We booked a boat to visit Lembongan Island for a few days as we were in no rush to leave the area after the delay with getting our passports/extended visas sorted So after stalking out the port area, questioning other tourists about their chosen boat company and shopping around for the best price, we settled on Arthamas fast boat for the 1/2 hr journey and saved £7 on the tickets by buying through an agent away from the beach.
Our boat was at 12.30pm so we got a taxi from the hotel to the agents office - another attempted rip off by the driver who tried to charge us £2 over the odds but we just said no way and paid him the price on the meter, leaving him bemused at the roadside! After a short walk to the beach lugging all our gear, we were pleased to see a decent sized boat with 4 big engines at the back plus plenty of seats. We watched the rucksacks being loaded on to the top deck then it was the passengers turn. No pier, just the sandy beach and the incoming tide so it was a shorts on job with smaller rucksacks on backs and our sandals tied to these in plastic bags. I quickly claimed some seats at the back (less bumpy ride and hopefully no blowing chunks!). We watched the prissy oriental tourists attempting to board without getting wet but failing dismally. The journey was good and we were soon on the island, in the back of a pick up style taxi heading for our homestay (The Rompok). This was more like it - more natural, beautiful beaches, lot's of mangroves and palm trees and not a McDonalds in sight!
Our accommodation was good - large room with air con, fairly newly kitted out and decent sized bathroom which could be locked so our stuff was safe in there. The young guy managing it was very helpful but had disagreeing eyes so we affectionately called him 'Frog Eyes'.
Again the best way to get around was to hire a bike (moped) so we did off some Balinese guy who looked like a young Cliff Richard and off we zoomed around the island. The main street had a good selection of restaurants and small shops selling water, food and beer but we did have to shop around to get dinner within our price range (normally around £5 with beer). Usual stuff - noodles, rice and a dish called Gado Gado which was beansprouts, veg, rice and a peanut sauce.
We spent our days riding around the island, watching the sunset on the beach whilst enjoying a nice cold Bintang beer, visiting different beaches (Mushroom, Sunset & Dream beach) as well as seeing all the dudes surfing the large waves and watching drunk Aussies paying to hurl themselves off a cliff face into the sea and be dragged back out again while their compatriots cheered their impending doom being washed up on the rocks with another beer. We decided to book a snorkeling trip so after shopping around for a good deal which covered the 3 main points to snorkel, we got ready to go swim with the fishes!
Well we scoffed our breakfast, lovingly prepared by our mate Frog Eyes (who we had to get out of bed to make it even though he promised to be ready with it for us the night before!). Our pick up guy turned up with his trusty (slightly rusty) moped and gestured for us to hop on with him. Well it was fun - 3 up, me in the middle, Daz at the back with a rucksack. I had to hold my head back to stop taking in the smell of the driver (BO and noodles) and clutch Daz's knees at the same time. The boat was modest, a wooden job with 2 engines at the rear and seating for about 15 people. One by one the others in our group arrived then we boarded and set off across the waves.
First stop was Manta Point so flippers and snorkel gear on, Daz jumped off easily but I slipped off the side of the boat breaking nails on the way - doh! It turned out to be worth it though as after a few minutes of snorkeling, our captain yelled 'MANTA!' We looked down into the stunning blue water and there below was the graceful giant Manta Ray gliding along. It was amazing - I was mesmerized by it and would have followed it like the Pied Piper if common sense hadn't kicked in. Only thing is we didn't have an underwater camera but still we were so lucky to have seen them as it's not guaranteed. We heard another shout and this time there was 2 of them just a little way over so we swam to get another look as they don't hang around very long. Back on the boat and off to the 2nd stop called Crystal Bay which was excellent for beautiful coral - so many different types and colours as well as fish galore with their many colours and shapes. The water wasn't cold either and it was so clear (obviously this is where the name came from!). The last stop was Mangrove Point and by this time in had become apparent that Captain Pugwash had a problem with one of the engines as the boat slowed to a painful chug. These people are very capable though and with the help of another boat's crew, he managed to get the engine working again - phew! no getting chased on to the beach by sharks for us today then! We snorkeled the last spot looking at the coral and fish then it was back to base camp. Later on, we headed out to hand back the bike to Balinese Cliff Richard and treated ourselves to a more expensive dinner of pizza and French fries - snorkeling makes you very hungry!!
