It's Bali, but it's different. I learn that I'm out of passport pages and this matters when you arrive in Indonesia. It's the Writers Conference and it's my first time. And I am trying to catch a glimpse of the sunfish (I don't).
Let's start in the middle the story. When I arrive at Nusa Pineda.
It's a kind of ritual to go to the dive shop and check in, especially if you happen to be staying at the dive shop (technically making it a dive resort). This is when you unburden yourself of the gear that should stay in the dive shack. Your wetsuit, fins, BCD, etc. This way you show up with yourself in shorts and any camera gear and join your gear on the boat. This the way in Asia anyway — porters lug your gear to the boat along with tanks, lunch, water, etc.
The other thing you do at this meeting of you, the diver, and the person manning the desk is to present your bona fides if you are new to the dive resort. Your certification level allows the shop to group you with divers of a like skill level. You also map out your dives for the duration of your stay.
(note the whole dive shack controversy)
