| I am not a diver myself, however, about two | | | | the house, so it was in between the two |
| years back, just out of being curious, I | | | | hills. Built on roughly 5,000 square meters |
| spent a weekend at Amed. Amed and Tulamben on | | | | of land, it has spacious parking space at the |
| the East coast of Bali, with their crystal | | | | front. Entering the gate, narrow pathway |
| clear waters and the Liberty ship-wreck, have | | | | leaded to the house through soothing |
| been famous as divers' paradise for years. | | | | freshwater pond full of koi fishes. The main |
| With the distance to travel to get there, | | | | door opened directly to the living area |
| they are not really took tourists attention | | | | opening to spacious terrace at the back, |
| unless those seasoned scuba divers. Casual | | | | overlooking the beach through its indigo |
| divers mostly went to Sanur or Tanjung Benoa | | | | swimming pool. On the left hand side was a |
| on the greater South, minutes away from the | | | | huge LCD-TV with state of the art sound |
| Airport. The almost three hours drive was | | | | systems equipped the living area furnished |
| completely paid off with the good time I had. | | | | with modern comfortable couches. On the right |
| It was a really sleepy fishing village with | | | | hand side was a dining table and fully |
| only a few modest accommodations available. | | | | equipped kitchen. At the same floor there |
| Even my cell-phone, subscribed to the widest | | | | were a study room with a double bed, and a |
| network provider, could not get a signal. I | | | | private home gym with complete set of |
| stayed at a very modest bungalow called Three | | | | body-building equipment and a mini-pool |
| Brothers, less than $8 for an absolute | | | | table. The stairway next to the front door |
| beachfront bungalow with private bath. Whilst | | | | leaded to a hall at the upper floor, which |
| it did not have luxurious amenities like TV, | | | | housed all the remaining three bedrooms. The |
| AC, or hot water, it is nice and clean, but | | | | spacious master bedrooms enjoyed both ocean |
| the more impressive thing of friendliness of | | | | views in one side and mountain views in the |
| the staffs treating guests like old friends. | | | | other side. Both views are magnificent, |
| Just a few weeks back we got in touch with | | | | however, after a while stunning at the ocean |
| Scott, a Seattle based American furniture | | | | views I found the mountain more appealing. |
| exporter, who has just completed a beachfront | | | | The two smaller guest bedrooms enjoyed either |
| villas at Amed. His invitation to visit his | | | | one views, a bedroom enjoyed the ocean views |
| new villa was really appealing. But I was | | | | while the other enjoyed the mountain views. |
| calculating about the chance that we can rent | | | | All bedrooms had adjoined western en-suite |
| it out to our mostly Seminyak-minded | | | | with bath-tub and running hot water. |
| clientele, and the time I had to spend to pay | | | | Functional minimalist furnishing suggested |
| a visit. No other holiday rental agency | | | | the guest to enjoy outdoor living. However, |
| listed villas outside the greater South, | | | | the master bedroom had a wide LCD-TV. While |
| literally means "close to Seminyak". No one | | | | the upstairs balcony offered spacious space |
| has ever inquired villas at those remote | | | | gazing at the stunning views, the downstairs |
| areas. It was simply just like a question of | | | | terrace offered even more space for more |
| who came to earth first between a hen and an | | | | purposes, with large daybeds, lounging |
| egg. A few days back, we rented out a villa | | | | chairs, and dining table. At the opposite of |
| Talia Vasthi at Candidasa for two weeks. I | | | | the swimming pool, very close to the beach |
| felt this occasion like a moment to clear the | | | | was a garden gazebo. A small pathway leaded |
| cloud out. It proved that there were certain | | | | to a small door to the beach where hundred of |
| holiday makers who are interested in | | | | traditional boat decently parked nest to each |
| off-the-beaten-track areas. So decision was | | | | other. There was nothing special about the |
| made, I would drive east to meet Scott at his | | | | beach, really. For lovers of underwater |
| villa. I was surprised that things have been | | | | world, the treasure was hiding under the calm |
| progressing quite quickly. The new bypass | | | | surface. Boat parked just in front of the |
| connecting Sanur to the East has now been | | | | villa to transfer you to chosen diving spots. |
| completed. They even started construction to | | | | Scott, the owner, was a well-seasoned scuba |
| make it four ways instead of two. This new | | | | diver who managed a diving operator in |
| road ended just a few kilometers away from | | | | addition to his main furniture business. I |
| Padang Bai, the main ferry port to Lombok | | | | would personally suggest that he owned it |
| which was very close to Candidasa. It cut out | | | | more for his personal enjoyment than to |
| the traffic hassle at Batubulan, Celuk, | | | | deliver decent income. However, the point was |
| Sukawati, Gianyar, and Klungkung. Only a few | | | | that the he offered package of daily diving |
| minutes over one hour I have passed | | | | to various diving spots in the area to guest |
| Tirtagangga. The traditional fish-market | | | | renting his villa. He should be away when you |
| which was the entrance to Amed was reached | | | | stay at his villa. That was the reason why |
| within less than two hours. Turning right | | | | you could rent his villa anyway, because he |
| from the fish market, I just followed the | | | | left the villa vacant while he was away, |
| road along the beach. Everything remained the | | | | either taking care of his business or dive |
| same, nothing seemed to change compared to my | | | | other underwater treasures in the other sides |
| previous visit almost two years back. There | | | | of the globe. But Wayan, his right-hand aide |
| was nothing to notice until the road hiked up | | | | would do his best to pamper your stay in and |
| hill and sloped back down, I saw a big house | | | | out of the villa, on the surface or |
| on the beach. The road hiked-up again after | | | | underwater. |