Scooter Grandpa

photos

Photos

the beach at Gili Air

The Admiral learning how to weave

The Admiral doing traditional dancing

Sunset on Gili Air. The mountains of Bali to the west

Gili Air, Lombok, Indonesia

We left the north east corner of Lombok a few days ago after spending the night in the protected waters in the strait between Lombok and Gili Lawang tucked in behind the reef. We went on to Medana Bay where there is a marina of sorts. It didn't look too safe so we anchored out and went ashore to explore the facilities. There was a bar with the usual Bitang beer available and a small restaurant. on the following day we took a walk on the beach and discoved the Oberoi Resort Hotel, a  world class hotel, in the company of Dave and Marion from Kilkea II.
We had tea in beautiful surroundings with great service instead of the usual drinks and very enjoyable it was too.
That evening, the marina laid on a buffet and some local dancing for entertainment. Photos to follow.
A considerable roll began in the anchorage that night so we moved to our current spot, Gili Air, a party island a few miles from Lombok.
We found a mooring and did a quick tour of the island , mainly bars and backpacker eateries but a very pretty spot.
Yesterday, we had a long day which began with a boat ride to the mainland and then a  tour of Lombok in air conditioned comfort for a change with a driver and a guide. We visited various Bhuddist, Hindu and ecumenical temples and also  villages that made furniture, ikan and songket weaving and pottery. There were some very skilled artisans making some outstanding products using hand tools only.
We planned on snorkelling on the reefs here today but the breeze came up to over 35 kts so we stayed on the boat. Just as well we did as more than one boat here dragged on their  moorings this afternoon. Much excitement before getting everything sorted. It's still blowing tonight but hopefully it will settle by tomorrow and we can do some stuff ashore and on the reef.
Not long to Bali now.
Lots of photos to be edited and added,maybe tomorrow.

photos

Gili Lawa Laut on Komodo Island. Great water clarity and diving

Cigarette lighters on the beach Indonesian fishermen's navigation lights



The internet cafe on Gili Lawa. We had to climb up to the ridge to get a 3G connection

the entrance to the Komodo Dragon Reserve




sunset at the Atlantis restaurant at Labuan Badjo

 

Motorcycle momma in Mausambi



There be dragons

Komodo dragon (really just a big lizard) on the move on Rinca Island

Lombok Island, Indonesia

We left Labuan Bajo, otherwise known as LBJ on the morning of   August 31st. For the island of Rinca the home of the famous Komodo Dragons. We anchored up in a very sheltered bay next to the ranger station. There was lots of wild life in the bay with fish jumping all over the place and Capuchin monkeys swinging from the mangroves and eating crabs on the beach. David and Marion from Killkea II and the two of us went ashore the following morning to see the creatures. We had a very good guide called Kuba who spoke English and he took us for a tour  of the reserve. We saw many Komodos of various sizes from large, aggressive looking males to one year old babies and all in between. We also saw a water buffalo but none of the wild pigs and horses that also inhabit the island. We then went on to Gili Lawa Laut on the north side of Komodo Island. This was a spectacular bay with crystal clear water to twenty meters plus. We spent a few days on the beach and diving on the many superb reefs surrounding the bay. The Admiral has become quite brave with her snorkeling and even did a drift dive through one of the passes. We saw lots of fish and coral while sliding along with the current at about four knots. We would have stayed longer in this idyllic  spot but a big swell came up from the north which made for an uncomfortable roll so we left for the island of Gili Banta where we spent the night on comfort and shelter. On the following day, we again went westward to the island of Lombok, which has volcanoes, resorts and other attractions. We covered the 180 miles overnight with quite a lot of breeze and stopped for the night in the NE corner of Lombok at a place called Gila Lawang. A bit tricky to get into but very quiet behind the reef once in. We left this morning in 15 knots of breeze looking for a nice sail to the west side of Lombok but the wind has died and we are motoring slowly against the tide. Oh well, it's all good in paradise! Photos soon once we get to Lombok.