Today’s exchange rate: About 9,800 RP per Aussie $
We had our alarms set early today because Sam and I were off to Lembongan doing a Bali Hai Reef Cruise. We had organised this via our driver, Gusman, a few days prior and he had managed to get us quite a generous discount. We paid only $87 each for the day. This included pick-up from our hotel, boat transfers to the Bali Hai pontoon at Lembongan, use of the pontoon including unlimited snorkelling and banana boat rides, a village tour on the island, lunch and transfers back to Benoa Harbour and to our hotel. A couple of people around the same age as us that we had met doing our cooking class had also decided to come along, and we put them in contact with Gusman so he could also organise it for them. All the organisation went smoothly and we had no problems at all.
We were picked up from our hotel at 8:00 and with a quick stop over at the Hyatt to pick up a European couple, we were on our way. Benoa Harbour is about a 15 minute drive away. When we arrived, we went to line up in the reception area to pay for our booking. There was a 2% surcharge when paying via credit card, but their exchange was dollar for dollar. After paying, everyone was given a wrist band that was colour co-ordinated with what package they were booked in for, whether it was Reef Cruise, like us, Beach Club or accommodation at Bali Hai huts on the island. We then waited about half an hour or so before boarding the boat, but not before everyone gets a souvenir photo taken with two girls in traditional dress. Throughout the whole day, there was people taking souvenir photos for everyone while snorkelling and banana boating. Whether or not you buy them is completely up to you. They cost 100,000 RP each.
Our souvenior photo: snorkelling
Our souvenior photo: banana boating
Our souvenior photo: falling off the banana boat
There was plenty of seating available over the 3 levels on the boat. We sat on the main deck, where they had plenty of tables, which each had a small plate of pastries. Waiters came around with tea and coffee if you wanted it and more pastries were available. We spent a little time upstairs on the top deck to admire the view (you were able to see Sanur from here), but soon headed back downstairs. The ride took just over an hour, and was a pretty easy ride. The sea wasn’t rough at all, but there was quite a swell and I would recommend taking something for seasickness whether you’re prone to it or not, and I would definitely recommend giving something to young ones if you take them on.
Sanur from the boat
When we arrived and pulled up to the pontoon, an announcement was made instructing everyone with each coloured wrist band where they needed to go. We made our way onto the pontoon where lockers and towel rentals were available. The towel rental was 100,000RP for 2 towels, with 60,000 RP being refunded upon the return of the towels. We sorted all our stuff out and got right into the action. We decided go on the waterslide first, which was a 35m long slide with about a 2 metre drop into the ocean. We were the first ones on and it sure made our adjustment to the water temperature very quick. It was a beautiful temperature, so refreshing. While other people were making their way into the water complaining it was too cold, we were in and ready for more.Our next stop was onto the banana boat. We were excited about having it to ourselves, but then a father brought his young son on and we knew it was going to be a slow ride. It didn’t matter too much because throughout the day we had access to as many banana boat rides as we wanted. After our first ride, we decided to give snorkelling a go. We were all experienced snorkelers but for those that weren’t they did have a demonstration on the boat before we arrived. Bali Hai has a designated snorkelling area at one corner of the pontoon, with is clearly roped off. This is also the same area that is used for scuba diving, although this isn’t included in the package and costs $45 extra. The water we were swimming in was about 8 metres deep and was quite clear. There was quite a lot of coral and interesting fish to look at. The snorkelling is also available throughout the day and snorkelling equipment is provided.
Getting ready to snorkel
Under the water
After a bit more snorkelling here, a few more banana boat rides there and going down the waterslide some more, lunch was being served on the boat. Unfortunately, I found it to be very underwhelming. Although there was a decent amount of choice, it wasn’t very tasty. I found the prawn crackers stale and the satay was cold. I didn’t eat much at all.
