit. The fit is so tight it’s like wearing a tourniquet from head to toe. The dive instructor next to me is helping me get my 6kg weight belt. Yes, 6kg!!! When all the dive equipment is strapped on, I have to stand perpendicular to the ground or risk toppling over backwards. Everything probably weighed closed to 35kg!
Prepping to go metres under. I was so petrified it took me three tries before I could dive to the bottom. The current was high and visibility very poor, which made taking the plunge nerve-racking.
Dolphin sightings twice in one morning. Wish we were in the water instead of on the surface!
Relief and happiness finally written all over my face.
In between dives. We went to Toyapakeh and PED. We were originally suppose to go see manta rays but the tide was too high for us newbies.
Celebrating the end of our diving course. Certified after 3 days!
Purple sunset from Townhouse’s rooftop. One of two places we found that serve fresh juices and smoothies.
Dinner at Potato Head on our last night in Bali
For a second during my trip, I thought I wouldn’t be able to get my PADI license because I struggled with keeping calm under water. It took gulping litres of salt water, repeatedly telling myself to breathe slowly and deeply and a dive instructor with the patience of Mother Teresa to make my nerves sloooooowly melt away. It was such a surreal and deeply serene experience to finally be able to swim with marine life I’d gotten to know through obsessively watching diving YouTube videos. I’m already thinking about my next dive trip and am certain I won’t be flopping around like an ungraceful swimmer!
xx Ling
