Dinner date
20 de julio de 2022, Indonesia ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C
Once again this morning I'm woken by the We have an easy morning sitting on the beach bar near the hotel and enjoying breakfast with a view. In the bar there is a young boy wearing a Brazilian top he is really cheeky but likeable,and at one point his dad puts him in the recycling bin. We have lovely sunbeds and it's nice to relax on the beach with a bit of comfort. There is so much coral on the beach here that it's almost impossible to get comfortable with a towel, it's like the princess and the pea. We decide to walk the other way around the island this time and as we walk along the beach watch the boats bringing in bags and bags of cement and loading up the horse drawn carriages to take it to one of the many new bungalow resorts being built. It's nice here in the fact that many places use raw materials and for me they are far more appealing although the tide and the elements really have an effect which can be seen on some of the resorts that haven't opened up since COVID. On the beach outside one of these said places has a huge hammock and once again I take advantage of the sea view and breeze, cooling down with a quick dip in the sea. There are guys playing music and one of them is using an empty water cylinder as a drum. They really do recycle everything here. We walk back to the hostel and on route decide to take a look at the Komodo trip as it only departs on Wednesday and Saturdays. I spoke with a guy earlier and gave him my word i'd go back but this guy is offering a discount off our Komodo trip money off my Rinjani and free boat trips to Meno air and transfer to Lombok. So we bite the bullet. We want to pay by card and I'm devastated when he says we have to get on bikes and takes us to Matt's place the guy I saw earlier. I try to explain that he offered us the other boats but he said he could do that and that the look of dissapointment fills me with guilt, but there's nothing I can do now. Bobby can't ride the bike back with his dodgy knee so I drop the bike back and collect the tickets. We have a quick dip in the sea before grabbing a shower and heading for dinner at the Jali restaurant. It's not as good as the day we arrived and is absolutely packed and as we're finishing our dinner enjoy being serenaded by a group of Spanish lads from the university of Spain who are literally singing for they're supper. It's an early night as we have the 9am ferry to catch.Leer más
New day new island
21 de julio de 2022, Indonesia ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C
We wake this morning and Oji greets us with coffee. Once again it's the packing ritual and sometimes I feel like it would be easier just to stay in places and island hop but it's booked now. As I'm walking to the ferry I bump into Nico's girlfriend who was a diving instructor in kho phi phi in Thailand all those months ago and is now working in Neil's diving shop in Gili T. We chat for a few minutes before I have to head for the ferry. When I arrive to the ferry port Bobby tells me I need to go to the ticketing office as there is an issue with the Komodo trip. When I arrive Alex explains that the government are now going to charge an extra entrance fee for Komodo Island. I check online I'm find out that it's going to be an extra 3.7 million rupee as of the first of August. This is like an additional £200 which makes the trip nearly double what I paid for it. I'm doing mount Rinjani on Monday but can move that to Sunday and potentially move the Komodo trip to Wednesday instead which will mean I evade the fee. I manage to get it sorted and I really regret booking the trip with the guy as he keeps changing the parameters and agreements, and this is the problem when you are traveling, you book things in a little shack and will probably never see the guy again. The boat is leaving for gili Meno and we have to run to make it and as I climb on board I nearly drop my big rucksack overboard. I'm feeling pretty stressed when we arrive but we dump our bags and head out for breakfast as it's only 10am and the room isn't ready yet. I start to chill as I sit on the dock of the bay eating jam and toast and drinking coffee. Meno is definitely a more chilled vibe than gili t and after brekky we take our usual walk around the whole island. The first thing we stumble across is the turtle sanctuary. I speak with the lady called watta. She has worked at the sanctuary for over 20 years. The sanctuary has 4 different Pools with baby turtle ranging from 1 day old to 4 months. They bring the turtles in here as when the mother's lay the eggs on the beach they are prone to predators and the idea is they keep the babies here till they are at least 9 months old so they have a fighting chance. I guess this must work to a degree as in the waters here you are guaranteed to see turtles. They depend totally on contributions here and have a donation box and sell sanctuary memorabilia here to raise funds. Once again on this island they are very good at keeping the island clean. Recycling all the plastic and I love this because compared to somewhere like Semporna they will maintain the beauty and wildlife here and it just boils down to a little education and awareness that cost nothing. We walk the island diverting to the huge lake. It is a saltwater lake spanning approx 8 hectares and is surrounded by mangroves. Back to the beach I collect little shells and pieces of broken coral the difference between them is amazing, so many shapes and colours. A little further along is a shack which I jump behind and pretend I'm the new Peggy Mitchell behind my bar. We enjoy lunch halfway around the island before hiring a snorkel to go and see the turtles. Exhausted we head back to the chalet and eat locally before retiring to bed.Leer más
Leaving, not leaving
22 de julio de 2022, Indonesia ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C
After breakfast is served to our room we are due to go to Gili Air on the boat at 900am but I've done something to my foot and really need to rest it before my hike on Sunday. I chill out at my cabin for the first part of the morning before hiring a snorkel and joining Bobby at the beach. We see a couple of tourist boats and once they've cleared off swim out to the point where you physically see the water get deeper as it changes from a beautiful turquoise to a darker blue in the hope of seeing turtles but as we get out there the other boats ask us to leave and it is quite dangerous with so many boats coming in and out. It's a lot further out than I expected so we come back and I enjoy fresh fish for lunch. I'm glad we've decided to stay as across the other side of the island are there are statues beneath the sea level a project called 'Nest' created by sculptor and underwater photographer Jason DeCaires Taylor. Placed to act as an artificial reef, there are 48 human like silhouettes and the algae growing around them also attracts an array of fish. As we're walking Bobby stops for an ice lolly and as he's walking along we pass a group of 11 kids. They all say hi and Bobby shouts "who wants an ice cream" Bobby heads back to the shop like the pied Piper with all the kids following him. They are so happy but when one of them throws the wrapper on the floor he tells them to pick it up and put it in the bin. They all follow suit and the round of ice cream costs less than our lunch. We continue to the statues and from the beach