Banana boating
Once we had finished our lunch, we decided to jump onto a boat that takes us to the island for a tour of the village. It was very hot on the island, but we enjoyed the tour nonetheless. We were lead around a small part of the village for about 45 minutes. Our guide explained things to us such as the people’s source of income by farming seaweed, but that unfortunately the buying price had gone down. We were told about the religious ceremonies that have dancing and cock fights, and were then lead to a compound where some local families lived. While we were there, a local lady was busy making a sarong using a traditional technique. Our guide explained that the lady had been making them for about 30 years and that one sarong took about 70 hours to make.
The beautiful clear water
The locally grown seaweed
Roosters in their pens
A sarong being made
We made a quick stop at the local hospital and the cemetery, where the people are buried until their families can afford to cremate them, which costs about $1,100 US and can sometimes take years before the families can afford it. From there, we were lead to a small meadow type area where am 11 year old local boy showed us his coconut tree climbing skills. He only went up half way because of it age, but he sure made it look easy.
A local boy climbing the coconut tree
By this time we were very hot and were luckily lead to a small market stall that had fans and nice cold bottles of water. We hadn’t thought to bring our money with us, but were told we could buy something and give the money to staff on the pontoon. What a relief that was, because we were all so hot and thirsty. Before leaving the island to go back to the pontoon, We taken to the entrance of another compound where some local ladies had a few things for sale, and we were also given fresh coconuts to drink. I’m not quite sure how to describe the taste, but it was somewhat refreshing and rehydrating. I can’t decide whether or not I enjoyed it.
When we returned, it was almost time to leave. We returned our towels and locker key and made our way back to the boat. It sure was a fun-filled day and we were all exhausted. The ride back was again an easy one and we all ended up dozing off. I would definitely recommend doing this as a day trip. It was exhausting but it was definitely worth it. There was another company not far from our pontoon called Bounty Cruise’s that looked to be bigger and in better condition than Bali Hai. If I were to consider doing this again, I’d probably look into doing it with them.
We were back at the hotel but 5:00 and Sam and I were both exhausted. We enjoyed our now quiet 3rd pool while catching mum and dad up on our busy day. By 5:30, I was absolutely starving; I had eaten very little all day to avoid getting sea sick but I was ready for some food. It was my turn to choose dinner. The whole time we’ve been here, I have been absolutely desperate for some corn cobs on the beach, so that was my choice. After a quick shower and getting dressed, we walked along the beach path to Sindhu Beach where the corn cobs are cooked. Sam and I both ordered one for 5,000 RP each. They were cooked right in front of us and then coated in our requested sauces; salty butter, sweet and spicy. Sam and I both request all 3 sauces, but didn’t request only a little bit of spicy sauce and the spiciness was too much, even for me, and I love spicy food. It was still delicious. While having our corn cobs, we enjoyed the liveliness of Sanur. There were lots of locals out, enjoying the food and the beach, and just creating such an atmosphere. It was a beautiful time of day. You just don’t get this kind of atmosphere in Kuta.
Our corn being cooked
The 3 yummy sauces
Yummy!
The lively Sindhu Beach
We then headed to Benno’s for a proper dinner, as Mum and Dad didn’t have any corn. It was another dinner in a beautiful setting on the beach, listening to the waves crash on the shore. I ordered mix satay, Dad had steak, Sam had chicken parmigiana and Mum ordered grilled chicken with a lemon honey sauce. The food is nothing fantastic, I’ve had better satay at La Playa, but we were still happy with it. The service was good and the staff were all very friendly.Dad and I then started making our way back to the hotel while Sam and Mum look in some market stalls by the restaurant that stay open a bit later. We enjoyed a quick swim before getting ready for bed. Sam and I hired a DVD player from the hotel to test out some of our new DVD’s at a cost of 50,000 RP per night. We’re all looking forward to a day of relaxing in the sun, maybe a bit of pampering tomorrow before getting ready to leave on Monday night. Holidays just never seem to last long enough.
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