INDONESIA - BALI - LEGIAN - 8 MARCH 2019

Last stop before heading back to Australia.



I booked a room for the night even though I was leaving that night as it works out better to be able to have a shower/rest before the last leg.

I did my last Bali things  - haircut, massage, eat and sunset beers on the beach.

INDONESIA - BALI AND MANADO, SULAWESI - 31 JANUARY TO 3 FEBRUARY 2019

31 January 2019

A very hot day. I was picked up by the shuttle bus at 12:20pm and soon enough I was at Sydney International Airport. I checked in, proceeded through customs and after an hour delay due to strong winds I was on my way to Bali, Indonesia.

This was to be a 5 week trip in Indonesia with most of the time spent in Morotai. Morotai is an island in the far north of Indonesia in the Maluku Island group. Sometimes trips do not go according to plan. Not that things went wrong just that they don't go to plan.

I arrived at Bali, was picked up by Nyoman (200 000R) and driven to my hotel in Legian, the Grand Kumala. It was late when I checked in so a had a quick bite to eat and went to sleep.

1 February 2019

I woke and had a long morning walk along the beach towards Kuta and back. There was a lot of plastic and other crap on the beach but on the way back there were a number of people cleaning the beach and placing the rubbish in large plastic bags. I was later to learn that the rubbish is taken to a rubbish tip in Bali and there it sits. There is recycling of some materials. Rubbish not taken to the tips is dumped illegally behind villages and in the rivers.

Back at the hotel, I had a great breakfast and set off for my beginning of trip jobs. I cashed my Australian dollars, bought a Telekomsel sim card and a small amount of data which I needed to top up in Morotai and food supplies in the Bintang Supermarket. At the market, I caught up with Kirki, who was from Sangihe. She was very surprised and happy that I visited Sangihe last year.

I had a massage but the oil was too thick. It took me three showers to get it off.

I had a tasty lunch at a Greek restaurant in Jalan Double Six.

During the course of the day, I met Katherina from Greece who was 70 years old and Richard and Tina from New York City who were now living in Miami.

I finished the day with beers on the beach and watched the sun set.

2 February 2019

I was going to have a morning shower but there was no water. There was also no internet. I let them know at reception and went for a very long beach walk and sit. When I got back an 1 1/2 hour later, I walked into a flooded bathroom with hot water gushing out the tap … I had left the tap on … Opps!

I had breakfast, sat around the pool and had a good massage at Sicilian Spa.

It was time to leave for my domestic flight to Manado.

There were no dramas. My flight stopped a short while in Makassar. At Manado, I got a taxi to the Novotel, which was close to the airport. The hotel and the room were nice. I was upgraded to a better room.

3 February 2019

I had a restless sleep and a good breakfast, then caught a taxi to the airport for my flight to Morotai.

INDONESIA, BALI, LEGIAN - SELAMAT JALAN - 7 SEPTEMBER 2018

6 SEPTEMBER 2018

Finally, at the Grand Kumala Hotel in Legian. Checked in, then food was the priority. After a late lunch, I had a haircut and cashed money. Meanwhile at the hairdresser, Jacinta had some hair dying and foils done.

We had dinner at the Kumala Pantai while listening to country western music. A fun night!

7 SEPTEMBER 2018

An early walk down to the beach for my stretching and shoulder exercises. Back for breakfast with Jacinta, packed our bags for Bangkok and I had a great relaxing massage at Sicilian Spa in Jalan Double 6.

We checked out, had lunch and Gusti arrived to take us to the International Airport.

See ya in a couple of weeks Indonesia.

INDONESIA - BALI - CANDIDASA, PADANGBAI, TIRTA GANGGA - ON THE EAST SIDE - 17 AUGUST 2018

12 AUGUST 2018

We drove from Balian to Candidasa (700 000R) and Kara went to Lovina (500 000R). I fell asleep most of the car ride.

We arrived at Anom Beach Hotel on Mendiri Beach. It costed 2 153 250R for five nights in a superior one bedroom apartment (+62 812 3828 287).

The reception wasn't very friendly on our arrival but things soon sorted themselves out and we settled into our nice room.

The hotel was nice with a pretty gardens with flowers, trees and water features. There was also a small white sand beach in front of the hotel.

We had a walk and a coffee.

Dinner was at the hotel across the road from our hotel. the food was good and fast and there was gambiling music playing.

13 AUGUST 2018

The air con was very cold last night so I woke a number of times.

We hired a motorbike after breakfast (70 000R per day). The guy handed me one of the helmets and it slipped and hit the ground and cracked in two. He reckoned it was new and I owed him a new helmet. Haha! no chance of that happening. I sent him off to get another helmet. He wasn't happy!

