Nusa Penida, The Place Less Travelled, Get off Bali's Well-worn Path! - by chrisadventures
Monkeys, Temples and Prisine Jungle. You have probably heard a lot stories about Bali. I loved Bali because I believe we made the right decisions during our trip. The decisions during your trip will make the 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 of rugged beauty and paradise I definitely fell in love with!
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 Moutain, 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 pet 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)
6. Broken Bay
Broken Bay is located close to Manta Point. We felt lucky to have the view on the amazing cliff sides. I believe this place should be world famous as it is such an idyllic place to visit. It's located on the southern side of the island and the open position to the ocean has shaped this coast into such a rugged cliffy impressive landscape.
Photo: Broken Bay, Nusa Penida (source: click here)
Nice work done! Pictures are amazing btw!
Thanks, @pjo :)
so you made 38$ for a photo of bieber? that's cool man....
Nope, I've now re-uploaded the Original content as you can see. Had some editing trouble but decided to put the Original content back since it's been voted up so generously. I probably did too many edits on this one...:(
there are no edit limits but now it's pretty cool. you got my upvote sir :)
Good to hear! I have edited the new one with a link to this Original one:)
What I beautiful place! I've never heard of it, and probably wouldn't have, if it weren't for your post. Amazing photos; thanks for sharing!