If you’ve been following me you know that I have been waiting to fly out to Indonesia to work as a marine conservation intern and complete my dive master with Indo Ocean Project. I have been planning this since last summer and was due to fly out in January, however travel bans have delayed my trip. Since COVID international tourists have not been allowed to enter Indonesia and unless you are a resident or citizen you can only enter if you hold a business visa. To get this type of visa you have to go through a company in Indonesia to apply, for me my research project applied for me.
However, in January after the new strains of the virus appeared Indonesia banned all international travellers entering, regardless of whether you hold a business visa. The long wait then began, waiting every week to see if they would let us in or not.
I found out they had lifted the ban and I had secured my visa a couple of weeks ago and flew out a few days later! I am allowed to travel out of the UK right now as it is for work and education purposes. Indonesia are only opening their borders for those with a business visa.
Very sad to be leaving my family and dogs for the next few months and felt quite overwhelmed – but I have been waiting for this for a long time! Excited for my next chapter here…
Travelling
It felt very surreal to be travelling right now – to go from living in total lockdown to travelling across the world felt very strange. I didn’t know what to expect with the airport and plane. I assumed it would be empty as you need a valid reason (such as work, education, medical reasons) to leave the UK right now, but it was surprisingly busy! You had to wear masks the whole time in the airport and on the plane. Everyone also had to adhere to social distancing.
Quarantine
I was required to get a negative PCR within 72 hours of flying but you also need to quarantine in a government assigned hotel in Jakarta for 5 days when you arrive. During this time you get tested twice more before you are allowed to carry on your journey. This was a strange experience. You are not allowed to leave your room for anything except to get your COVID test and they bring all your meals to your door and do your laundry for you. I chose a nice hotel so had a lovely room and was looking forward to some down time and time to get over jet lag. However, I ended up getting food poisoning! So the time was just spent being sick and sleeping!
Arriving on the island
Finally I arrived on my new island home! I had to fly to Bali and get a boat across to Nusa Penida, a smaller island off the coast of Bali. I was met by some of the other interns who showed me around the accommodation. I am staying in my own bungalow with a beautiful outdoor bathroom and big bed. There is a pool here and a kitchen which we all share. I also am reminded constantly I am living in a jungle by the number of critters that appear.
I have found a new best friend in Velvet, a puppy that one of the other interns living next door has adopted! Everyday she runs to say hello to me when I get back.
When I arrived it was actually Nyepi, or ‘Day of Silence’, which is a celebration here in Bali to celebrate their new year. All electricity is turned off, internet access etc. It was a strange and lovely way to get to know everyone!
starting diving
The accommodation is only a 5 minute walk to the dive centre, Reeflex. I was given a tour when I arrived and it is still under construction in parts, for example the pools need filled and the bar Is being finished, but even so it looks stunning! An amazing place to be spending my days.
My first week was filled with getting to know everyone, gather my bearings on the island and starting diving again! I first completed a Refresher dive to remind myself on basic skills as it’s been about 9 months since my last dive.
I then started my next qualification on the way to getting my dive master – Rescue Diver. I will be discussing my experience of this course in a separate blog post soon!
Diving again felt unbelievable, the dive sites here are so beautiful (although the strong currents make it a challenge) and I’m so excited to explore the island from and below the ocean in the next few months!
I will be writing updates every week as part of the series ‘Life in Bali’ on my life here, my research project and my dive master journey so make sure to subscribe to follow along…
I hope you have the best Time over there getting the best diving experience!!
Thank you!!
Looks amazing dear Rosie. Big love to you ❤
Lots of love Soph!