Tanglad Village, Nusa Penida

SIGHTSEEING, NUSA PENIDA Created :

Derek Freal

Derek Freal abandoned the American Dream in 2009 to travel the world and eventually realized that Asia is the best part, which is why most of his writing covers India to Indonesia (and everywhere in between). However Derek"s specialty is in unique and offbeat travel guides -- not just for Asia but countries across the globe -- and in producing travel videos. All this and more as the nomadic journey continues on http://blog.theHoliDaze.com.

Nusa Penida Island off the coast of Bali is like what Bali was forty years ago. Deserted beaches. Sleepy island villages. Only a handful of motorcycles. A deserted paradise, and not a crowded tourist trap where everyone is getting drunk. However, despite its close proximity to Bali, only a handful of tourists come out here.

The island is a great destination to escape for a few days (or a week) and completely unwind. However the real gem here is Tanglad village, which is famous throughout Indonesia for the fabric it produces. Known as tenun, the colorful fabric is 100% handmade. Although the youth tend to use larger, more modern looms, the elderly folks in the village still use the smaller, older lap-top model.

Finding the village is a bit tricky. Rent a motorcycle and explore the quiet roads winding through hills and along deserted beaches. There are a few small villages scattered around the island; however, Tanglad is the topmost village, so just keep driving up until you find it. If you get lost, just ask anyone “dimana Tanglad?” (Indonesian for “where is Tangland?”).
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