The sail from Lombok to Bali was typical of the last few passages we have made in the South of Indonesia – the weather we encounter doesn’t resemble at all what the forecast predicted. We set off early morning to a brisk wind from the aft quarter so we were optimistic for a great sail making good time. About half way the wind suddenly drops and we find ourselves with the current against us and then a head wind. At times we were only making 3 knots of headway. But we finally arrived at the anchorage at Lovina Beach in North Bali, just on dusk. We were on shore in time for the welcome dinner but had missed the speeches (‘good timing’ we tired sailors thought).
Lovina Beach is a tourist town but without the bustle of the south. Always a plus for us is having an anchorage where we can swim off the back of the boat and have easy beach access. Daryl has had a few quiet days after managing to get a cold and ‘Bali belly’ all in one go. Also the boat is showing her age by seemingly having one thing after another go wrong. The cruising community is great support with much sharing of knowledge and parts.
Young David has departed from Cool Bananas and is crewing for Bill on ‘Liaison’. Also Anne has needed to return to work in Australia so we are down to only three aboard ‘Cool Bananas’. Aussie Dave will come through to Malaysia with us.
So apart from maintenance jobs we have been very much ‘the tourist’ while in Bali. To hire a car and driver is inexpensive and we can easily fill a car so we have done some day trips visiting the inevitable temples but also going up into the hills seeing volcanoes and lakes, villages and farms. We thought the temple on the lake that is featured on the 50,000 rupiah note was beautiful. You can see that it must be a peaceful place for meditation and prayer.
Fiona at Gitgit Falls......................Cloves out drying on the side of the road
The temple at the lake...........................................Buddist Temple
Buddist Temple...........................................................Chris and Fi contemplating
We did a two day tour with a night stop in Kuta. Boy, has that ever changed since we last saw it ten years (or so) ago. It is like a modern city. Ubud also was full of designer shops that I thought could be found anywhere in the world.
One highlight was visiting an 11th century temple carved into the rock. Still in tact were the rooms that the king and his mistresses lived in. It was in the most gorgeous setting down in a valley with a stream running through it and surrounded in paddy fields. A lovely walk, despite the hundreds of steps.
Daryl and I at 11th century Temple............................Daryl in the paddy fields practising being a buddist monk
Ploughing up the paddy fields....................................Dragonfly
We visited old cruising friends of Chris and Fiona’s (SV Three Ships)who have a 2 year contract to oversea the building of a new 150ft traditional Bugis trading ship. It has an American owner and will be fitted out as a luxury commercial diving boat. It is made from solid timber and will weigh more than 140 tons and will hold 60,000 litres of fuel. The Bugis people are the pirates of Indonesia but in fact they were only trying to get back some of what the spice traders and the like were taking from Indonesia. Apparently it is where the expression 'the boogie man' comes from.
Traditional Bugis boat........................View from the helm -to be.
We also went to see the traditional Barong dancing in Sanur which we thought was well worthwhile. The written explanation in English that we were given on arrival was a great help in understanding the story line.
I went into town this morning and look at some wrap around shorts. By three in the afternoon the lady had made me two pairs in the fabric of my choice, plus a dress. The shorts are great but the dress was a mistake. She did exactly to my instruction but the end result is far from flattering!!! making me look as wide as I am tall.
We are heading off into town for one last dinner at Lovina Beach before our 5 am departure tomorrow. We have a 400 mile motorsail north to Kalimantan, more specifically the Kumai River, where we are doing a river trip to see the orangutans.
Barong character...............................Barong dancer
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