Melasti

Nyepi: Balinese New Year

Have you ever pondered why Balinese people eagerly anticipate Nyepi Day? It’s not just another day; it’s a symbolic rebirth, enlightenment, and unity celebration that emanates peace and harmony from Bali, Indonesia, to the world. This is why so many people from all over the world come to Bali to get and feel the sensation of the sacred “Nyepi” day in Bali, a paradise island like no other.

Bali Lake

Preceding the Balinese New Year, the island undergoes a spiritual cleanse, engaging in rituals over five to six days. One such ritual, Melasti, involves gathering sacred water to purify temples and souls, signifying a fresh start. Balinese wear their traditional white attire (kebaya for the female one) and checkered sarongs, symbolically shedding the past as they perform this sacred ceremony by the ocean’s edge or lake’s edge.

Then comes Bhuta Yajna, where negativity is exorcised through lively Ogoh Ogoh parades, preparing for the Day of Silence. As the sun sets, Balinese take to the streets with massive Ogoh Ogoh statues, accompanied by vibrant drumming and traditional music or Gamelan, casting out negative energies in preparation for Nyepi.

In the old days, after the parade all of the villagers would bring the Ogoh Ogoh statues to the cemetery or open area where they would burn them and turn them into ashes, symbolizing burning all the negativity before starting the new year.

Nyepi itself is a solemn day for introspection. From dawn till dusk, activities cease, including enlightening the fire and travel. The island appears deserted, a facade to ward off evil spirits, while Balinese engage in prayer and meditation. The four precepts of Catur Brata are strictly observed: no fire or light, minimal physical activity, no travel, and fasting. It’s a day to strengthen one’s relationship with the divine and reflect on the past year.

Post-Nyepi, Ngembak Agni marks a return to social life, with forgiveness-seeking ceremonies and joyful gatherings. From the famous Kissing Ceremony (Omed Omedan) to mudbathing and impromptu markets, it’s a day of community and celebration, contrasting the solemnity of Nyepi. Different areas have unique traditions, but the essence remains the same: embracing neighbors, family, and friends in the spirit of renewal and reconciliation after a day of quiet contemplation.

For all of you, fellow travelers bound for Bali during Nyepi periods, don’t let the prospect of a day of silence deter you from your vacation plans. Instead, envision it as a rare and unparalleled experience you won’t encounter elsewhere. Embrace the opportunity to indulge in a leisurely day without the usual hustle and bustle.

Imagine a day where you can fully immerse yourself in the serene ambiance, relishing the slow rhythm of life without any guilt. Yes, it’s Nyepi, and it’s a chance to savor the luxury of doing nothing at all. And there is nothing as beautiful as the sky during the night of Nyepi when all the lights are off on the island of Gods and the sky is full of stars.

While most services are minimal on this sacred day, hotels and villas still offer a tranquil haven for guests. Take leisurely strolls through the hotel’s grounds, basking in the peaceful atmosphere. Just remember to honor the significance of Nyepi by refraining from venturing beyond the confines of your accommodation.

So, instead of postponing your holiday plans, seize the opportunity for a truly unique experience on Nyepi Day. It’s a day unlike any other, where time seems to stand still, and the tranquility envelopes you in its embrace.

Embark on a “virtual” cultural journey with Ita, our dynamic sales & reservation manager and avid explorer. From behind her computer screen she shares the vibrant traditions of her native Bali, diving into the enchanting world of “Nyepi”.

Sidemount Course

Why train in Bali ?

Why continue your dive training in Bali?

Choose Nico Dives Cool for your next training course.

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If you already know how to dive, and you’re keen to get better, think about taking a longer trip to Bali. Why not get away from life after the pandemic and level up your diving experience? You can dive every day, work remotely, live simply and there’s a perfect place for it on the famous island of Bali, it’s called Nico Dives Cool.

