Thank you to all for the kind comments on Part 1 (posted at 19.22) of my first JBR.
Now onto our three days on Lembongan Island. As mentioned, we had booked Villa Shambala (privately owned) over the net. We had paid half of the accommodation by Telegraphic Transfer and had received confirmation of our booking and were really excited about our stay. We decided to get over there with scoot cruises from Sanur. Cost was about $60 each.
They picked us up at KP around 12 for the 1pm boat leaving Sanur. The scoot fast boat only takes about 45 minutes. The trip over was filled with the excitement of the unknown. As we approached the island we tried to spot "our villa" from the photos we had seen on the net, but wasn't sure we had. We were greeted on the cool, soft sand of Lembongan by the nanager of the villa, Komang. A local man that we would become to know as a wonderful host and even greater man (more on Komang later). What a great feeling it is to get off a boat by wading through a couple of feet of water up to the beach....thongs off and enjoying the cool water lap over our feet.
"Transfer" to the villa consisted of both Krystal and I getting on the back of a motorbike each (helmets?....what helmets), being expertly ridden by Komang and his "friend" through little villages and areas of rainforrest via rickety, pot holed laden roads. The skill of these guys (each about 45kg wringing wet) was amazing. Lembongan Island is about the size of Rottnest , but with a much greater height elevation from the beaches to the hills. The hilly areas are quite spectacular ! The greenery is astounding. Villa Shambala is located right on the edge of a cliff, the isolation is wonderful. Not another villa or hotel for hundreds of metres. The villa itself sits on around 300sqm of land, is actually 2 bedrooms (each with a/c) a gorgeous plunge pool which faces the ocean and decking built into the cliff face. The cost of only $150 a night was incredible value.
Climbing off the motorbikes, Komang settled us into the villa and explained that he was at our service for our entire stay and would organize anything we required during our stay. He made it very clear to us that in no way would he accept a tip from us and that his "payment" came from seeing us have a great time. The only transport on the island is by way of motorbike or scooter. As it was a long walk to anywhere from our villa we asked Komang to organize a scooter each for us (cost was about 70.000 per day) - He smiled at us with a grin we would come to know and love and off he went. Straight into the pool we go....AHH.
No more than 15 minutes later Komang is back with two very new, automatic, very easy to ride scooters. Krystal and I still to this day can not work out how he got himself and the two scooters to the villa by himself ! Chatting with Komang,we decided to let him organise snorkelling for us the next day. He would come to get us at 10 am the next morning.
It was now mid afternoon and after settling in to the villa and taking time to take in the amazing views from the sanctuary of the plunge pool, we ventured out on our scooters to discover the island. We found ourselves putting around the tight, bumby roads with a great sense of freedom and peace. We went past village schools, cows meandering, and even sighted a local woman chasing after a chicken armed with a cleaver !
We came across mushroom beach where we had early dinner sitting at a table by the calm waters with sand between our toes. The food was fresh and tasty and the mood one of total relaxation. You could see it on the faces of all the other "tourists" of this gorgeous island - a sense of calm. We sat on the beach as the sun went down, realising that as it would be dark soon we better make our way back to the villa. The scooters had lights, but we wanted to make sure we didn't get lost ! - The rest of the evening at the villa was a romtantic dream. We sat on the decking that has been carved into thr cliff face of the villa and were soon able to believe we were the only people on the planet.
We awoke on day 2 to the anticipation of a day of snorkelling. Komang arrived bang on time and guided us down to one of the beaches. He introduced us to our skipper (the boat seemed to be carved out of a massive tree, with an outboard stuck on the back. To our surprise, Komang was coming with us for the day to ensure we had a great time and to tell us stories of the place he calls home. He had a good array of snorkelling gear. On the way out to our first location, another boat stopped by, offering coconuts. Komang had a brief discussion with the 'seller' and promptly we were provided with fresh coconuts to enjoy during our journey. We arrived at our first snorkelling spot within 30 mins. Plunging in, the water was refreshing and the array of tropical fish amazing. We had brought our waterproof camera and got some great shots of each swimming amongst the fish. The great day continued through three further locations, all with different types of fish, for the better part of the day. We arrived back at the beach we had left from mid afternoon. The whole day cost us a whopping 400,000 !!
