Sunday, 23 January 2011
Bali
Hello!
I am now in the Gili Islands (as recommended by Dee and Brian)! And they are spectacular. Unfortunately today has to be a bit of a 'homework day' because I have to do some stuff for my law firm and do crash revision for scuba diving which I'm starting tomorrow. The Gilis are quite famous for their diving so I'm really excited.
I arrived in Bali from Java last monday (a week ago) after a 20 hour bus journey. It's supposed to be about 16 hours but we had a burst tyre in the middle of the night and this meant we hit rush hour traffic when we got to Bali. I was traveling with Jon, an American guy I'd met in the homestay I stayed in in Yogyakarta, and I said to him 'I need a drink'. He replied 'I need the beach'.
Kuta beach in Bali is famed for being an Asian Costa del Sol and I wanted to avoid it at all costs but I'd heard of this other beach further north from someone in Fiji. Not even the taxi drivers had heard of it. I wasn't sure there were actually any hotels but Jon was up for an exploration so we set off with the taxi driver asking the locals for directions all the way. As we neared the resort we realised all the buildings were private villas so way out of our price range. Fortunately we found a cheaper cafe/bar on the beach and explained our predicament. The owner said she had a very basic room that we could have for Rp 100,000 per night (about 7 pounds). Bingo.
The place was amazing. Empty beach, water like bath water (though subject to deadly currents and rips if you weren't careful), cows and padi fields just behind it.
After two days it started to rain and we wanted to meet up with the German girls also from our homestay in Yogya, so we headed to Ubud in the centre of Bali made famous by the book and subsequent film 'Eat, Pray, Love.' As I had strongly suspected, although very beautiful (see pictures), Ubud is now very, very touristy. But it is still a good place for quiet padi field walks / motorbike rides. In fact I think last Thursday just cycling around padi fields was one of my favourite days of the whole trip.
I then headed with the German girls (Tanja and Ana) to Padangbai where all the boats go to the Gili Islands. Padang Bai is usually just a transport hub but actually has some very nice (and quiet) beaches of its own, with white sand and the most incredible turquoise water. We also found a local bar, painted bright turquoise, which served mean cocktails at a reasonable price.
Yesterday I took the long route to the Gili Islands (local ferry, long 'bus' ride (aka how many tourists can you cram into a mini-van) then another tiny boat ride. This took all day. I did it because I'm quite a subscriber to 'the journey is the destination' theory. Not this time. We kept having to wait in hotels conveniently owned by the organiser's friends where they encouraged us to buy drinks etc. Pretty grim. The fast boat (which costs twice as much) takes just over 1.5 hours. I'm treating myself on the way back!
And now I think I'm going to go for a snorkel...
F
Friday, 14 January 2011
Borobudur Temple
http://picasaweb.google.com/111926669880466215152/BorobudurTemple?authkey=Gv1sRgCML2yO-Bp6fdkAE&feat=directlink
This morning we got up early (4.30am) to visit Borobudur Temple. Whilst not exactly serene - there were quite a few school groups as there are many Tourists from around Indonesia - the temple was still breath taking. Literally. The steps are incredibly steep!
The temple is Buddhist and about 1000 years old. It has been extensively restored, and I think will continue to be because there is nothing holding the stones together.
At first I was overwhelmed by the edifice as a whole but after the initial shock and awe there is time to examine the reliefs carved into the walls which are equally impressive, more so considering the length of time they have survived.
On the bus journey back we passed part of the area devastated by the eruption of the Gunung Merapi volcano in whose shadow Borobudur was built. The eruption caused the evacuation of 350,000 people and the deaths of 353 who stayed behind mainly due to pyroclastic flows (thanks Wikipedia). A pyroclastic flow was what probably caused the sudden death and burial of the inhabitants of Pompei on the side of Mount Versuvius. From what i saw today I could well believe it. There was boulders half the size of some of the houses here, shops full of a wave of ash and even an entire river valley filled with ash.
As this is the internet I also wanted to mention the fantastic place I am staying at, Delta Homestay (it's in the Lonely Planet). The rooms are simple but surround a very nice pool and breakfast and afternoon tea are included. Even when we got on the bus at the crack of dawn today they gave us a "Breakfast Box" with bread, a hard boiled egg, a banana, water, butter and jam! I am staying in a room with shared bathroom overlooking the pool for Rp 95000 per night.
This morning we got up early (4.30am) to visit Borobudur Temple. Whilst not exactly serene - there were quite a few school groups as there are many Tourists from around Indonesia - the temple was still breath taking. Literally. The steps are incredibly steep!
The temple is Buddhist and about 1000 years old. It has been extensively restored, and I think will continue to be because there is nothing holding the stones together.
At first I was overwhelmed by the edifice as a whole but after the initial shock and awe there is time to examine the reliefs carved into the walls which are equally impressive, more so considering the length of time they have survived.
