Travel Story #1: Indonesia, Nusa Penida: A Touch Of Paradise, The Place Less Travelled! by chrisadventures

Backpacking and travelling is a hot topic nowadays. Where Bali becomes more and more touristic, Nusa Penida, a smaller island next to Bali, appears to remain isolated from the tourism. The decisions during our trip made a big difference! One of our decisions was to travel Bali's road less travelled: the island Nusa Penida, located at the south-east coast of Bali. Nusa Penida is an untouched island with pristine jungle and barely any traffic. It's a hidden gem and an isolated location with rugged beauty and paradise I definitely fell in love with. This July I finally get to see the island again!

Nusa Penida Map and Locations

Most locations discussed in this travel post can be found on this map! :-) 

Note: all photos were taken by us except the photos where sources are mentioned

1. Manta Point: Manta Rays and Moa Moa Fish

Nusa Penida is known for its Manta Point, the home of a family of Manta Rays. At first I felt a bit scared of the depth around the cliffy south-side of Nusa Penida. When I ended up spotting this beauty (see picture) I could only follow it to get a sense of the ocean's marine life. The famous "Moa Moa Fish" (Ocean Sunfish), hammerhead sharks and turtles can also be spotted in this area. Unfortunately we haven't spotted these. Keen to go diving? There's a diving resort on Nusa Penida. 

Photo: Manta Ray at Manta Point, Nusa Penida (taken with our underwater camera) 

2. Crystal Beach Bay 

In the late afternoon of our first day, we ended up on Crystal Beach, a beautiful spot where many of the islanders come together at sunset. It's named Crystal Beach for a reason... the sand is white and the water is crystal blue! We sat down on the beach with our Bintang beer bottles surrounded by playing Indonesian children. As tourism is still quite new to the island most of the locals ended up smiling, posing and trying out their best english at us. 

Photo: Crystal Beach Bay, Nusa Penida 

Photo: local school children playing on Crystal Beach, Nusa Penida 

Photo: me talking to local school children on Nusa Penida. 

3. Hinduism - Pura Puncak and Prayers

On Nusa Penida, you'll experience hinduism like no where else in Indonesia. The island is very religous and the locals are interested in making you experience it too. We drove to the Pura Puncak Mundi, located in Klumpu Village. The exact location is on the top of Mundi Mountain (512m). Wearing our sarongs, we were invited to join an Hindu prayer on this very special location! 

Photo: Pura Puncak Mundi temple on Mundi Mountain, Nusa Penida. 

Photo: offer to the gods. A prayer for happiness, health and fertility.  

4. Namaste Bungalows

Photo: Namaste Bungalows, in the middle of pristine jungle (not taken by us, source: click here) 

We ended up at Namaste Bungalows on Nusa Penida. I love the outstanding location in the middle of pristine jungle. The french owners explained us how they fell in love with Nusa Penida and ended up buying a piece of land. The food is amazing and the people are very nice. The owner stated: "you came to visit us on the right time, the future is going to be different, the island will be crowded as it's becoming more famous day by day!"  

With its swimming pool, air-conditioned rooms and beautiful location 5-minutes from Crystal Beach, a visit to Namaste Bungalows will be amazing! 

Photo: the monkey of the French owners of Namaste. This monkey has been found wounded in the jungle nearby Namaste Bungalows. 

Photo: swimming pool with Jungle View at Namaste Bungalows

5. Temeling Natural Springs

Putra Temeling is a small clean-water natural spring often visited by locals to have their ritual Hindu bath. Locals believe that bathing (totally naked) in this spring will clean your mind and body and washes away sins. We were lucky to have a good swim too! 

Photo: some serious posing at the natural clean water spring Putra Temeling, Nusa Penida. 

Photo: Temeling Natural Spring stream downward into the ocean (photo source: click here) 

Photo: Broken Bay, Nusa Penida (source: click here)

Unfortunately, we haven't seen all places during our three-day trip on Nusa Penida. The island is also known for its different hammerhead shark spots, turtle breeding areas and a bird conservation park which is visited by researchers from all over the world. Nusa Penida has a place in my heart and I somehow just know I'll go back to the island one day. Anyone deserves this experience and that's why I wanted to share this with you all!

Of course you can stay in Kuta, Bali, on your beach bed with a cocktail in your hand. But tell me, why would you if your biggest adventure is right at your doorstep? 

#travel #life #nature #photography #adventure

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