Treasure Island of Lembongan

Perhaps there has been much information about Bali Island as a travellers destination. But information about its " sister
islands" is still very limited. Bali has four sister islands,
three of them are located on the southeast of Bali (Nusa
Penida, Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan) and another on the west near Gilimanuk harbor called Menjangan Island. Nusa means, "island " in Balinese words. For this month's edition we will choose Lembongan Island as the topic.

Lembongan and Bali Island are separated by Badung strait and can be reached by traditional motorized-jukungs via Sanur, Kusamba or Padangbai. Due to the current development of tourist resorts in Lembongan, some daily regular cruise lines that are based in Benoa Harbor with the capacity of some 300 passengers now visits it regularly.

Lembongan Island belongs to the territory of Klungkung
regency. As its neighboring island, Penida and Ceningan, it
has low rainfall all the year round. And moreover the land is
consisting of barren limestone highlands covered by cacti and
shrubs. Consequently only limited crops can be grown here such as beans, cassava, maize and tobacco.

In keeping the growth of tourism industry, Lembongan Island
has developed as a new seaside resort outside Bali Island,
owing beautiful coral beaches and transparent blue-green
waters. Many marine activities are centered on this beaches
such as snorkeling; banana boat rides et cetera. This
situation has given many new jobs and opportunity to the local
people.

One activity at this destination worth visiting is seaweed
farming. It is widely cultivated by the local people on
suspended media on the salt water. Each root is fastened on
the single rope that is stretching among two bamboo poles.
There are two varieties of seaweed that is generally
cultivated here, the large one called green kotoni and the
smaller one called red pinusun. After harvesting, the farmers
dry the seaweed on their yard under the sunlight. Seaweed is
becoming reliable export commodity of this island to Hong Kong for use in the cosmetic industry.

Another interesting destination is the Underground House that
was dug by a puppeteer inspired by the great epic story of
Mahabrata. In the story it is called Gala-Gala cave where
Pandava passed through when they saved themselves since the Korava family intended to burn them. The cave's replica itself was prepared and constructed for some eight years. By digging a layer of solid white limestone in his yard, he succeeded to build a sleeping room, kitchen and guests room. It is also completed with some ventilation for the airflow. This house is not inhabited and tends to be an expression of art. Visitors are allowed to visit this house by stepping down the ladder to get there. Such a house is the only one of its own on the island and even on the main island of Bali. In terms of its simple construction, it will remind us of the ancient time where people still inhabit the caves for their settlement.