Hi Everyone,

Well,I managed to get to Lovina,North Bali and got into a pleasant resort-Bali Lovina Beach Cottages--negotiated to less than half price--thank goodness,a bit dear otherwise.

Problem then was that none of the local Dive Shops seemed interested in diving Puri Jati--the main reason I came up here.Anyway,a couple offered to sort out a dive but at an exorbitant rate---so I declined.

Then,last night,someone popped into my resort and told me they had reconsidered,and although the price was a little higher than usual,it wasn't outrageous.

So,today,I was picked up at 9 am and whizzed off to Puri Jati.Have to say,once submerged it wasn't very inspiring---appeared to be just grey sand and a bit of sea grass---but soon the Dive masters were doing their stuff.Unbelievable amounts of unusual little critters---most of which I had never seen before.I was going to download some piccies to make it easier to understand,but need to check for viruses first,as this computer installed an odd programme onto my memory card-it states it's an antivirus feature,but as most of the explanation is in Bahasa (Balinese/and Malay,for that matter) I'm a bit wary.

For anyone in the know here's some of the list--- Ambon Scorpion fish,hairy Sea Hares,Oriental Gurnet,a crab that appeared to be carrying a jellyfish on it's back,snake eels,various shrimps and crabs---plus pretty octupi,cuttlefish,and electric urchins.Unfortunately getting a decent picture of some of these proved to be beyond my skill with the camera.

On top of this both dives lasted more than 90 minutes(usual length is about 50 mins.) so all in all, a very enjoyable day.

I came to Lovina in 2002 on my first World Tour but would not have recognised it,if not for the signposts---everything has changed.After a long hot walk I discover my original bungalow,but where it was at the end of a tiny road with just a couple of local warungs(cafes) in an even tinier village---it is now next to a huge luxury resort---where'd the villagers go??

Not sure what's next,but may do a bit of local touring tomorrow--so you may get a land report next time,for a change.

Cheerio for now,

Alec.