On the bus journey back we passed part of the area devastated by the eruption of the Gunung Merapi volcano in whose shadow Borobudur was built. The eruption caused the evacuation of 350,000 people and the deaths of 353 who stayed behind mainly due to pyroclastic flows (thanks Wikipedia). A pyroclastic flow was what probably caused the sudden death and burial of the inhabitants of Pompei on the side of Mount Versuvius. From what i saw today I could well believe it. There was boulders half the size of some of the houses here, shops full of a wave of ash and even an entire river valley filled with ash.
As this is the internet I also wanted to mention the fantastic place I am staying at, Delta Homestay (it's in the Lonely Planet). The rooms are simple but surround a very nice pool and breakfast and afternoon tea are included. Even when we got on the bus at the crack of dawn today they gave us a "Breakfast Box" with bread, a hard boiled egg, a banana, water, butter and jam! I am staying in a room with shared bathroom overlooking the pool for Rp 95000 per night.
Yogyakarta Video
Today I went to an incredibly intact Hindu Temple from 8th/9th Century at Prambanan. Pictures to follow when I resolve some Picasa difficulties. Met a french guy called Colin (!) and we had lunch back in Yogya (weirdly pronounced and written in Indonesian as Jogja). Went everywhere by public transport today so very happy to get back to the Homestay and into the pool.
This evening I went for dinner at a lovely restaurant with the French and German girls staying next to me - and had wine. Felt like a real girls Friday night out.
Tomorrow morning we leave here at 4.50am to go to the really famous Borobudur Temple Complex for (almost) sunrise - Temples don't open until 6am, so after sunrise.
Fxxx
This evening I went for dinner at a lovely restaurant with the French and German girls staying next to me - and had wine. Felt like a real girls Friday night out.
Tomorrow morning we leave here at 4.50am to go to the really famous Borobudur Temple Complex for (almost) sunrise - Temples don't open until 6am, so after sunrise.
Fxxx
Wednesday, 12 January 2011
Arrival in Java
http://picasaweb.google.com/111926669880466215152/TrainFromJakartaToYogajakarta?authkey=Gv1sRgCPHI1e7-pcOALg&feat=directlink
Above is the link to the Picasa album of the photos I took on the train today from Jakarta (didn't see much except very basic hotel, though not sure I'd call it that, so won't comment) and yogyakarta. The countryside is incredibly green with tiered rice paddy fields. As I was traveling on the executive train there was none of the usual 'hanging out of the door to take a photo' so i'm afraid they were taken through the window and aren't the best. You can still get an idea.
I love how in India and also here it is totally normal to paint your house bright marshmallow pink, possibly with mint green or purple window frames.
I am now staying at the Delta Homestay which is the lonely planet pick for my price bracket (budget) and I have to say it is very nice. The price has gone up slightly since the lonely planet (obviously) but there is a large pool, free wifi, free breakfast and a western loo (currently bracing myself for a re-introduction to the other kind).
Above is the link to the Picasa album of the photos I took on the train today from Jakarta (didn't see much except very basic hotel, though not sure I'd call it that, so won't comment) and yogyakarta. The countryside is incredibly green with tiered rice paddy fields. As I was traveling on the executive train there was none of the usual 'hanging out of the door to take a photo' so i'm afraid they were taken through the window and aren't the best. You can still get an idea.
I love how in India and also here it is totally normal to paint your house bright marshmallow pink, possibly with mint green or purple window frames.
I am now staying at the Delta Homestay which is the lonely planet pick for my price bracket (budget) and I have to say it is very nice. The price has gone up slightly since the lonely planet (obviously) but there is a large pool, free wifi, free breakfast and a western loo (currently bracing myself for a re-introduction to the other kind).
Saturday, 8 January 2011
Little Fraser Island Video
Hello!
I have just returned from a (very wet) Fraser Island. It was still very beautiful and we rescued a long-neck freshwater turtle which I named Miss Piggy on account of her nose.
F xx
Sunday, 2 January 2011
in with the sharks and Brisbane
Hello!
As I am now on the move again (not resident in Sydney any more)I'm going to try to blog again.
Yesterday I went sailing on a little catamaran dinghy and then a Pico (very small dinghy not really for two people) at Balmoral Beach (see picture) on the north shore of Sydney harbour. This was with a friend, Tristan, who I had met through yachting and who is over 6ft tall. So every time either of us moved in the pico, the pico moved. To begin with the wind was quite gentle but as the wind got up things got a bit more exciting. I didn't have a spare change of clothes or towel (such was my faith in our ability to keep the boat upright and also probably I've got a bit complacent from yachting). Inevitably we went in.
As I had been to a special exhibit on sharks at the National Maritime Museum the day before I knew exactly how shark infested Sydney was - and was not happy about the situation. I got back in the boat pretty quick.
I am now in Brisbane sitting in the botanic gardens and being eaten alive by mosquitos. Brisbane is DESERTED because all the residents decamp to their holiday homes on the beach over Christmas and New Year and right now I am trying to organise to do the same (obviously to a hostel) on Wednesday. There are quite a few large lizards in the gardens... and I'm pretty sure that means snakes as well!
Toodle Pip.
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