Well since we left you we've been chilling out on the beach for 10 days or so. After Ubud, we left the main island and took a boat over to the Gili islands just off neighbouring Lombok.

Splashing out on some premium fast boat tickets we were expecting a comfortable ride, and we settled down. As they bolted us in below sea level in the huge power boat 6 attendants appeared who examined us closely... not having experienced such customer service we soon realised they weren't ice cream sellers, oh no, they were sick bag dispensers - we hurtled off across the channel on one of the windiest days they have had yet this year, and even Dan's iron stomach was put to the test! I've never seen so many quiet still 20 something year old tourists...

Anyway, we arrived without major disgraces, and found our little traditional beach hut, and soon settled into a routine of sleeping eating drinking napping and ice cream. The best thing though about the islands is that they sit on a reef, and you can walk off the island into your own aquarium, with enough sites to keep you busy for weeks. We even swam with turtles, just off shore! It felt like an appropriate time for Dan to have a go at diving too... And to finish the day? Watch the sunset every night over Bali's volcano.

After 8 days of such stresses we returned to the mainland to investigate Bali's surf scene. Excitedly we headed out to the most famous Uluwatu beach, as we heard the surf was 'small' and thought Dan could hire a board. As we approached the beach from the cliff top we saw the waves rolling in... and surfers being barreled in 9 foot waves.... eeek! We promptly grabbed a coke and sat and watched safely from a cliff top bar. When we returned back to our hotel we heard the owner moaning how small the surf was today, he prefers at least 12ft waves... we kept quiet!

Unbelievably now the time has come to head to NZ for 2 months. We've had our last sleep in a solid bed till December and tonight take the plane to Auckland via Sydney, ready to pick up our campervan, and Franky on the 6th....