Back in Bali

After spending 11 days in Gili I decided it was time to move on. I have made it to Ubud which is in central Bali. It is supposed to be the relaxed and artistic center of Bali. However, I have found to my disapointment that they sell the same cheap tourist things here and have way to many western style restaurants. What makes it worse is that the people here are much more agressive when they want you to buy things of them.

Gili is such a relaxed place where the lifestyle of the locals is to just take it easy. If not today, then there is always another day. They would ask me once if I wanted to come in to their shops and when I said no they would stop hassling me. Today in Ubud I had a woman clinging to my arm trying to get me to buy from here. It is such a shame that the people have come to this. Also all the so called authentic batik sarongs are just mass-produced printed cloths and everything that they claim to be handmade is all mass produced.

I am not going to be staying here for long, just a few days. My first impression of this village wasn't to good, hopefully it will change for the better tomorrow.

Pictures Gili Trawagan

My Lovely Garden

Taxi stand

Lombok in the sunset

Bali in the sunset

Captain Jack Sparrow can be found on this Island

More pictures from Kuta, Bali

My Homestay, where I was living

Seasnakes

I have a terrible fear of snakes. They are probably the only things that I am really afraid of, and I have bumped into many wild snakes before.

Yesterday I met a Australian couple who had befriended another auzzie on the boat over. The four of us go out snorkeling, trying to find turtles again. We went quiet far out and were swimming around. As I am looking around, I manage to spot a black and white sea snake! I get my head up of the water and try to tell the others, I got the attention of Troy, the auzzie guy, he looks at it and says that the snake is harmless. For me that doesn't matter, a snake is a snake and I do not like them. However, as I look back down on the snake, all I see is when it starts coming towards me! Panicking and trying to swim away and keep and eye on the thing at the same time is not easy! Must have looked like a right idiot! In the end the snake just went up for air and continued back down to the seabed, leaving me all panicked and shaky

After our swim, we did find out that this snake is extremly dangerous and the poison would kill you in about 1 hour.  These are some animals that you do not want to mess with!

Now I know I will never go out there by my self ever again!

Turtles and tuna

After having been on the hunt to see a turtle I finally managed to find one yesterday. With the help from an American traveler, we went out snorkeling together and spotted a turtle that was over 1m! it was massive. We started following this turtle and must have been watching it for about 15 minutes, before it decided to go back into the deeper waters. There we also spotted some massive tuna and the a lot smaller but funny blowfish. All in all, a very successful day.

The locals from my beach bar have been amazing to me. I let them use my nail polish, in exchange they invited me for some lunch. There was as woman who came and started grilling chicken and some random seafood on a brick! We had that to start with. After when the main dish was ready, we all ate together. It was some kind of spicy tofu dish with rice. Bloody good I have to say. This really is the experience that I came here for. The main road here is littered with western restaurants, all serving burgers, pizzas and pasta. The only place to find local food is on a small nightmarket, with different stands and with various fresh fish coming directly from the sea. That is where I have eaten every day. And every day I meet some random and funny characters, being able to just start a conversation with a stranger is a lot of fun. :)

First pictures from Kuta, Bali

I apologize for there not being more pictures, but the internet is so damn slow here and I am starving and can't wait any longer. Instead I will try to upload the pictures tomorrow! 

Hope you enjoy these ones though. :)

Swimming with the fish

The seawater here is amazing! its clear and blue and always the perfect temperature.

I have befriended some locals who are helping me out with everything. They told me of a good spot to see turtles, although I didn't manage to see one today. After spending hours snorkeling and seeing all the pretty and colorful fishes I called it a day and just lounged in the sun. Before  heading back to the bungalow I ended the afternoon by playing a little football be the boys from the beach bar. 

Last night I managed to find a food market with cheap and only local food! It was goood! Tonight I might go for a slightly more expensive dinner, but fresh from the sea. I will need to find out what the catch of the day is.

Gili T

Finally! I am on Gili T. Came with the fast boat and arrived around 10.30 am. I had organized a home stay which was supposed to be good and cheap. The guy picks me up from the jetty, and takes me to a bicycle. I am to ride this bicycle with my massive backpack on my back. It must have been a funny site for all to see!

 We leave the road by the beach and start making our way "inland" (not much inland, since its a tiny island!). In the end we arrive at the home stay. A small shack where the family lives and a quiet large bungalow in front for the guests, I even suspect that the family were sleeping under the bungalow! However by inspecting the room and talking to the guys who were working there, I got a very strange feeling about the place and the guys. My plan now was to leave my things there and go and find another cheap home stay and move as soon as possible. Biking around the island checking countless rooms and bargaining with the prices, i eventually found the perfect bungalow! Its massive, fresh and I didn't feel the least suspicious of the owner. 

I know this might make me sound like a chicken, but I am a strong believer in following ones instincts. Hopefully I really made the best choice by moving.

However, apart from spending half the day in search of lodging, the second half was spent on the beach making new friends, both locals and other backpackers like me. The island is beautiful and so calm and sincere since there is no motor traffic here. The only way to get around is by horse and carriage, bicycle or on foot. 

Tomorrow I am going snorkeling in hopes of seeing some turtles! I know i have been very bad with posting pictures, the problem is that the internet is so bloody slow. I am in the progress of finding somewhere with a faster connection.

Decision made!

The decision has been made for where I go next from here... drumroll please.....Gili islands! The diving and snorkling there is supposed to be divine!

Tomorrow at 6.30 am the driver is picking me up to take me to the boat. I did pay the little extra to go on a fast boat that only takes 2 hours as opposed to the cheaper slow boat, which takes 10 hours. I do think it is worth the extra money not having to spend the day on a boat.

Yesterday afternoon, my and my new friend and surf teacher went and chilled out at the hostel as it gets incredably hot in the afternoons, when it started to cool down around 6ish, I went and got a massage which I have been craving for over 6 months now. That woman did an amazing job! After the massage I tried to find the night market, with no luck. The streets are very confusing, so after walking around for almost an hour, trying to find dinner I ended up going to one of the food stalls next to the hostel and ate there instead. :)

Tonight will be a new attempt to find the market!

Bali

I have finally managed to make my way to an internet cafe. 

After arriving to Kuta yesterday I have really finally managed to get the chance to just relax! Even though there is always something going on here and scooters all over the place.

So far I have had an amazing time here. I got chatting to a guy who lives at the same hostel as me, so he decided to teach me how to surf today.

It was so much fun, however I felt like I drank half the ocean!

For the rest of the day I am just going to enjoy Kuta and start deciding where to go next. I am thinking of perhaps taking a trip over to the Gili islands or moving inland to Ubud. Has anyone been to any of these places?

I can't post the pictures today, but will do so as soon as I can :)

Last day in London!

Tomorrow is my last day in London before I head of to my trip.

Hopefully I have everything organised!

The bag is packed, flight tickets are ready, my insurance is going to ready tomorrow and my passport is valid.

One thing I am missing is a room to sleep in when I arrive to Bali on saturday morning. Does anyone know of a good and cheap hostel in Bali that I could book tomorrow or just come to when I arrive?

Nighty night

After yet another long day in London, I am finally going to bed. Can't wait to arrive in Bali on Saturday and finally get to sleep! Don't think I have had a full nights sleep since.... hmm actually can't remember when I last had a proper sleep in. Busy as a bee I am! :) 

Good night and see you all tomorrow!