24th Oct 2012

So the morning started with a 5.30am alarm! What is alarming though is that we are so used to early mornings now that it felt like 7 or 8 in the morning! Got the shuttle bus to Pading Bai and then on the fast boat to Gili Trawangan.

Arrived at about lunch time, first impressions look good! Long white sand beach with clear emerald seas and a close coral reef. The beach was lined with little restaurants, cafes and bars that looked like little huts and had areas with cushions on the floor to sit on.

There are no roads or cars on the island, you can either hire a bike or go on a little horse and cart.

Just off the beach are the bungalows and dive centres. We were anxious what our place was going to be like after the last hostel we stayed in but when we saw it we were pleased - what a relief! Friendly staff, nice pool in the front and the the bungalow is a good size, big comfortable bed, air conditioning (thank god as really hot here!) and a lovely cushioned seating area out the front. It's perfect- and cheap too!

So after we settled ourselves in we headed down to the beach. The beach is lovely- loads of really comfy beds and bean bags to lie on. Really hot so was nice to get some shade from the surrounding trees.

The sea is lovely and as the reef is so close there is a lot if fish to see so snorkelling is really good. We saw parrotfish, clown fish, angel fish and lots of coral.

Had some lunch, thought I would have something simple so asked for a tuna sandwich- what I got was a monster sandwich, three pieces if bread thick with a whole tuna steak, loads of salad, boiled eggs and cheese! Oh and fries on the side! It was gorgeous, but so huge-Ben helped me out though!

So really relaxed all afternoon, had a mojito during happy hour and then went back to bungalows, further relaxing outside and some cards- unfortunately Ben won and we are now level (4-4 that will change soon though!)

Went out for dinner and had grilled fish platter for two with a very spicy sauce, again really good. I think the foods been better here than anywhere else we have been so far.

It a big party night tonight on the island- they have 3 big parties per week! However we were a bit too tired for that tonight so had a couple I drinks and went back to go to bed.

Have diving booked for tomorrow.Okumaya devam et