THE ECO-TOURIST DREAM: SARINBUANA LODGE!

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Sunset on the First Day Climbing Mount Rinjani with Mount Agung in the Distance, Lombok, Indonesia. OK, so I’ve just realised how sunset heavy this blog is getting. 4 days in a row is a little bit silly. This sunset definitely has to be the most well deserved so far though…after walking constantly uphill for 8 hours, climbing a total of 2000 meters! Not something I ever feel the need to experience again….or atleast not in the near future. You can see Mount Agung and Mount Batur, Bali in the left of the photo with the three Gili Isles just visible in the break in the clouds, just off Lombok. Without a doubt the best place I have ever and probably will ever camp!

At RubyMoon, sustainability on our planet is a paramount concern, which is why global deforestation is a huge and heartbreaking problem. So it’s comforting to know that small-scale, eco-outposts are emerging in the most beautiful outreaches of the world, with the insight of both local communities and experiences of eco-pioneers!

Eco-tourism is becoming ever-popular as more of us have wanderlust for the world’s beauty. However, we still want to do right by our environment by keeping our impact to a minimum. We now have the option of holidays and travel to destinations where self-containment and sustainable living is not only possible, but luxurious!

Inspired by the balinese culture and nature, Sarinbuana Eco Lodge is nestled high in the rainforest overlooking the plains of southern Bali. This is the life work of Linda and Norm Vant Hoff who proclaim ‘Keeping things close to nature and the environment, is the simple message here’. The Vant Hoff’s experience in permaculture have allowed them to introduce rotational and multiple crops to sustain an eco-tourism business so the village is largely self-sufficient!

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Lush soil, tropical rain, low cost of living and an astonishing amount of sunshine has something to do with it success, which contributes to the financial support of 25 local families.

When Rebecca Jones visited the stunning eco-lodge, she experienced  the intricate way life works there. This is what she discovered at Saribuana;

“Our guide, Wayan, one of the many women involved in the running the lodges, showed us around the villagers plantations and pointed out vanilla, chocolate, coffee and an amazing array of fruits and spices”.

Life is not always easy here, and often there is problems with harvests. Wayan points out  mildewed or rotten pods on the Cocoa Trees and Mangosteen fruit dropping off the branches, half the size they should be. The rains are late this year and now they have come, the soil is too wet for the vanilla.

‘Diversification is the key to keep the income from crops all years round. So we must introduce new crops and improve our knowledge’ says Wayan. The big news is that they are no longer felling Mahogany trees to build houses. ‘We are learning from the mistakes of the West’, she says. Instead they now have a replanting scheme for faster growing and sustainable varieties as mahogany does not regenerate quickly.

The Eco Lodge itself boasts a mature vegetable garden which supplies the restaurant. Daily menu specials include exotic and mouth-watering mixes of both western and Balinese food, so splendid in presentation. Tofu, chicken and delicious fish substitute meat for the most sustainable farming possible.

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We had one excellent lunch of grated raw vegetables and herbs, wrapped in lettuce leaves including Bali Basil and Bruschetta with a homemade dark bread and hiding avocado and fresh tomato chunks. All so delicious! We drank jugs of water straight from the mountain streams.

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Education plays an important part in the ethos of this eco set up and the local children receive free lessons both in English language and in the importance of preserving their environment. I spoke to Valentina, charged with keeping the children absorbed in playful study. ‘This week the children have recycled plastic and cardboard packaging to make musical instruments’ she told me.

After a long day of getting to know the environment, what better than to sit on the balcony or private Tree House; and watch the sun go down over the tops of the palm trees with an ice cold beer. We are allowed a few naughty treats and Bintang is the national brew!”

For an experience like Rebecca’s take transport from Denpasar Airport, Bali  which can be arranged with the staff for £20. Alternatively you can make your own way with a 4×4 but be prepared for single track, tight curves and partially collapsed roads (it’s not a secret hideaway for nothing).

For more info and to book your own getaway, see www.baliecolodge.com or email ecolodgebali@yahoo.com

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