...... Rather lazy

Blink and you missed it - there went Bali.

Have got so behind with the blog that all the dates are a bit out of kilta, but I did have a week there and the majority of this was spent horizontally (sunbathing).

As many of you have been keen to learn - the tan was not looking so hot after my first six weeks on the road. Through a combination of bad luck with the weather, bouts of sunburn and shaded sight seeing, I had not seen as much of the sun as I might have done and was definitely not super brown. In fact when I first got to Bali one of the guys in the shops (who endlessly hassle you to buy anything they might be flogging as you walk past their shopfront) said "how long have you been in Bali? Your skin is so white!" Well I thought that was a little harsh but there was certainly work to be done so I decided my week here would be of a relaxing nature. A chance to take stock, kick back, and save pennies....

At first I thought  a whole week would be too long to do this, but it's amazing how quickly one settles into the breakfast - beach - dinner - bed routine, and it just feels normal.

Stayed in a fun hotel / guesthouse type place full of backpackers (aka Swedes) but quite a few Brits too and lots of nice people to hang with by the pool (yes I even had a pool here!).

Managed to haul myself off the sunlounger for a full day trip around the island thought, taking in the art scene, some traditional Balinese culture and some of the major sights at rather break-neck speed... Was quite funny because there was only me and one other English girl on the trip in the end so it felt quite VIP having a driver and a tourguide all to ourselves. Also a great opportunity to have a debrief, with Sophie, on the highs and lows of being a solo traveller, it was like a confessional in the back of that mini-van!

And on the theme of confessionals... I had my first McDonalds in Bali (stayed in the main resort of Kuta which is a bit like being on the Spanish costas but with much better surf - and many more surfer dudes around). But it was only cos I arrived late at night and was starving; it's open 24 hours.

Bali is a bit of a strange one, a place people seem to love or hate, but me being different will just say it was fine. It did the job and I think there are many nice places and beaches to see there than Kuta, but I wouldn't exactly rave about it. Still, the week went pretty quickly so that's a good sign and although communications there are useless (internet pitifully slow, no Sykpe and most public phones not working) at least it was a good opportunity to catch up with some reading, if not keep up with the blog. The main focus of my reading of course being my Australia and New Zealand on a shoestring book ready for my adventure downunder - very exciting......

So the next time you hear from me that's where I'll be; first stop Darwin. And with that it's time for all you past Oz eplorers to start bombarding me with emails of what to do and where to stay (if you feel at all inclined...)

So long from south east Asia......!

Oh, and before I forget, the tan is now looking great.