Gili Trawangan

Bali Part three

Arrived on Thursday, pretty good trip over. Picked up from Adi Dharma at 7-30 fast boat left at 9 and we were here at 11.15. They hammer the boat pretty hard, and sea spray cover the entire boat, even on a calm day like today. We recommend the seats downstairs undercover!!

Gili is a group of very small islands off the coast of Bali, near the large island of Lombok. The three small islands have the names 'Trawangan', 'Meno' and 'Air'. Whilst Bali is of course part of Indonesia, Bali is predominantly Hindu, whilst the rest of Indonesia is largely Muslim. Gili is primarily Muslim. On Gili Trawangan alone there are 3 mosques and the first call to prayer is at 4-30am, then 4 times more through the day. Then there is Gili Meno and Gili Air.

We are staying on Gili Trawangan at the Bale Sampan Villas, the view from where I sit writing this. That's Greg and Mick on the right and some other guests next to them.

Day 1

Basically stayed by the pool all day. Greg and I walked up to the end of the beach on this side of the island. The locals rely on their sea transport for fishing and tourism. There are no docks, so they simply tie their boats up to shore at one end, and tie up to an anchor at the front! Along the beach are even large timberl boats being constructed by hand. The beaches are quite soft sand to the water's edge, then lumps of coral, which are quite hard on the feet. But the water is glorious!! At dinner time, we all walked up the other way to the food market had a look. The market was abuzz with a stack of people (mainly 18s to 30s) trying all sorts of curries, seafood and local dishes. We then picked a different restaurant to eat at called 'Ocena Blue'. Dinner was quite nice and quite cheap.

Day 2

We went on a snorkelling tour with Sayid and his son to all the other islands and looked at lots of beautiful coral and swam up close with turtles, scared the bejesus out of Mick. I had dived down to swim close to a turtle and as I came back up I was directly under mick but he didn't see me and was thinking I was a sea predator, he almost walked on water and our guide had to surface he was laughing so hard!

We hired bikes in the afternoon and cycled around to the other side of the island to the sunset bar (one of many many 'sunset' bars). On arrival, we were immediately offered a variety of non prescription medications by the waiter...all on hand within his sunglasses case!!! We opted for Bintang! Greg was most excited about being offered so many varieties of contraband, but for once, NOT being offered Viagra! 

We rode back to out villa......except for Gary. Although he had hire the 'Kenworth Truck' push bike, the seat had taken its toll on his delicate behind. He got a horse and cart back home! Having said that, all our tails wee a little worse for wear. Been a long time since we have all sat on a push bike.....ouch!! Then off to dinner at the 'Tawargan Dive' restaurant. Lovely!!!

Day 3

Saturday, woke to the news that a fast ferry from Gili to Bali had had an explosion on board, 4 Australian women burned and 11 people with broken bones, a New Zealander has a broken back. The ferry had left Gili early, picked up at sengigi and Lombok and was 30 mins from Bali when it exploded. Of course, a number of emails and Facebook messages were hastily sent off, received and responded to. We were all ok. It seems the ferry involved was one of the slower, larger ones which had some 130 people on board. The fast boat we took could only hold about 30 to 40 people. No doubt more expensive, but quicker, more comfortable and apparently, safer.

We all met and discussed at length then went to breakfast. We decided to go for a bike ride, Garry opted to go back to bed as he was suffering from sunburn. We headed out and ended up circumnavigating the island. It took about 2 1/2 hrs with swim stops and Bintang stops. So yo get some idea how small the island is. But very pretty and quiet. Did we tell you there are no cars, trucks or motor bikes on the island?

After lounging around the pool, Pre dinner drinks were had at Tir Na Nog the Irish pub on the island, it seems there must be an Irish pub in every place we go. The Irish are in more places than Australians! Dinner at Scallywags next door. It was all great, then we headed home to the sad task of packing for our departure tomorrow.

 

The boat ride back to Bali started off ok we had to go via Gili Meno and Lombok, before heading out to the open sea! The trip from there was horrible. Big seas quite rough and because we were running late, there was no backing off on the speed. We smashed into the nose on swell with some gusto, I was glad I had had 2 sea sickness pills instead of 1 plus I had a movie to concentrate on, I just made it back with my stomach intact, others were not so lucky!

 

Wilsana here we come!

Part 2

So we're up to day 3 and after an early breakfast Greg and I went to check out a massage place in Benesari lane, only to discover they didn't open till 11! Well they are open late each day, so back to the hotel, we're having a day by the pool.

Not much to report really apart from we all got some colour and too much to drink.

 

Sonya and Mick went down to the massage place at 11 and had a massage each and ear candling, they were impressed, so Greg and I took off down there at 3pm. We each had a foot massage then a body massage and yes, it was very good. The best $11.50 for two hours ever spent!

Back to the hotel for some '5's', then out to dinner at mozzarella at the end of Benesari, very nice food there, I had been there with the girls on our last trip and it was still good. It's in a newish hotel, with a very nice looking pool.

 

We arranged a car for Tuesday to take us to Ullawatu and Pedang Pedang for the day. $55aus was a pretty good deal, no haggling from the Hotel, and we left straight after breakfast to beat the crowds at ullawatu. 

