Bali Sea

Bali is a fairly small island, one that can be driven around in a day. The main tourist area is in the south east - along the peninsula at Kuta. Here there are fine sandy beaches, accommodation and a hectic night life for those who need it.

Away from the coast and along the slopes of the hills and mountains the island is so green, with tropical green foliage and hectare after hectare of green young rice shoots during the rainy season.

During the rainy season the Paddy fields are ploughed and new rice is planted. Visit the paddy fields across the island, see the farmers up to their needs in the flooded fields as they plough the water soaked land.

Beyond the town of Ubod is a smaller town, where the heron population nearly out numbers the humans. Drive through the town and the herons scatter from the roadway into the trees or perch on the village houses.

The scared monkey forest of Padangtegal, (near Ubod) is worth a visit. The forest is a sacred Balinese Hindu place of worship with a number of sacred temples protected by monks. The long-tailed macaques wander freely about the forest.

Ubod is a town of about 30,000 people in a tourist area in Gianya region north of Kutu. It is a major arts and cultural centre with many cultural activities such as dancing performed for visitors.

Wood carving in Bali comes in many different styles. The traditional carves would follow examples of decorative work found in the temples. Another form is to use drift wood and dried roots to carve natural flowing pieces.

Nusa Lembongan seems like a million miles away from the hectic pace and hawkers of Katu and south east Bali. The water is clear, the small roads are virtually traffic free and the snorkelling, surfing and diving are excellent.

The beaches - the island has two main beaches Jungut Batu - a busy place with day trippers from Bali - Mushroom Bay - quieter with beautiful soft white sand. Sunset and Dream beaches are further south among the limestone outcrops. The cliffs are good for walking and have some interesting caves below.

With it's west facing beaches, Nusa Lembongen is famous for it's dramatic sunsets, often with the island of Bali as a backdrop.

While tourism is the main economic activity, there is a small fishing and sea weed harvesting industry.

In the north of the island, there is an extensive mangrove forest. The forest can be explored by boat.

After a day on the water fishing or collecting sea weed the boatmen beach their boats in the shallow waters of the estuarine.

One of the best ways to see the island is to hire a motor bike and follow the small soft top roads.

While the monkeys roam freely about the islands some are kept for pets - though they are restrained in unusual of harsh ways.

Touring the island be sure to avoid the pigs by the roadside.

Nusa Ceringen, a small island between Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Penida is very accessible by foot or motor bike via the suspension bridge. The island is much quieter than Nusa Lembongan. It is worth travelling the small roads, walking the limestone cliffs or surfing one of its breaks. The view back over Nusa Lembongan is worth the drive particularly around sunset.

In the south west of the island there are some good cliff walks with large caves and swallow holes below.

Follow the cliff path beyond the swallow holes as it meanders from small cove to cove.

A good way to see the island is to hire a bike on Nusa Lembongan travel the island and cross over to Ceringen via the suspension bridge.