Day nine -

The pickup for the Gili Cat was supposed to be 630-7 but arrived 730.

The ride from Ubud to Padang Bai was very scenic and made me realize we'd been missing out on the true Bali. It was so green and beautiful. Banana tree lined roads with rice fields and huge green mountains in the distance.

When we arrived at Padang Bai everything from then on was very professional. The trip was calm and uneventful despite my nerves after reading reviews and therefore booking the most expensive ferry!

Arriving at Gili I found it to be just as Tipos pictures described. Beautiful white sandy beaches and blue water. People weren't running up to offer accommodation but as I walked along people yelled out and I let them show me their places. The second was average and told him I wanted somewhere nicer so he recommended next door. 'Life is Beautiful' had fres wifi / ac / own bathroom / computer / dvd / tv and movies for 300,000 rupiah ($30) per night! He even threw breakfast in when I went to haggle! (You HAVE to haggle!).

Augustus was very good to talk with and gave me some tips ... also mentioned normal salary is what a girl staying there paid for a little tattoo the other day ... 700,000 rupiah $70 AUD!

After getting myself comfortable I left the hotel and headed right ... so relaxing here with no cars and motorcycle just push bikes and the occasional horse drawn carriage. I stopped at Ku De Bar for a cocktail and to watch the surfers... found a lounge had the bbq lunch and didnt move all afternoon!

That evening I had dinner at an Indian restaurant on the water with shisha pipes on every table .. I didn't get chatting to anyone so home early to watch one of the many dvds that Augustus provided me with.

Day 10 -

I got up early and did some yoga at the studio on the island.

Rented a bike and made my way round the edge of the island, walking through the sandy patches and finding some beautiful locations with no other one in site.

Gili is sooooo good!

I stopped at Paradise sunset bar and stayed the remainder of the day sipping on cocktails, having lunch and a chat with my bar men Agur.

I had to leave for my lesson with the Gili cooking school where I met Hadi and Piann who were so funny and made it so much fun. We talked lots about life in Indo / Australia and as I was the only one there had them all to myself. We cooked and ate together along with another of the kitchen staff and now have some great Indo recipes up my sleeve!

That night I went for a massage and then more DVDs ... so much for being on a party island!

Day 10-
The next day I went on the snorkeling trip that Augustus booked me on and met loads of lovely people as we went to several spots and got soaked in the afternoon rain!

I went to the Paradise Sunset bar that afternoon and got chatting to French Sabrina who was also on the party island but didn't want to party, and soon after met up with Dutch mother and daughter - Anja and Marla again whom I'd met at the snorkelling trip who were also on the party island and not partying!

We went for dinner later at the Irish bar and home ... to watch a DVD.

Day 11 -

I went to Pearl Beach Bar for the day and enjoyed sipping on more cocktails and having lunch gazing out at the white sand. Crowds of young european tourists were about me - all looking fantastic in their tiny bikinis (super jealous!).

Lots of relax time but a storm came and I had to move into the main bar area where I sat next to Americans Patty and Denise. I had a couple of cocktails with them, went home to relax then dinner out alone. Then guess what ... more DVDs!

Day 12 -

Time to head back to the mainland and the day was overcast anyways! Gilis was such an amazingly beautiful spot so was sad to go, but time to head to Sanur as didn't want to get stuck for any reason and not make my plane the follwing day.

The Gili cat did fine in the weather and I felt totally safe (not like the snorkelling tour where I did get nervous in the big long boat!).

Sanur was crowded again and full of old people! I went to yoga at Power of Now and enjoyed being taught by an indonesian teacher who adjusted the class for a few first timers, but still kept it challenging as it was supposed to be power yoga.

I went for a manicure and reflexology after, then home to shower.

It was late when I went for dinner and few people were at the bars along the water where Patty and Denise suggested they be. It was like noone was awake in Sanur after 8pm! But low and behold walking along the dark path I ran into them and they came with me to an irish bar (again!) for dinner and they had drinks. It was nice chatting with them on the last night, their last night too, and we exchanged details in case we ever cross paths again or I get to Boulder Colorado.

Day 13 -

I did a cycling trip from Mount Batur to Ubud and met Aussies from Gosford - Walt and Debbie. It was nice being away from the crowds and riding through streets full of locals. Unfortunately we could not do the rice paddies as had been too wet.

Got back to the hotel in time for one more treatment as decided I didn't care for shopping - sorry very few souveneirs now days!

Gede picked me up and took me to the airport. He'd been a wonderful driver and so nice to have someone to give you a kiss and hug goodbye!

Short yet long flight home as was so tired but hard to sleep! Will maybe do Bali again one day and do areas like Lovina or Candiasa, or better yet do other parts of Indo like Lombok and Komodo island etc! Bali would also be a great break on a bike!