Friday, October 26, 2012

Here come the pics!

 We have been in Indonesia for about 4 weeks now.  Sorry for the delay, it is difficult to find fast internet here with which to download pictures in under 7 hours but here is a short list and pictures of what we have seen and done so far.  On Bali we went surfing and to lots of beaches for Mitch's birthday.  We also spent time in Ubud and visited a couple temples and a coffee plantation.  We then took a 5 hour ferry ride to Senggigi on Lombok island where we extended our Indonesian visa for an extra month and of course went to the beach.  From there we traveled to the Gili Air where there are no cars and excellent snorkeling right off shore.  The only way to get around was by pony cart and bicycle.  Mitch also got scuba certified there and Juliana took a scuba review course.  We saw lots of sea turtles and a reef shark.  It was hard to leave that small island and we stayed for 10 days because it was so relaxing and peaceful.   Finally we made it to Kuta, Lombok where we found the best beach yet!  The beach was perfect and something out of a travel brochure.  Its difficult to find but it's called Tanjung Aan Beach. Quoting from another website here but this beach made the beaches on Bali seem second rate.  It seems like the further away we get from Bali, the better the beaches are! Tomorrow we are leaving on a 4-day boat trip to Flores and Komodo to see the Komodo Dragons!

(The pictures are not in chronological order so sorry for the confusion. The internet is being difficult.)
Mitch enjoying his Bintang (Indonesian beer) on the beach
Sunset and Senggigi

Boat ride to Gili Air

We finally made it to the Gilis

Our dinner - baracuda


Typical dinner selection on the Gilis

Perfect snorkeling right off the beach

Sunset at Gilis

Lots and lots of sea urchins everywhere

Transport around Gili Air

Our second home for 4 days - the dive shop - while Mitch got scuba certified


Our home on Gili Air

Bundling up in the hammock!

Enjoying another Bintang

Practicing my yoga moves on the beach

One of the best sunsets thus far

Kuta Beach, Lombok

Segar Beach

And the best of all... Tanjung Aan Beach! Gorgeous right?
We finally made it to our first beach after 30 hours of travel!

Fisherman at Tanjung Aan



Sunset at Uluwatu Beach

Lots of monkeys at Uluwatu Temple

Traditional dance at Uluwatu Temple


Monkey Sanctuary in Ubud, Bali


And another monkey!

Goa Gaja Temple. We have to wear sarongs at every temple.

Rice patties on our way to the Rocky Temple

Rocky Temple

Coffee tasting at the plantation


View from Thomas Homestay at breakfast
Bingin Beach

Uluwatu Beach
 
Watching surfing at Uluwatu Beach
First time Juliana is scuba diving in 8 years!

Puffer fish

Mitch is clearly enjoying himself! First time in the open water!

Either a Lion or Scorpion fish

Juliana snorkeling while Mitch was scuba diving

Moorish Idol (Mitches favorite fish)

Trigger fish: Can you tell they bite?


The nemos were very curious and friendly. They kept staring at Juliana

First horse cart ride

Pool at our hotel. We decided to spoil ourselves for a night

Turtle sanctuary at a random restaurant in Senggigi