3 weeks in Bali, Indonesia- 5/28- 6/15/2024

Day 16- Amed-6/11/2024

The next morning, we woke up early and walked past the swimming pool, where the view opened straight out to the Bali Sea. The water was calm and softly lit by the morning light. Out on the sea, we could see many small individual boats heading back toward the shore, moving slowly and quietly across the surface.

They were likely fishermen returning from early morning fishing, a daily rhythm in Amed. Fishing often begins before sunrise, when the sea is cooler and calmer, and by early morning the boats make their way back with the day’s catch. Watching them return from the poolside felt peaceful and grounding, a simple, authentic scene that connected the hotel stay to the everyday life of the coastal village just beyond it.

From the pool we stepped out into the beach and it was totally deserted.  We simply love the peacefulness and the beauty of the area.

Having lunch at the hotel.

Tropical fruits.

After breakfast, we rented a moped that was conveniently dropped off right at the hotel.

It was immediately clear how nice it is to get around this way since Amed feels much quieter and slower compared to many other parts of Bali, making the ride relaxed and enjoyable rather than stressful.

From the hotel, we drove to Amed Beach, where the scenery opens up beautifully.

We arrived at Amed Beach

The beach is lined with black volcanic sand and smooth stones, a striking contrast against the blue of the Bali Sea.

 Traditional fishing boats rest along the shore, their bright colors standing out against the darker sand, while a few locals move about preparing nets or boats for the day.

Fishing boats docked on the shore.

Looking out from the beach, the water is calm and clear, gently lapping at the shore.

Amed Beach feels especially quiet and unhurried.  The shore on the right was lined with fishing boats pulled up onto the black sand, resting between trips out to sea.

Along the shore, rows of fishing boats are parked on the dark sand, their shapes simple and familiar, waiting for the next trip out to sea.

One boat in particular stood out, a bright yellow and green boat resting on top of large stones, positioned halfway between the walking path and the water, as if paused mid-journey.

The sound of waves crashing against the shore is soothing.

Out on the water, a different scene was unfolding. A tour boat was anchored just offshore, and around it floated a cluster of people wearing life vests. They bobbed gently in the calm sea, likely snorkeling or preparing to dive, adding a soft sense of activity without disturbing the overall stillness. 

The contrast was striking with traditional fishing boats resting quietly on land, and tourists floating peacefully in the water. Together, they captured the essence of Amed, calm, simple, and balanced between everyday local life and low-key tourism.

A fishing boat returning to shore after a morning at sea catching fish.

We just drove around Amed a bit.  It is a really quiet town.

Sunset Point

Going back to Sunset Point made the difference really clear that not all sunsets are equal, even in the same place

Last night the sky turned blue but today the sunset looks totally different.  Today, the atmosphere probably had more low clouds or haze near the horizon.

These clouds catch and reflect the warm wavelengths, reds, oranges, and yellows, while blocking the cooler blues from spreading across the sky. As a result, the sky stayed glowing orange until the light simply faded away, skipping that dramatic blue phase entirely

As the evening settled in, we watched boat after boat returning to shore.  Most were small, individual fishing boats gliding quietly across the water, but among them was one larger boat, moving more slowly and steadily toward land.

Together, they formed a gentle procession across the sea, signaling the close of another day.

Above it all, the sky glowed a dark, vivid orange, intense and almost unreal, spreading across the horizon and reflecting softly on the water. The contrast between the glowing sky and the silhouettes of the boats made the scene especially beautiful, simple, calm, and deeply atmospheric. It was one of those moments where everything slows down, and you can’t help but just stand there and watch.

Mount Agung standing tall in the back ground. It is an active volcano in Karangasem Regency.  It is the highest point on Bali, and dominates the surrounding area, influencing the climate, especially rainfall patterns.

We are on the highest level of the restaurant looking over the horizon.

Last night, there were likely higher clouds and more moisture in the air, with clearer conditions closer to the horizon. As the sun dropped, the shorter blue wavelengths scattered more evenly across the sky, allowing those rich blues to dominate once the warm colors faded. With fewer low clouds blocking the light, the sky had time to transition slowly from orange to blue.

The sky stayed glowing orange until the light simply faded away, skipping that dramatic blue phase entirely.

Night fall and it is a magical moment to look at the Bali sea surrounding the area.

NEXT... Day 17-Sunrise(coming soon)