Lombok

We took a ferry to Lombok and have been scootering around the villages in search of isolated beaches and surfable swell. The weather is lovely and the water is beautifully clear and warm, fantastic for snorkeling. I have agreed to try surfing again but this location has thrown out a twist in the process. Since there are no beach breaks to be found, we cannot just swim out from shore, instead, we have to hire a boat each day to take us out in the middle of the ocean where the waves break and then we are just there, floating along for as long as we’d like. The idea left me uneasy at first but after a few successful runs, I am enjoying the undertaking and adventure. In addition to the tropical scenery, there are cows, water buffalo, roosters, and goats roaming all over the land, on the beaches, on the roads, and sometimes right in front of our guesthouse. I love listening to the noises they make and watching them interact. We are looking into what it would take to trek Mt. Ranjani, Indonesia’s second largest volcano and will soon visit a fishing town called Tanjung Luar where the streets are covered in eagle rays, giant tuna, wahoo, and barracuda, all arranged in neat rows on dirt lanes with no ice blocks in sight, then gutted on the street. And the main attraction is yet to come. At the end of the month we are booking a dive with sharks!! I just can’t wait.

Bali

We were formally introduced to Bali 6 days ago and it was love at first sight. The island may be small in size, I think you can pretty much get around the entire coast in one day, but its reputation as a breathtaking destination is huge, and rightfully so. The region is filled with intricate rice terraces, pulse-pounding surf, fascinating temple ceremonies, and ribbons of spectacular white beaches. You can’t help but stumble upon delicate little offerings left all over the streets that materialize as if by magic and bring the smell of incense into the air. Kuta, while chaotic and boisterous was very captivating and Uluwatu is quite natural, mellow, and laid-back. Having a motorbike makes it much more fun and a lot easier to get around and explore. The first time we stopped for gas, a man poured a Grey Goose bottle full of Petrol into our tank and when I stopped to take a picture, he asked why. I explained that in America we only have large formal gas stations, it was very hard for him to imagine, he laughed wildly in amazement. In a few days we will head to Lombok and we have very high hopes of unveiling paradise.