Mount Agung

Mount Agung is Bali’s Most Sacred Mountain

Mount Agung (Gunung Agung) lies in central-eastern Bali and, at 3,148m, is Bali’s highest point by almost 1km – it is even visible in the early mornings from my house in south west Bali. The height of Mt Agung actually affects Bali’s climate: clouds coming from the west drop their rain (unsurprisingly) on the west side of the mountain which is why east Bali is usually dry and barren.

According to Balinese Hindus, the gods created mountains as their thrones meaning Mt Agung, as the highest, is Bali’s most sacred mountain and is therefore the location of Pura Besakih, Bali’s ‘mother’ temple.

Mount-Agung-Scenery

Sunrise Rise Trekking on Mount Agung

Sunrise Trekking on Mount Agung is very popular: you leave, with your guide, from a fixed departure point in the early hours so you can be at the top to watch the sunrise.

Mt Agung is an active stratovolcano (built of layered lava), with the most recent major eruption in 1963. Those lava flows missed Besakih Temple by only a few metres in places; that was regarded by the Balinese people as miraculous and a signal from the gods that they wished to demonstrate their power but not destroy the monument the Balinese faithful had erected.

The earth tremors of the 1963 Mt Agung eruption were what caused the 120m USAT Liberty Shipwreck to slide off the beach and into the shallows of Tulamben Bay. For that at least, we can be thankful.

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The Burning Ring of Fire

Bali is part of ‘The Ring of Fire’ and we therefore have several other dormant volcanoes, eg: Mount Batur – although we do see occasional puffs of smoke.

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Nyepi Segara

Nyepi Segara: The Silent Sea Day

by Mardia, AMD-B’s 2023 Divemaster Internship

Nyepi Segara, also known as Silent Sea Day, is a traditional ritual in Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, and Nusa Ceningan, Bali, Indonesia. This unique ritual pays homage to Dewa Baruna, the ruler of the sea and one of the manifestations of the Balinese Hindu almighty god, Ida Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa (a.k.a Acintya), God of gods. This ritual aims to promote the conservation of the sea and maintain the balance of the ecosystem and marine biodiversity. With the meaning of silence and stillness, Nyepi Segara is a significant event that shows the importance of preserving the environment and respecting local wisdom and traditions.

One of the primary purposes of Nyepi Segara is to allow the sea to rest from all human activities for an entire day. All sea activities, including transportation, fishing, and all tourism-related activities such as scuba diving, freediving, snorkelling, walking on the beach and swimming are halted on the islands. This temporary pause in human interference enables the sea’s ecosystem to rejuvenate and maintain its natural balance.

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Honoring the Silent Sea Day in Nusa Penida, Lembongan, and Ceningan

The implementation of Nyepi Segara involves the active participation of the local community and the government. This practice starts at 6:00 a.m. and lasts for 24 hours; the government and tourism stakeholders work together to ensure that tourists comply with the appeal to refrain from using the sea for any activities during this time. Meanwhile, the people of Nusa Penida, Lembongan, and Ceningan engage in collective activities related to religious rituals to pay their respect to Dewa Baruna and express gratitude for the blessings provided by the sea.

Nyepi Segara, the Silent Sea Day, is a highly significant and cherished ritual deeply rooted in the culture of Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, and Nusa Ceningan, Bali. This unique and sacred tradition holds immense value. It is a powerful symbol of their deep connection to the marine environment and their relentless efforts to maintain the delicate balance of marine biodiversity. Nyepi Segara serves as a gentle yet impactful reminder for all of us to be more conscious and mindful of our actions toward the environment. It reminds us to appreciate and cherish the abundance provided by the sea, which sustains the lives and livelihoods of the local community, and the incredible beauty and diversity of the marine ecosystem.

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Lady Porter of Tulamben

The Lady Porter of Tulamben

by Mardia, AMD-B’s 2023 Divemaster Internship

In the 1980s, Tulamben beach was a tranquil haven that had yet to be discovered by tourists. At the time, hotels, restaurants, dive shops, and other facilities were scarce. However, the calm atmosphere changed when a vehicle carrying divers showed up. Several locals ran to meet the parked car, resulting in a commotion between the helpers, who were aiding in moving the diving equipment to the dive site.

Around 1983, a group of female helpers decided to organise themselves to prevent any more commotion. This group became known as the Lady Porters of Tulamben. These lady porters offer a unique service that makes it easier for divers to transport their scuba tanks and other diving equipment weighing up to 15 kg to the dive site. Since Tulamben’s beach is rocky, having this service available is incredibly convenient.

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Lady Porter Organization

The lady porters of Tulamben became the unsung heroes of diving in Bali, and the diving community appreciated their service very much. They established a very successful system that included cooperative cash management in their community. For instance, the coop provided money during holidays to assist in paying for religious ceremony supplies, and they also succeeded in providing jobs for the villagers. Many female porters were able to provide their families with a better life by allowing their kids to attend school. In the 1990s, the women porters were officially organised as the Sekar Baruna Cooperative. The word ‘Sekar Baruna’ means either flowers from the sea or fortune from the sea.

Tulamben’s lady porters are renowned for their incredible strength and endurance. They are hard working, enthusiastic about their jobs, and always smiling. They take pride in their work and are always willing to go above and beyond to ensure divers have an enjoyable diving experience. One thing that distinguishes the lady porters is their sense of community. They work as a team, and this makes the lady porters a vital part of the Tulamben diving community.

Lady-Porter-Sekar-Baruna