"Bali Resort"

Bali is an island in its own right but not many visitors realize that there are several smaller island within easy reach. There is "Nusa Penida", a formal penal colony for the miscreants of Klungkung Regency, also which is home to bali’s most ‘angker’ ( spooky ) temple, "Nusa Menjangan", off the north coast, also a great attraction for surfers and dolphin watchers. Just a short journey from Bali’s "Benoa Harbour" is Nusa Lembongan, where you will find a stark contrast from the busy town of Denpasar and the heaving tourist areas of Kuta and Tuban.

The population of "Nusa Lembongan" is largely fishermen and sea-weed farmer with their families, who are happy to greet visitors and will gladly show you around. The island is similar in climate to the bukit at Bali’s southernmost point and the amount of rainfall is minimal. The beaches are delightful and there are secluded bays with golden sand beaches with are ideal for sun-bathing, snorkeling and shallow diving.

One good way to see the island is to take an all-day ‘island cruise’ with Bali hai. The company has been transporting people to various destinations since 1990 with a zero accident record and offers some excellent deals in variety of different crafts. You can take the catamaran or an ocean raft but the super three-deck Catamaran, Bali Hai II, has to be the best. Jet propelled engines and a computerized hydraulic motion dampening system, makes for a smooth ride over of the most capricious stretches of water in the world-the four kilometer deep trench known as the Lombok Strait, But don’t worry, Nusa Lambongan is a lot closer!

Your welcome aboard will be something to remember as you will be greeted by Legong dances and a photograph will be taken for you to keep as souvenir. If you have children, they will be given a coloring book to occupy their time while on the journey.

You arrival at Nusa Lembongan will be at Bali Hai’s own specially built pontoon and this is really an artificial island providing a wide range of activities, which includes banana-boat rides, snorkeling, diving, parasailing and an underwater tour in a semi submersible craft. This has seats facing windows which you can view a wonderful assortment of undersea life.

Some people are happy to stay on the Bali Hai Pontoon, but the more adventurous may go ashore to the beach Club in Tanjung Sanghyang Bay. This is a large complex facing a white-sand beach and you will see rows of brightly-coloured outrigger fishing boats (jukung).

The whole set-up is ideal for families and for people who want some peace and relaxation. There’s a swimming pool whit waterfalls, a playground for the children, massage and manicure services and even a Ping-Pong table. But who goes to a tropical island to play Ping-Pong? You’d be surprised!

If a day trip isn’t enough, you can stay in one of the Bali Hai Tide Huts and these are pleasant, air-conditioned and raised up quite high whit access by ladder.

An enjoyable alternative to cruising whit ‘Bali Hai’ is to combine the excellent resources of ‘Sail Sensations’ and the ‘Nusa Lembongan Resort’ as these are both under the same ownership.

Set sail at 9 am Bali’s Benoa harbour on one of the island’s premier motorised catamatan for either an exciting and stimulating day trip or plan to stay longer at very stylish, yet tranquil, Nusa Lembongan Resort.

On a day-excursion you will have the opportunity to take part in the operation of the vessel or you can simply relax in the care of your own personal assistant and enjoy the ‘continental style’ breakfast.
Upon arrival at Lembongan you will be taken by tender to ‘The Anchorage’ and this is Sail Sensations’ special day facility on a terraced area above the white sand beach. It is a superb place for just taking it easy or from where to embark upon a number of marine activities. Swimming and snorkeling are safe and not too energetic and rides in glass-bottomed boats or banana boats are also available. The coral is definitely worth seeing so I recommended that if you to get a good view.

There are a number of tours on offer which give you a change to explore the rural scenery and village life of the island and one tour will take you through the msngroves in a canoe.

Lunch is a social occasion and a barbeque buffet is provided in the garden of the Anchorage. The food and the atmosphere are excellent. The day excursion leaves Nusa Lembongan at 4 pm and returns to Benoa at 5 pm.

Another option is to take the ’Twilight Sensation’ which is available every Friday. Saturday and Sunday evening. This is a delightful cruise and the luxurious catamaran becomes your floating restaurant for two and a half hours while you enjoy a fascinating fine-dining experience with a six-course gourmet feast, starting with cocktails on the fore deck and continuing whit dinner in the dining room.

For those who don’t want to do everything in one day, a stay at the Nusa Lembongan Resort is recommended. Twelve spacious guest villas, ensconced in gardens on a headland overlooking Sanghyang Bay, all feature elegant bedrooms with private terrace, air conditioning, private bar, international telephone connection, tea and coffee-making facilities and you even get a CD Hi-Fi stereo system.