Day 79: Arrival to Secret Garden Bungalows
Our boat from Sanur arrived 30 minutes after departure. We stepped off into the sand and walked about 10 minutes down the only main road on the island to Secret Garden Bungalows, which is associated with Big Fish Diving (who we were recommended to dive with). Just as at the last place, we dropped our bags and hit the pool.
Only this time maybe we hit it too hard. After a little playing around and sitting on each others shoulders, one of the guys from Barcelona cut his foot on a tile in the pool. A scooter ride from the staff back down the road to the doctor resulted in 7 stitches for him! Which also sadly meant he wouldn't be diving with us :(
The other Barcelona guy, originally from Italy, and I went to grab a late lunch and bring some back for our Gimp friend. Obviously, we had an extremely relaxed evening, lounging around the pool or in the hammock, with a movie night to top it off. Late dinner take away from Warung 99, where I'm pretty sure we ate at at least 4 times. Always Mie Gorang with chicken for me!
Day 80: Exploring Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan
This place had an issue with their water, meaning we didn't have any overnight. Which actually happened three nights in a row. As annoying as it may be, they are a very eco - conscious hotel, making it more understandable, and the discounted those nights for us.
Anyways, we got a slow start to the morning, eating breakfast and being lazy. Just before midday, Italy and I rented a scooter and first headed north, where they had us pay a toll to enter onto a super shitty road. Not even 100% sure if they were legitimate collectors or just smart locals taking advantage. Anyways, the road leads to a cute strip of restaurants and the mangroves, where you can hire an boat to tour you around.
We explored explored a bit before trying around, heading south. A super cool, one-way, yellow bridge connects Nusa Lembongan to another, even smaller island called Nusa Ceningan. We stopped for photo ops of the clear, blue water at cliffs and bays, lemonade at Twilight, overlooking the ocean with an infinity pool, and iced coffee and late lunch at an awesome place called Sea Breeze Warung on the way back.
That night, the dive center played a documentary and invited everyone to come watch. The operator of the dive submersible lives on the island, and answered any questions we had following the film. I have learned so much on this trip. One of my biggest take aways is that we need to care for our oceans. Recycling isn't hard, we just need to do it. But first, I guess people need to be educated and actually care....
Afterwards, Italy and I went to the closest restaurant again, Warung 99, ordered take away food, bringing the goods back to our Gimp friend.
Day 81: Scuba Diving North of Nusa Penida
Today, we had a lazy morning, waiting to go diving in the afternoon.
A 2 minute walk from the dive center, after packing our gear onto a man pulled wagon, brings you to the beach and the boat. Our first dive site, called Buyuk, revealed lion fish, bat fish, an octopus, and two sea turtles - one of them almost as long as me. The second site, called Toyapakeh, had nudibranchs, tassel scorpion fish, 3 mantis shrimp, and a beautiful ribbon eel.
I felt a bit off this evening (maybe because I fell off the boat when trying to get on shore?), so after sunset and dinner at Warung 99, I enjoyed our powerless evening by laying in the dark next to the pool, gazing up at the stars.
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| They carry everything on their heads here... |
Day 82: Scuba Diving Crystal Bay & Big Manta Bay, Marine Megafauna Foundation
We headed out for day 2 of diving. I really liked our guide today - Rich. He was friendly, knowledgeable, but not cocky. The first site, Crystal Bay, was beautiful with a Strawberry nudibranch, reef octopus, peacock flounder, and more. At one point, we could put out heads under the reef and watch our bubbles float up to an air pocket underneath. The second site is supposed to give you a 90% chance of seeing manta rays. We didn't see any, but we did fight current practically the entire hour.
That night, a girl from Marine Megafauna Foundation gave gave a presentation on strange sea life and how it needs to be protected. She showed really strong images such as one of a giant turtle being carried on a stick, hanging by its front two feet which which were tied together.
In short, scuba diving has strongly impacted this trip as well as me as a person. It's such a beautiful world under there and we abuse it.
Day 83: More Exploring
Spain felt up to joining today, so the three of us set out on scooters to see both islands. We revisited many places that Italy and I had already seen, but also added on the Blue Lagoon and cliff jumping area.
We closed the evening on Sunset Beach, enjoying some pina coladas and mai tais at Sandy Bay Beach Club. It was our last night on the island and final hoorah together!
Day 84: Goodbye!
So sad to say goodbye to mis tios buenos and Nusa Lembongan! This is such a quiet, beautiful island. Honestly, the clear, vivid blue the water and breathtaking the cliffs are unbelievable.
Until next time! Off to Sanur.
