Indonesia – Bali & Lombok

With no surprise, Bali is on the travel list of many explorers. Home to mesmerizing Nature, rich traditions and lovely people, it’s an unforgettable destination. It’s easy to travel sustainably here and to find beautiful boutique hotels with amazing views.

 

Getting there

Our trip started in Denpasar (Bali), where we landed.

 

When to go

The best time to go to Bali is from May until September, there is low rainfall and lots of sunshine.

 

Religion

In Indonesia the majority of the population is Muslim, with the exception being Bali where most people are Hindu.

 

LOMBOK – GILI ASAHAN

We had arranged a transfer from the airport to our hotel in Padangbai, a couple hours away, where we would spend the night before taking the ferry boat to Lombok the next day.

After reading numerous reviews advising about the rough sea conditions and the safety issues of some boats, we opted to go with a traditional big local ferry. We purchased our tickets to the ferry on a small cafe and boarded after a while. The ferry had good conditions in general and we had a smooth journey to Lombok (about 4 hours trip).

We arrived in Lembar (Lombok) and had our transport arranged with the hotel waiting for us. A couple more hours and we were at the “port” where a small spider boat picked us up and made the journey to Gili Asahan. We were very well received in a beautiful boutique hotel right on the beach.

Gili Asahan is a really small but lovely island, you can walk around it in about half an hour. In the morning the sea was really smooth and we took the chance to do Stand Up Paddle but in the afternoon it would get pretty windy. Both the hotels we stayed at had all the facilities and could provide lots of equipment for different water activities.

 

Where to eat

We always ate at the hotels we were staying in and in truth there aren’t really other places where you can eat.

Where to Stay – Eco and Boutique Hotels

For our first night we stayed in a charming boutique hotel in a cozy bungalow. It was a lovely place with all the amenities we needed, including a peaceful yoga space.

 

For our second night we went to the hotel next doors. This was a sustainable hotel, focused on natural materials to build the bungalows and in giving back to the community. The bathroom was open-air, located at the back of the bungalow, which added a unique touch. There was also a yoga deck here but when we went there it was a bit crowded. Still, it offered a beautiful view. We also noticed evacuation routes posted everywhere, a reminder that earthquakes are pretty common in this area.

 

It would have been nice to have stayed one more night in the island. I really didn’t want to leave when we had to, as I felt we still hadn’t fully enjoyed the place.

NUSA PENIDA

In the end of the next morning we took the boat to Nusa Penida. The spider boat took us from the hotel to another place, where we would catch the speed boat to Nusa Penida. Going in a ferry was not an option for this route, and the ride wasn’t so bad, but we did go with the expensive speed boat that had the best reviews.

Kelingking Beach

Upon arrival in Nusa Penida we waited for our ride to our next hotel. Afterwards and since we still had some time, we arranged with our driver to take us to Kelingking beach, famous for its similarity to a dinosaur. The place was crowded, but in my opinion, still totally worth it! We were rewarded with a stunning sunset! We shouldn’t forget that this is a dangerous place to be leaning in and even the way down to the beach didn’t look safe at all. The sea here is really rough and it’s extremely dangerous to swim in!

 

Unfortunately an elevator to the beach is being built on this location, which will have a really bad impact on the natural setting.

 

We stopped for dinner on our way back to the hotel.

Manta Bay 

On the next day we had planned to go snorkeling to see manta rays. We arranged the trip with a lovely couple recommended by a friend. Although we were a bit late (traffic can be an issue here), they were incredibly kind and had a private spider boat ready just for the two of us. 

There are two popular spots known for manta ray sightings, Manta Bay and Manta Point. Manta Point is more suited for diving whereas in Manta Bay you can just snorkel. I had imagined a calm, serene spot based on the name, but the reality was far from it. The sea was really agitated, with big waves and we were in a tiny boat with lots of water coming in. Until eventually my friend got sea sick and we had to go back. I didn’t even jump into the water due to the hard sea conditions. Just be prepared for an agitated sea conditions if you’re doing this trip.

 

Diamond Beach

Afterwards we went, again with a driver, to see Diamond Beach. We didn’t have much time since we had our boat to Bali in the afternoon. It is a beautiful place, with diamond shaped rocks, but it was really crowded! There was also a construction site right behind this place which impacts a little the natural atmosphere of this beach.

 

Where to Stay – Eco and Boutique Hotels

We’ve stayed in a beautiful boutique hotel in Nusa Penida. It was a little far from everything else, but it paid off! It had many bungalows with big rooms and bathrooms. The entire front of the bungalow was a big window that opened to a big balcony with a view to the sea. There were monkeys in the trees right in front! We had pancakes for breakfast, they were delicious and delivered to our room. There was also a beautiful swimming pool surrounded by palm trees.

 

BALI

In the end of the day we arrived in Bali! 

Siedeman

Our first stop was Sideman. This area is known for being less touristic and more authentic. We planned a route for the next day and arranged a driver with the hotel. The next day, after breakfast it was time to leave! 

Tukad Cepung Waterfall

Tukad Cepung Waterfall was our first stop of the day. This place gets really crowded and so we wanted to get their first thing in the morning. After a little walk you get to a beautiful waterfall set amidst big rocks. Going back the path continues to the other side where you can see more waterfalls.

Where to Stay – Eco and Boutique Hotels

We’ve stayed in a beautiful eco hotel in the middle of the rice fields. Being eco it didn’t have air conditioner in the rooms, for which we’ve worried, since there was a Dengue fever outbreak in Bali. To our surprise we weren’t bitten at all (of course we always used bug repellent – 50% DEET and also had a electric one for the room).

Gembleng WaterfalL

Penglipuran Village

Mancingan Rice Terrace

Munduk

Ubud