The rest of the afternoon was spent relaxing in the villa. Komang had suggested we come over to "Sunset Café" for dinner, run by himself and his sister. We agreed we would. We arrived for dinner early as Komang had suggested to ensure we saw the sunset. We were not dissappointed. Sunset Cafe is a small, two story, indo style bale that sits on a cliff face (common now huh!) overlooking a beach and in the distance, the mountains of bali. Even coming from Perth, I haven't seen a sunset like this.....WOW ! -
Komang had remembered that whilst we were snorkelling, we had told him about our love for crayfish. Although they do not have it on their menu, he had sent divers down that afternoon to catch some for our dinner. Thirty minutes later, two good sized, char grilled over an open flame crayfish were presented to us for dinner. We sat on the upper deck, ice cold fresh juice, staring out into the peace that surrounded us and realised how lucky we were. We had an amazing night talking with and sharing our lives and stories with Komang. An evening neither of us will ever forget.
Day three and after obligitory dunk in the plunge pool, we headed off on our scooters thirsty for more adventure. We rode past a beach full of seaweed farms (Lembongans main export - used in cosmetics)
until we got to the other end of the island where the mangroves live. We were convinced to take a boat trip (quick 30 mins) amongst them. Although it was interesting, it was extremely humid and quite uncomfortable in the little canoe. Our guide did however manage to leap out of the canoe at one stage onto the muddy bank, delve elbow deep and come out clutching a crab.
We had lunch at a little place on the beaches of the mangroves, sitting under our own lounge bale, taking in the sights. Again, even though it seemed remote, the food was fresh and tasty !
After lunch we headed off for more, winding our way around the island in search of whatever was to lead us. We came across a wooden slatted bridge of about 200 metres that took us over the channel to another, much smaller island (it's name escapes me) - This island was very primitive, local huts and stone dwellings the only buildings. After 15 minutes or so we came around a bend to be greeted by a little boy, excitedly wanting us to go with him. We obliged (wherever the wind blows us theory) - he led us into his village and down small bush tracks to an area where the rest of his village had gathered. The excitement in the air was palpable - As we moved closer, we realized the gathering crowd had surrounded an expecting cow ! - 10 minutes later, and we had been given the priveledge of witnessing the birth of a little calf....truly amazing !!
We went to bed that night marvelling at the experiences we had shared over the last couple of days. The next day would even surpass that.
Day four and time to head back to Bali to spend four nights at "The Ulin" villas in Seminyak to round off a great trip. Packing up (komang coming to take our luggae to the boat) we could not find Krystal's recently purchased genuine rayban's anywhere. We knew we had them when we got to the island and unpacked, but Krystal had decided not to use them whilst there - so used the cheapies instead. Komang arrived and still no sunnies (worth about $300) - Komang was extremely sorry and helped us look again, to no avail. I let Komang know where we were staying for the last four days and that if he found them could he call me and I would get on a boat and come over to get them (another $60 boat trip cheaper than replacing them !)
We had been back in Bali a full day and a half - Upon returning to our villa at around 9pm after an absolute full day of shopping etc (we had left the villa around 11am) we were greeted at reception by the smiling face of our friend Komang. He had been waiting for us since 2pm, having gotten the slow boat over from Lembongan earlier in the morning. Why, you ask ? - This amazing man had found Krystal's sunglasses and instead of calling me, had decied to return them to us himself. My faith in the good of people is forever restored ! - I invited Komang into our villa for a drink and after a brief chat "forced" 200,000 in his hand and told him to take his girlfriend out (she lived in Bali). I will continue the final
four days soon. Hope you all have continued to enjoy the read.