Nusa Penida represents one of the last examples of unspoiled marine and cultural environments. The ocean around Penida has just been made a marine reserve. On the island, traditional Balinese culture continues undisturbed by recreational tourism. He has a deep love for his home. Ketut is happy to share his heart felt knowledge with people who have a genuine interest and empathy for the natural wor
ld and the culture of his people. Nusa Penida lies in a bio geographical transition zone, close to the Wallace Line. It is between the lush wet forests of Bali, Java, and Sumatra, and the dry eastern islands that stretch from Lombok to Sumba. A combination of warm suface water, cold water upwellings from Lombok Strait (3rd deepest stretch of water on Earth), and the tidal driven mixing of Pacific and Indian oceans, has created an environment rich in marine life. People are a relatively recent arrival-coming from Klungkung in Bali over the last 200 years or so. They brought with them Balinese Hinduism that flourishes to this day. There is also a darker side to Penida, as it was a penal colony for convicts and stories of black magic abound.
