LOMBOK TO BALI INC. NUSA PENIDA - The Way Overland - Episode 21

To finish off our time in Lombok we’re visiting one last waterfall, Air Terjun Mangku Sakti. We’d read that the drive down there was a little rough and about 2km long. At about the 5km mark where the track was getting narrower and narrower we had to have a laugh and were thankful to have the troopy.

The walk to the waterfall was pretty easy, only about 1km or so. We were a bit surprised by these falls as they’re quite different to the others we’d visited on Lombok. The force of the water was a lot heavier, the landscape was more rocky (which reminded us of some Australian landscapes) and the water has a milky appearance as it is fed directly from the lake on Mount Rinjani and is sulphuric.

On the way out, a rain cloud had engulfed us which made the drive back to the main road pretty slippery as the track had turned into a bit of a mud slide. Again we were glad to have the troopy!

Now, onto Bali! The ferry cost about AUD90 and took 5-6 hours. We arrived in Padangbai just before midnight and thankfully a Swiss couple we met in Lombok gave us the details of a camp spot overlooking the ocean just up the hill from the ferry terminal.

We were hearing a bit of a screech coming from the rear wheels and knew there was something going on with the brakes. The mechanic in Lombok didn’t have the part we needed, so first on the list for Bali was to go straight to a 4wd mechanic for them to take a look for us. And sure thing, the rear brake pads were completely worn out..

Originally we’d planned to go to Nusa Penida the next day, though decided to go south to Uluwatu to have a quick look. We ended to staying for about a week as we found a pretty incredible spot to camp on top of a cliff overlooking Padang Padang Beach.

Whilst we were here the Hindu celebration of Nyepi took place, which is the Balinese New Year (1940). The community gets involved in making these huge effigies of the evil spirits which they burn after they parade them around the streets representing the initiation of a cleansing process. The following day the island is completey quiet and put into lockdown. Even the international airport is closed for the day.

To go to Nusa Penida we needed to drive back up to Padangbai and catch the 1 hour ferry which costs AUD30 for the car and both of our tickets. Our first stop on Nusa Penida is Atuh Beach on the eastern side of the island. The island itself isn’t very big so to drive there from the ferry terminal only takes about 30 minutes. When we arrive just before sunset, we are welcomed with some of the most beautiful coast line we’ve ever seen with Lombok in the distance. As we’re on the east coast we decide to get up early to watch the sunrise. If you haven’t already, you need to put this place on your list!

Next week we’re finishing off our lap around Nusa Penida.

Thanks for watching! We’d love to hear suggestions of places to visit so feel free to leave us a comment below!

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