With its giddy variety of insular environments, Indonesia is unique as a place where so many beautiful things are made. Because of the tropical climate, stone temples and megaliths are the only remnants of their ancient art, the art of priests and aristocrats. The art of the common peoples' everyday livescloth, papyrus, palm leaf offerings, wood structures-have long since decayed. But the motifs survive. Designs and techniques of prehistoric painters and sculptors are still widely used in textiles, metal objects, and woodcarvings on houses and prahus. Fish with human faces which were carved on Prambanan stone reliefs 1000 years ago can be seen today in South Balinese paintings. Nothing is destroyed and everything is preserved in Indonesia. Superb craftsmanship and the longest traditions are best seen in the simplest crafts: the palm woven designs of Bali, the flutemaking of the Torajas, the basketry of the Rotinese, the lizard motifs on Batak magic wands and houses, and infinite other examples of traditional domestic and cultic art. Note: Visit ASRI (Schools of Fine Arts) in the larger cities where painting, sculpture, drawing, graphics and the decorative arts are taught.

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.