swim the 200m to reach them, barely swimming above the coral. They are mind-blowing although we don't stay long as it's packed with boats bringing in tourists from the surrounding islands. A little further along we stop and share a beer before I have one last attempt to see turtles. The swim out to the drop point where the turtles hang out is much more taxing and the current a lot stronger but I persist and eventually the water starts getting deeper filled with neon blue fish, huge angel fish the odd Barracuda and many more. In the water is a guy with a spear gun and he tells me there is a turtle and points with his spear gun. At first I don't see her but then I see her head poking out from the rock and she is massive I sit back and watch her glide through the water trying not to invade her space. I'm so chuffed and start my swim for shore only to be stung by a jelly fish and scraping my leg on the coral. When I catch up with Bobby and ask if he saw her he says no and that's how it goes sometimes your just lucky. It's only a short walk back now and along route we encounter a herd of cows with a baby calf as well as a pair of cats having a full on stand off screaming match. In the evening we enjoy a few games of pool then an early night as we're heading to Lombok tomorrow.Leer más
Lombok bound
23 de julio de 2022, Indonesia ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C
Up early we have breakfast and board the boat to Lombok. It only takes 30 minutes and at the ferry port were ushered to a cafe just up the road. When we arrive I have a missed call and it's the guy from here to say the Rinjani trip is full and I'm unable to go but they will pay me back 1,000000rp but I've actually paid 1,900000. They keep trying to change the day on me but I really don't want to take the trek and get on a boat the next day. I also still have a niggling pain in my left foot and I'm a great believer that everything happens for a reason. Alex tells me he will arrange the refund on the day of the Komodo trip but I will need a local account I'm not comfortable with that so ask him to transfer to the hotel where I'm staying and he's backed into a corner and as the hotelier agrees I'm relieved that the money comes through a little later. Today I will reunite with little bro James one of my Constance's through my travel. Bobby and I are meeting him in a hotel on the beach that has a swimming pool. We walk along the street and are approached by numerous lucky lucky men selling various items of handmade jewellery, eventually I give in and treat myself to a couple of pairs of earrings. Since traveling I've had an issue of losing single earrings usually taking my mask on and off or with my motorbike helmet. We eventually arrive at the Alberto cafe which is set on the beach but also has a pool. I've managed to get a book from the hotel and sit and chill on the beach with my book. James arrives a little later and it's good to see him again, we chill out grabbing a bite to eat and a few beers by the pool. Were joined by Craig an American guy we met at the music festival before heading to a bar a little further down the road for a few games of pool. Just as we're leaving the local girls that James has befriended are just arriving but we agree to meet them later. I feel pretty boozy but still manage to win my games. I head back to the hotel and get a shower and freshen up and we take the short walk to Happy bar. We spend the evening with the girls and James. One of the girls is the singer and when they put the full bottle of jack Daniels on the table I know it's going to get messy. I even get up and have a dance and at one point even James and Bobby are throwing shapes on the dance floor. I don't know what time we got home but I've really enjoyed myself.Leer más
Pool day
24 de julio de 2022, Indonesia ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C
We're both feeling a bit tender today and although I'm gutted to not be doing Rinjani my left foot is a little worse today so in hind sight it's probably not a bad thing. We have booked a place with a pool so we make the most of it and spend a good few hours chilling by the pool. We are joined by two local girls Ria and Monic and her little boy. I try and help them to teach him how to learn to swim. James messages to see if we want to catch up for a bite to eat and a few games of pool. We meet in the Sunwave bar and once again I have the luck on my side. Erna and her Aussie husband Andy run the bar and she serves up the most amazing gravy sauce. Later in the afternoon we take a taxi to the Verve bar a hip little resort on the beach but on the other side. Sadly we lose the sun behind the clouds but it's still nice with the sea breeze chilling out on bean bags. I really start to wonder how I'm going to adjust to the routine of normal life when I get home but for now I'll keep enjoying the moment. After dinner we chill for an hour then have a couple of games of pool in the Sunwave bar. As we walk back once again there's love music in Happy bar and we sit and enjoy a few songs. They ask for requests but everytine Bobby says a song they don't know it. It's crazy because there diversity of songs is quite big. I love this little bar but tonight it's absolutely dead. We are one of 4 tables and it makes you wonder how they are surviving. It's only a short walk back and I'm asleep before I know it.Leer más
Dont go chasing waterfall
25 de julio de 2022, Indonesia ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C
We share a goodbye breakfast with Jay this morning as he's heading to Gili t for a few days. We've hired a motorbike and are going shopping for the day. There is a big shopping centre in the next town to us called Mataran. It's only 12 km from here so after brekkie we set off. The roads aren't as crazy as kuta but they aren't far off. Bobby needs new sandals and I'm going to treat myself to a new go pro. I've tried relentlessly to get my other one to work but to no avail and I'm missing so much beautiful stuff under the water without it, and with the disaster of my other phone breaking in the waterproof bag option I've decided to treat myself to an early birthday present. I'm chuffed when I find one as I've been looking for a little while but Bobby's not so as he's looking for size 45 sandals and the largest size they do is 43. We ride back to the hotel and I have a plan to have a play with my new toy but when we arrive back there is no electric so the plan changes that we will collect our swimsuits and find a waterfall. We can't believe our luck when we find a waterfall a few km from the hotel. We jump on the bike and take a little road up a small track and as we ride up here there are children shouting hello hello. Google maps tells us we have arrived but there is no waterfall to be seen. We ask the locals if they know where it is and they say there's no waterfall because it's dry season. We come back through the little village the children are all excited to see us it's so cute. In one area the road has totally collapsed and they've just put a few bags of gravel to stop you going over the edge. Once again we resort to Google maps and this time travel for 45 minutes through little towns and Paddy fields. As we arrive this time there is once again no waterfall and when we check maps me, it doesn't even exist. To be fair it's been good just to make the most of having the bike and getting away from the expat beach scene and exploring the countryside. We stop to refuel and literally buy a little of green fluid in a bottle from a little roadside shop. Erna messages me that she has our bottle of Rum and will be in Joke for 430. This pretty much ties in with the time we should be back so we ride directly there. Andy and Ernas bar is closed today as they have building work going on so it's nice for them to enjoy a day off together with the kids. Marlee is so cute she's 3yrs old but loves getting dirty and I run around on the beach with her and with it being black sand we are both filthy. Loretta and bill join us a little later and it's nice for me to enjoy some girly time. Traveling with someone has definitely changed my trip and the way people interact with you compared to when you're traveling solo, but it has been nice to have company. We share a few beers on the beach before heading back for a shower and taking a small walk to the beach to enjoy some Mexican food . Just after we've sat down Loretta and Bill walk along the beach and are eating in the Mexican as well. I enjoy the company chatting and laughing before the option of an early night.Leer más
