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Ahhhhh!Nusa Lembongan - what a nice place
Brian and I headed off on Good Friday for a trip to Nusa Lembongan, a small island off the coast of Bali.Lembongan is very quiet and a nice chance to really see Indonesian village life as the island's main income comes from the growing and gathering of seaweed, not tourism!I must admit, due to the fact it was Easter, it would have been nice if they had had a chocolate farm there too but alas! … it was not to be.
We took the public shuttle boat across to the island and the trip took an hour. True to form we are not good sailors and even though it was pretty calm, the open water bit in the middle made us feel ill. Arrival on the island started with a dip in the ocean as there is no jetty so the boat pulls in close to shore and you wade across to the beach.Once installed in a cosy bungalow we were set to explore the island.
I guess the thing that hits you first when you wander the shoreline is the overwhelming smell of drying seaweed. Outside the village huts seaweed was spread on large pieces of canvas to dry in the sun - there was white, green and red varieties and as far as I could tell, they all smelt the same. It really was hard to take the smell as I have a very good nose on me. Thing is, the smell never abated and after 4 days I can say I kind of got used to it but the midday sun really sent the smell levels up! Interestingly the seaweed is used (in a processed form) as a thickener in icecream and cheese so they must de-whiff it somehow in the processing before it gets added to these products.
We spent our days on the island making a dent in a couple of deckchairs, swimming and snorkeling. Our snorkeling trip was so idyllic - we walked half an hour through small villages to a mangrove spot where some locals had set up a small restaurant and hired out snorkels and masks. They offered to take us out in their boat to the coral reef but knowing our tendency for sea sickness, and our willingness to save a dollar where we can, we decided that we would swim out through the mangroves to the spot off shore that was the start of the reef. Turned out it was quite a swim through the mangroves and over the seaweed farms to the reef but we enjoyed the physical challenge and pondered the fact that we can spend ages kicking around in the water but not be good in boats.
The snorkeling was good - there were some colourful giant starfish and the usual parrot fish, angel fish etc. The coral was nice - saw some of the biggest brain coral I have ever seen and some interesting fluro blue coral that looked like a tree. Afterwards we sat in a little hut and drank softdrinks and then walked back to the main beach. The bungalows next door to ours had a pool and I think the owners of that set of bungalows and our bungalows were brothers so we were allowed to use next door's small pool - it overlooked the ocean and was such a nice way to cool off in the heat.
Lembongan is a bit of a magnet for backpackers and it was nice to meet some travelers with stories to share and everybody was really friendly so it was quite a social weekend. We found a local place to eat where the family cooked up great Indonesian and Western food for next to nothing. It was the freshest and cheapest food we have come across in Bali and one of the days Brian and I turned up there for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner - the family were probably beginning to think we had moved in.
I really enjoyed watching the locals on this island.They were unconcerned by our presence and went about their seaweed gathering in a gentle way. The kids were always playing by the shore - swimming in the shallows and fishing. Sunset was an active time especially if the tide was out and families would be gathering large baskets of seaweed to dry the next day in the sun.
One of the things that delighted me the most was seeing an old lady with stretched earlobe piercings. One ear had no earring in it - just a droopy lobe, the other one she used to keep her rolled up banknotes - they were pushed through the hole like a serviette in a serviette ring and she was on her way to the market. Quite a novel way to carry your cash.I shall remember that for when I am old and my earlobes have given out under the strain of too many ethnic earrings!
On Monday we left the island and headed back to Bali over very calm seas (thank goodness). Now we are back in Legian Beach which is beginning to feel like home. We have new neighbours in the villas so there is always somebody to chat with beside the pool.
On the wildlife front, I nearly stepped on a big brown spotted frog on the lawn last night.He hopped out from under my foot and gave me a bit of a fright - mind you I think I stood on his toes so he was probably terrified of me. I didn't see him there on the grass in low light. As he hopped away I reminded him the lawn was his but not to venture inside the house….. he's not in the same bracket as cockroaches and rats but I'd really rather not find him bouncing across the tiles any time soon. Do hope he understands "Kiwi"…
That's all for now - its another work week for Brian and I have decided to surf every day this week even though its wears me out! I figured this opportunity for so much beach time will not come along too often in my life so I will make the most of it. My knees are grazed up as I am not as proficient at coming off a wave as I used to be and end up skidding to a stop in the sand on my knees. This week will be spent perfecting the technique!
Lots of love and smiles to you all and thanks for all the messages (in hotmail as well). It's always nice to hear what you are all up to.
Kerry and Brian
xx
- comments
Judy sounds as though you have had a wonderful weekend!!! just love reading your blog... really feels as if we are there with you : ) If I could Kerry I'd send you some Easter eggs through the internet : ) love J & M xx
meagan keep the updates coming, loving them from melbourne! your trip sounds amazing...i'm sitting at work imagining i'm on a beach in Indonesia too...have an amazing time :)
stefanie Hi you two, what new country are you travelling next?? Tell me, I'm so curious.