And on life goes…

I’ve missed writing these last, not so few, months. There’s definitely less to share now that we have settled into life in the British Countryside. But maybe there’s still enough to share that I’ll start being a little more communicative. 

Six months in I still love my new job, it’s not diving, or in the sun but every day brings something else previously unknown into my life. The people I work with are interesting and good hearted people and I work in the midst of some truly beautiful countryside and on occasional days in the heart of London in a four hundred year old building brimming with history, original features and museum quality art. Not much to complain about on that front really. For sure I’m underpaid and don’t get nearly enough annual leave but no job is forever and as next steps go, this one’s a beauty. 

But I’m not at work now so let’s have less of that shall we. 

It has been interesting being on Nusa Lembongan as a vacationer as opposed to a no end in sight traveller. The last time we were here was for several months after I’d completed my PADI Divemaster, it was home from home in so many ways. Things we thought expensive as travellers suddenly seem oh so reasonable as vacationers but having an ever closer end in sight is most certainly a big fat black cloud on the horizon.

Mount Agung, triggered by an earthquake some weeks ago, has been grumbling in the background. The threat of eruption during a slow news week sending the worlds media into a frenzy of fabrication worthy of Trump himself. I spent a good few hours replying to doofuses on twitter asking them not to scaremonger and correcting their inaccuracies. News outlets have however been growing less interested with each passing day that Mount Agung remains intact and with last nights atrocities in Las Vegas have lost interest almost entirely. She may still erupt, she may not, she does however seem to be in no rush to give any indication whatsoever as to what her future plans might be. With over a thousand people having lost their lives in Mount Agung’s last eruption in 1963 the Balinese government have understandably erred on the side of caution and instituted an exclusion zone around the mountain and twenty seven villages have been evacuated for their own safety. The financial inpact of this exclusion on the people whose livelihoods are based within the danger zone is catastrophic and relief efforts are underway to minimise their loss. 

The main tourist hubs and airport are far from the volcano and, despite the world’s media, tourists are being urged not to change their plans. As an island that survives on tourism it is vital this life blood continues and if the wind stays heading north the likely disturbance to any tourist will be limited to minor flight disruption.

It’s been beyond lovely getting back in the water. After a first tentative days diving I feel as comfortable as I ever did exploring these familiar waters with their oh so wonderful inhabitants. We’ve had the absolute honour of diving with breathtaking manta, talented octopus, sea snakes, turtles and a plethora of fish, schooled and solitary. World Diving continue to be an outstanding dive operation with highly trained boat captains, instructors, dive masters and staff making every dive enjoyable.

We’re enjoying relaxing by the pool today before a last day’s diving tomorrow when we hope to dive the fabled Blue Corner, eek ooh aah!  I think there are few blue corners around the world. This one is the best chance of seeing big pelagics around here and can often involve a mountain climb back up the reef after a brief delightful encounter.

On Thursday we head to Ubud for our last few days of eats, massages, pool, sun and shopping before saying goodbye to this lovely country and its inhabitants for a little while longer Xx