New day new toy
26 de julio de 2022, Indonesia ⋅ ☁️ 26 °C
I'm feeling a little low today a little of colour but nothing major. Sometimes sitting on the back of motorbikes for hours in the sun and different foods throws me off course, but to be honest I have the next 4 days on a boat so I'm not beating myself up about another lazy day. I'm so blessed to have the freedom of getting up In the morning and just saying today I'm doing nothing, but those who know me know that's not my way. We've met a really nice Spanish couple called Cesar and Elena who are also going on the boat trip to Komodo tomorrow. I'm not sure if we will be on the same boat as we have booked with different companies but I hope so. I take a few tutorials online and learn so much I honestly don't know how we coped before the internet I have a little practice in the pool and think I've got the general gist of it although I keep talking videos every time I turn it on. I take myself for an afternoon siesta as I feel quite rough and didn't sleep that well last night. The sleep does the trick and I wake feeling a lot better. Erna and Andy have invited us for dinner tonight and we meet at the bar with Loretta and Bill. A guy comes into the bar and is smoking local cigarettes which smells like cinnamon and cloves and I think they must be healthier but when he shows me the packet they have triple the amount of tar and more than twice the nicotine. We enjoy a few games of pool before dinner and then enjoy the nicest chicken soup. Erna brings out a huge tray with fresh noodles chicken bean sprouts parsley spring onions carrot cabbage and limes and then a big pot of broth. We put all the ingredients in the bowl and the broth over the top which cooks them. It's absolutely delicious and I'll definitely be trying it at home. After dinner we have a few games of killer pool before Loretta suggests the girls should go and have a few cocktails. We kidnap Erna reluctantly and take a short walk to Happy bar. It's packed tonight and after 3 espresso martinis I'm pretty boozy. We have a good dance a little later Bobby comes and picks me up. I have had such a good final night.Leer más
A life on the ocean wave
27 de julio de 2022, Indonesia ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C
I wake this morning with a hangover and panic because I can't remember paying the bill. Loretta messages me and I'm relieved when she tells me we paid. We are due to get picked up at 9am but I don't panic as as Cesar and Elena are still waiting as well. Just after 10 we get picked up and are driven 3 minutes down the road to a restaurant where there are maybe 40plus people sitting waiting for the bus that will take us to the harbour. We're given a form to fill in of what we want for the boat drinks wise. Someone has actually ordered 36 large beers and I'm hoping they don't get sea sick. We eventually get picked up at midday and everyone is loaded onto the bus together with all the rucksacks in the aisles. We're told that the journey will take 2 hours but after 2 hours we stop for a toilet rest so I guess we're going to be a little while longer. We eventually reach the harbour and I'm really surprised at how old the boat is and the cabin with a fan is literally just a double mattress and a small plug in fan. There's murder on the boat because 6 Spanish people have booked a cabin each cabin each but there are only 3 cabins allocated to them. I honestly don't know what they expect to happen as we can't magic cabins. Eventually we set sail and through the port the fishermen are casting their nets. I must say though I've been a little disappointed with the seafood here. We leave the harbour of Sengiggi and after 2 hours we reach a small dessert island in the middle of the sea called Gili Kondo its unreal an island with nothing growing on it washed up with coral. The current here is really strong and a few people attempt to swim back to the boat but fail as soon as they leave the shore the current drags them and they are saved by the little boat or by being thrown a life buoy. We spend a good hour here snorkeling and relaxing and it's amazing at how alive the coral is here on the beach we get picked up by the boat which to my dismay has a hole in the bottom. The sunset is slightly hindered by cloud but even still is beautiful once the sun has set. Literally as the sun disappears the stars appear and the sky is full of stars and I mean full. I'm absolutely in my element cruising along on the waves with a bright night sky enhanced by the fact we've brought a bottle of rum for a little evening tipple. Dinner is served and is delicious rice an array of vegetables and fish. There is quite a young crowd on the boat and as we sail things get a little choppy and one of the girls is really struggling with seasickness, I take her under my wing and look after her for a few hours before eventually she lies down on the middle deck and falls asleep. At 10 o'clock we drop anchor for a few hours and I make the most of the calmness and head to bedLeer más
Boat day
28 de julio de 2022, Indonesia ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C
I'm up early this morning and must admit I haven't had the best nights sleep, but when I get up and see the sunset and that we've anchored I'm more than happy. I'm even happier as I look over the boat and plain to see in the water is spots of blue plankton and from nowhere a manta swims under the boat. On the shore someone spots a lizard and Cesar takes a photo it really looks like a Komodo. The beach is scattered with monkeys but by the time we have had breakfast and got on board the little boat to be landed on shore there is no sign of Komodo or monkeys. I go for a snorkel and enjoy the abundance of fish and see the biggest clam I've seen in my life opening and closing on the coral beneath my feet. There is also a huge bright blue starfish. The sea life here is so beautiful and after seeing the Komodo is well worth the trip. We take a small hike to the waterfall which for once has water. We have the option to climb the waterfall and of course I participate. It's wonderful we ascend to the top and enjoy swimming in the pools. It's nice to actually get to use my go pro. On the beach I do some more snorkeling and chill out for an hour as this is the only stop of the day and I want to make the most of it. With everyone back on board we set sail. Pretty much as soon as we've left the bay things start getting pretty rough and at one point even I'm feeling the constant crashing of the boat getting to me. One of the bonuses of being at sea is you get some amazing sunsets and tonight is one of those nights but we're still being bobbed about like a cork. And half the boat as well as our guide have been in bed the whole day. We are sailing for 18 Hours non stop so after a beer I take myself to bed and watch a Netflix fim that luckily I've downloaded as we have no internet.Leer más
