Kuta – 
Yesterday, I called the Matahari Dive-Tulamben to ask for a scuba dive at USAT Liberty. The Liberty is not just any wreck – it is THE Wreck of Bali, the dive site (almost) every diver coming to Bali wants to see. This isn’t surprising – after all, this is one of the largest wrecks in the area, but despite that it is quite an easy dive.
Dive-Tulamben made the arrangements quite uncomplicated: The dive itself is cheaper than the ones i did on the Gilis (probably because you don’t need a boat to reach the divesite). Conveniently, a transfer is offered. In addition, we get the info that Dive-Tulamben is actually a spa resort – having lunch and relaxing after the scuba dive is also not a problem. Great.
Our driver is on time and we arrive at the dive center just as a group of divers finishes their scuba dive. Since I am the only one that is planned for a dive at that time this will be a 2-man dive, as Kevin will accompany me as a guide and buddy. But even if I was diving with a big group here, the scuba divers would have scattered around the wreck – it’s really huge. After selecting our equipment, we both put on the wetsuits and BCDs and walk a small path towards the beach – the entry point is not really that far. Also the wreck is just about 50m from the beach. Elke brings her snorkel gear along and follows us. Even while snorkeling you can see the wreck and lots of fish from above. The highest part of the wreck is just about 5m deep.
The scuba dive itself is as relaxing and interesting as a dive can be: There is almost no current at all and I get to see many curious fish. I even get surrounded by some Goat Fish right at the entrance, probably accustomed to be fed. After a sandy section, you can already see the huge wreck. Although I have looked at a sketch of the wreck before to familiarize myself with the site, it is difficult to grasp the structure ship since it is overgrown with corals. Kevin leads me through some large openings in the wreck and I get to see Snapper, Sweetlips and also some Bigeye Trevally… I’ve never really seen so many different fish in just one dive.
Like any great scuba dive, this one also seemed way too short
My stomach starts growling while we walk back towards the resort. Elke is already waiting for me and we have some very late (but delicious) lunch in the restaurant with a nice sea view.
After a small siesta on the beach chairs in front of the dive base, we get picked up by our driver who takes us back to our hotel in Kuta. 2/3 of our trip is already over… The days seem to pass away way too fast .
We pick up our laundry and pack our stuff – we have some sandwiches for dinner, bought in a supermarket around the corner. Next stop is the bus terminal of Ubung where we take the overnightbus to Probolinggo via Gilimanuk (Quite easy to get tickets since the ticket seller is right next to the bus).
