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Welcome to my travellog. Here you can read about my journeys day by day. 
Jul 25, 2008 06:00 PM The day of the temples
The trip (actually only transportation) organized by one of Ubud's travel agencies started at 9 a.m. We visited several temples in this part of Bali, including the most important mother temple - Pura Besakih. It's nicely located near Gunung Agung volcano, which makes the area around the temple cloudy for most of the time. Nevertheless it was worth going there to see it. Actually it's the whole complex of Hindu temples scattered around. The entrance ticket costs 10 000 rupiah. We also went to Klugkung (Semarapura) to see the Court of Justice. It's nicely located and surrounded by water.
We were back in Ubud by 5 p.m. so I managed to book transportation for tomorrow to Nusa Lembongan, a tranquil (i heard so) island 90 minutes of sailing from Sanur in southern Bali. I plan to do some snorkelling there and relax before going to Malaysia. I need to regenerate before a strenuous trekking in Kelabit Highlands.
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Jul 24, 2008 06:00 PM On the bike around Ubud
Wow, it was a tiring day. I cycled for almost whole day, but I really liked it. I went to the countryside to see the local people and beautiful nature of Bali. I saw picturesque rice paddies and spoke to local people. They were very curious about the stranger, but for such experience you have to go outside touristy areas. I also saw preparations for come celebration but I don't know exactly what it was. Locals, and especially kids really like to be photographed and almost all the people were saying hallo to me passing by on the bike. Tired enough I got back to Ubud and managed to find a trip to the Mother Temple (Pura Besakih) and other places organized by a travel agency. It will save me some money, because previously I planned to rent a car with the driver for one day and see these places, but it's almost three times more expensive.
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Jul 23, 2008 06:00 PM Sailing back to Bali
Today I had to get up before 6 a.m. to catch the morning boat to Bangsal. I bought a package from Perama to get me from Gili Air to Ubud. It was 350 000 rupiah, a lot for Indonesian standards, but I don't regret. They brought me to Ubud on time and I didn't have any problems finding accommodation. Prices start at 60 000 per room and even for such little money you get a decent place to rest your head after a busy day.
Ubud is a busy place now, with many turists, so I want to leave it as soon as possible. Of course, I will stay here for several nights, because of it's good location, but tomorrow I'm going to rent a bike and see what's around.
Bali is very different from the rest of Indonesia. Different religion and culture. There are a lot of Hindu people here and also architecture reminds you, that this island isn't muslim.
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Jul 22, 2008 06:00 PM Walking around Gili Trawangan
I decided to stay on Gili Air and have a day-trip to Gili Trawangan. All three Gilis are connected by a boat that allows you to hop between the islands. I took a morning boat (8:30) to get to Trawangan and returned on the afternoon boat (4 p.m). I had a walk around the whole island that took me about 2.5 hours and also climbed the only hill on the island from where a beautiful panorama opens over the reef and neighbouring islands. It's worth to walk a bit inland to meet the local people who are very friendly and like to be photographed.
Now it's high season here and a lot of turists. Before getting here I hoped these are calm islands, but never in July and August.
In the afternoon I was snorkelling again in the reefs of Gili Air. And tomorrow I'm going to Ubud. A package bought from Perama costs 350 000 thousand. It's a lot of money here but it saves time. All the transport from Gili Air to Ubud on Bali and food on board of Perama boat is included in the price.
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Jul 21, 2008 06:00 PM Snorkelling in the reefs around Gili Air
In the morning I took a direct boat from Senggigi to Gili Air. It's operated by Perama and it's one of the most expensive options, but saves you a lot of time. The ticket costs 100 000 rupiah (not 70 000 - LP), but with increasing oil prices all transport becomes more expensive.
Gili islands are quite touristy now in the high season and many hotels were booked out although I arrived at 11 a.m. Nevertheless I managed to find a bungalow at Lombok Indah. It's very basic and costs 90 000.