Komodo Island
29 de julio de 2022, Indonesia ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C
I wake this morning and peek out of my little perspex window to be greeted by the most amazing sunrise over the Komodo Islands. After 18 hours of sailing last night and pretty rough conditions I'm so happy to be stopping even with my sea legs. There are a few other boats in the harbour but I think a lot of people who are still catching up on their sleep so the deck is really quiet. We are landed by the little boat and trek around the park for over an hour as the tour is about to come to an end we still haven't seen any Komodo dragons. Everyone is really disappointed but as we walk to the beach low and behold one of the guides shouts to let us know there is a baby Komodo on the beach. We all run over and I feel quite sorry for the dragon as he's surrounded from all corners and as he tries to move people are boxing him in and he has no place to go. Eventually he escapes to the forest area and I go and have a coffee. As I'm sitting there one of the guys comes over and tells us there's a big Komodo on the beach. Once again it's all about the photo but this time I'm as guilty as everyone else. These creatures are amazing and on the island there are and and also slightly dangerous as when they want to move the rangers quickly get us to move out of the way. The government have decided to increase the national park fee to 3.7 million indonesian rupiah and while we are at the park all the traders start a protest. Luckily we have arrived just in time as they are all stopping every other boat from entering the park by grouping in the area where people get there admission tickets. I really sympathise with them as if the park fee increases I'm pretty sure less tourists will come and that is bad for there trade. We board back on the boat and sail towards pink beach and the adults enjoy the top deck for the first time with a few beers and a wireless speaker playing some classic tunes. We arrive an hour or so later and from the boat the beach doesn't look that pink but when we arrive it's absolutely stunning. I enjoy some noodles and a coca cola watching the waves wash the pink coral sand up on the shore and I couldn't be happier. When we get back to the boat we sail to another island for sunset but we're not allowed to go to the island till 4pm so just anchor and spend a few hours swimming and jumping off the boat. Just after 4 were dropped off on the island and have a 25 minute hike to the top but boy is it worth it. The viewpoint gives us views of the black pink and white beaches all from one spot and we stay there for sunset. Back on the boat again we all enjoy a few beers as this is our last night and with being anchored off hopefully everyone will get a better night sleep .Leer más
Back to shore
30 de julio de 2022, Indonesia ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C
Once again I make sunrise this morning and with us being on anchor all night I've managed to get a decent night's sleep. After breakfast I join the young ones on the upper deck and we spend a few hours sailing to our first area where we can swim. I have a few beers left and decide to have one as the atmosphere is really good and a beer would make it perfect. I start a trend as others join me but when I look it's only 830am whoops, the crazy part is it feels like midday. We anchor off but we're not allowed to go to the beach so we just do some swimming and jumping off the boat. I've enjoyed this trip so much I'm quite sad today is the last day. There has been quite a young crowd on the boat but they are all really nice people and on my last day I get to speak to a lot more of them with there being 38 people on board it's been difficult to get to know everyones name but I'm getting there. Our second stop takes us to Kelor island which is really beautiful. I share a few beers before I head up the small hill to the top which takes just 10 minutes but I didn't bring flip flops so I do it barefooted but the ground is so hot we have to pour water on our feet just to cool them down. We enjoy another half an hour on the beach and make our way back to the boat for the final part of the journey. I'm pleased that I've decided to book in the hostel with the young ones. There's quite a few of us checking in so I'm glad that I'm pretty much one of the first there and get checked in early. We are meeting the guys of the boat tonight but first we head to LA cucina for something to eat which is absolutely delicious. We arrive at warung brothers bajo and a few of the boat are already here. We have a great night but I definitely drink to much of the local gin and arrive home just after 1.Leer más
Hangover day
31 de julio de 2022, Indonesia ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C
I wake up with a hangover from hell and Mo one of the young lads off the boat is still I'll . The girls invite me to join them at the beach and cave but to be honest I just want to chill. I get into one of the hammocks and fall asleep for a couple of hours. We head out to get a drink of coke as it's so expensive in the hostel but mo is really struggling so I offer to go and buy some fruit and electrolytes . On route we pass a machine that makes water out of air by condensating it and I'm shocked when I find this small machine makes 100,000 litres a day. I spot a family on a small floating platform with a cooking stove on board it's crazy. The boys head back and I go shopping While I'm on route I treat myself to a caramel Machiatto and get chatting to a lovely couple called Jeffrey and Nora. I enjoy chatting with them for a little while before heading to the market to get the fruit. When I get back mo has gone back to bed so I just chill and sort my washing and paperwork for tomorrow. The guys come down a little later in the afternoon and we agree to go for sunset but with mo not feeling great I suggest we will get a grab. We discover there are only grab bikes here and with mo having no data I book one for him but as he leaves realise I can't book another till he's arrived but a motorbike passes in the street shouting taxi and after negotiating a price I jump on. We meet in the paradise bar and it's so beautiful, nice chilled vibe and a wonderful view. After sunset I meet with Elena Cesar Joke and Tim and we enjoy dinner in a really nice restaurant it's not cheap but it's good and I've been craving fish for a while now especially being so close to the sea. After dinner we go to warung brothers and I'm really not on the mood for party but after a few beers the other guys and girls join us. Tonight is Juans last night so we enjoy a night dancing the night away and have loads of fun. The bar is packed and luckily at the end of the night I get a lift home.Leer más
Protest day
1 de agosto de 2022, Indonesia ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C