Located in Sanur Bali, Nico Dives Cool is the highest rated dive shop on Trip Advisor for a reason, this hidden away gem has a collection of the best Dive Master’s and most experienced Dive Instructors on the island.

 

Diving with turtle

It doesn’t matter if you’re PADI or SSI, it doesn’t matter where you’re at in your diving journey. All that matters is your passion, your desire for adventure and your willingness to learn. To access the full freedom of this beautiful sport you simply need to log more time underwater and be open to flowing with the whims of the most powerful force on earth, the ocean.

If you’re a diver you’ll know that the ocean is a force that cannot be controlled. Every day will be different and it doesn’t matter how many times you visit the same site, there’s always a chance to learn. You’ll get better, get safer, and you’ll make some incredible friends along the way.

How do I know about diving in Bali?

Scuba with manta

Well, my name’s Emma. I started diving Bali in 2015 and I took that experience to as many places as I could afford to travel while working remotely. I’ve dived all of the sites in Bali and most of Indonesia, including Raja Ampat, Komodo, The Flores Sea, Ambon, Bandha Aceh, the Maluku’s and so much more. I’ve dived in Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Cuba. The Philippines and too many other places to count.

But the truth is, I was always on holiday, always hunting the next thrill, the biggest sharks, the most dangerous locations, the best wrecks – and I found them, but I also sat on a Rescue Diver Qualification for five years.

Scuba reef Bali

Then when the pandemic hit, I was in Bali, I couldn’t make it back to New Zealand so I decided that the best place to be was underwater. I had already dived every spot on the island, but it was a good escape from the worldwide stress so I decided to knuckle down and become a better diver.

I didn’t want to work as a diver, I just wanted to get better and safer at a sport I love – so I ended up doing a few PADI specialty courses, and in 2020 I became a PADI (Master Scuba Diver). This doesn’t mean I teach diving; it simply means I can dive deep, dive at night, dive alone and dive with enriched air. It also means I can deal with any situation and it gave me an entirely different perspective on diving.

What makes a great diver?

Scuba skills

I used to think it was the willingness to be brave, but now I know that it’s the opposite. Being a great diver is about understanding and totally trusting my gear. It’s about accepting the teachings of a careful instructor, taking on the tiny learnings, and making the minuscule adjustments to my form on any given day.

It’s resilience to sea sickness, it’s the ability to read the water, and so much more. Training to be a better diver is important because it gives me perspective. It gives me the chance to look at the ocean in a different way, and to understand that I’ll never master its immense power.

I moved away from thrill seeking to slow diving, air preservation and photography. I finally committed and bought my own gear then I promised myself that I’d stop being reckless, stop chasing thrills and start learning more about the environment. I need to treat the ocean and my Dive Instructors with the respect they deserve.

Why it’s so good to spend time on your dive training?

Divers with manta

The best thing about dive training is that the thrill of diving changes. Your freedom of movement expands and before you know it, you’ll be coming up with 100 bars of air left after an hour of bottom time. You’ll feel like you’re flying. You’ll learn to read the currents, and position your body the right way. But most importantly, you’ll learn to relax and talk to the fish.

 

Don’t get me wrong, I still dive deep if I want to, I still wreck dive, I still plan to visit more of the best dive spots in the world but there is a lifetime of experience to be had along the way – so why rush? There’s always something to learn especially when you happen to live five minutes away from the best dive shop in Bali.

Maybe I sound philosophical, but who cares? A few years ago, I’d never have cared about such things as a special species of Nudibranch, or the flow of my trim but now I do, and yesterday, at Nico Dives Cool, I enjoyed this little stuff as much as I did seeing a rare and out of season Thresher shark. Who would have thought?

What type of diver are you?

Diver with turtle and perfect Buoyancy

My goal with diving is progress not perfection. Staying safe, maintaining my gear and diving for as many years as I have on earth. The ocean is an an incredible ecosystem available to us mere mortals. So, if you’re ready to commit then you should know, the journey of diving is not a sprint, it’s a marathon. It takes time, it takes good days, challenging conditions, incredible dive sites and an open mind, but if you’re ready to take up the challenge there’s nothing that’ll make you happier.