Gili Air is very small and it took me 1.5 hours to walk it around. It's beautifully surrounded by coral reefs and the see is turquoise in color. Gilis are one of the best snorkelling spots in Indonesia and I really enjoyed swimming among colorful corals and fish.
I also managed to find two internet cafes and surprisingly the connection here is relatively fast.
Tomorrow I'm going to Gili Trawangan. One-way ticket is 23 000 rupiah (5000 more than LP says). I don't want to stay there as I was told it's difficult to find a hotel on other Gilis and I don't want to waste time on it.
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Jul 20, 2008 06:00 PM Sunbathing, biking and wading among corals
In the morning I moved to another hotel. I think it's the best value for money here. For 75 000 rupiah you get a room with air-conditioning (not necessary, actually) and it's only several meters to the beach.
Around noon I was sunbathing and swimming in the warm waters of the Bali sea. I needed some rest after a few days spent on the road.
In the afternoon I rented a bike (15 000 rupiah for three hours, you have to bargain hard) and did a ride around Senggigi. And it was a good choice. Landscapes are breathtaking - white-sand beaches with coconut palm-trees behind, beautiful cliffs and coral reefs that give see waters turquoise color. The local people are very friendly and often ask to be photographed. They are also curious about strangers - it's always worth going to the countryside, so different from cities.
When riding back to Senggigi I met a wedding procession. Great experience to see people clad in traditional clothes and dancing in the street in a colorful march.
And before it got dark I took a stroll along the beach to get to the reef that is located around one kilometer from my hotel, but the corals there weren't very impressive, though the first ones I saw. Tomorrow I'm going to Gili Air, one of the three tiny islands to the north of Lombok. The direct boat costs 100 000 rupiah but it saves a lot of time and hassle.
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Jul 19, 2008 06:00 PM Lost day, unfortunately
It should have been five hours to get from Padangbai on Bali to Sengigi on Lombok, that's why I decided to take a 'shuttle bus' with one of the companies from Padangbai. Instead, it was over nine hours. Never more organized transport with 'travel agencies'. I would travel this distance on my own much faster and at half the price. I got a bit nervous but I'm already in Senggigi and tomorrow I'm going to enjoy its beauty, especially the beaches. Hotels are not expensive here - you can easily find a double room with fan for 70 000 rupiah. Internet is expensive - 18 000 per hour.
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Jul 18, 2008 06:00 PM Coral Bali shore
In the early afternoon I arrived in Padangbai, a harbour town from where ferries to Lombok go. Initially I wanted to go to Ubud, changing a bus, but then changed my plans. I will first visit Lombok and then Bali. Tomorrow I'm staying in Padangbai, a double with fan costs 80 000 rupiah (breakfast included). I had a walk to see the seashore around. There are some corals but not very impressive ones. I hope to see nicer on Lombok and Gilis.
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Jul 17, 2008 06:00 PM Just breathtaking
It was worth 3:30 wake-up - the view of Bromo volcano at sunrise is just breathtaking. Difficult to describe it in words - you have to see it. As soon as I'm back I will post some pics. Just to let you know - the best view point is from Penanjakan and it's worth hefty 80 000 rupiah fare. The only drawback was a swarm of tourists at the vantage point but nevertheless it was a great experience to see this moonscape. After Bromo - another day on the bus, as I wanted to get to Denpasar, Bali. I got there at 22:30 but managed to find a hotel near the bus terminal. A spacious room with airconditioning and traditional indonesian bath cost me 90 000 rupiah.
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Jul 16, 2008 06:00 PM On the bus
Wow, not a very exciting day. Cemoro Lawang, a village at the foot of Bromo volcano is located more than ten hours bus ride from Yogyakarta, so the whole day I spent on a minibus. In the evening we arrived at Cemara Indah Hotel. It was really cold and you should take a warm jacket if you consider visiting the area. Hopefully there was hot water trickling from the shower. As I'm travelling alone I was placed in one room with a German guy, who was also on a solo trip.
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