Thanks for joining me!

JANUARY 5th – Bali

After a nice breakfast, it was a short walk to Monkey Forest.

There are 7 different groups of monkeys in the forest. They are listed below, they tend to stay in their own groups.

It is like Jungle Book

There is a cemetery for the monkeys. They are cremated every 5 years based on the religion

I was walking the neighborhood and stopped for a massage. It was only $18 for an hour and a half. I did tip for a great massage.

There is an Ubud Market for clothes and food. In the early morning, it is crazy, all the locals buying food for the day and/or for lunch. They have to have many traffic guys just to get the parked mopeds untangled.

The King’s Palace

Ceremony Parade

MarketsPile of scootersYou have to be looking for the petrolNeed to look at the signs to find what you are looking for.Wayan’s place.

JANUARY 6th – Bali

Picking up grass for the cows.

Random monkey staring at everyone We drove out to the Temple that is called Heavens Gate. A major tourist photo place.

It is a beautiful place

You can see the gate, people are lined up waiting for a photo. When you enter the temple complex you are given a number and they call out the numbers for photos. MOST people wait for the photos and leave. I decided to take my chance and walk up to see another temple. The next stop was a very steep climb. Those that know me, hot and steep equals a soaked shirt. Only saw 2 other people going up.

Worth the climb.I asked the local lady how much further to the next temple, there were 2 more to see, she said 1 hour. I did not check with me Wayan on how long we were supposed to be here, headed back.

I was gone over an hour and they still had not gotten to my number. Only had to wait 10 minutes. Like I said earlier, most people sit here for an hour and half for just a picture.This is what it looks like without the locals taking your picture, BEAUTIFUL!There are 2-3 locals taking the glass pictures, they have a mega phone and keep the people and line moving. They are some great pictures.

I kept mine simple and quick. They must have taken 100 pictures in 2 minutes, thus the walking on water pictures.

I snuck behind the people taking photos during a change over. Great view!

I like their weed eaters, motor on the back and that leaves you with a lightweight handle that is flexible.

The traffic and parking at this place is outrageous!Luckily Wayan knew a guy that told us to go the back way, he had never been. A small road with zero traffic!

And great views!Next stop was Taman Tirtagangga. It was a former King summer palace. Now is open to the public.You can walk the stones across the water.

Kids love feeding the fish.

Public swimming pool now. They also have a hotel on the property, the guide said honeymooners like staying there. I can see why.

Saw many fields of different crops.

We saw 4 weddings on the way home. Wayan knew a couple of people as we passed.

Kertha Gosa was a nice place with 3 different areas to view.

Went to eat at a local place, very good.

JANUARY 7th – Bali to Gili Air

It is was an adventure getting to Gili Air. Driver picked me up at 7 am with people already in the van. A couple of more stops and were were on our way. It was about an hour drive to the ferry. It was organized chaos. I went up to the counter, told them my name and they give you a wooden boarding pass. They yell, everybody this way, and you start walking along a dirt road as a mob. When you get to the dock, they look at you pass and tell you which ferry to board.

Note, try to be near the front of the line to get a seat.

O, by the way, the waves were a rocking, they passed out small plastic bags to a few people. Did not hear anyone get sick, just a couple a little green.

After the boat left the dock, you could ride on top. Allowed the people who were standing to have a seat.Bali Pictures

The first Gili Island, Trawanga.There are mosques on each island.

The fun part, ferry did not dock, a long boat came out with the passengers and they played get on and get off, it was crazy. Cannot imagine the craziness during tourist season.

Gili Air

My Hostel was over a mile away, horse and carriage the way to get there.

A beautiful place, the Hostel.

Took there advice and ate chicken curry at a local place, very good indeed!Yellow marks the spot of the hostel.The curryThe bicycle roads. Now cars, only bicycles and a few electric scooters.

Nice beaches

Decided to relax at Scallywags under an umbrella.All kinda of different boatsMost of the island is made up of coral and shells.

Indonesia has 14% of the worlds coral reefs. The over fishing and waste run off for Bali are killing the reefs.

