As I have some down time I thought I’d get a bit more up to date with the blog.
It wasn’t quite a tearful farewell to Penang but we are already missing the place and the friends we made there. However our next port-o-call beckoned so onward we went to beautiful Bali. Flying in to Denpasar Airport we actually flew over Lembongan Island our next stay. In fact we reckon that our villa (Bali Belva) was at the point on the top of the first photo here.
As arranged the shuttle bus from our ferry company (Sugriwa Cruises) was at the airport to transfer us to the ferry launching place and after a round about route we arrived at Sanur Beach to cruise to Lembongan Island. What we didn’t expect was to have to scramble through the water to get aboard our ferry. With the surge adding some movement to the steps to board it was a dicey proposition but climb aboard we did. Some 40 minutes later we were on the other side of the strait and climbing off the ferry just as we had boarded. Fortunately the crew handled our luggage well at all times because after being ‘on the road’ since May we had quite heavy bags.
Once on the beach the Sugriwa crew assisted us to their shuttle bus for the trip to remote Bali Belva. It is hard to imagine a more remote villa on the island but it was worth every penny spent. We were in cabin #1 and as you can see we just opened our eyes in the morning to a splendid view across the sea to Bali. We had a huge 4 poster bed and an outdoors shower/toilet and we were right next to the pool. Just outside the entrance to the villas Shane and I walked to the top of the rise and watched the mighty waves crashing against the cliffs just around the point. It is so beautiful and serene here it makes for the ideal getaway from the world.
During the days on Lembongan we sometimes walked along the potholed lanes to one of several coves where we could grab a decent coffee and a swim in then protected waters behind the reef. Mushroom Beach was a favourite. There is much to do here from banana boats, jetskis, snorkeling and plain relaxing. For the more active you can get tickets to the ‘fun pontoons’ which are rigged up for just that, fun. On other days we got in the back of the villa’s truck and headed to the quiet streets of Lembongan to shop or eat at a cafe. On the way down the winding road to the village below we would admire the gorgeous view from Panorama Point. (Yes if you are wondering. Those are graves that are being sheltered by the umbrellas in the bush by the side of the road.)
Another activity was a trip to the mangrove forest where we hopped into a punt to be pushed through a maze of passageways back out through a gap to the sea before coming in another entrance to where we started. It was an interesting and well spent 50k IND ($5 AUD). On our last evening on Lembongan we were taken to the cliffs overlooking the main bay. The pathway is paved and on the high side there are a myriad of villas, homestays and hotels. on the seaward side there are lined many cafes and bars. We chose to perch ourselves in one of these for dinner and a view of the sunset. After all that we were then entertained by masses of fireworks being let off from multiple locations.
The next morning we were in the ferry back to Sanur and Christmas lunch. If you have a close look at the 2nd last picture you may notice the row of peaked roofs of our cabins just left of centre.
In the next blog we’re back on the main Island of Bali at Sanur for a Christmas feast to satisfy everyone. I hope everyone had an enjoyable Christmas. Ours was unusual in that it was strange for us not to be with the kids on this occasion. However this was made up for by the friends with which we shared our festivities.
Happy New Year to all and may 2017 be your year.
Cheers
Garry