Day 13:
Up early for this morning's beach run, had to get back as Made was picking us up at 8 for the 'long drive' over to Tulamben. We made good time, took just over 2 1/2hrs to get there. Unfortunately we couldn't dive as hubby has replaced spluty-bum with an ear ache.... Aqua ear and ear candling haven't done the trick yet, so we played it safe and snorkelled.
Again the Gods smiled on us, and although it was overcast, visibility was excellent. It was chanti, bagus!!! For those that haven't been to Tulamben (and haven't dived before), you can book thru the local agents for around $65US ea. This includes transfers, 2 intro dives and lunch. A definite must-do!
Can't rave about the Tulamben experience enough. The US Liberty was torpedoed by a Jap sub and sunk here - about 25m offshore - WW2. It is now the home of countless species of fish and coral. We saw many big, fat wrasse, schools of trevally, lots of the usual tropical species and even a coral trout. I did make the cardinal sin of getting a coral scratch, but its nothing a bit of hand sanitiser can't handle.
Good lunch at a local Warung, which surprisingly had great wifi, but hubby is stressing about making it back in time for the footy... Take us home Made..... Note - If you are planning to use Made on your next trip, be sure to book early as he is getting very popular! Oh, we bumped (literally) into a motorbike encounters home!
66 for footy then debated where to for tea. Hubby wants warung Asia, but we've already been there twice this trip (albeit for lunches). Decide on Tekor. it too seems to be permanently busy these days, so is best to try to book. we were lucky and jagged a table.5 mins later there was a queue at the door going right up the street! i had the 1/2 duck and hubby sate pork (extra spicy). Too much for :) All very yummy, excellent flavours, although my duck was a tad dry. It's so good here, with very reasonable prices, excellent cocktails and great coffee. The renovation/expansion is tres posh. Hubby nearly felt under-dressed in his boardies.
We're running out of days and are starting to panic about all the things we haven't done yet. Time to prioritise.... Apparently a trip to Ulu's (where they are expecting 15-17 ft waves later this week) trumps my planned expedition of seeing mola-mola off Pernida. We might have to discuss this further tomorrow.....