Bali-Nusa Lembongan

Traveling means being in constant exchange with other travelers. That's why Mutti was already recommended to go to Nusa Lembongan from Bali in Yogjakarta, because there are the best diving spots, which should be even better than those in the Gilis. So I booked a return speedboat ticket from Ubud to Nusa Lembongan, including transfer to and from the harbor. After receiving the booking confirmation, I somehow knew that it wouldn't go smoothly. So I had intensive email contact with my speedboat provider about when I would be picked up and why they tried to reach me at the homestay on the day of the trip. They spontaneously changed the harbor and the time. The contact, however, was very easy and fast. And so Mutti was picked up on Thursdays at exactly 12 o'clock and driven around the island for an hour and a half until I arrived in Padang Bai. A harbor in the middle of nowhere. Then I couldn't find my local provider either. Not because I was absent-minded, but because my crossing was outsourced. But somehow it worked out. Rule: Asians generally know the way, even if they don't know it. So be careful when asking for directions. It's the same with taxi drivers... So in this little town I sat alone for an hour and a half drinking a cola, like a hen on a perch. Finally, at half past three, we finally started. After 20 minutes, I was on Nusa Lembongan, or rather, in front of Nusa Lembongan. Because the boat stopped at a floating pontoon in front of the island, from which Mutti was loaded onto another ship and taken to a small beach with the other 30 people. Okay, not really left there. There we were divided into pickups and taken to our accommodations. A wild ride. My recommendation for you on Nusa Lembongan: The Bima Homestay. Herman is a perfect host and the rooms, including bathroom with rain shower, are spacious, clean and have a balcony. What nationality is Herman? Indonesian! Yes, the Dutch were in Indonesia for a long time!
After checking in, I went to Blue Corner Dive and signed up for diving the next day. This diving school gets the Mutti quality seal "Excellent". Every morning we went out for two dives on the boat. On the first day, we did two drift dives. Dive in, go down to 30 or 22 meters and then just float, float, float and drift. The underwater world here is much better preserved than in Australia. Lots of beautiful corals, various shoals of fish, and triggerfish. Between dives, we always had something delicious to eat and coffee or tea. So everything I need. After diving, I spent the afternoons on the beach at the Blue Corner Bar and enjoyed a coconut or two.

A special highlight was Manta Point. Unfortunately, I only saw one manta. But one is better than none. There were also plenty of blue spotted stingrays and trunkfish.

And then on Sunday, Mount Agung decided to erupt a little more seriously.

On Sunday, everything was still fine. But on Monday, nothing was happening at Denpasar airport. And it stayed that way. Until Monday afternoon, I didn't let this spoil my relaxation, hoping that the airport would reopen on Tuesday. Although Thai Airways had already canceled all flights to Bangkok until 30.11., I was optimistic that I could somehow fly to Jakarta and possibly be rebooked on a Thai Airways flight from Jakarta to Bangkok. No chance. Mount Agung continued to smoke and ash. So Denpasar airport remained closed, as did Lombok airport.
So what to do? Weighing options and acting spontaneously enough!
The story of "Muttis Bali Escape" is available separately.

In this sense: "I'm as hot as a volcano, oho, oho, and today Bali burns itself!"

Have Fun and Be Proud!

Yours, Jan/Mutti