Nico Dives Cool offers a range of different courses, so if you already dive, or you want to learn, go for it! There’s nothing quite like staying long term in Bali, so give yourself a couple of days to find the flow and before long, Sanur will feel like home.

Best of luck, maybe I’ll see you here…

Emma Harrison Clark

PADI MSD 2011AP4898

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Night Diving Experience

Enhancing Your Night Diving Experience With the Right Scuba Gear

Night diving is often viewed as one of the most peaceful, unique underwater experiences of a lifetime. The ocean looks and sounds different once the sun has gone down, the nocturnal marine life has come out and the bright coral reefs show their true colors.

Whether you’re a seasoned scuba pro or a recreational diver looking for a fun new activity on your next vacation, night diving could be a thrilling new adventure to add to your bucket list. After your first time, diving after dark may become one of your favorite ways to enjoy the world beneath the surface, and the right equipment can make all the difference.

The right scuba gear can keep you safe

Any scuba instructor or professional diver will tell you that having the right equipment is the most important part of embarking on a new underwater adventure. Aside from your scuba suit and breathing apparatus, other pieces of equipment serve very specific purposes on a night dive. For instance, when it’s dark, it’s easy to lose your sense of depth and direction, so you’ll rely heavily on your depth and submersible pressure gauges to let you know how far down you’ve gone or when you’re running low on oxygen. It’s important to have these tools and check them often, especially on a night dive.

A dive computer is another helpful piece of gear to have when you’re diving in the dark. This wearable technology can keep track of your skin temperature and heart rate to ensure your body is properly adjusting to the water and pressure changes. A dive computer can keep track of your data as well, for those who would like to improve or adjust levels on their next dive.

The right scuba gear can improve your visibility

Having the right gear on your next night dive will help improve your visibility in a number of ways. First, and most obviously, having a dive light or two will make it easier to see what’s happening around you! While they aren’t an absolute essential for a dive during the day, dive lights are a must for night diving. You’ll be able to spot your partner, keep track of your enter and exit points, and not to mention discover all the beautiful marine life and underwater sights.

It’s not only important that you can see what’s around you on a night dive; it’s also important that you can be seen. Having a dive light or reflector tape on your scuba suit will help others keep track of you on your night dive. Sometimes, it can even be fun to turn off your light for a few minutes and let your eyes adjust. You’ll be amazed at what you can see!

The right scuba gear can enhance efficiency

Diving gear is meant to improve efficiency as well. A retractable gear tether, for instance, can help keep your equipment from floating off or getting lost in the dark. It’s a small, but worthy investment for night dives. Diving boots or socks can also protect your feet if you’re entering the water from the shore and are unable to see sharp rocks and shells underfoot.

Depending on your goals, there is equipment out there that can help you cover more ground or move quickly throughout the water. If that’s something you’d benefit from, you may want to look into underwater people moving technology or advanced fins that can save you time and energy. Even the right wet or dry suit and buoyancy control device (BCD) can make your night dive more efficient, so do some research and ask around to find the right solutions for you.

The right scuba gear can make your night dive an experience to remember

Scuba diving is a remarkable way to observe and interact with the world around you, so make it count! Once you’ve gotten all of the essential gear for a safe night dive, browse some of the accessory options available to purchase or rent, such as underwater cameras or drones. These new technologies can capture your experience up close and give you a piece of your journey to remember for years to come.

Next time you’re looking for new activities to try on your vacation in Bali, consider a night dive!  If you’ve never tried scuba diving, ask around at local surf shops to get professional advice on the right equipment and the best places to dive. After a bit of research, you’ll have everything you need to enjoy the night from beneath the surface.

