Bali: Part Four: Nusa Ceningan: Seaweed Farming at Low Tide

Nusa Ceningan is sandwiched inbetween Nusa Lembongan and the much larger Nusa Penida. Despite this the island is easily accessible via a bright yellow suspension bridge! We decided to trek over to the island despite warnings that it was too far and we'd have to organise a ride on a motorcycle.The only means of transport on the three islands is generally motorcycles and the odd open back truck.Despite this we were resolute that we would walk..you get to take in so much more by foot. Despite the heat we made it to the bridge crossing in about 2 hours.The route took us right along the coast and we paused frequently for drinks at cliff side warungs and to gaze at the stunning sea views across the Ceningan Strait and out to sea.On our journey outbound the sea was at high-tide but on our return it was at low tide exposing the seaweed farms.It was fascinating just to sit and watch the local men and women go about their work tending to their patches of seaweed and gathering in the harvest to dry in the sun. The seaweed is shipped abroad where it is used as a thickening agent in consumer products such as toothpaste and ice cream! who would've known! However despite the scenes of seaweed picking looking idyllic to us onlookers, it is clear to see that this is truly back-breaking work especially when it is hard for the local people to scratch a living out of such labour. I can't help but predict that with the rise of tourism classic scenes such as these may quickly diminish as future generations choose to abandon the ways of their ancestors.It seems sad to think that such a traditional activity may gradually die out.

This day was definitely one of my favourite memories of the trip.