Nice waterView from Scallywags bar.was on Bali now on Gili Islands.Specially Gili AirView along the beachFriends calling it a day.

Nice set up for dinner.If you like diving, 28 locations waiting for you.A great sunset.

Lady walked into the frame as I took the picture. Walked up to her and Airdroppped her the picture. She was happy to have it.Public and private ferry boats.The mosque is hidden in the middle of the island on the way to the Hostel.Hing our at the pool, only guest in the Hostel.

JANUARY 8th – Gili Air

Today was snorkeling around the 3 Gili islands. Nearly all the places I have stayed on this trip will assist with booking travel adventures and transportation, makes it easy.

Nothing better than Mango juice and a Bintang!

Nice swing and view

Yes, The catamaran did not make it.

Went back to Scallywags for beach time.

Hung out by the pool at the Hostel for the rest of the night.

JANUARY 9th – Gili Air to Senggigi

You say were is Senggigi, the red dot is Gili Air and you can read Senggigi. Took a local ferry ride across and caught a van to drop me off, will pick me up tomorrow to take me on to Lombok Airport. Have no idea why I chose the place. Glad I did.

The volcano in the background is BaliThe sunset, waves, food and sounds were worth the trip!

The restaurant was 200 yards from the hostel. An Italian place, split a pizza with someone I met at the Hostel.

A pool at the restaurant

A bar across from the hostel.

JANUARY 10th – Senggigi to Labuan Bajo

Easy van ride to the airport, a prop plane to the island, flight only $50. Sights along the road to the airport.

Flew low, could see the landscape.

The main reasons to come to Labuan Bajo on Flores is to see the Komodo Dragons and Scuba dive. A very small town. The plan is to take a 2D/1N snorkeling cruise and very the Komodo Dragons.

A short cab ride to the Seaesta Hostel. A newer place with all the trimmings. A great kitchen, bar, pool and sitting areas. Rooms are very nice.

It is built into a side of of a hill. There are 3 levels.

The Mosque is in the middle of the town and near the hostel

JANUARY 11th – Labuan Bajo

It is the rainy season, my trip was cancelled. There is a Harbor Master who makes the call every morning if it is safe.

3 days prior, a few boats went without approval with customers, 2 boats sunk and one person missing. I love my life, going to go with the Harbor Master!!!!

I walked around town and followed the directions of the front desk and dropped off my clothes at a local laundry. Hostels in Indonesia do not have machines, must use locals. It was down a narrow alley., hand washing and hang dry. I picked up my clothes the next morning, nice and clean and smelled great. They only charged me $1.11, definitely left a tip.

What to do? I went and signed up for a scuba trip, yes, I am open water certified. Must do a refresher course on the boat ride and first dive, excited to see the monster manta rays.

Like I said, a SMALL town, went back to the pool and hung out, relaxed, planned the next part of the trip and made new friends.

It was a girls birthday from Brazil, there were 5 girls drinking a lot and dancing. Yes, they were moving a little slow the next day.

The Harbor area

JANUARY 12th – Labuan Bajo

Walked down to the scuba shop in the morning to what on if we are going out, arrived at 8:00. They said come back at 9:00, went with 4 interesting guys that know each other for breakfast.

Came back and the Harbor Master said no go. Walked around a bit and went back to the Hostel. The place refunds you in cash, went back after lunch to pick up.

The rains did come! Read a whole book today, very relaxing. Caught up on the blog and news.

Cross our fingers for the snorkeling trip tomorrow morning!!!!!

The Mosque is in the view for the pictures of the Harbor.

Not much going on, been a nice relaxing last 3 days.

Hope you enjoy!

Ok, a bonus!

It is a small world, the first day I was here, I said I was on Gili Air. This guy says, is the catamaran still on the reef.I said yes it is and he said I was on the snorkeling cruise when the captain hit the reefs. It was 4 days prior before I got there. It said is was crazy!!!!

There was a boat load of Asians that did not know how to swim, most people had their phones, which were ruined, and if you were barefoot, you were stepping on coral. It was a 2-300 yard swim into shore in some waves. The guy said it was amazing no one was seriously injured!