08°21.703S 116°07.784E
Upanchored at 7am, no wind so motored against a 1.5 knot current. Arrived at 3.30pm. All the buoys were taken - there were only about 15 so we anchored out the back close to the reef. All along the way across Lombok there were heaps of people on the beaches as it is the end of Ramadan and people were celebrating. A couple of boats came out to wave at us. Ramadan end is like our Christmas and New Year.
Miles: 40 total 3,856
DAY 152 - Monday 21 September - Medana Bay, Lombok Island
Went for a walk and realised we were getting away from the beach so cut through a cornfield along a path - greeted by a worker and little heads popped up all over the place! Found another path, the others saw a snake - got lost, walked through little huts, fields, paddock with cows and what we think is a cashew tree. Finally came back to the road and found a resort which had 6 bungalow style rooms about 100m apart. We were shown two of the rooms - big 4 poster beds, a shower in the private garden courtyard (also had a huge bathroom) - really lovely. Had a couple of beers beside the most beautiful pool in a lovely garden setting.
DAY 153 - Tuesday 21 September - Medana Bay, Lombok Island
Took a car tour with Dave & Jean (Whistle). Left at 8am and were supposed to be going to places we wanted to and stopping at a restaurant on the way back for dinner. Went to the monkey forest and some very fat monkeys came down and took peanuts very gently from our hands. Jean was feeding a mother with a tiny baby and while she was distracted another monkey came and stole her bag and raced up a tree and sat and ate from the packet! Next we went to a Hindu/Muslim temple which is the only temple in the world where five religions meet. This place was not on our list. We had to give "donations" in two separate places and the guide's English was very poor. I found it boring but Peter quite enjoyed it. Then we went to the water palace which was on our list then to a weaving village (not on our list). We were told that the girls start weaving at the age of 7. They weave for 10 hours a day, 7 days a week and cant get married unless they can weave. Peter bought a piece for 300,000rp. Then we went to the pottery place and to the supermarket for shopping. Our driver and guide started complaining that they were on overtime. We didn't get to stop at a restaurant and got back at 6 and they demanded an extra 100,000 for overtime. Other people left at 8 and got back at 7 and there was no overtime!! Felt a bit ripped off!!
DAY 154 - Wednesday 22 September - Medana Bay, Lombok Island
This was fuel day, water day - filling all the tanks and washing day. Had a massage (mediocre) and a haircut - short. Cilantro and Kristie 1 finally caught up with us - so quiet celebrations. Finally got our passports back but the visa only goes to 18 October and that is not long enough.
DAY 155 - Thursday 23 September - Medana Bay, Lombok Island
Caught a bemo to the market with Helly and Whistle. The bemo that stopped was going in the opposite direction but turned around and the two poor girls in it had to go all the way back before they could get on their way again - we hate it when we put other people out like that so paid their fare for them. Market was closed (it was a morning market and we were late) so walked round town, had lunch in a rumah makan - curry and sate only and it was goat. Caught a ben hur back - little wagon pulled by a little horse. Peter disappeared for an hour and when he finally turned up he said he had been over behind the toilets (!) having a massage by three women. Had his feet scraped and a great massage - much better than mine by all accounts! Anyway he was very pleased with himself. Cancelled our glass bottom boat trip for tomorrow as the price had doubled!!! Sail Indonesia celebrations started today and there are suddenly people everywhere, hawkers shoving stuff under your nose, police, customs and obviously increased prices - we really don't like that side of things and it is the first time we have had to put up with it since Ambon. We were all herded up the beach and had to walk down between girls in lovely costumes throwing rice and rose petals over us and young men all dressed up. Sat through some speeches then there was some traditional dancing and some fighting, nibblies and free beer. Interesting night.
DAY 156 - Friday 24 September - Medana Bay,Lombok Island
Ordered three motor scooters for 8am but only 2 showed up so we had to wait an hour for another one - 50,000rp for the day ($6.30 + $1.20 for fuel). Got on our way about 9.15 - Helly, Whistle and us. Took a while to get the hang of it but then it was just like old times! Doug used to be a postman so Jean told him he didn't have to stop at every house!! It took us about 2 hours, stopping to ask directions along the way and finally arrived at the walk way to the waterfalls. They tried to convince us to have a guide but we declined. We followed a path to the first waterfall which was beautiful. Falling out of jungle with mist everywhere. Followed a track to the second waterfall and we had to walk across the river - rapids- scramble over some rocks and back across the fast flowing river then followed the track till we came to the second waterfall. It was gorgeous. One big one and a series of other falls each side falling from jungle with jungle all over the cliff face with water falling in front and behind of it and spray everywhere. We all jumped in the pool fully clothed - shoes and all and it was very windy (caused by the waterfall) and quite cold - Doug reckoned it was blowing 40 knots!!! We walked back over the conduit bridge - very high with big gaps to step across which carried all the water from the mountain to the paddy fields below. They have a series of sluice gates to direct the flow of the water. The water then went through a tunnel which goes through the mountain with very fast flowing water almost up to our knees - so in we go - pitch black - water flowing, cant see - hanging on to the sides, crouched so you didn't hit your head. It went for a very long way with little windows in the mountain here and there to let a little light in - so you can see the bats!? Anyway we all finally came out the other side - it was the most amazing thing. Doug said it was the most unnatural natural thing he had ever done! We had a late lunch at a restaurant next door to the entry which had the most amazing views and the food was fabulous. Took us 1 ½ hrs to get back dodging bikes, trucks, people and potholes and it was the most awesome day!!!
Sorry this is late people - will try to do better!!
Much Love
Fair Winds and Calm Seas
Dell and Peter
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