Going to Lombok - the hard way.

We're still in Ubud so we've been able to check the blog and email pretty often. We're not sure anyone has been reading what we're writing because we have so few comments! ;-( Suzanne says that everyone who has already written a comment is invited to partake in the Indonesian feast we are planning to cook when we return!

Well, on with the blog......Yesterday was suppose to be our last day in Ubud, but as it turns out the transportation we had lined up to get us to Lombok and the Gili Islands fell through. We were up at 0650, packed and outside our guesthouse waiting for the minibus that would take us to Padangbai and then onto the big public ferry for the 5 hour crossing to Lombok. There is such a thing as "Bali Time" - this island does have a laid back attitude, but after waiting an hour and a half, we were both pissed off and ready to get alternative transport. I contacted the woman who had arranged our transport, and although she speaks little English and I speak little Indonesian, somehow the word "refund" made things happen. Magically, our driver showed up and acted surprised that we were pissed off that he was late. We told him he wasn't needed anymore and made our way back to the travel agent who had booked the transport. She was apologetic, but I wasn't in a mood to be congenial. With little said, we got our money back and then made other arrangements with another company. So, we ended up having a "free" day in Ubud. Our guesthouse let us stay for another night and we were determined to make the best of being in Ubud. That means a day by the pool, reading, walking to lunch at Warung Ibu Oka for Babi Guiling (Suzanne and Anthony Bourdain's favorite pork product!) and a few Bingtangs and backgammon to make the evening fun.

Tomorrow is a new day and we're planning to get to Senggigi Beach in Lombok - one way or another. Not sure if trying to get on the Internet on Lombok is worth the trouble - so our next post may be from Singapore. We fly there on 2/21. We're looking forward to 4 days of relaxing on a gentle white sand beach, snorkling through coral reefs, finishing our books, updating our journals, and generally just taking it easy until we depart for Singapore and the last leg of our trip. It's gone by FAST!