James Donaldson, author of this blog post, is an avid scuba diver and has traveled all over to discover our oceans. He loves sharing his tips and trips with other divers as well as beginners. When he isn’t diving, he’s hanging out with family or reading a new book.

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Diving Bali Wrecks

Diving Bali Wreck offers an incredible chance to discover Bali’s amazing biodiversity and live a very special diving experience. Learn about the USAT Liberty Wreck in Tulamben, the Boga Wreck in Kubu, and the Japanese Wreck in Amed. The Jepun Wreck in Padang Bai and Anchor Wreck in Menjangan island are also nice wrecks to dive in Bali. In this blog, we invite you to find out what is waiting for you while diving Bali Wrecks.

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3 Thrilling Activities to Try on Your Next Holiday

Your out of office is on, you’ve packed your swimwear and sun cream and you’re ready for some adventure! There’s no better time than when you’re on holiday without a care in the world to try out new things that you usually wouldn’t have the chance to. But with so many options out there, where do you begin? We’ve compiled a few awesome ideas below to get you started.

There are lots of things you need to remember to sort out before you get on your flight – such as visas, having the right currency, a no-fee bank card, and the right outfits. One of the most important things to consider is your travel insurance policy. Getting injured, becoming ill or having your flight canceled all come under your travel insurance. It’s important that when considering some outdoor activities like these, you check your travel insurance policy and are clued up on what you’re covered for and whether you need to add an extension to your policy. Some countries, such as Thailand and Cuba, require all tourists to have travel insurance to ensure that they can enjoy the full thrills while remaining covered in the event of an accident.

 

1. Learn how to scuba dive

Open up a whole new underwater world and give diving a go! 

Scuba Diving is one of the most thrilling and rewarding holiday activities going, but it requires you to put some background work in. Diving requires courage, determination and some nifty underwater breathing. It’s important you learn to dive through a shop that uses one of the internationally recognised accreditations such as SSI or PADI to ensure you’re getting the safest – and best – introduction to the bulk of our blue planet. Did you know that 72% of the Earth is water? Scuba diving is the ultimate way to make sure you get the chance to explore our planet properly! Some of the best spots to get familiar with scuba diving include : Bali, which is part of the Indonesian-Philippines Region, and the Far Southwestern Pacific Region (also known as The Coral Triangle),  the world-famous Great Barrier Reef in Australia, the popular Sharm El-Sheikh resort in Egypt and, for an excellent budget option, the southern beaches of Thailand.

 

2. White water rafting

White water rafting is one of the most thrilling – and definitely one of the wettest – activities you can try out. As an adventure sport it has become famous for its dreamy combination of adventure, affordability and accessibility. Most countries you travel to will offer it somewhere, along with other water adventures such as canyoning and hiking to a waterfall. Nowhere is this quite as true as South East Asia, a region jammed full of wild rides for backpackers and holidaymakers alike. But other famous white water spots include the USA’s Colorado River, as well as the magical rainforest setting of the Rio Upano in Ecuador. A wild and scenic ride, rafting can be one of the coolest ways to experience the magnificent forces of nature. Make sure you choose a reputable agency who speak your language and conduct full safety demonstrations. Whether you’re a first-time paddler or an adrenaline junkie, this is an experience you’re sure to love and will never forget!

 

3. Bungee jumping

This is something that’s probably on everyone’s bucket list but we’re all a little bit nervous about trying it! With the opportunity to conquer fears and get an amazing adrenaline rush, this activity should definitely be one you consider while traveling. There are some beautiful destinations all over the world where you can bungee jump, including majestic gorges and raging rivers. Happily, this is one extreme activity that can be enjoyed the world over. Some of the best bungee jumping locations in the world include Queenstown in New Zealand, Innsbruck in Austria and (for those fancying a more urban jump) the Macau Tower in Macau! Once you’re over the initial heart-pounding moment, you can really appreciate seeing the world from a completely different angle and you’ll know you’ve accomplished something great… maybe so much so that you’ll want to bungee jump again!