So this morning I need to get my visa sorted but there are massive protests here and everything is shut. All restaurants hotels. The locals are protesting about the fact of the national park rate as they know it will affect their business massively here. Rahmat from warung brothers has offered to help me and I'm due to meet him at 10am in the bar. As I'm walking there I'm shocked at the amount of police and army presence in the streets it's quite intimidating really . I arrive at the bar but there's no sign of Rahmat but I get chatting with Nico, Tiffany and Logan. 2 girls and a guy who were in here last night. As we're sat here two guys have had a close miss on the road and it really kicks off because a whole group start punching and kicking the one guy, within minutes the police are there and after a bit of commotion both are sent on there way but I must admit I'm quite shocked At midday there's still no sign of Rahmat so I decide to try and get it sorted myself. I walk to the printing shop but it's seriously hot here and as I arrive I get a message from Rahmat so I jump in a gochek like a taxi van and make my way to warung. On route I pass lots of military and police but I think they are just here as a form of prevention. Rahmat contacts his friend in immigration and sends photos of my photocopies and says it will be 2 days but he doesn't need my passport and when needed hell pick me up and take me to do fingerprints. As I'm sat in the bar I spot the fishermen coming from the beach with a huge Barracuda and Rahmat shouts down and before I know it I'm being served the freshest fish I've ever eaten In the evening the lady from immigration comes to warung and I hand her my passport. It's seems a strange thing to be handing my passport to a random stranger in a bar together with the money for my visa but that's the way things work here. Shortly after I head back to the hostel and a young Indonesian guy says hey I've met you before, I spend time talking with him and he was a ranger at Komodo Island it's so interesting and he's such a friendly guy. The young ones have messaged to say they are sat outside a shop drinking beers because literally no bars or restaurant's are open with the protesters threatening to set fire to any place that opens . I decide to just stay in the hostel and chill.Leer más
Splitting up
2 de agosto de 2022, Indonesia ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C
The sad part about meeting people when you travel is that eventually you have to say goodbye and today is the day the boat party starts to go their own way. I miss saying goodbye to Naimh Cesar and Elena but manage to share breakfast with Richi. As we walk back we meet Sarah and Olivia who are also leaving. Honestly all the young people I met on the boat have been wonderful which really makes me smile as they are the new generation. In the morning the lady comes from immigration and gets me to fill in my form and take them away, this has been such a bonus as usually it's 3 visits and the only time I'll have to go is to do my fingerprints.Mo Celine and Richard are moving to a new hostel today so in the early afternoon I just chill and try and do some photo editing. When I wander down to the harbour in the afternoon it seems like everything is starting to get back to normal there were a lot of protests yesterday with 80 people getting arrested however today definitely seems a little calmer. I really admire the people here after coming through the pandemic they are still willing to sacrifice money they would make for what they believe in and protesting against a government policy it's not something that would happen in every country. In the afternoon Selene MO and Richard have invited me to chill out there hostel as they have a pool but when I arrive I refused entry. After a bit of sweet talk and a little bit of local lingo I manage to talk myself in. The hostel as much nicer than the one Im in but I'm due to check out tomorrow so really can't be bothered packing and then unpacking. As I leave the hostel there it's a huge procession of young children ranging from girl guides to boy scouts and people wearing traditional dress. I stand for nearly 10 minutes watching the parade go past with children waving and asking for photos. After a quick shower I walked down to the harbor and manage to catch the last of the sunset. I walk to Warren brothers and order food but after 30 minutes no food has arrived and the guys message me to say they are going to the fish market so I agree to join them however as I'm walking there they are walking towards me and tell me it's closed so it's back to warung brothers where I once again enjoy the Barracuda. We spend the evening in here although it's a lot more low-key than it has been for the last few nights and throughout the evening we're joined by various other members of the boat. Later in the evening one of the guys shows me a government video which is the plans for Komodo. The 3.7 million increase is to stop the backpacker tourists and the plan is that they want to build a high end resort on the island. The increase in price was supposed to be to protect the dragons but now I understand a lot more why the protesters are so focused. These plans would bring in a totally different clientele and most of the businesses here would go bust. I see so much of this as I travel where foreign investment takes over the actual places that make local people their bread and butter. Just before midnight I bid my goodbyes as I have to be up early.Leer más
Let me take your fingerprints
3 de agosto de 2022, Indonesia ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C
I wake at 715 and get myself sorted before walking to the main street to get a grab bike to immigration. I'm relieved when one of the local buses pulls up but the journey with the loudest bass music blaring at this time in the morning is not the most pleasant I've had. The guy offers to wait for me and with it being early think it's probably a good idea. Inside immigration I'm the only person there and I wait for 10 minutes as everyone is outside eating breakfast. The process involves taking my photo doing my signature and taking all my fingerprints but I'm in and out in 30 minutes, and glad I got it done here as I think in Bali the process took a lot longer. When I arrive back at the hostel and Bertie and Olivia are here and plan to go to the caves but when I go to reception I find They are doing an island tour today and suggest I will do this. Before I know it I've arranged for 8 people to join and we hire a private boat. Just after midday we are on route with our picnic pizza. Our first stop is the island that we anchored off from on our last day that Cesar and Juan swam to. Once again my snorkel is broken but I persevere blowing the water back out. The fish here are incredible and I'm literally surrounded. I don't stray very far from the jetty and as I move around the side I see more starfish than I've ever seen. Back on the boat we go to kanawa island, I grab a bite to eat in the little shack here and have a snorkel afterwards the water is so clear but I find it hard work on a full belly with a broken snorkel. Our final stop is for sunset but when we arrive at the beach it's been barracaded and on the other side is a private beach with umbrella. There is no way of climbing over so we just snorkel and we get the sunset on the boat back and what a sunset it is . After showering we join in la Cocina for our last supper and end up in our favourite haunt for drinks. There is no live music tonight so we enjoy the evening playing a drinking card game. It's been a really special day spent with the last of the crew and I'm pretty emotional as I say goodbye to them. They leave shortly after midnight as have an early morning flight and I stay on for a few more before thankfully getting a lift back.Leer más
