Hi Everyone,

Well,I'm back in Kuala Lumpur--need a bit of luxury,and do a bit of shopping--mostly to replace the stuff I manage to leave behind at just about every stop!!

To fill you in on the Bali section of this trip--I did hire a motorbike for a day,and rode along the North Coast to Gilimanuk--a port catering for travel to Java.A very hot sweaty and at times nerve wracking journey--you have to have ridden over here to believe the way they drive--overtaking on blind bends,5 abreast on 2 lane roads--driving on the wrong side(apparently this is OK if you visiting somewhere on that side--as long as you don't stay too long--say half a mile or so!!!).Somehow they seem to miss each other(most of the time) but it certainly makes motorway driving look tame(or even the A13!!).

Lots of colourful sights,and smells (mostly Durian Sellers!) but mostly carefully ordered chaos.

Next day,I dived at Manjangan Island.A very strange experience,it was one of the prettiest dives I've ever done---huge numbers of Gorgonian Fans,and colourful hard and soft corals and sponges,but very few noteworthy beasties.That sounds a little blase,but if you dive, there are loads of fish that are basically "background" fish--spectacular,but you see them(or variations on them) at virtually every site.I know I should not dismiss them---we had a few snorkelers with us,who thought the colours and little fishes,breathtaking--but there wasn't anything that was new to me.Still,good visibility,beautiful scenery and warm water (28 degs.) and it was still a very enjoyable couple of dives(they all are).

Next day was spent drying out my Dive gear,ready for packing,and wandering about on the beach(not a sun bather,I'm afraid).Then,in the morning it was a bus to Ubud,the self named Arts centre of Bali---actually,it is a very pleasant and civilised town/village.Lots of shops and markets,plus some lovely restaurants(the Nomad is a personal favourite).

Next day,into Denpasar and on to an AirAsia flight to Kuala Lumpur (3 hour flight--43 pounds!!! unbelievable!!!)---and so--here I am,wondering where to head next.

I've just been looking up diving in Bunaken/Lembeh(Indonesia,again) and am strongly drawn,but it does seem a bit silly to come out of a country,only to go back in a couple of days time.Oh well,maybe I'll get some inspiration over a cold glass of Tiger beer,later.

Oh,by the way--I managed to download a couple more videos--slow going,and this site keeps putting up an Error message just as you finish the upload--very frustrating---wish they would get their act together (Eh?Jeanne??--a friend who seems to be having the same problems on her Italian trip).

Anyway,as soon as I decide where I'm heading to --you will be the next to know,

Cheerio for now,

Alec.