Nusa Lembongan - between Bali and Nusa Penida - Lombok
Squatting like a serene Buddha in the Badung strait, Nusa Lembongan sits smack-bang on the "Wallace line" between Bali and Lombok. Part of neither Asia nor Australia/Pacific the island eschews the tourist-driven advances of its neighbors in favour of simple seaweed harvesting and a more relaxed pace - where the fastest ride you're likely to catch is on the crest of a wave.
Nusa Lembongan is a small island between Bali and Nusa Penida in the Badung Strait. It is situated 12 miles south east of Bali, the perfect holiday hideaway with few visitors and pristine un-spoilt beaches. It is one hour travelling time by boat from Benoa Harbour. This pear shaped island is around 4km long and 2km wide. It is surrounded by a beautiful fringing reef and the waters are renowned for their abundance of life and great surf breaks. The reef has been declared a marine park by the Indonesian authorities. Not only does the reef support its own Eco- system, but it supports most of the villagers on the island as well. Other sources of income include traditional wooden boat building, farming peanuts, sweet potato crops, and fishing.
Village life is very slow and enchanting. Very few cars and motorbikes are seen on the roads. The people are steeped in tradition, and one could imagine Bali being like this island thirty years ago. The unspoilt and relaxed atmosphere of the island has been maintained and is the islands greatest asset. It's still a basic place, but interesting, and there are some lovely places to stay. Although the island is small there are still things to do.
