Most of us are familiar with Bali, “The Land of the Gods”, which is located in southeast Asia. Imagine yourself stepping off the plane onto The Land of Gods. You will smell the balinese Hindu offerings and feel the sun shining on your face, hair, shoulders and head. Imagine yourself walking along the streets of Balinese islands and seeing statues depicting Hindu Gods at every corner. Then imagine that you see Balinese women strolling peacefully, carrying a large basket of tropical fruits on each of their heads.
Be careful not to step on small offerings to the Gods that are wrapped in coconut leaves and placed all over the streets, shops, shrines, and front of houses. Imagine the smoky smell of Nasi Goreng coming from dozens local warungs. The welcoming smiles of the local children would be awe inspiring. You would see chickens walking alongside pedestrians, stray dogs waving their tails at you, and stray cats lying on the sand. Your body will be wrapped in the gentle ocean breeze and your feet will sink into the softest sand. The water turns orange pink as the sunsets are spectacular. When I think of Bali, I am flooded with beautiful images and emotions. I am grateful for the time I spent there to complete my Level 1 Yogi teacher training. This blog will share my experiences in Bali over the course of my 200-hour YTT. It will also help me to grow my love for this beautiful land.
Nusa Lembongan
In February, I completed my Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga teacher course at All Yoga Training School. The yoga shala is located on Nusa Lembongan. This means “Lembongan Island” to Balinese. Nusa Penida, Nusa Ceningan and Nusa Lembongan form a trio of islands in southeast Bali that are famous for their stunning oceanic beauty.
How do I get to Nusa Lembongan
It takes only 30 minutes to drive from Denpasar airport in Bali to reach Sanur, which is a portion of mainland Bali. You can reach Lembongan island by taking a 40-minute fastboat ride from Sanur. There are many fast ferry companies. It is recommended that you book a two-way ticket online or at the office in advance to arrange pickup and drop-off times.
Fast Ferry Companies: Arthamas, D’Camel
1-way ticket (Sanur Lembongan): for $25 or IDR 350.000
2-way ticket , $39 or IDR 55.000
Where can I stay in Lembongan
Many tourists visit Lembongan island every day. There are many accommodation options available for everyone. Everyone should be able to find something that suits their budget, whether it is a dorm room or a resort on the seafront. Surya Homestay was my homestay during my YTT. I stayed in a 4-bed dormitory room which cost me IDR 90,000. That’s super cheap! It is located about 900m from the yoga shala. The best part was that I got to spend the night with my fellow trainees, making the experience even more enjoyable. The walk to the shala was also easy. It’s hard to beat the company of a friendly local and a dog who is happy to accompany you on your journey to class.