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