We drove the bike to Padanbai and Bias Tugal Beach. We parked and walked the path to the beach. Nearly at the beach, I slipped down the steep track and scrapped my arm and elbow. I so dislike cuts in the tropics!

The beach had a rough small surf breaking and a lot of people and well established warungs. We hired a couple of beach chairs and umbrella and settled in for the day.

We spent our time walking the beach, swimming, chatting and lazing around. The beach became very crowded by the afternoon. When e first came here there was only a couple of warungs and a few western tourists.

Back at Candidasa, I had a very pretty shallow water snorkel at sunset. later, we had a great dinner at Amarta Beach Cottages.

14 AUGUST 2018

A beautiful morning. I walked through the gardens and down onto the beach. There was no wind this morning so the water was very glassy. I did my morning exercises on the beach then had a swim in the clear waters. I spotted a stingray.

Jacinta was awake so we had breakfast and planned the day.

We drove the bike to Tirta Gangga in the mountains. The ride itself was an adventure - traffic, steep bends and traffic lights.

At Tirta Gangga, we visited the Water Palace. It was crowded but still pretty. It was fun stepping on the stones in the first pool and walking around the gardens.

We drove back to Candidasa and I had a snorkel. Once again the water as so clear.

We spent the last part of the afternoon. having a coffee overlooking the ocean and  later still, a few beers.


15 AUGUST 2018

I started the day with exercises/stretches on the beach then two drift swims in the ocean.

Breakfast at the hotel but we both were not feeling too well. We kept getting hot flushes and a bit of a temperature.

We hung around the hotel resting and later, I felt better than Jacinta, I had a massage at downtown Candidasa. It was a very relaxing massage in a nice spa.

Lunch as across the road at Amarta Cottages. We had a long talk with Ari, the main waitress and Tri and Nopi, who were training in hospitality. No pay for training but they do feed you.

We had the best dinner at the small restaurant along the road leading to the main road - very tasty.


16 AUGUST 2018

I was up early for exercise and stretches on the beach followed by a few drift swims.

After breakfast, I had a snorkel but the visibility wasn't too good due to an incoming tide and small waves. We sat in the deck chairs and drank tea.

I had a chat with the French couple next door, whose ancestry was Algerian. 

Koman, the main reception lady, had a selfie photo with me and a long chat on the difficulties of her job.

We had a great lunch at a huge ceiling restaurant. It was so cool under the roof but hot outside it.

Another massage downtown and a motorbike ride around the area. Some great views!

We booked a table at Amarta Cottages for the Balinese dancing and set menu feast. 

The meal was great and the traditional dancing fun. On the last dance they invited people to dance with one of the performers. I had a dance and enjoyed twinkling the toes.

!7 AUGUST 2018

Last day in Candidasa. I had early exercise and stretches on the beach followed by a swim. Breakfasted, packed, coffee next door and before long Nyoman arrived to drive us to Balian.

BALI, BALIAN - SURF, SUSHI AND SUNSET - 24 JULY 2017

20 JULY 2017

At Balian the surf was smallish with a bit of cross shore. I paddled out and had a fun surf for about 2 hours.

We caught up with Nic and Louise and chatted about their holiday in Lombok or should I say experience.

The rest of the day was pool, eating and relaxing.

21 JULY 2017

I woke early and was out for a surf. I had two good waves when I first paddled out and then I kept being in the wrong position. 

Back in for breakfast and then out again for a second surf. I went much better this time and had a number of good waves. 

I organized laundry and then walked up the street to buy a few small items. 

After a short rest, Jacinta and I had coffee and pie at Tom's Garden restaurant. The gardens were lush and pretty making the place a good chill out venue.

Wal and Desty arrived. We all had a relaxing afternoon. I had a bit too much sun so I had a nap.

Kara had a massage and then we all went for a late dinner at Tekor.

Malaria tablets night., the last dose.

22 JULY 2017

The surf was big and messy all day. Mark had a surf and broke his board in two on the first wave.

We spent the day eating, chatting, hanging at the pool and reading.

An awesome sunset.

23 JULY 2017

The surf was good today. I had an early surf in well over head height solid waves. The second surf was better and I had a real fun time.

Wal and Desty left to drive back to Legian.

Later, Nic and Louise also left for Legian.

Kara had a two person massage and Jacinta and I had coffee at Sushi Surf Cafe.

24 JULY 2017

The surf was smaller. I paddled out predawn and had a fun time on head height waves with just a few other surfers out.

Back in for breakfast, Then another fun surf. The wind switched to on shore so I only had a short surf.

The rest of the afternoon was eating, chatting, and chillin'