The last goodbye
4 de agosto de 2022, Indonesia ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C
Even though I went to bed late last night I work this morning early and am glad to see the girls are still here but they are ready for that flight. This is our last goodbye or maybe not as you find when you travel the way people will meet up time and time again. This morning I've been invited out with the locals and spend the first half of the morning of loading my GoPro before heading over to Warren brothers. When I arrive they have caught a 35 kilo tuna and within half an hour it's cut into pieces and sold on. I'm really impressed at the way this is done has even the last few pieces that are attached to the bones are used for ceviche. I try it and it's absolutely delicious. In the afternoon we ride to Pantai waicicu the ride there is really beautiful and once again I'm so glad to be doing something again today. We enjoy a short time on the beach and Rahman hires a canoe. The really sad thing here is there are so many abandoned boats. When covid hit there were no tourists and the local people could not afford the upkeep of these boats without people paying for them and with the water being unforgiving there are many that are beyond repair just left in the bay. We paddle out around the island and come back to do some snorkeling. I enjoy sunset back at the bar before going back to the hostel to shower and change. Along the promenade the children play every evening on skateboards and fishing with small reels of plastic twine tonight as I walk there is a young girl of about 6 carrying a pair of rollerblades that are way too big for her and on my return to the bar I see her skating in them. Every night as I've made the walk the children swarm around saying hello Mrs , it's really special and they all seem so happy. It's rare that you see a child here crying. Tonight is Nico's last night and I'm glad in a way that the bar is not so busy as it's nice to just spend time with the staff and Nico. We don't have a late one and I really enjoy the fact the girls join us tonight Ica is one of the girls who works here but since I've been coming here I have never really had the chance to sit and talk with them.At the end of the evening Rahman drops me home and invites me to join them for Nico's farewell breakfast in the morning.Leer más
A day with the boys and girls
5 de agosto de 2022, Indonesia ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C
We bid farewell to Nico this morning, but I don't feel too sad as I really think I will meet him in Bali over the next few days. Rahman has invited me to go to Rangko cave today and I'm pleased when he invites the girls today as they have never been here before and it's only 30 minutes away on the motorbike. You have to leave after 11am as it's low tide and we arrive to the harbour to catch the boat just after 1. I'm totally with locals today and I love the fact the boat owners kids join us. They perch on the front of the boat for the short ride to the jetty and just before we reach it jump into the water. It's a short trek to the cave but I have to say is so beautiful. The inside has a pool of clear sea water that is tidal as it has an inlet to the rear left of the cave. The children join us and inside climb the stagnalite and jump into the water. We all spend time swimming in the cave and a little later Jan and Luzie arrive. After our time in the water we chill on the beach. It's not great for snorkeling here but I'm happy just chilling. Before long the dreaded water bottle comes out which is never filled with water only jungle juice (sopi) we plan to stay on the beach for sunset but plans change again and it's back to the hostel to shower and change. Tonight is my last night and Rahman has offered to have the DJ on again I eat with Amber Jan Luzie and Victor before we all head up to the bar. We enjoy a really nice night in the bar and I even have a little dance and eventually leave in the early hours. I have to say I've really enjoyed spending time with the locals again it totally changes the whole dimensions of my trip and Ive loved the vibe of labuan bajo, island life is definitely my preference.Leer más
I don't know where im going
6 de agosto de 2022, Indonesia ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C
I wake this morning with a hangover from hell. I still need to pack and the taxi is due in an hour. Me Amber and the two girls from Holland are leaving on a jet plane to Bali this morning but the crazy part is I don't even know where I'm headed, I get off the plane and while I sit waiting for my bag I chat with amber and she is going to Sanur to catch the ferry, Tim and Joke are there so I make a decision and decide to go there. We share a cab and as I drop her at the centre I tell her I'm excited at the fact I've booked a place with a bath. As she collects her bag she asks the driver to wait and pulls out a face mask for me. Today is going to be a pamper day. I'm ready for a chill after the hecticness of the past few days and one of the first things I do is go and treat myself to a few new bikinis. The ones I have are starting to look grubby and I'm in the treating myself mode. The hotel is beautiful and after unpacking my essentials I relax by the pool. After spending over a week in a dormitory it's nice to have some private space and paying a little bit more has given me a bathtub with bathfoam supplied. I enjoy a lovely soak and don my facemask. Bobby has messaged and is only 20km away so I've invited him over to share a beer and some food. He arrives shortly after 7 and after a beer we plan to head out for food when we see Tim's friendly face. We join him and Joke for a beer and decide just to eat here. Once again I indulge and order a sirloin steak with a rich brown sauce.They have a live singer in and we enjoy the evening catching up with Tim and Joke before my bed calls me for an early night.Leer más
Day by the pool
7 de agosto de 2022, Indonesia ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C
I wake early this morning and take advantage of the inclusive breakfast. I make my plans for onward travel to amed and although I'm missing out Ubud I'm not too bothered as apparently it's really touristy and busy . Travel here is predominantly by motorbike but as I've got my big rucksack id rather pay the extra and share a minibus. I've been recommended a place by Nico so book that as well and I'm excited to get up north and explore. In the morning I take a walk out and it's rained overnight I don't see it coming but a car drives through the biggest puddle and soaks me from the waist down, thank god here it doesn't take long to dry out. A little later Bobby takes me out for a little explore around on the bike and drops me back to the hotel just after lunch before he heads off for central Bali. I head to the pool for a few hours before going down the beach. It's really strange how after being on the islands your back to another way of life with the offerings outside every shop and the numerous kites floating in the sky. At the beach I have a cocktail and the glass comes covered in cornflakes, certainly not something I've experienced before but I enjoy it apart from the soggy cornflakes floating in the bottom as I reach the end of it. I meet Tim and Joke by the pool and honestly we laugh so much especially when Tim tries to explain why corn flakes were invented (trust me Google it) Its definitely my last night with Tim and Joke tonight so we've arranged to go out for dinner and a few drinks. We end up in a reggae bar and they have Arak cocktails which of course we have to sample. The live band is brilliant and me and Joke dance the night away and at one point head to dance in the rain just to cool down. I crash into bed just after midnight setting my alarm for 6amLeer más
