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Published: June 13th 2013
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We are currently in Ubud (Bali) but stories and pics from up to Gili Islands...
Trip so far:
BALI - Kuta (unfortunately) >Sanur > Nusa Lembongan > LOMBOK - Gili Trawangan > Gili Meno > Senggigi > BALI - Padangbai > Ubud
We started the trip in Kuta, a shithole to say the least. Imagine a really nice beach with about 7000 people on it, beside it a Starbucks, KFC, McDonalds and Tony Romas of all things. Thank goodness we had a great hotel to decompress, avoid the westernized madhouse and get rid of the jetlag.
Made the choice to head over to Nusa Lembongan after that, it was a great choice. Ended up staying in the super nice part (Mushroom Bay) for super cheap. Had a place right on the amazing beach and just relaxed (as we do best). Spent days on the beach and rented a scooter to see the whole of Nusa, a great start. Great except we started to get sick.
Next took the boat to the famous Gili Islands. Aaaah the Gilis, amazing really. Three tiny islets off the coast of Lombok surrounded by white sand beaches. Small enough to walk
around in 60-90 minutes, truly paradise (just look at the pics!!!). Started on Gili T, the party island but neither of us really up to partying as we had a serious coughing/head cold by this time. Something about us and beautiful tropical islands and being sick (same thing happened in Nicaraguas Corn Islands), but this time at least we could still get out and relax on the beach, so not too bad. Gili T, yes there is an increased presence of douchers but still really a great place. Next we went to Gili Meno, and absolutely fell in love with the place. It felt like we had the whole island to ourselves, days spent snorkelling with sea turtles (and getting stung by jellyfish - LOTS of jellyfish) and sipping Bintangs while baking ourselves in the scorching sun - a perfect place to spend a 34th birthday. These islands were absolutely beautiful, perfect all around (minus the garbage in some areas).
Having to leave (but not wanting to) because there is just too much to see in this country we left to head over to Lombok and the vacant town of Senggigi. Looks like it may have been quite the
tourist trap in say oh 1972, but now essentially empty. Made the most of it with a great place with a pool on the beach and had several parties for 2. One day we took a little tour of Lombok visiting a very cool local market, several sweaty temples and the monkey forest. No need to say much about these guys, the pics will show. Crazy little fuckers, but soooo cute.
We left Lombok, via the ferry ride from hell, to the port to of Padangbai, where we caught a bus to Ubud now back in Bali. Ubud is mind blowing. A super cool artsy town in the most beautiful jungled center of Bali. I am actually writing this blog on the porch of our $20/night place in the jungle listening to the sounds of cicadas (or John Cicadas as we call them), treefrogs and crickets...awesome.
So ya, this place is amazing. The biggest standout however are the Indonesian people. In every place we have been, the people have been beyond friendly. Our trip plans have changed about 40 times but as we stand right now, there are Komodo Dragons and Kanawa/Rinca islands, Malaysian orangutans and the Perhentian
Islands and some surfing in the South Bali Bukit Peninsula in our immediate future.
Obviously this does not really need to be said but there really is nothing better than travelling. There has been no lack culture or amazing scenery at all in this place. For being so far away, it sure feels like home!!!
Miss ya all, but not too much!!
T&S
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Sherry
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Beautiful pics as usual!
Looks great! Brings back some memories of when we went to Bali with Bob & Em a few years ago. The monkeys are cute - but ask Em - they can be mean! Don't forget to try the "arak" I think that's what their "hard liquor" is called - we tried what we called an "arak attack" our own homemade drinks while we were there. Not too many - don't want you to get sick again! Stay healthy, have fun and enjoy!!xxoo