Changing islands

Crossing over

Today we move from Nusa Lembongan to Nusa Penida, the island we had snorkelled or dived nearby.  At 0930 after breakfast, we were chauffeured to the Yellow Bridge boat station on the back of a truck.

It was a little earlier than what we would have liked but being the full moon tonight, there were lots of religious activities.  We were told that people were reluctant to work and transport would be difficult and tomorrow all sea activities come to a complete standstill.

Along the way we saw many people dressed up beautifully.  Men in white with headgear and women with white kebaya and yellow sash, often with offerings on their head.

At the Yellow Bridge, we managed to get an immediate departure around 1000 even before the boat was completely full.

It was only about 10 minutes for us to get to Nusa Penida.  As we approached, we saw several floating two-storey platforms, one complete with water slides parked in the bay.  These are for Chinese holidaymakers’ activities.  I’ve seen one where there is a netted pool so they can enjoy the sea in relative safety.  Some platforms can be towed around to coincide with land-based activities, as we saw later in our stay.

To get to La Roja Bungalows, we took two motorbikes as cars were nowhere to be seen.  The ride through narrow country roads took about 30 minutes.  At 1100 it was still a bit early to check-in but we were given our rooms as soon as they had been cleaned about 30 minutes later.

Failed explorations

We were ready for lunch but it was offered at our accommodation.  There wasn’t much within quick walking distance so we decided to get a motorbike before eating.  That proved a little tricky as many shops were closed.  The first one we found was double the rate we had expected but they were nice bigger and new bikes.  There were no other options until I asked a shopkeeper (mini grocer) and he offered us one for the two days we had wanted at the price we had expected.

On the way to Atuh Beach, we found a nice eating place near the sea.  It was operating on a reduced menu due to the religious activities.  As it was already 1300, everything that we had ordered hit the spot.

Continuing, we reached a cave temple, Goa Giri Putri.  We rented a sarong and sash each to be properly attired for the temple.  It was a little hike uphill.  We looked around from the temple area and then realised that the cave opening was a hole near to ground level.  After we  put our names in the register and made a donation, we crawled into the hole which led into a short low-clearance area.  This opened up into a large cave which continued inwards for a long way.

It was dimly lit inside but very humid.  I’m not sure whether the heat outside or the condensing humidity inside was worse.  We walked to the end where there was a temple accessed by a short staircase.  But for today, it wasn’t accessible so we turned around and returned to our bike.

The road to Atuh Beach was long, steep and windy.  Then it turned bad and finally worse.  We persisted and our hearts sank when we caught the first glimpse.  It was low tide and completely unswimmable.  The ride from the cave temple to the south-east corner of the island had been a complete waste of time.  And we had even brought towels  🙁

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We turned around and returned to the hotel for a dip in the coolish pool.  For dinner, we ate at the nearby collection of eateries a few minutes away by motorbike.  It was the same poor Indonesian food which had been toned down for westerners;  I’m thinking it is better to eat western!