INDONESIA - BALI, BALIAN - SURF,HIKES AND PEOPLE - 20 JULY 2018

12 JULY 2018



We arrived at Balian, checked into our hotel (Gubug @ 450 000R) and had lunch at Deki's Warung.

The surf was onshore so we had a rest around the pool and in the afternoon a walk along the beach. Towards dusk, I had a surf. It was small with a few other surfers but fun.

Dinner was at Pitaya. We were both tired so we didn't eat much.

13 JULY 2018

I woke for a dawn surf that was already crowded. The waves were good but the crowd kept increasing.

I paddled in, had breakfast and paddled out for a second surf. The waves were okay but I surfed like crap. My hamstring injury had flared up and I couldn't get to my feet. I was a total menace in the water.

We had dinner at Telor. The food was great.

The injury was depressing me so I had a few beers to cheer me up.

Insights

Caught up with Damian and family - met them on previous trips.

Caught up with Jeff - long time stay visitor to Balian.

14 JULY 2018

I missed the dawn surf session as I was worried about being unpredictable in the waves again. I called my daughter later who gave me physio advice. I did my exercises, paddled out and all was good. Had about a dozen long overhead lefts. Feeling good.

A light lunch at Deki's and dinner at Tom's Garden.

Insights

Caught up with high school friend Rodney, who has been living and working in Bali for a number of years.

15 JULY 2018

The surf was big and got bigger as the day progressed. Paddled out and had fun but it was hard work with rogue sets and lots of water movement.

Coffee at Tom's Garden, lunch at Deki's and dinner at Telor.

It was an overcast day with some sunshine.

Insights

We met Noel from Los Angeles, Pat and Desaray from Victoria. At 45, Pat has the most amazing travel stories I've ever heard. he should write a book :)

16 JULY 2018

An easy early morning then a mid morning surf. The surf was still big, fun and bumpy. I got caught on the inside section after a wave and was pounded by the sets until I decided enough was enough and belly boarded in.

Later, in the afternoon Jacinta and I had a hike north over the cliffs, hills and beaches. Along the way, we met a few cows, saw awesome scenery and was barked at by numerous dogs.

I dropped into Ayu's Homestay and had a great travel chat with Giovanni from Denmark, WA.

17 JULY 2018

A totally blue sky in the morning.

Our daughter Kara had problems with her flight from Manado to Bali due to severe thunderstorms. We spent the morning sorting it out and now all is good.

I got a surf towards high tide. Nice waves. Had a few fun ones.

The rest of the day was spent lazing around the pool and chatting to people.

We finished the day with sunset drinks and dinner at Pitaya.

18 JULY 2018

An early morning walk along the beach. We crossed over two shallow rivers, crawled through a small cave and saw lots of dogs.

After breakfast, I had a fun overhead wave surf. There were only a few other surfers in the water.

We spent the afternoon around the pool chatting with Pat, Desaray, John, and Andrew.

A very quiet dinner at Tom's Garden.

19 JULY 2018

A big and messy surf today.

Walks and talks.

20 July 2018

The morning was bright and sunny. The surf was still big and messy. I took some clear sunrise shots and then my camera stopped working.

We spent the morning around the pool talking with Pat, Desiree and Andrew.

Nyoman's friend arrived at 1pm to take us to Legian. Bye for now Balian.

INDONESIA - BALI, LEGIAN - ON THE ROAD AGAIN - 12 JULY 2018

A relatively very cold winter in Australia. We had been waiting a long time for our next overseas trip and it always seems so far away but then the next thing you know you are there.

A shuttle bus to the International airport, check in, customs, boarding, flying, Indonesian customs, baggage, a car pick up by Nyoman (200 000R) and check in into the hotel. We are here!

We stayed two nights in Legian, Bali at the Grand Kumala Hotel (375 000R).

We arrived late but in the morning, we cashed money ($1 = 10 510 R), picked up some supplies at the Bintang Supermarket and I had a haircut and a massage.

We spent the day around the pool relaxing and in the afternoon we walked to the beach for the sunset, a few beers and a caught up with long time friend Wal and Desty. A great afternoon and dinner.

The next morning, we set off for Balian. Our driver was Nyoman, who we have employed a number of times. (400 000R)

INSIGHTS

The old staff at the Grand Kumala had all quit. The receptionist wouldn't tell me why but they all quit on mass.