Heading north
8 de agosto de 2022, Indonesia ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C
im up at 6 and thankfully I packed last night. When I go to take a shower there's a bloody big cockroach in the room which gives me the biggest wake up call and after chasing him round the bathroom decide to stand in the bath and share my space. I book a grab and shortly after arriving get picked up by my driver Dodi. It's a bit of a nightmare to get round Bali with a rucksack as riding a scooter with something so big isn't really an option and there are no public buses so bargaining and sharing private buses is the only way to do it really. Dodi drives to Ubud where I get out of the car and take a coffee before being joined by two other people for the remainder of the journey. As we drive we pass a temple called Goa Lawah where there are hundreds of people walking along the road dressed in there "Sunday best" , today is the start of Odalan which celebrates the coming of the gods on each anniversary of the foundation of the temple.Inhabitants wear the traditional clothing and women carry the offerings on their head to bring to the temple. Temples are decorated with countless flowers and offerings. After the prayer, water is sprayed on the faithful and blessed rice is distributed. The faithful then apply it on their temples, the throat and the forehead. As we continue driving we pass so many beautiful shorelines and fauna. The hotel is beautiful and I'm glad I have a night here before moving to my budget accommodation. I don't waste any time in dropping my bags and having a dip in the lovely pool. In the evening Bobby and I ride down to the Reggae bar and enjoy dinner and a few beers before getting an early night as I'm exhaustedLeer más
Sunrise sunset
9 de agosto de 2022, Indonesia ⋅ 🌧 25 °C
I wake up in time for sunrise and as I lay in the hammock watching this marvelous display I'm tempted to do a timelapse but for once I just enjoy the moment. Time here is passing so quickly and I don't really feel like I've explored Bali as much as I should have but to be honest the feedback from places like Ubud and Changu aren't great so I have decided to spend a few more days here and chill. I haven't stopped for the last 7 months and this is definitely somewhere I can just unwind and recharge my batteries. I part ways with Bobby this morning and have shared some fantastic adventures with him but all good things come to an end. I try and book a grab but with no success so Bobby takes me rucksack and all onto my next accommodation. I've booked into a place recommended by Nico and it's half the price I stayed last night and literally on the beach, it's a family run business and the accommodation next door is run by Made's brother. I find it really strange how you are competing with your brother in the accommodation next door but families share everything here. Later in the afternoon Nico arrives so I spend an hour catching up with him before having a massage on the beach and discover the lady giving it to me is Made`s mum. We take a walk along the beach in the evening and stop at a little restaurant where we meet Audrey a French lady Nico knows, Nico recommends the fish MaliMali which is amazing. Every night here they have live music and you ask the locals and they will tell you where it is. It's only a couple of km away but Nico insists on taking the bike so I jump on and when we arrive am delighted to find they have 2 pool tables. I do my usual hustling and thoroughly enjoy a normal size table with normal size balls and cues with tips on as this combination of all 3 together is very rare. All bars here close at 11 and I don't know whether this is a post covid thing but to be honest I quite like it because as I lie here tonight writing this I'm listening to the waves crashing in on the shore and for me there's no better sound.Leer más
Invited to a funeral
10 de agosto de 2022, Indonesia ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C
Getting up for sunrise has not been a regular occurrence for me as I've usually only just rolled in a few hours earlier but this passed few days I've made an exception, and wow has it been worth it. This morning I wake to the reddest sky and the cotton wool clouds enhance it. I climb out of bed and take a few short steps to a lounger on the beach and set up a timelapse so I can just enjoy it. In the morning I rent a scooter which is pretty much essential here as the beach spans about 7km and as much as I love to walk everything is set on the road behind. My data runs out today but when I arrive at the shop it's closed. The laid back way of life here is means most things don't open till 10 or 11. Back at the hotel Made tells us he will attend a cremation ceremony today and invites us to join. The ceremony is due to start at midday but when we message him it's been delayed till 2pm so I take the opportunity to get my phone sorted and grab lunch with Nico. We ride a little further along the road and there are hundreds of people. 200 souls are being honoured today and members of the family all dress in traditional dress to send them off. Because we are not dressed appropriately we can't go into the religious area but Made tells us to go to the beach. An hour later people start to arrive and down at the waters edge some lay their 'souls' to rest in the water privately The ashes are wrapped in rattan like mats or on big saucer like dishes and thrown into the sea, but further down the beach there is a much larger ceremony which when we arrive Made asks us to join his family. We sit with the crowd and watch as first flowers are placed between the hands and offered up in prayer and then the flowers sprinkled on top of the head where the traditional bandana catches them. Next the ceremony leaders walk through the crowd sprinkling them with holy water. The irony of tourists walking along the beach in Speedos is quite strange and I wonder how the locals feel about this. Next it's time for the placement into the sea. Some families have built big offerings of basket weave onto huge bamboo raft like structures, but as they lift them and head to the sea, none of them make it and end up being edged in on their sides. I've really enjoyed the ceremony and it's definitely another new experience for me. Rather than have the hecticness of driving back with all the traffic Nico and I decide to have sundowners on the beach and we get chatting to a lady called Sue and John. They have a yacht and have come ashore in they're dingy. I'm absolutely in awe as I discover they have spent the last 18years on the boat. I explain its my dream to get experience on a boat and she says she will send me details of connections they have. They actually spent a year in Langkawi during the COVID times, and I'm sure we will have connections with some of the same people. We bid farewell as they have to get back to the boat before it's dark but it's been such a pleasure meeting them. There are not many people who inspire me but they certainly have. The sunset is once again stunning tonight and the ability to find my bike as we head back is much easier. We share a few drinks with Coco a local Nico knows who plays in a band and have a 3 minutes walk back to my room. A perfect day.Leer más
