For New Years weekend we set off to nearby Nusa Lembongan, a small island off the coast of Bali.
We drove to the beach town of Sanur to catch a boat. The operator was Rocky Fast Cruise!The Rocky driver shuttled us to the marina.Ready for island adventure!The Sanur marina had some cool decor.Heading to our boat, the Rocky 3.Yay, we made it!From the boat to the back of a small truck.We were in the jungle. Lembongan was very green, hot and humid!We arrived at our hotel near Mushroom Bay. It was a quieter part of the island which we were thankful for.Our hosts were Made and Utu.Our rustic villa.Despite being rustic, the entryway had this amazing detailed woodwork.Mosquito nets, very important! There were lots of bugs here.Outdoor washroom and shower.Offerings could be seen throughout the property.It was hot, we spent time in the pool.The paths had interesting patterns made of colored pebbles.Nearby Mushroom Bay was a nice quiet little beach.Boats were tied up along the beach. The locals use them to offer snorkeling and diving tours, which are a big draw for the island.We were stoked to swim.Restaurant on the beach.We had great food on Lembongan, as we did everywhere in Bali!Yum!Locals in the Christmas spirit.Feelin good!Even a small island has temples and shrines to spare.Heading out for snorkel fun!Our tour boat left from a mangrove swampMan-grovy!Ella is down to snorkel!Fin can barely contain himself (can you tell?)We saw a sea turtle, which was Ella’s dream come true!We had the best time on Lembongan!
Krista says:
Our journey in Indonesia was highlighted by our stay in Nusa Lembongan. Contrary to our expectations of tranquil nights amidst the jungle, we encountered loud New Year’s celebrations, with extensive personal fireworks lasting for hours. Our first night was marked by a thunderstorm, notable for its intense sound and palpable vibrations. Conversations with our hotel’s owners revealed the island’s struggles during the ‘Corona’ period. Tourists were barred, and police monitored the beaches. Lacking tourist income, many islanders lost their jobs. Necessity drove people to sell possessions, such as scooters, but options to purchase food were limited as markets were closed. The owner’s sole income came from occasionally harvesting seaweed. Locals relied on fishing and cultivating small jungle plots for food. Our villa view showcased Made and Utu’s plot, where bananas, jackfruit, and coconuts grow, sustaining them for seven months. We learned that all local children have now been taught a skill to ensure survival in future tourist-absent scenarios.
