Essential Bali Issue 3 Jan/Feb 2015 | Page 21

sojourn 4 5 Essential Bali toyed with the idea of a couple of the more adventurous extras. Opportunities exist to pay more and enjoy the thrill of leaving the sea below you by parasailing or going to the opposite extreme and becoming an Aquanaut. This involves an astronaut style helmet with an air hose that allows you to walk along the seabed breathing underwater. Divers can opt to explore the numerous amazing sites in the area and for those who haven’t qualified to dive there’s a Discover Scuba Dive option to literally test the waters and see if you have what it takes. The only bad thing about any day of this nature is that it always comes to an end too quickly and the bell literally tolled (a traditional Balinese kul kul bell is rung) to mark the end of our activity-laden day. You can be forgiven for wanting to be marooned on the island and you do have that option, albeit being marooned at the Bali Hai Resort with its lumbung style accommodation is a far cry from anything that Robinson Crusoe ever had to endure. But for us the Bali Hai II beckoned again, and while it was a wrench to leave our island paradise the day wasn’t quite over yet. We tried to tag along on the children’s treasure hunt but were deemed to be too old. However, we’d seen enough wonderful sealife off the shore to entice us back to the snorkelling area to hang out with more of the beautiful fish that inhabit this part of the world. 21 6 7 As the band struck up again, playing its popular cover versions, our own group gathered once more on the top deck of the catamaran with ice-cold Bintangs in hand to enjoy the cruise home and discuss our favourite parts of the day. 8 9 www.essential-bali.com