Despite its deteriorating condition, the Lebih beach in Gianyar still attracts a large number of tourists.
The visitors, mostly domestic ones, usually flock to the beach in the afternoon to enjoy a quick dip, a leisurely stroll or to sample traditional delicacies offered by food stalls that line the beach.
The beach, which lies some 5 kilometers east of Gianyar city, hosts a diminishing population of fishermen. A large number of Lebih's youths now pursue their dreams in Denpasar.
For years the strong waves, powerful undercurrent and heavy winds have conspired against the beach.
The natural, merciless forces have inflicted seemingly irreversible damage upon the once scenic beach.
The sea erosion has consumed a large part of the beach, leaving only a narrow strip of black sand.
On the higher part of the beach, the locals set up rustic food stalls that sell traditional seafood delicacies.
The popular delicacies include sate languan, minced fish meat mixed with finely shredded coconut meat and spices before being grilled, pepes ikan (steamed fish wrapped in banana leaf), plecing kangkung (spicy water spinach salad) and sambal matah (shredded raw onion, shallot and chili mixed with shrimp paste and salt and dressed with coconut oil).
Add a plate of nasi sela (steamed rice and sweet potato) and a visitor could experience the savory taste of the ocean right on his tongue.
A portion of those delicacies is sold for only Rp 11,000.
"Sate languan is the most popular delicacy here, but we also serve grilled fresh fish," said Made Asti, a food stall owner
The ongoing erosion has forced Asti to repeatedly relocate her food stall.
"We have to move the food stall farther from the beach and closer to the road because the waves get closer to the food stall every year.
"Some vendors have even moved their food stalls out of the beach because, well, the beach on their part has virtually gone," Asti said.
The local administration has tried to save the popular beach. A wave-breaker made up of piles of solid rocks has been constructed on the eastern part of the beach. Yet the surging waves apparently are much too powerful for this man-made construction.
Gianyar Administration's spokesperson AA Surya Raditya said a comprehensive beach conservation project would require solid cooperation from other local administrations. Gianyar alone will not be able to save the beach.
| 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|