Still trying to master the selfie stick, and trying to do that whilst keeping an eye open for thieving monkeys needs all eyes on the task at hand.! Oops cut Garry out of that one, sorry!

From here we headed to Pedang Pedang, it's a lovely beach for swimming and has a reef break for surfers, and now there are paddle boards too. There were some maintenance works going on at the gate and we were directed down a different set of stairs (not thru the rock) 147 of them, but we were still well rewarded at the end. It was very busy though, the most people I've seen there, glad we got there early!

After,a few hours of swimming, sunning, eating and drinking and a little shopping. We headed back up the stairs to the car, buying 3 large bottles of water on the way. When we got to the top gate, off came the towels and sarongs and we used the bottled water to rinse off the salt and sand, and hiding under towel stripped off our cossies and put on some clothes.......no undies but we were going straight to the car and back to the hotel, it was much more comfortable than sitting for an hour all salty! I must say the maintenance crew were amused! good idea Greg!

We got back to the hotel in time for '5's', and as we had a bit of grog to get thru before heading to Gili on Thursday - we all had a bit of a buzz on by the time we left for dinner ar Uns. Upstairs in the lane off Benesari going down towards the beach,

Good meal then home to bed, much to Gregs disgust, he wanted to party!

I'm writing this in bed before breakfast on Wednesday, which will be day 5! It goes so quick. After breakfast today we go to the tailors for fittings and then the obligatory dvd shopping, then who knows but it's bound to be Bali fun! 

Salmat Pagi!

Bali with the Cuddy's and Stewart's may 29-June 15

So here we are in Bali for Greg and my 9th trip, and this time we are with Heather and Garry Stewart, on their 4th trip, and our Bali virgins, Mick and Sonya Cuddy.

 

First , the flight and let's just say we have flown Jetstar and Garuda on different trips, this time we came with Virgin. I'm impressed to say the least! Not a big plane by any standards, seating for 170 souls and only 135 on this flight. We lucked out and got exit seats so we had plenty of room, included was 23kg of checked in luggage and free drinks and a meal!! Yep a FULL service airline with reasonably cheap fares. I think we paid $500 return which is comparative to Jetstars normal low price fares (not the birthday specials) but by far superior and your holiday does start when you leave your house! Don't think I'll do a long haul with Jetstar again. Oh and pleasant friendly crew to boot. The other definite plus is that the flight left in the morning, 11.35am, and your body is much more receptive to flying. However, to have in flight entertainment, you must have a laptop or iPad and download their app BEFORE takeoff.

Anyway on with the trip. We landed on time if not a touch early, into the new airport, which is enormous, first on the queue for visas then much the same for immigration. The longest wait was for our luggage, then through customs nothing to declare, screening and all but out in 20 mins from landing. We got propped after screening due to 2, 2 litre casks of wine in our bags (breakfast juice???) which we were 'holding' for the other guests, they were let through and we were let off with a warning. Into taksi's paid for thru the taksi desk out the front, price has gone up considerably since our last trip 2 years ago. It's now 150.000rp for 1 cab to our hotel, last time it was about 60,000rp.

Onto the hotel, Adi Dharma a favourite for us as its in true Balinese style, a warm greeting by the ever friendly staff and whisked away to our rooms (105, 112, 212) not too shabby for $65 per night.

 

I'm The current exchange rate is around 10,000rp for $1aus we changed some at 10.050 and were more than happy last time we were getting about 8,000.

A couple of cleansing ales at the pool bar then off to dinner to a place recommended by the people in the room across from us, Totemo, is in a lane of Benasari it has an eclectic menu of Mexican, Italian, western and Balinese. Nice food, cold Bintang and great prices ($2 Aus for small Bintang, $3 for large - the more you drink the more you save!).

Starters of bruschetta, nachos & lumpia shared then main meals, Greg's Nasi Goreng and my Mia Goreng were just what we needed. There were a couple of banana pancakes ordered and at the end a bill of 800,000 including tip, so not $30 per couple and all well fed and watered. Back to the Adi and a couple more bintangs at the pool, a quick dip for me, massages booked for tomorrow and then into a nice comfy bed and off to sleep.

Ahhhhh bliss..........we're back in Bali!

 

Day 1 not too sunny so after breakfast we decided to do all the stuff like visit the tailor for clothes, the leather shop for coats, wallets and jackets, and Bintang supermarket for supplies. A short break in the middle to stop for a beer and get out of the rain. After a 10km walk we were back at the hotel and ready for a beer and our massages which were booked the night before. A swim then time to get ready for dinner. 

 

We hit Poppies tonight this was our present to Sonya and Mick for their 50th birthdays this year, and we had a great night. 

 

 

 

Day 2. More tailors, this time for me and David, and 'Crazy Donny' for covers for our outdoor furniture and cushions for the lounge.

Then it was back to the hotel to lay by the pool and swim. Watched the footy.....not a good result from where i stand, then hit SAMs bar on the beach for drinks, sunset and buying off the beach girls.

 

Dinner at Mades Wurung and home to bed.

Stand by for the next instalment.

Salamat malum!