Indonesia uses meter readings to pay for electricity and water. In addition, they can also pay for electricity as a credit system.

JUNE FUN - 29 JUNE 2018

The weather has been off and on rain, wind, sun and cold for the last month.

Doing fun things was a bit hard to coordinate with the above weather.

Anyway, I had fun on some days.:)

2 JUNE 2018

A strong and cold wind. Off for a windsurf at Canton Beach.

The wind wasn't so strong when I started though I did get a few short runs. After a while, the wind began to pick up. Time for long runs with the wind gusting heavily at times. The water was very cold water so I tried not to get wet. 

I  need to have the boom a little higher and the mast base firmly attached. A tightening of the harness straps is definitely needed.

Bill was there when I arrived but he was leaving. Wally turned up just as I was about to go into the water. Later, Craig and Steve arrived just as I was leaving. Paul made an appearance but choose elsewhere.

3 JUNE 2018

A surf at North Avoca Beach. 

It was pretty wild at the start with only a couple of okay waves. The tide peaked at high and the waves improved immensely but also the size quickly dropped. After an hour, it virtually stopped breaking on the sand bank I was on.

 4 JUNE 2018

A mountain bike ride at Kincumba Mountain. The tracks were damp so the soft sand on parts of the track were firmer. A good ride. 

Later, Jacinta, Kara, Mr A and I had a wander around Terrigal Beach.

7 JUNE 2018

A morning kayak at Avoca Lagoon. 

There was a lot of water in the lagoon. At the far west of the lagoon, the tress were immersed by the water. It was nice looking at the reflections, the play of the sun's light on the water and the silhouette of the trees in front of the sun.

Kara had an appointment in Sydney. While she was at the appointment, I had a bike ride along the Cooks River cycle path towards Homebush Bay. Not a bad ride.

12 JUNE 2018

Surf check with nice sunrise.

Down to Sydney for Kara's medical treatment. While she was there, I drove to La Perouse to Bare Island and the Komay Botany Bay NP. 

I hiked around part of the island's shoreline base, along the two beaches of Congwong and Little Congwong, Browns Rock and Henry Head. The latter had old gun emplacements and concrete bunkers and the coast view was very pretty.

In future fun,  I could do an ocean kayak starting from Frenchman's Beach and a hike to Banks Cape.

13 JUNE 2018

Down to Sydney again.

Drove to Olympic Park and had a cycle around the paths from the Bicentenary carpark. Nice ride. Such a pretty place in the heart of the city.

14 JUNE 2018

Down to Sydney.

While Kara was at her appointment, I had another cycle ride at the Olympic Park. This time, I started from Wilsons Park. A nice ride along the riverfront then along the paths and tracks of Haslams Creek.

An easy but fun ride.

15 JUNE 2018

At home today. A bit brisk, a flat surf and an increasing wind.

Kara, Mr A and I drove to Somersby Falls and sat in the sun on a large rock at the top of the falls. Nice.

After.  we drove to Oomphs in East Gosford. Good coffee and food.

20 JUNE 2018

A great kayak around Avoca Lagoon. The lagoon was the highest than I've ever seen. It was fun paddling around the tress immersed by the water.

22 June 2018

Lunch on the waterfront at Brisbane Water, East Gosford with Kara.

23 June 2018

A kayak at Mooney Mooney and Piles Creek.

The morning was sunny but cold. I misjudged the tides and so I could only paddle a short distance up Piles Creek. I had plenty of time so I drifted with the outgoing tide to Piles Creek. It was nice drifting and listening to the sounds of the bush.

Later, I had lunch at Terrigal Haven with Jacinta on the promenade.

25 JUNE 2018

A mountain bike ride at Bouddi National Park. I followed the tracks from Maitland Bay carpark in a loop manner. The tracks were only damp from the rains which tended to bind the sandy sections better. A fun ride with pretty scenery.

29 JUNE 2018

A hike around Terrigal Haven and the beach.

Later, I had a mountain bike ride at Brisbane Water National Park around The Quarry and Bulls Hill tracks.

A fun ride around the quarry. I tried riding over the harder sections and did better than I thought I'd do. :) The  Hill tracks were covered in lots of loose rock making for some fun riding.