Back to Black (pool)

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Geo: -8.675, 115.261

Our journey from the dock was.... bumpy. I would say that in the pot-holed road, there were more holes than road. Our 15 minute journey on the way in, took 1 and a half hours on our return (we moored up in a different harbour). I'm not sure which was the lesser of 2 evils, an extra hour on the boat or an extra hour or so on the non-existent road. I'll call it a tie and say I'd like to repeat neither.

Our hotel's publicity photographer was a genius. Online, the hotel looked like a sprawling luxury hotel with masses of space and large enticing pools. It was pretty, the bedrooms had princess-style mosquito nets and spacious bathrooms and showers, but in reality the pool was about 15 by 3 metres and the entire hotel held only 15 rooms. It was perfect for our requirements and provided me with an excellent tummy-pleaser - bruschetta and chips! So Indonesian I know!

Our first day was spent explorling Sanur (Blackpool) again and booking a tour for the following day. We would have had longer, had our transfer driver been able to find the hotel, but this took a long time! We finally arranged a car and driver to take us to Ubud and the surrounding area. We would go to the various craft-based villages, the Elephant Cave, rice terraces and finally watch the sunset at Tanah Lot, a revered Hindu temple on the West coast. Having researched the island with the help of Lonely Planet, I suggested that we go up to the North of the island to the area around Munduk and Lake Bratan, but the travel-agent suggested it was a long day and not worth it. Stacey agreed. It was 2 against 1 and I was outnumbered. We booked the tourist shopping trail and headed for dinner. After serving us a delicious Nasi Goreng, our waiter began to chat to us (it was gone 10pm at this point and all other customers had left the premises). It turned out that he merely moonlighted as a waiter, and his other job was as a driver! Whaddyaknow?! Had we booked transport? Oh yes, we were much looking forward to out tourist trail tomorrow. Where were we going? Here, there, what did he think of our selection? Ah. It's full of tourists is it? So where do you suggest? Oh, Munduk and Lake Bratan? I think a little trip to the travle agency is in order again Stace, don't you? So, back we went. Our 8 hour day had become a 12 hour day, so off we hurried to bed, camera batteries on charge ready for the gorgeous (tourist-empty!) scenery for tomorrow xxx

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