SCUBA Diving

Recreational diving using Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus (SCUBA) is an increasingly popular activity. Some commercial and military dives also make use of SCUBA equipment but recreational diving is by far the most common. Air from a tank is breathed using a regulator, which ensures that the diver receives it at the correct pressure to counteract the effect of the surrounding water.

The pressure within a diver’s body tissues must equal the surrounding pressure. For example, at a depth of 80msw the pressure within the body must be equal to nine time’s normal atmospheric pressure (10msw = 2ata, therefore 80msw = 9ata).
There are certain risks associated with SCUBA diving. Although several organizations exist to promote safer practice the fact that there are so many divers ensures that the Hyperbaric Medicine Unit treats an increasing number with diving related problems.
Dive Sites in Bali
Bali’s has many and diverse dive sites. Here is a brief summary of the different areas available to SCUBA divers in Bali.
Tulamben
Tulamben has become Bali’s most famous diving area and therefore where you are most likely to meet internationally recognized underwater photographers and writers. Tulamben Bay, like the rest of Bali, is situated in the richest marine biogeographic zone in the world. Tulamben is on the northeast coast of Bali Island.
Amed
Amed is located on the northeast coast of Bali. By car, about 15 mins south of Tulamben, along the main road, and then 15mins on a local road, so Amed is much prettier than Tulamben. Amed is a quiet fishing village in northeastern Bali, a short distance from Tulamben.
Padangbai
Located a few minutes off the eastern coast of Bali. Amuk Bay, with the villages of Padangbai to the south and Candidasa to the north are about 6 kms across and located along the south side of Bali’s eastern point. Just north of Padangbai is the Blue Lagoon, a treasure-trove of marine life. Two islands (Tepekong and Mimpang) outside the bay, and Biaha a little to the north, offer some of the most breath-taking diving in Bali.
Nusa Penida
Nusa Penida is a 17km long island off the southeast coast and the largest of 3 islands of Bali. The water here is fairly cold but often startlingly clears, with gorgeous corals and prolific fish, with some turtle, shark and in season, Mola-Mola (the weird and wonderful Sunfish.
Secret Bay
While Bali offers great diversity of dive sites, Gilimanuk Bay (or Secret Bay as it is known locally) on the northwest tip of Bali is unique within Bali. It is the very definition of muck-diving. No rich coral reefs, no depth to speak of, it is in basically a site for macro-photographers and for the occasional recreational diver looking for something different from the norm.
Menjangan Island
A small island to the north of northwest Bali and forms a part of the West Bali National Park. It was in 1978 that Menjangan became Bali’s first internationally known dive location. Consequently, in older dive guidebooks, Menjangan is described as having beautiful reef flats. Unfortunately that is no longer true. On a more positive note, Menjangan is actually famous for the wall diving.
(BTN/Int)

Dance 4 Life World AIDS Campaign

DENPASAR – Dance4Life has been mounted to motivate teenagers in Bali to stop the dissemination of HIV/AIDS by holding the World AIDS Campaign, from, by, and to teenagers, expressed at the press conference, Tuesday (28/10) at Balinese Struggle Monument, Bajra Sandhi, Denpasar.
Mercya Soesanto, the Public Relations officer of Dance4Life explained, since 10 October 2004 Bali joined with World’s Dance4Life, a prevention and education program of HIV/AIDS for teenagers that is supported by the United Nation (UN). Three schools in Denpasar (SMAN 1, SMAN 4 and SMA Kertha Wisata) with 2.300 students were actively got involved within the action that was supported by Komisi Penanggulangan AIDS Tackling Commission of Bali Province (KPAD Bali) and Education Department.
Saturday, 27th November or a week before the world AIDS commemoration day in Bajra Sandhi, starting 19.00 – 00.00, Balinese teens will join in with others from (Africa and Europe) dancing together for 5 hours. The theme of this year campaign is “Moving the Future Breaking Silence and Taboos” with wearing a white costume. The campaign will be attended also by Indonesian activists and celebrities Indonesia such as Nurul Arifin, Nugie, Irma Hutabarat, Opie Andaresta, Ika Mardiana, Carmanita, and Connie Constantia.
Mercya said that within the campaign, a few guest speakers, instructors, and guest stars would guide the participants. Dr Upadisari from Rama Sesana Foundation – woman clinic in Pasar Badung, dr. Mangku Karmaya from (KPAD Bali) and other doctors will supply knowledge about safe sex and HIV/AIDS.
Dance4life is an interactive and energized international collaborative project aimed at providing an opportunity and platform for teenagers to become actively involved in the struggle against HIV/AIDS. “Dance4Life will be a global statement for young people, with dance as the major opportunity for involvement and expression,” said Mercya.
(BTN/para)

850 Japanese Tourists Visiting Bali

NUSA DUA – 70th Anniversary celebration of Teraoka Seisakusho Co.Ltd, Japan, 3 November 2004 was celebrated in Bali. The company invited it’s entire employees together with their families. The visit is good for Bali tourism, because the company has more than 850 employee and families. “This recovery momentum is a good sign for Bali tourism, which is composed of many Japanese tourists in the middle of travel-warning validation,” said Diah Prativi, the Public Relation officer of The Westin Resort, to Bali Travel News.
It said, they would spend 5 days 4 nights in The Westin Resort and Putri Bali Hotel, Nusa Dua. “The VIP guests will stay at The Westin Resort and their families will stay in Putri Bali Hotel,” said Diah while adding that the second session will arrive in Bali on 14th November.
The anniversary celebrations is packed with the event entitled “Bali Royal Night Dinner” at the Bali International Convention Center, Nusa Dua, and followed with a Gala Dinner and also the awards commemoration. The awards will be handed by the President Director and the owner of Teraoka Seisakusho Co. Ltd to well-achieved workers that had served for tens of years for this company.
According to Kazuharu Teraoka, the company decided on Bali to celebrate the company’s anniversary, as a world tourism destination, Bali is also a dream for the entire big family of Teraoka Seisakusho. “Beside that, Bali has succeed in holding a meeting of Teraoka branch office in Singapura,” said Kazuharu.
The 70th anniversary fell on 3rd November 2004, whilst the celebration involving the company’s families divided into 2 phases; 1st phase (17th October) and 2nd (14th November).
(BTN/013)

Security Guard Training

NUSA DUA - To improve the ability & professionalism of Security Guards, Bali Tropic & Spa held a Security Training called “Waspada”. The training is conducted by Human Resources Department and Security Consultant from Police Officer. Shown in the picture: Security in action. (BTN/*)

Racing Buffalo

NEGARA – The Buffalo Race Competition was held at the Delodbrawah, circuit Jembrana regency, Sunday, October 17, 2004. More than 200 couples of racing buffalo from West Ijogading (green flag) and East Ijogading group (red flag) took part in the popular event which is so called the “Governor Cup Championship” held every year. The aims of competition are: maintaining agricultural tradition, alluring tourists visiting West Bal and tourism propaganda. The winner was East Ijogading Group and was awarded the Bali Governor’s trophy. A few tourists also visited the unique event. (BTN/Lanus)