AYGMyJune2015

photo: Marie Bar

Bieri

sacred crater lake. A walk alongside

meticulously cared-for gardens

lined with mangosteen and jasmine

trees leads to Hindu temple Pura

Kalasa. Looking down, I observe

locals and international visitors meditating across

the terraced lawns of this serene place of worship.

Island time

A new dawn, and it’s time to turn back time –

by around 20 years. We collect snorkel gear

from Odyssea Divers at Cocotinos Sekotong

before boating to the wee islet of Gili Nanggu.

Snorkelling off its crushed coral beach, I fin

my way over metal frames upon which vibrantly

coloured coral gardens shimmer. Known as Biorock

coral regeneration, the frames are electrified to

stimulate mineral production. This produces coral

nurseries, which in turn, provide food and refuge

for fish. Around a bouquet of lustrous blue coral

dart large schools of strikingly vivid black, yellow

and white moorish idols. And I count six brilliantly-

blue sea stars basking on the sea floor.

A beach stroll confirms that Gili Nanggu

embraces nature conservation and modern eco

tourism practices, implementing wind turbines

and rain and seawater showers for its bungalow

accommodation. Of particular note is a turtle

sanctuary I stumble upon. The Gili Nanggu Sea

Turtle Conservation Program has released around

5000 turtles into the ocean since its inception in

1995. Reclaimed eggs are incubated in the hatchery’s
      sandpits. And the baby turtles are then nursed in
      holding tanks until fit for the ocean. It’s a somewhat
      controversial “man versus nature” practice of purchasing
      dug-up turtle eggs from fishermen. But preventing eggs
      from being sold on is the least of the worst options that
      Lombok’s turtles can face.

Me time

My last day is spent nurturing myself. The morning

begins with a spa massage at Puri Mas’ exclusive sister

resort. Within grounds growing cocoa, vanilla and

cashew nuts, I reach the massage room, decorated

Clockwise from top:

yoga at Puri Mas Beach

Resort; a handsome

macaque monkey; the

bracing foot scrub at

Puri Mas Spa Resort

90

may/june 2015

yogajournal.com.au

travel

experience

yj43_86-91_travel.indd 90 31/03/2015 11:08 am