We did a late afternoon dive near Seraya Secrets a few days ago. It was pouring with rain (but still 31 degrees out of the water) but viz was still good enough for hunting tiny critters. We dived with our friend and local nudibranch expert Ajiex Dharma, who quickly found some specimens we have never seen. I'm sure he has a microscope in his BCD pocket !!
Among our finds were many tiny nudibranchs, as well as a Pacific Thecacera nudibranch laying eggs and a boxer crab also laden with eggs.
Many of our local dive sites also have the bright pink eggs of Spanish Dancer nudibranchs on top of rocks. So it seems everything is breeding here in Tulamben.

Today we were reminded of the fragility of life for Balinese people living in the remote villages of north-east Bali.

At daybreak we joined a small family procession to our village high temple (Pura Puseh). Towering above us, Mount Agung glowed brighter than normal at sunrise, as today the Gods would descend and take the spirits of our young friend's wife and his unborn baby boy.

In the west we often take hospital care, doctors, nurses and specialists for granted. We expect the best care available for our wives, babies, children and ourselves, because it is accessible and we can (mostly) afford it.

Wayan was 20 years old when she married and later that year fell pregnant, her husband cared for her as well as any husband would. But when the birth day arrived, she was wisked away to the nearest hospital facility an hour away by car. During her labour she was struck with an asthma attack and stopped breathing. Sadly she passed away and subsequently their unborn baby boy also died still in his mother's womb.

Few people who come to dive here in north east Bali are aware that this area, (the furthest point from Denpasar in either direction) has the highest infant mortality rate in South-East Asia.

More mothers die in north Bali during child birth or pregnancy than in Libya, Iraq or Botswana!
The hospitals are few and far between, and the medical equipment they have is limited and mostly outdated. Getting trained medical staff is difficult, as few want to work in remote areas.

Today we witnessed Wayan and her baby son's spirits ascend to heaven. As the family placed offerings on the altars and the priest finished praying. Clouds soon began forming around the holy mountain's peak. Within half an hour the mountain was concealed by clouds and remained out of view for the rest of the day.

Please spare a thought when you are in these parts, perhaps bargaining for a cheaper dive guide, transport driver or room at your locally run dive resort. These people mostly do it tough, and all of them know how to make every rupiah count. One day....we hope, they may have the luxury of a hospital with modern equipment and well trained medical staff.

Om Swastiastu Wayan dan anda Bayi
(Peace Be With You Wayan & your Baby)

Dawn found this beautiful juvenile Pinnate Batfish at the Drop-Off in Tulamben yesterday. It was approximately the size you are seeing here.... around 60mm long.
This was a very photo friendly fish and the first of this size we have seen around Tulamben.
The Drop-Off seems to have lots of juveniles and many fish welcoming us back to Tulamben this year.
Check out the Video below also. Both the video and Photo were taken with the same camera, an Olympus E-PL2 in an Olympus PT-EP03 housing with an Olympus M.Zuiko 60mm F2.8 macro lens.
One our new LED Focus Lights was used to light the video. While a single Z220 Inon strobe lit the photo.