I arrived back from a four month Indonesian trip. I didn't sleep much on the plane as per usual and shuttle bus back to Terrigal was a bit crowded. I arrived home tired but happy.
The ribs were still hurting.
November 2
Jacinta and I had a walk around the Haven and a coffee on
the beach. A nice start to the return to Australia.
November 3
Jacinta and I did a hike on the Girrakool Loop in Brisbane Water
NP. Pretty. There were heaps of flowers. It was hot but cool in the shade. The running water along the creeks and over the rocks was very peaceful.
November 4
I had an early hike around the rocks at the Haven. It was very pretty with contrasting
light from the sunrise. It was mesmerizing to watch the waves crash and roil over the rocks
November 5
I did a hike at Warrah Trig to Warrah Lookout in Brisbane Water National Park. There were heaps of wildflowers and buzzing insects. The lookout had panoramic views over Hawkesbury River and it was also very windy.
November 6
An early hike along Bouddi Spur track in Bouddi National Park. There were cyclades and grass trees galore. Usually my hikes are very quiet but today, I passed by about eight people. The view along the track to the north was of Maitland Bay and beyond. At the end of the track there was an expansive view of Putty and Killcare Beach and beyond to Sydney. While enjoying the view, two blue tongue lizards and a sea eagle make an appearance. On the way back, I surprised a large goanna when I looked over
edge of rock ledge.
November 7
Today I just sat on beach at North Avoca and had my first dip in the ocean. It
wasn’t too cold!
Earlier in the week, I had seen a physio and was receiving treatment and exercises for my ribs. My activities have been limited to swimming and light hiking.
Stay –
Villa Casablanca – 2 524 500r 5 nights – good aircon room
Pura Goa
Lawah – 30 000r entry
Kemenah Butterfly
Park – 100 000R entry
Tegenugan
Waterfall – 20 000r entry
21
OCTOBER
The
flight was delayed 1 hour in Tambolaka, Sumba. There was no fuss at check-in, the
flight was uneventful and Bali domestic airport was quick.
Gousti met
me and drove me to Villa Casablanca, Keramas.
I settled
into my room and had a very late lunch. I wandered down to the beach. There
were a number of places to eat along the foreshore and there were a few surfers
in short and dumpy waves.
On the
way back to the hotel, I hired a motorbike for the next few days.
22
OCTOBER
I woke
early and loaded the bike for hopefully some relaxing waves. My back and ribs
were still sore but getting better so I wanted easy waves. I wandered but
didn’t find any surf for my needs and eventually I drove back to Keramas.
I
wandered down to the beach, watched the surf then headed back. I did some much
needed washing and sat around the hotel pool and ate lunch.
Late
afternoon was down the beach to watch the surf, eat dinner and have a couple of
beers.
23
OCTOBER
I woke
and my back felt better so I drove the motorbike to Pantai Lembeng.
The surf
was a little wild with the high tide but it looked okay so in I went. The waves
were fun though I stuck to the edge to test out the ribs and back. Glad I did
as after ½ hour both were hurting. I stayed in another twenty minutes before it
became too much. I was pretty sore on the ribs and stiff as a board on the
back. Still, it was fun having a surf.
The rest
of the day was moaning about my back to myself and finding a position where the
discomfort eased.
After
lunch and a kip, I woke to the back pain being gone. Don’t worry, it came back
again after dinner. I texted Jason and the surfboard would be ready by the end
of the week.
24
OCTOBER
Today as
a wandering day on the east coast of Bali.
The first
stop was Pura Goa Lawah.
This is
one of the holy temples of Bali. When I arrived, there were a number of
ceremonies being conducted on the beach opposite the temple. The temple was
quiet so I chose to wander through the complex. It was 30 000r entry fee which included a sash
and sarong. There were a series of smaller temples within the main complex.
Only worshippers could enter the smaller temples but you could see inside them.
The major part of the complex is the cave whch has a resident population of
bats. The bats were teeming over the ceiling of the cave.
I also wandered
along a path that took me to another temple above the cave. There as a pretty
view.
At the
exit, I had a chat with some of the local custodians of the temple and was
interviewed and filmed regarding my opinion of the temple.
Across
the road the ceremonies had finished but the offerings and the colourful Balinese
in their ceremonial clothing were abundant.
My next
stop was Padangbai.
The
traffic was slow and heavy with heaps of mini buses bringing to and from the
fast boats that leave for the Gilli Islands in Lombok. I parked and had a
second breakfast in a cafe on the harbour promenade. A good location to people/boat
watch. The small boat traffic taking snorkelers and divers to various spots
were also abundant.
My next
stop was just over the hill to the north at Blue Lagoon.
I parked
and had a great vie onto the bay below. The water was calm and clear. So
pretty!
I walked down
the steps and set myself up on one of the sun chairs above the beach and next
to a small warung. I had a great and long snorkel around the small bay and
further on to a small beach around the point. There were lots of fish, pretty
coral and very clear water.
I had a
light lunch at the warung and a foot massage from Made.
A second
snorkel wasn’t as good due to water movement stirring up the sand reducing the
visibility.
A fun
day!
25
OCTOBER
I decided
on another wandering day.
My first
stop was the Kemenah Butterfly Park.
The park
was small though fun. There were heaps of butterflies and I wandered slowly
enjoying the fluttering and graceful pageant.
The next
stop was the Tegenugan Waterfall.
The entry
was 20 000r and it was very touristy. Still, the waterfall was big and
spectacular. All the people were an add attraction. I had a swim/wade into the
water and wandered around the paths and small bamboo bridges.
The
journey home was fun as Google Maps lead me along very narrow roads/paths,
small villages and ricefields.
26
OCTOBER
I started
the morning with a walk along beach. The waves were big and some surfers were
getting barrels and big turns. It was fun to watch.
Back at
the hotel and it was time for breakfast, packing and check out. I caught a
hotel car to Sanur.
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