Big fish little fish
11 de agosto de 2022, Indonesia ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C
My plan was to go to the 'gates of heaven' for sunrise this morning but I wake early with an upset stomach and decide to give it a miss. I fall back asleep and wake shortly after 8am feeling a lot better. I use snorkeling equipment from the bungalow and literally go snorkeling directly in front of my room. Wow there are the most beautiful fish within a few metres of shore and the biggest angel fish I've ever seen. The variation of fish are beautiful and it's really calm. I meet Nico for lunch and I'm ecstatic when I see mashed potato on the menu and order it with the Barracuda. It's so delicious even with the little lumpy bits. As I sit here women men and children walk along the beach with baskets on there head selling everything from sarongs to fishing boas and bracelets that they have made and generally I say no but today a young girl with impeccable English captures my heart and I decide to add to my bracelet collection, the problem is that within seconds there are 4 girls so I make a deal to buy one from each of them. I make my selection individually and the initial girl makes them all say thank, like they're little teacher. It really warms my heart and I pay a little extra for her one. In the afternoon we have been invited by Made to go fishing, we push out the boat which is pretty heavy. We get out there and just bob about on the water. Made attaches a weight to the line with a feather flight on it and nothing else. It's about 250m deep and we spend the time just dropping the line to the bottom and bringing it back up again ,whilst at the same time enjoying the beautiful sunset with the odd sip of Arak in between. Tonight the moon is in full view and I love just floating around with the views. When we arrive back the im relieved the boat is brought in on a motor pulley with a rod in front for guidance. Back on shore we have a few beers and eat dinner in Katut's restaurant. I definitely plan to go to the gates of heaven early in the morning so bid the guys goodnight and although I have plans to write my blog I feel so tired I just crash and burn.Leer más
Gates of heaven
12 de agosto de 2022, Indonesia ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C
I wake at 5Am and after a quick shower pack my rucksack. This morning I am riding to 'the gates of heaven, locally known as Lempuyang temple. It's about 16km from here but I ride really slowly as it's pitch black and the roads aren't that great. It takes me about 35 minutes but as I get close I'm diverted of the road to a car park where I pay the fee of 45,000 to be taken up in a shuttle bus service to the temple. There is a short steep climb to the temple entrance and I guess it's at quite a high altitude as I struggle a little catching my breath. The entrance fee is 55,000 about £3 you also pay an additional 35,000 for a sari but I've already brought one with me so avoid that cost. When I buy my ticket I'm issued with number 21. This is my photography number and is so people can have they're obligatory photo taken without any arguments or people gate crashing they're photos. The ride back is much shorter in the daylight and I stop and admire the rice terraces along the route. Back at my bungalow I have to move out today as Made has a big group coming from Jakarta but it's not too much hassle as I'm moving into his brother Katut's place just next door. I'm packed and moved in 10 minutes and take some time to relax on the beach. It's the full moon today and the sea is really rough so I give snorkeling a miss. In the afternoon we've been invited by the family to join the final part of the cremation ceremony at the gates of heaven temple. Nico and I take our bikes and Katut is going to follow in his car we have been given authentic clothing to wear and I'm wearing his mum's kindly donated clothes. We arrive shortly after 6 but get a message that Katut is still in Amed. So rather than head upto the gate we sit in a little cafe and take a refreshment. While we are here we realize that we will need to catch the last bus back down. I go and check and the last bus down is 730pm so we have 2 options either sit it out or take the bus. We opt for taking the bus and when we reach the car park Katut and his family are here. We sit with them for a short while and they offer for us to go back to the temple. I opt for heading home but Nico stays. I'm glad for him as he will see the beginning of his birthday in at the temple which is really cool, I however have been up since 5am and my body is telling me I can't be spending the whole night up there in the cold. I get back just before 9 grab a shower and have food in Oasis before a few beers in PachaLeer más
Birthday boy
13 de agosto de 2022, Indonesia ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C
At 4am I'm woken by a massive thunderstorm and all I can think about is the boys at the temple in the rain. I eventually drift back off to sleep and wake shortly after 9:00 a.m. I go for my usual morning 3 in 1 coffee and while I'm there Made tells me the boys are on their way back to the temple, but Nico seems to be on the missing list. We have another torrential thunderstorm and it absolutely pours down for over an hour. Once the rain dies down I take the bike to go where Nico is staying but as I ride along the road there's a big flood so I ditch the bike take off the flip flops and wade through the water. It's only a 5 minute walk but he's not arrived back yet. I walk back to bungalow and decide I will give it till 1pm before I start to panic. Thankfully at 1130 I get a message from Nico. He's fine and has spent the night at the temple and thoroughly enjoyed it so now I can relax. Alexandra messages me and after grabbing a bit of lunch we decide to have a go at snorkeling. The torrential rain has washed back into the sea, and as soon as we get in the water we realize the visibility is not going to be great. We swim a little further out but still it's pretty poor and decide to head back I meet a guy called Matthew who is from the Netherlands but lives just outside Ubud and is here for a 1 day dive but comes here once a month. He joins us in the evening where we celebrate Nico's birthday. I've ordered a cake and psalm wine which is produced by cutting the coconut from the tree and placing a container to collect the sap/juice. It ferments naturally and I'm shocked when the produce the large Jerry can. Are we really going to drink that all Tonight? We sit on the beach with Katut and Made playing his guitar and other members of the family who were at the temple yesterday with Nico. A glass of the psalm wine is filled and drunk and then refilled as it's passed around the circle. It actually tastes good and within an hour is the can runs dry. I order a bottle of Arak to continue the celebrations and Sali brings out Nico's cake. It's such a wonderful night. We finish the night in the bar just down the road and thankfully it's just a short walk to bed.Leer más