Our boat was at 12.30pm so we got a taxi from the hotel to the agents office - another attempted rip off by the driver who tried to charge us £2 over the odds but we just said no way and paid him the price on the meter, leaving him bemused at the roadside! After a short walk to the beach lugging all our gear, we were pleased to see a decent sized boat with 4 big engines at the back plus plenty of seats. We watched the rucksacks being loaded on to the top deck then it was the passengers turn. No pier, just the sandy beach and the incoming tide so it was a shorts on job with smaller rucksacks on backs and our sandals tied to these in plastic bags. I quickly claimed some seats at the back (less bumpy ride and hopefully no blowing chunks!). We watched the prissy oriental tourists attempting to board without getting wet but failing dismally. The journey was good and we were soon on the island, in the back of a pick up style taxi heading for our homestay (The Rompok). This was more like it - more natural, beautiful beaches, lot's of mangroves and palm trees and not a McDonalds in sight!
Our accommodation was good - large room with air con, fairly newly kitted out and decent sized bathroom which could be locked so our stuff was safe in there. The young guy managing it was very helpful but had disagreeing eyes so we affectionately called him 'Frog Eyes'.
Again the best way to get around was to hire a bike (moped) so we did off some Balinese guy who looked like a young Cliff Richard and off we zoomed around the island. The main street had a good selection of restaurants and small shops selling water, food and beer but we did have to shop around to get dinner within our price range (normally around £5 with beer). Usual stuff - noodles, rice and a dish called Gado Gado which was beansprouts, veg, rice and a peanut sauce.
We spent our days riding around the island, watching the sunset on the beach whilst enjoying a nice cold Bintang beer, visiting different beaches (Mushroom, Sunset & Dream beach) as well as seeing all the dudes surfing the large waves and watching drunk Aussies paying to hurl themselves off a cliff face into the sea and be dragged back out again while their compatriots cheered their impending doom being washed up on the rocks with another beer. We decided to book a snorkeling trip so after shopping around for a good deal which covered the 3 main points to snorkel, we got ready to go swim with the fishes!
Well we scoffed our breakfast, lovingly prepared by our mate Frog Eyes (who we had to get out of bed to make it even though he promised to be ready with it for us the night before!). Our pick up guy turned up with his trusty (slightly rusty) moped and gestured for us to hop on with him. Well it was fun - 3 up, me in the middle, Daz at the back with a rucksack. I had to hold my head back to stop taking in the smell of the driver (BO and noodles) and clutch Daz's knees at the same time. The boat was modest, a wooden job with 2 engines at the rear and seating for about 15 people. One by one the others in our group arrived then we boarded and set off across the waves.
First stop was Manta Point so flippers and snorkel gear on, Daz jumped off easily but I slipped off the side of the boat breaking nails on the way - doh! It turned out to be worth it though as after a few minutes of snorkeling, our captain yelled 'MANTA!' We looked down into the stunning blue water and there below was the graceful giant Manta Ray gliding along. It was amazing - I was mesmerized by it and would have followed it like the Pied Piper if common sense hadn't kicked in. Only thing is we didn't have an underwater camera but still we were so lucky to have seen them as it's not guaranteed. We heard another shout and this time there was 2 of them just a little way over so we swam to get another look as they don't hang around very long. Back on the boat and off to the 2nd stop called Crystal Bay which was excellent for beautiful coral - so many different types and colours as well as fish galore with their many colours and shapes. The water wasn't cold either and it was so clear (obviously this is where the name came from!). The last stop was Mangrove Point and by this time in had become apparent that Captain Pugwash had a problem with one of the engines as the boat slowed to a painful chug. These people are very capable though and with the help of another boat's crew, he managed to get the engine working again - phew! no getting chased on to the beach by sharks for us today then! We snorkeled the last spot looking at the coral and fish then it was back to base camp. Later on, we headed out to hand back the bike to Balinese Cliff Richard and treated ourselves to a more expensive dinner of pizza and French fries - snorkeling makes you very hungry!!
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| Dream beach, Lembongan. |
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| It's sunset bintang hour again. |
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