Still barely able to walk post Rinjani it's time to see a bit at sea level. While I was trekking Geoff had gotten in touch with a driver called Agung who had taken him to the Rinjani National Park for the day. They stopped frequently to birdwatch and visited the waterfall. Geoff enjoyed it but didn't see much in the way of birdlife. Agung had asked if we were planning on any trips to the Gili Islands and suggested that we may be interested in some of the smaller islands that were quieter than the popular, well known ones- Trawangan, Air and Meno. We did want to do a day trip but hadn't really thought it through to which ones/what format, etc. This kind of sealed it - we decided that would be a a good ... read more

We took a weeks break in Lombok March 2 - 9. Primary purpose for trip was to relax in a very good hotel. Flights - Perth/Lombok/Perth with Jetstar. Direct flights 3hrs 40 mins Cost - $322 pp Accommodation - Sudamala Sengiggi http://www.sudamalaresorts.com/senggigi Sudamala was truly fantastic. We booked all 7 nights here and after day 1 we were wishing it were for longer. Communication- We booked Sudamala directly by email and the communications pre-departure were excellent- clear and timely. We opted for a package- pool villa, breakfasts, 1 dinner, 2 massages and return airport transfers and negotiated a good price (price we got was a lot better than the published offer on their website). We paid 50% deposit via credit card pre departure. Arrival- Our driver, Zul, collected us. He is a great ambassador for th ... read more

Day 8 If you are from North America this entry will be utterly boring (probably boring anyway, even if you're not from the USA). If you are from anywhere in the world that clothes and shoes and sunglasses and handbags, etc are expensive this may be of interest. Today I went outlet shopping. Specifically to the Livermore Premium Outlet with shops like Nike, Coach, GAP, J Crewe (my favourite), Kate Spade, Bass, etc, etc. http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/outlet.asp?id=107 Given my lack of car and not wanting to take public transport (it would take about 2hrs to get there, then 2 hrs back) I found a tour- well a guy driving a mini bus. It was a bit expensive at $75 pp but it worked for me. The company I used was called Outlet Hop, the owner, David, was helpful ... read more

Gourmet chocolate tour scheduled for today. First a trip to the post office ???!! Yes, mundane as it is, I had ordered some perfume on eBay in a bid to save $30 on postage. So the post office had to be visited to pick it up, waited in queue for 30 mins to be told it wouldn't be available till Monday.... The upside though is the guy I stood next to in the line recommended a good coffee shop. Called Contraband Coffee, located on Larkin, it was a winner. Sort of like one I frequent at home, coffee was 10/10!!! Wifi on offer and killer banana choc chip bread. Staff not overly friendly, lots of laptop and iphone users on the free wifi but it worked for me - found a coffee spot. My walk to ... read more

Day 4 Met Lachy down town and caught the Bart SF Muni Metro (thanks SFImporter from Trip Advisor for setting me straight on this one) to 16th and Mission, pretty easy with a commuter card. Got out up to street level to a veritable tent city of homeless people. Walked 5 mins or so to Guerrero Street to Tartines. I had read a lot about this bakery and enjoyed browsing their cook book. There was a line outside which moved relatively quickly. Seating in and outside was at a premium but we jagged a table to coincide with our orders being ready. The display cabinets are laden with the most exquisite pastry and baked goods- lemon tart, coconut cream tart, banana cream tart, bread and butter pudding, chocolate eclairs, croissants.... All looking divine. Oh, there's a ... read more