Bali Nusa Lembongan

We woke to find the water in the bay had receded so far it exposed the seaweed farms. However what seemed like a blink of an eye, the seaweed farms were flooded again.
Ruby and Kai went snorkeling again and I chose to stay in the luxurious accommodation to watch Netflix. Really it was to avoid being seasick again.
Anie had breakfast ready soon after the ladies came back from snorkeling. They came in exclaiming that they had spotted 5 turtles, Nemo clown fish and brilliant coloured coral.
We had a restful afternoon lazing by the pool then followed by more restful spa treatments and massages. After much indecision over dinner, we settled for a Warung bu Kadek for the last traditional type food. This Warung turned out to be the best food. They had ikan pepes, and a tuna stuffed squid that was grilled and goreng pisang and grilled banana for dessert. 5 mains, 2 desserts, 2 packets of emping and 8 Beng Beng chocolate bars ( given on the first snorkeling tour) for a total of $50. They had run out of commercial coconut but kindly harvested a smaller coconut from his tree. ( Couldn't get fresher than that)
I reckon that was the best meal we've had since coming to Lembongan. The owner of the Warung even knew our Villa cook, Anie, who happened to turn the corner on her scooter and told us she lived behind the Warung.
Ruby's post
Kai wanted to snorkel again. We could not find any snorkel spots available from shore as there are corals in the shallows to navigate over, and one can't do that without damaging the corals. Being low season, Captain Ying Yang did not have any group snorkel tours for us but gave us a 20% discount for a private tour for AUD$180 with transport to and from our accommodation. Grace did not want a repeat of her sea sickness and opted out. Kai and I made toast from the breakfast provisions in our accommodation and ordered or breakfast for when we returned.
Another early start at 7am. This time the driver parked a bit away from the accommodation and we did not have a repeat of getting the car out of a bogged situation.
We had a different snorkel guide Wayan, and the same skipper Kadek. Kai was impressed with his skipper skills as he knew how to ride the waves, and kept the rides as smooth as possible. I love the sea bumps and did not at all mind being reminded of the strength of the ocean.
First stop was Crystal Bay where we we saw 3 sea turtles . We were privileged to spend some time with one, following it to the surface where it opened its turtle mouth for a quick gulp of air and dived back down to cruise some more.
Gammut Bay gave us another turtle. A smaller young turtle without many of barnacles and spots of the older larger turtles. I saw an eel. Wayan told us, "Grey and bit yellow, eel. Black, white, black, white, black, white, snake." The corals and anemones in these 2 bays were more colourful than the ones on Tuesday's snorkel trip. We were so fortunate to be the only ones in the bay, as it is low season. Wayan said that there could be up to 100 people in Crystal Bay in the peak period. We had a few bites or stings and got bottled water rinse or body when we got on the boat. We were told that this is different to the stings Kai got on Tuesday which they treated with vinegar. Crystal and Gammut Bay are in Nusa Pernida.
Last stop was off Nusa Lembongan in Mangrove Point. There was more rubbish in the water due to the rains and tides this time of the year. We saw another turtle. This one packed an attitude, took a good look at Kai with her Gopro, then flicked is head in the other direction and swam away. Wayan showed us clown fish swimming amongst the anamones. I tried to show Kai a stonefish but it disappeared as soon as I took my eyes off it.
There was an outdoor shower where we stopped at Lago Beach Club which I rushed to rinse the itchiness off. The staff at these eateries don't mind you sitting down for a while, use their facilities, and not order anything. They don't approach you to place an order. Some may see it as bad service, but I love this laid back island manner. Everyone is welcomed, nothing is too much trouble, everything is accommodated. People are so friendly and warm.

We had a late breakfast back at the accommodation and spent the early afternoon reading and dozing under the umbrella around our pool. It was difficult to decide which spa for our extended 3 hour spa of massage, body scrub and facial, and a hair wash for Kai. It was an exertion to even decide which package of treatments we wanted. We even spun a bottle at drinks yesterday, worked out pros and cons of Botanica and Two Angels where we had our massages previously, and what Grace was to do waiting for us after her massage. In the end, we decided on Hayuma, as it was close to where we wanted to go for dinner needing only 2 car transfers. The roads in Nusa Lembongan are broken, bumpy, narrow paths. It could take about 10 minutes for 5km journey.
Hayuma Spa transport picked us up from the accommodation to the spa and we walked ½km for a snack and juice at Cloudland overlooking the ocean. Many beachclubs in varying levels of fancy dot the island with swimming or dipping pools, sun lounges and outdoor tables. My Keen sandals delaminated slowly then totally on the walk there and back. Fortunately the base of the sandals was still rubber, and I could walk the rest of the way easily. (Anie, the lady who makes our breakfast at the accommodation will have it.) Needless to say the spa experience was luxurious and decadent. Dinner was at the local family Warung Bu Kadek . The owner Kadek cut 2 small coconuts from his tree when he ran out of the larger ones he buys in. We had grilled squid stuffed with tuna. It was so delicious we ordered another serve.
2 fish ikan pepes
2 grilled stuffed squid
1 mee goreng
2 coconuts
2 packets local empeng crackers
1 grilled banana and ice-cream
1 banana fritters and ice cream
8 chocolate bars
Total aud $45
Chatting with the owners son, we were told that Anie lived just behind the warung, and she came to say hi to us.Read more