Yesterday was a fabulous day of rest and relaxation. We could get up when we wanted for the first time this trip. It was then a morning of reading, snoozing or chatting by the pool, or wallowing in the pool. We watched the little coconut man shimmy up his trees, and waited for the satisfying thud when the coconuts hit the deck!
In the afternoon some of us visited an orphanage. They are self funding by running a plantation and then selling their produce. We saw cocoa trees, nutmeg trees, peppercorns, palm sugar, lemongrass, rice, vanilla, all sorts. Some of the smallest children put on a dance for us and showed us how they make the most amazing art with palm leaves.
This morning we packed up and left our little sage haven and headed to the harbour. I must admit having been women by the mosques at 03:40 and then 05:25 I was pleased to be heading to the mostly Hindu island! I thought the Indonesians slept in the day due to the heat but I have come to realise they are all sleep deprived due to the constant praying!
A quick ferry ride, and a two hour bus journey and we have reached Lovinia, a beach resort in the north of the island. There is a narrow strip of black volcanic sand, and then the ocean. I decided to head out and find the shops! 5 minutes after I left the tropical downpour began! Our first proper rain since we arrived. After 30 minutes and still no shops I was getting a bit fed up. After 45 minutes the path ran out and I was being followed by a man on a scooter! Rather than admit I was lost I headed off down a lonely track and ended up in a kampong, where one of the locals took pity on me and pointed me in the direction of the beach!
The beach is home to a large number of locals, boats, dogs and chickens! There have been very few dogs on our travels, lots of cats, as Muslims view dogs as dirty animals. In this predominantly Hindu Island they are obviously trying to compensate! An hour if walking along the beach dodging rubbish, children, chickens and the ever vigilant hawkers I made it back just before the sun went down.
Don't you go off on your own again!!!! Mother
ReplyDeleteBali sounds fab. You sound as if you are maintaining a calm persona by visiting a spa at every opportunity. At least you have left the brown interior decoration behind not to mention the near constant call to prayer. I bet you are thrilled that you are not leaving for home at the end of the week and have many more adventures ahead of you. Lol Mother xx
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