Once again, I awoke at 7 am, filled with excitement as today marked my final PADI course day in Amed, concluding with the attainment of my PADI diver’s license. Breakfast proved delightful with another serving of the beloved banana pancake. Arriving promptly at the diving resort around 8 am, I prepared for the final course day. The owner of the diving company sought some last-minute details for my license and requested payment of the tuition, which I promptly provided. Today’s dive site, known as ‘Amed Wall’, awaited exploration for my final PADI course day. The weather, being splendid, fueled my hopes for its continuation, enabling me to venture to Denpasar later in the afternoon in pursuit of a new laptop.
The Wall
My final PADI course day at the dive site proved to be extraordinary, boasting excellent underwater visibility on this particular day. A plethora of beautiful fish graced the site, capturing my fascination. The coral-covered temple shrines beneath the ocean’s surface added an element of wonder to the experience. It was truly surreal to encounter these marvels for the first time in my life.
Similar to yesterday, I was unable to capture any pictures on my final PADI course day. Therefore, I’d like to share an impression through images from another diver’s blog.
Upon depleting the air tank, we returned to the shoreline for our mandatory rest, allowing our bodies to manage nitrogen levels. During this hour, I engaged in a bit of snorkeling and utilized the mini camera, a thoughtful gift from my colleagues back home. This compact clip-on camera, exclusively reserved for underwater captures during my travels, didn’t yield perfect results, but some of the pictures turned out reasonably well.
Final PADI Techniques
Similar to yesterday, the second dive was more calming. This time, I demonstrated what I considered the most challenging technique to my instructor. I had to remove my diving vest while securing the air tank between my legs, undo the tie, and fasten it back. Surprisingly, it was much easier than attempting it two days ago in the swimming pool. While tempted to repeat the task, one successful try sufficed.
The concluding task involved the weight belt. I had to take it off and then reattach it, which turned out to be quite straightforward. The remaining time was spent leisurely observing the underwater world, filled with fish in nearly every color of the rainbow. For the first time, I encountered a real-life Nemo fish, adding to the fantastic experience.
Downpour and Lunch
Upon our return to the diving resort, a downpour began. The weather in Amed proved to be markedly distinct from Sumatra and Java. The most favorable weather was undoubtedly in Sumatra, featuring brief rain showers every 2-3 days. In Java, there was more rainfall, but the weather in Amed was challenging, with rain literally every afternoon.
I began my lunch at the dive resort, enjoying their best-served lunch to date. It was rice with vegetables in a unique local sauce. Although I had no idea what it was, I was thoroughly enjoying the flavors. Unfortunately, I forgot to inquire about the dish, haha. The rain persisted, but I decided to venture out. Initially, I walked to the ATM across the street, but both machines were out of service.
Hunting for a New Laptop
I opted to return to Manis Homestay and shared my plan with Kadek. He suggested heading to Amlapura, where I could find computer shops. Despite waiting for two hours and the rain showing no signs of abating, I decided to face my fear and don a raincoat. Eventually, I embarked on the one-hour journey to my destination. Negotiating steep road sections with numerous small streams, I adapted my speed to the challenging conditions. The downpour was relentless, but I reached my destination safely.
The shop recommended by Kadek was closed, so I decided to check the one adjacent to it. However, this shop specialized in laptop repairs and didn’t have any for sale. Briefly, I entertained the idea of returning to Amed without a new laptop. Fortunately, the shopkeeper directed me to another store, Smile Computer, which was just 100 meters down the street. Returning to my scooter, I reached the recommended shop and stepped inside, setting the stage for a humorous encounter.
Operating Systems
Upon entering, I was warmly greeted by four Indonesian girls around my age. After careful consideration, I opted for an Acer computer with impressive specifications, priced at 5 million IDR. To my dismay, the computer came with Windows 8, a feature I wasn’t fond of. Trying to convey my concerns, I resorted to Google Translate to communicate with one of the girls, resulting in a rather amusing exchange. She explained that the technician had left and wouldn’t return that evening. Undeterred, she promptly called a friend, and within five minutes of his arrival, he attempted to install Windows 7 for me.
I spent nearly two hours in the shop, but the technician couldn’t resolve the issue with creating a new partition on the hard disk. Determined to find a solution, I proposed that the girl bring the laptop to Amed on February 23rd. Since I planned to leave for Gili Trawangan before that, we agreed to meet at Manis Homestay around 2 pm on the 23rd. After providing her with some contact information, I made a small down payment and left the shop. Although it was already dark, the rain had ceased 30 minutes earlier.
Dinner at Bila Bungalows
At approximately 8 pm, I got back to Manis Homestay, changed into dry clothes, and opted to dine at Bila Bungalows once again. I was pleased with my decision. For starters, I chose vegetable spring rolls, and as the main course, I opted for chicken in sweet and sour sauce. The sauce was extraordinary, making this dish one of the most delightful meals I’ve had so far.
I consider this dish to be among my top three favorites. I expressed my gratitude to the waiter and asked him to convey my compliments to the chef. The waiter smiled, appreciating the compliment. I utilized their Wi-Fi to browse the internet while enjoying my meal. Upon leaving, I left a generous tip, reiterating to the waiter how much I enjoyed the food. He accompanied me to my moped, thanking me and advising me to drive safely. Indonesian people are truly wonderful!
Upon my return to Manis Homestay, Kadek was nowhere to be found. Planning to depart for Gili the next day, I sought Kadek’s assistance in securing a ferry discount. Opting to wake up early, I set my alarm for 7 am with the intention of informing him about my decision to accept the boat discount offer. I retired for the night around 11 pm.
