Nusa Lembongan, Indonesia

Excuse me while I mentally prepare to be torn away from heaven-on-earth tomorrow..

It seems that one good deed was exceedingly well repaid by another, as my stay here was courtesy of my BFF's 💕 I recently house-sat and looked after their fur-babies while they holiday-ed here with other friends. They loved it so much that they wanted me to experience it and decided this would be a fitting reward for holding fort for them. Well, I definitely got the best end of the deal, and I shall love them forever for introducing me to this paradise.

I have only ever seen pictures of the turquoise waters beneath seaside villas set on the cliff-edges of Santorini, Greece, but my mind was taken there as we approached this island, and I imagine this to be the Bali version. That said, it seems unfair to compare this to anywhere else on Earth.

I departed the brand new ferry terminal at Sanur in the early afternoon, and by the time I had arrived here and had my luggage unloaded from the 'fast boat' and kindly portered up the steps to my dreamy villa, it was late in the day, so I really only had 2 full days here, but it was enough time for me to fall in love with this dreamy coastal hideaway, and to promise myself to return one day.

My villa at Lembongan Lux Villas, Klungkung – Updated 2023 Prices (booking.com) left nothing on the table.. the air-conditioned room was huge, and only partly filled by the also-huge bed. The walk in shower with giant rain-head a delight. I never even turned on the large flat-screen TV (because, why would you?.) - and the view beyond the infinity pool below my large private balcony, was simply breathtaking.

I took in 3 sunsets that looked like the sky was on fire, but only managed one sunrise as I slumbered later than usual after two days wearing myself out exploring as much of the island as I could on foot.

Unlike the mainland, the shopping here is very limited. Instead, you are spoilt for choice with water activities, sightseeing adventures and there are places to eat and drink tucked into literally every part of the hillside and white sandy beachfront.

The reef break here is popular amongst the surf fraternity, and as well as the luxurious villas and resorts on offer, there are very cheap lodgings available to those that will spend most of their time out on said reef that are not bothered about where they lay their head. There are jet-skis, paddle boards, kayaks and snorkeling gear for hire. There's a floating water park (equipped with a bar of course) - just off the beach, beachfront infinity pools at almost every resort I could see, fireworks lit up the sky for a few minutes all 3 nights I was here, and live music floated out from several bars and around the bay from late in the afternoons. There are diving and manta-spotting adventures on offer, and kayaking tours through the mangrove area and a bit beyond.

The village is dotted with the expected number of spots for a massage or facial, and there is one luxurious-looking spa simply named 'Spring' that dominates the view on the hillside as you enter the bay via boat.

The staff I encountered at every turn are just as friendly and helpful as everywhere else I've been so far in Bali, and there are plenty of ladies that will happily play 'nanny' for any of the parents that need a break from their bub for an hour - or a few.

And in the late afternoon on my final full day, as I meandered along the boardwalk in search of some afternoon java, I was witness to a gorgeous young German man standing beside his love, and wearing their baby in a front-pack. In that moment it seemed he was overcome by the sight of this turquoise paradise, and without a care for their wet togs, sandy hair and baby in tow, he'd decided that now was the moment he would read the love-letter he had prepared on his phone, and get down on one knee and propose. Oh my heart 😍 Of course through happy tears she said "Yes" - and as I looked around and realised I was the only one there, I congratulated them through a few happy tears of my own, and offered to capture their special moment on camera for them. Perfect 💕

Lembongan eats...

Nusa Lembongan ...