CONDUCT

Only by making yourself dependent on help and advice from Indonesians can you start to understand them. Travelers realize that to experience the people is not to have bellboys fetch their tennis balls at the Amburrukmo Palace Hotel all morning long for 171 C. Tourists must first get it out of their heads that the man in front of tht:m is only an Indonesian and that 'he's so small and I'm so big' (the little-man-in-the-village syndrome). You've got to stay a month in a kampung before you can even get a glimpse of what it's like to be an Asian. One of the most valuable gifts you can be given as a westerner is a new way to structure your time. You learn not only that time is not money but that life is better than money. You learn how to wait and be patient.

Nusa Lembongan is situated 12 miles south east of Bali. It is one hour traveling time by boat from Benoa Harbour. This pear shaped island is around 4km long and 2km wide. It is surrounded by a beautiful fringing reef, which hosts a myriad of marine life, The waters are renowned for their abundance of life and great surf breaks. The reef has been declared a marine park by the Indonesian authorities. Not only does the reef support its own Eco-system, but it supports most of the villagers on the island as well. The local people farm seaweed. This seaweed is cultivated, harvested then exported all over the world for use in cosmetics, food stabilizers and medicines. Other sources of income include traditional wooden boat building, farming peanuts, sweet potato, and fishing.Village life is very slow and enchanting. Very few cars and motorbikes are seen on the roads. The people are steeped in tradition, and one could imagine Bali being like this island, thirty years ago.Although the island is small there are many things to do. Fishing, diving, surfing, mangrove exploring, discovering natural fresh water springs, underground cave house exploring, cycling around the island. A visit to the bat caves on a nearby island, or a picnic at dream beach. Try catching mud cabs in the mangrove area at the back of the island. There is something for every one at Nusa Lembongan.