Blogs from Padangbai, Bali, Indonesia, Asia - page 5

Okay, This may be a bit long winded as I haven't had access to interner for a while. Not sure if you are all aware, but an earthquake and landslide over here have severed several cables carrying internet to Indonesia. Well, so the feet...yes it seems no matter where I travel on this rock, be it Grand forks or Bali, I am the pincusion into which insects wish to insert their probiscii. My feet were actually quite swollen the last time I chatted from ( what i beleive were either ants, or tiny blackflies... not bedbugs ) the bites. As many were dripping pus (lovely image I know!) and the humidity here is about 117 % I was simply not healing... I thought it prudent to arrange to see a doctor and so the next afternoon, ... read more

Slowly being lulled into sleep by the rhythmic chugging of the ferry's engines. I'm 3 hours into my 10hour journey to Gilli Trawangan, (I'd decided to take the slow option to save some rupiah), one of three little islands off the North East coast of neighbouring Lombok. Feeling a bit daft because I'd already decided a week ago to spend my time in the Gillis at the end of my trip, rather than in the middle so that I can relax and know exactly how much time I have. Never mind, I suppose everything happens for a reason, perhaps now I'll definately get to Komodo and skip Yogjakata on Java? Who knows, but thinking about it, I only have 20 days left! Jeez, it's racing by! I should fill you in on the last few days ... read more

On our sail into Padang Bai, Bali, Indonesia, we pass low, green hills. A volcano rises majestically behind them shrouded in clouds. The wind blows and parts the puffy, whiteness to reveal the volcano’s jagged cone. Alan and I are taking pictures from the balcony when I spot many odd looking boats in the sea. They are white with leg-like appendages sticking out from each side into the water. They look like white tarantulas crawling along the water’s surface. When our ship gets closer to them, we see that they are fishing canoes. This morning, we are taking Radisson’s “Bali As You Please” tour with Tyler, Vicki, Stephanie and Phil. We will have two vans, each with a driver and interpreter who will show us around the island according to an itinerary that we choose. Stepping ... read more

From Lovina we headed south to Gunung Batur (Mt. Batur) and Lake Batur. The view of the mountain and the lake as we edged down the impossibly steep roads on the back of motorbikes was breathtaking. Before we arrived we had vague notions of a climb of Mount Batur and a more a well-formed conviction that would take a boat ride across the lake. Our Lonely Planet had pre-warned us about the persistant, often aggressive hawkers and touts. Right on cue, not ten minutes after our arrival as we sat in a restaurant*, they arrived. It's not what you want is it? To find yourself forced to battle your in-built English politeness and tell someone to sod off with a mouth full of nasi-goreng? Anyway we were there and the view was lovely and that was ... read more