This is getting a bit monotonous - more sleeping in and missed breakfast followed by another arduous session on sunlounges by the pool. Ah, but today’s different - we both manage to summon up enough energy to go for a dip.…. Oops, I think we might have over exerted ourselves a little there. The solution, well that of course would be to fall asleep again. We were planning to take a late afternoon ride to Tanah Lot temple to watch the sunset, but by the time we stir from our slumbers it seems we’ve left our run a bit late; we’re told the sun will be long gone by the time we get there. We’ve only got one full day left here and we still haven’t ventured more than a few hundred metres from the hotel. ... read more

We keep the blackout blinds open overnight, but it doesn’t seem to make a lot of difference. Jetlag’s still got a firm hold and we miss breakfast yet again. The signs on the lift say not to use it if there’s a fire … or an earthquake. This is good advice I’m sure, but where are the stairs, or are we perhaps supposed to just jump over our room's balcony? I‘m suddenly glad we’re only on the first floor, although it’s still a fair drop even from there. There’s a palm tree a couple of metres out from the railing, so maybe we could leap out on to that and slide down to the ground if we really had to. I’m not finding that option all that appealing, so I head out in search of the ... read more

12 September Today we start our tortuously long journey home with an eleven hour overnight flight to Singapore, which we’re looking forward to like a hole in the head. Then it’s on to Bali where we’re planning to spend a few days chilling before finally heading back to reality. We’re flying with Singapore Airlines’ low cost carrier Scoot for the first time. The fare was about half that for the real thing, and it seems you get what you pay for - I think I can squeeze into my seat, but I’m going to be spending most of the flight with my legs dangling out into the aisle - I hope I don’t get run over by a food trolley. And perhaps unsurprisingly you have to pay for everything, including charging your phone? Really? The lights ... read more

Today’s the last full day of the art tour, which is making us both feel very sad. But what’s even sadder is not being able to enjoy it with the rest of the Rembrandts. Issy’s almost back to 100%, but we’re still feeling just slightly nervous about passing on the dreaded virus to others in the group. We decide to stay put while they head off on a boat to produce yet more masterpieces at a small garden over on the other side of Telendos Island. We spend the morning in the now familiar confines of our COVID isolation balcony. My itchy feet eventually need scratching so I head off for a wander. First up is the village harbour which is well populated with cute little fishing boats. The road around the waterfront is a tad ... read more

So here we both are, stuck in COVID isolation in our hotel suite. Issy’s thankfully feeling a bit better today, but not really well enough to go anywhere. And anyway, I think she still needs to be avoiding crowds for a day or so yet, and then only with a mask for a few days after that. So what to write about when by far the most exciting event for the day was a thrilling trip to the supermarket, with mask on of course, to stock up on a few essential supplies. Actually that wasn’t the day’s most exciting event, but more about that later. My throng of faithful subscribers, all five of you, will be pleased to know that in order to fill in a few hours I’ve formulated a new law. Some other bored ... read more