Pengambengan Harbour – West Bali

Pengambengan is the largest harbor in West Bali and home to fishermen from mostly Java and Madura. The colorful fleet of slerek fishing boats is a legacy of the Bugis sailors, who settled on the shore back in the 17th century. The fleet consists of ‘couple’ boats, two almost identical boats who are used to fish together as ‘husband and wife’.

Depending on weather and tides the fishermen leave the harbor in the afternoon and usually return early next morning with their catch. At the right time the harbor is a busy place with a colorful scenery and I rarely skip visiting the harbor when I am in this part of Bali, usually when I go watch the Makepung, the traditional water buffalo races in West Bali.