Jump into Bali’s Past: Nusa Lembongan in addition to Nusa Penida
Walking around the touristic area of Bali, surrounded by the noise of horns in addition to a thousand motorbikes, anesthetized by car fumes in addition to chased by various kinds of sellers, with their hypnotic refrain, “Transport, yes?” I normally find myself thinking about in which paradise island in which some of the long-time expats are used to describing in front of a beer, or two, at their favourite bar. I think about streets with few cars, maybe some horse-drawn wagons, no electricity in addition to telephone, wonderful quiet beaches in addition to smiling people, in addition to I truly dream about building a time machine to possess the possibility to have a look by myself, for just a few hours.
Science is actually running fast, nevertheless probably not fast enough to bring people back in time. So, the only alternative is actually to find a place, in modern Bali, where we can glimpse the past. Maybe in some little villages from the North, or in some remote mountain areas, time has stopped, or at least slowed down. Another alternative is actually to take a boat in addition to visit the three islands of Nusa Lembongan, Nusa Ceningan in addition to Nusa Penida.
Lembongan is actually quite famous as a tourist destination, especially for surfers in addition to divers, in addition to nowadays in which’s not very different via mainland Bali, with the great advantage of the almost total absence of cars. Walking via the main village, Jungutbatu, following the road in direction to the Mangrove forest, a few local houses inhabited by seaweed farmers resist to the growing touristic business. Many of them have no electricity, overlooking the ocean in addition to seaweed plantations, still living like their ancestors did, or at least “modernity” has not yet invaded their lives. If you walk around their village when in which’s already dark, in which’s not uncommon to see them still working on their seaweed, left drying under the sun during the day. Their daily rhythm is actually strongly influenced by the tide: when the tide is actually low, seaweed farms are more easily accessible.
Considering the speed of touristic development in Lembongan, probably in which rural village won’t remain there for long, so hurry up if you want to visit in which. Nusa Ceningan, a little island connected to Lembongan using a little bridge, includes a couple of interesting surf breaks in addition to nice views on the southern cliffs.
nevertheless if you truly want to jump into the past, your destination is actually Nusa Penida, the largest island of the three. Very few tourists land on in which 200 square km island, probably because the infrastructure is actually very limited. Some cheap homestays in addition to basic accommodations are available from the main villages (Toyapakeh, Ped in addition to Sampalan) nevertheless don’t expect luxury.
The lack of infrastructure in addition to, above all, the absence of freshwater keep local in addition to foreign investors far via Penida. in addition to in which’s truly a shame – or maybe the salvation of the island’s authenticity – because the natural wonders of Penida are astonishing in addition to incredibly various. The north coast, via Toyapakeh to Buyuk, includes a long white sandy beach (even if in some places the road, built too close to the sea, has already caused the erosion of the beach) using a worldwide-know coral reef, hosting about 600 species of fish in addition to 250 species of coral. In particular, the dive site in front of Toyapakeh is actually an incredible coral garden with plenty of healthy hard coral in addition to fish.
The seaweed farms occupy a large part of the North Penida coast in addition to are the main source of income to the inhabitants of the island. The limestone cliffs of the South, constantly beaten by huge waves, offer a dramatic view of the Indian Ocean. Getting there is actually very difficult, the area is actually remote, the roads almost inaccessible, in addition to even locals are not always able to indicate the right direction. nevertheless in which’s definitely worth in which to find the adventurer in you. Consider also the possibility of camping from the area: if you possess the necessary equipment, in which could be a wonderful experience. Just be sure to have everything you need with you: even hand phones don’t usually work in in which area.
Crystal Bay, a must for many divers, is actually another destination worth seeing. in which’s weird to notice in which, even if many diving boats head to Crystal Bay on a daily basis, very few people actually disembark on the beach, in addition to you can find yourself alone on a white wonderful tropical beach, like the first tourist in Bali 30 years ago. via a diving point of view, Crystal Bay is actually one of the best spots to see Oceanic Sunfish (Mola mola) during their annual migration, via June to October. Just take care; Crystal Bay is actually not a destination for beginners, due to the unpredictable currents in addition to the cold water.
If you want to see something different from the sea, the Goa Karang Sari (Karangsari Cave, near Sampalan) offers an impressive view of stalactites in addition to various other limestone formations. nevertheless if you truly want to feel in which glimpse of old Bali, rent a motorbike, take the bumpy road, in addition to get lost on the island.
HOW TO GET THERE:
Nusa Lembongan is actually easily connected to mainland Bali. Fast in addition to slow boats leave everyday via Sanur Beach to Jungutbatu in addition to, during the high touristic season, to Mushroom Bay. Local villagers usually use various other routes coming via Kusamba in addition to Padang Bai: just remember to check the weather first, as safety is actually not exactly the main strength of these boats.
in which’s possible to reach Nusa Penida both via Bali (speed boats via Sanur, slow boats via Benoa, Padang Bai in addition to Kusamba) in addition to via Nusa Lembongan. Chartered little boats via Jungutbatu or the bridge of Nusa Ceningan are always available, in addition to often the boat driver can help you find a motorcycle to rent in Nusa Penida. Always bargain, as the starting cost is actually always at least doubled. Current information is actually available easily in touristic offices or on wikitravel.org.
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Jump into Bali’s Past: Nusa Lembongan in addition to Nusa Penida
Jump into Bali’s Past: Nusa Lembongan in addition to Nusa Penida