2011-10-04 Bali: Day 8 - Gili Air

Up early with an Aussie breakfast with bacon, eggs, sausages. No one came to pick us up to take us to the boat and we had loads of luggage, so we had to wait for them to arrange a bus. Not impressed. Pretty rough and wet trip on the boat, and Daddy made sure he knew how to get the life jackets out as they were sellotaped in to the side!

No cars on Gilli Air, so we took a donkey (well, the girls said they were horses) - we all fit on one donkey to the drivers disgust to Coconut Cottages, and we started off in 2 rooms, then to family room tomorrow. Clog stayed with Mummy, and Aiysha with Daddy, but then swapped round. Amazing  place with open bathrooms, so you could watch the trees and stars as you had a shower!

Set out for lunch at Biba - bruchetta, spaghetti, pizza bread, lasagne - a true Italian chef, and it was lovely!

Walked further on down the beach where Aiysha did some gym and we threw a ball around, snorkeled (although got a few stings) - water was soooo warm!

Before dinner, the girls did a circuit using a coconut while Daddy went for a run along the other side of the island - lovely, loads of shells. We tried to go for some oven baked pizzas, but broken down, so we went on a forest hunt in the dark for Scallywags - ended up being on the main street after we were told we were going the wrong way by torchlight. Great food (buffet), Wi-fi, great desserts, very relaxed. We had salad, barracuda, shrimps, jacket potatoes, apple crumble. Rumours was playing which was very atmospheric.

Clog slept with Daddy, and Aiysha with Mummy - huge bed under the net, but Clara still managed to fall out (which happened several times during the holiday), but she could not remember it. Otherwise, lovely sleep.

Amazing island, amazing place to stay.

http://www.coconuts-giliair.com/

2011-10-03 Bali: Day 7 - Padangbai

Daddy's Birthday! We gave Daddy our presents in Lovina today - really nice. Daddy felt so much better than he did yesterday, which is great! We paid the bill, and everyone came out to say goodbye to us! Mahmood, his wife, the boy and girl helper. We had a 3 hour drive to Padang Bai along the coastline. Strange to see no sculpture places, very different and some amazing padi fields and scenery. We stopped briefly to swap seats, and we left all our stuff with our driver. We only realised after that he could have driven off and we would have been left with nothing - he was a nice man, and we trusted Kemang.

We got a room in a nice place for one night and booked our boat for the next day. We had a TV which was funny, and went for a very late lunch, which was even later as they forgot about our order. We kept ourselves busy by playing on the musical instruments. Bruchetta, pizza, toast and spaghetti.

We walked to the Blue Lagoon beach over the hill and went round the rock pools. We did some dares, then as Roxy was walking into a rock cave, Aiysha spotted a snake with blue, white and black stripes. Pretty scary stuff! Took some photos and checked it was still alive, which it was! We all got a closer look, well, Mummy didn't, and then went to the other side of the beach where Aiysha did more gymnastics.

We headed back, watched some TV and rugby world cup roundup (some great matches). Didn't feel too hungry so went to Ozone for ice cream and pizza and lots of games of Pit sitting on our low table. Watched a lame survival program while drinking cocktails, and fell asleep exhausted.

Perfect birthday just being on holiday with the girls!

2011-10-02 Bali: Day 6 - Lovina, Hot Springs, Temple

Busy day today!

Daddy had a headache in his right eye, and struggled to enjoy the dolphin watching from the boat at 5.40am - so many boats there too, which was a shame. Managed to survive to see a few pods, and it was getting hotter and hotter. The number of boats was a third of high season, so very different from when we came last time 12 years ago when there were only a few boats.

Came back, and Daddy slept while girls went to pool and breakfast.

Felt okay to go to hot springs at 10.30 - Kemang drove us - nice man. We were all a  bit nervous about going in, as it was pretty slimy and muddy, but once in it was a nice experience. Me and Benny raced across the slimy floor, with Aiysha winning. We sat under fountains, and watched people. Some people use the showers as their main wash there.

The temple was amazing - some great pictures, and really peaceful.

Went home to pool and explored the beach for hermit crabs. Kemang collected us to go to town for dinner at Le Madre - the most amazing place - Me and Paish had grilled fish, Claire had marinara and Clog had pizza - nicest food yet!

Didn't know how to get home, so we all just stood on a dodgy corner, and before we knew it, some guy picked us up and took us home!

Finished lovely mango. What a day!

2011-10-01 Bali: Day 5 - Lovina, Hair, Pancakes

Lazy day today!

Slept in. Nami came to do hair braids on the Wigley girls - such a nice lady. Amazing coconut oil she made herself, so I bought some. She also came to give Claire a massage later which lasted over an hour! Amazing! The girls ended up with lovely hair!

Waited ages for a Bemo (local minibus) to take us into town - a rickety old van picked us up, and we went for an 'okay' lunch in Lovina with smelly cups. We played pit - Clog kept on winning, but we left 'Pit Corner' on the table - silly us, losing everything everywhere we go!

Went to a new age Cafe 'Pkor' for lovely pancakes and waffles and ice cream.

Went back to Cleopatra, and me and Roxy ventured out to the shallows, and we got caught by some hawkers - Claire bought some sarongs and necklaces. Some local Indo TV cartoons, the Pit at dinner - Aiysha won, but she said Clara won to make her happy - so sweet! (Until she reads this :-))

2011-09-30 Bali: Day 4 - Lovina, Elephants, Volcano

Packed up and had breakfast, but Roxy did not like her powder with mango today, and she's gone off mangos - what a shame.

Left at 9am to Taro Elephant Sanctuary where elephants were enclosed, and looked after, but still chained up when they were not being taken around. A little sad, but the girls enjoyed the ride. One trainer per elephant for their whole lives which is a pretty amazing relationship. There was a show where the elephants performed some tricks. Aiysha saw  something underneath the elephant, and she had no idea what it was - was a bit embarrassed when I told her :-)

Set off for Lovina, and stopped off at  Lake Butu and Volcano - Mt. Butu - Maddy said he was taking some clients up there tomorrow - looked like a long trek!

Stopped for lunch overlooking the volcano - buffet where Roxy kept on dropping things on the floor, then another 2 hours to Lovina. Arrived at 4.40 at Cleopatra. Maddy said goodbye to us all, and was a bit sad leaving us. Nice place though, with a pool all to ourselves! Right on the beach front where we did some gymnastics and exercise, and walked out when it was shall. We also went hermit crab hunting which was great fun.

http://cleopatrabeach.wordpress.com/

Kept on hitting my head on mangos hanging from a big mango tree. We realised that Aiysha lost her nighty too. Me and Roxy were TV buddies before bed watching some local indonesian TV and putting on voices - really funny! Played mastermind, and finished some mangos for pudding.

Dinner: Gado Gado, Mie Goreng, Spag bol, Satay.

Another great day!