From Dog Walks to Diving Adventures

“Reflecting on Challenges, Leaks, and Wrecks in Bali“

It’s incredible to revisit the videos capturing dog walks, considering the challenge of stabilizing footage with five dogs and a GoPro on a selfie stick—a task easier said than done! The initial concept of documenting dog walks in South Jakarta was exciting, but experimenting with the selfie stick and GoPro came with its limitations, revealing the complexities of capturing such dynamic moments. Eventually, I got myself a gimbal stabilizer, making a difference in filming, but walking five dogs at 100mph made it challenging—after all, a gimbal isn’t meant for such adventures! 🐾🎥.

Amidst the pandemic, the chance to escape Jakarta materialized, leading us to Bali. Navigating the Indonesian regulations permitting diving only directly in front of your hotel, we sought accommodation boasting an exceptional dive site along its beachfront—one I’d willingly explore repeatedly. Reflecting on my arrival in Indonesia eight years earlier and the allure of the USAT Liberty wreck near Tulamben, we opted for a week’s stay at the Tauch Terminal Resort.

During this episode, my Gopro 4 encountered a leak, necessitating the acquisition of the Gopro 9. If you observe the footage, you’ll notice the absence of the colour correction feature in later Gopro models. This moment also marked Lydia’s inaugural experience diving a wreck, and I encouraged her to narrate the encounter. If you watch the video, you’ll notice she does this impressively.

Upon revisiting my USAT Liberty Wreck video, the absence of red hues wasn’t the only noticeable aspect— the amount of wobble is quite astonishing! While touring the hotel with my GoPro on a gimbal, the entrance and dive footage, captured with just a selfie stick, turned out to be notably shaky. Additionally, I made a rookie mistake by not using any lighting during this time, highlighting a learning curve in videography.

The USAT Liberty is a fantastic wreck, easily explorable for divers of all skill levels. Just beware of the slightly harsh pebbles during entry and exit—you’ve been warned!