Photo of the Week is a few days late this round, thanks to the hectic process of choosing a dive school, finding a place to rent and generally settling into my new island. But first, I had to hop from the Philippines to Indonesia via a 24-hour layover in Singapore. Phew! I had planned to head straight to Gili Trawangan as soon as I hit Indonesia in order to start my divemaster course but was sidetracked for a few days by Nusa Lembongan, where my dear friend Neil was spending his days lying in a beach-front hammock and diving with manta rays. Clearly, he needed my assistance on these critical ventures, so I made a three day detour.
I’m loving Gili Trawangan already — I can’t wait to share more photos of the island in the coming weeks!
Photo A
Gardens By The Bay topped my list of things I simply had to see in my short time in Singapore — and it did not disappoint.
Photo B
My first stop in Indonesia was to Nusa Lembongan, where I was instantly charmed.
Photo C
The diving in this country is already blowing me away.
Photo D
I could only afford two dives on the island, but with seven manta rays I felt I got my money’s worth!
Photo E
…And finally I’m settled into my home for the next five weeks!
Which photo is your favorite?
OMG, Nusa Lembongan is one of my favorite islands ever. Glad you went there – so many people skip it.
obviously you will go since you are staying on Gili T, but dont miss Meno. Take a walk to the side closest to Gili T and theres an abandoned resort that has a beautiful (albeit a little shell-y) beach with a random palapa on the sand. meno is my personal heaven. enjoy!
Thanks for the tip Annie! I’m actually doing my DMT course on a bit of a time crunch so I’m starting to doubt if I’ll have time to set foot on the other islands! However I’m falling hard for this place and would certainly see myself returning very soon…
I like A for its captivation, but I am feeling E. I can really rock E, where ever it is. Now I have to get out the atlas and figure out where you are.
Gili Trawangan is just off Lombok, which is the island East of Bali. It’s so tiny you might have a hard time finding it on a map!
Wow, Alex, you are, and have been, in what appears to be the most idyllic spots on earth. They are now definitely on my bucket list!
Yes! We need another Baackes Family Southeast Asia Takeover Trip! (And yes, you are part of the Baackes family :))
DDDDDD!!!!!!!
I had a feeling you might choose that one 🙂
Fabulous photos again. I recognise the casino from Singapore. Not a bad place to lay over for 24 hours.
I love your new home 🙂
I’m so happy I had that 24 hour layover… I was never too fussed with seeing Singapore but now I can’t wait to go back and explore more!
Ah-h, love all photos! “C” and “D” are amazing! Voting for “D”.
Thanks! I had a feeling D might be the reader favorite this week 🙂
I guess I’m just going to be a non-vote because I can’t decide. But, your photography skills are getting way awesome!
Thanks Cat! Doing this project for 95 weeks has certainly helped the cause. I recommend it to anyone trying to be a better photographer!
D…really cool and the other aren’t bad either. How many countries have you visited now?
Indonesia was number 20! Very exciting milestone. Hoping to make it to 30 by 30… and I think I’m on track!
Love D and B! So pretty!
I’m voting for C, but I’m a bit biased towards reef photos!
How’s the divemaster course going so far??
I finished all the theory yesterday! Wasn’t feeling well for a few days so used the time to get all the bookwork out of the way. Unfortunately I’m still not feeling great… need to get well soon!
YOU ARE SO CLOSE TO ME! Seriously just a hop skip and a jump south and you’ll be in the land down under. So jealous of your Indonesian adventures. Such a beautiful place. ! Photo C! x
Ha, well if I had even a day of wiggle room I might start looking for Tiger Air flights down to see ya! Unfortunately I’m cutting things close here as it is…. and as usual I don’t want to leave! x
Girl, I cannot wait for you to write about Indonesia! We have cheap tickets booked for the end of July, and we definitely plan to do as much diving as we can afford. (We actually skipped diving in the Similans because we booked our Indonesia tickets right before we arrived and decided it might be better value/quality so we’d rather save our pennies for that.) Every time you post about mantas, Tony’s jealousy just grows and grows and grows…
Woo hoo! Sadly I will be writing about little outside of tiny Gili Trawangan, as this is where I’m spending 90% of my time in Indo. I’ll definitely have a post about those mantas though!
This week I’m having a really hard time deciding – the pictures are all super stunning! I feel a bit more drawn to Photo E, though… probably because we’re really sun-deprived in Germany right now and I could do with an amazing beach! 🙂
xx
Melanie
I have perfected the art of timing my trips around sunshine… I arrived here at the start of the dry season, and I fly home at the start of summer! Just chasing blue skies around the world 🙂
I love D for its unique perspective! Nusa Lembongan looks incredible!
It really was! I’m so glad I made that little mini detour, even if I’m having to hustle a bit now to make up for lost time on my course!
Love all of your photos as usual, but especially the one of Garden by the Bay (amazing composition) and the one of the stone fish(great capture)!
Nusa Lembongan sounds lovely and relaxing, not to mention how jealous I am of you about the sighting of mantas! Sorry to hear from your above replies that you haven’t feeling too well, feel better too!!! And looking forward to more sharing about your life in Gili Trawangan
Cheers,
Kat
Hey Kat, feeling much better today! I was knocked sideways by the flu for a few days which was pretty brutal while diving but I am finally back to fighting form 🙂
Your finally in Indonesia…:)) Gilli T is so beautiful as is meno, went here for my honeymoon, its has so much more of a chilled vibe than bali…how i expect Bali was 20 years ago…enjoy :))
Thanks Carla! I haven’t had a chance to see Bali yet except for a ride from the airport! Hopefully should see a bit before I fly out. We’ll see if it compares to here 🙂
A captures two sites I cannot wait to visit when I make my wy to Singapore. C is an awesome underwater photo with all it’s brilliant colors. But I’ll vote for D…it just looks like the exact place I’d like to be right now!
A itself says Awesome!
D itself says that this place is worth diving…And finally While i am Going through E just want you to Say its far way more than EXOTIC!