We were due at the dock by 9:30 so we had an early breakfast and farewelled the Jeeva and it's wonderful staff. The hotel driver we had that morning Eddie we had met before and he wanted to know all about Australia, he already seemed to know a lot about it and mentioned the animals and beaches. We asked if he had ever been and he said only in his dreams...
Sheesh if I had known what sort of crossing this was going to be on the Gili Cat I wouldn't of been so chilled and smiley whilst we awaited the boats arrival. I do have experience with boats, we are water people and have boats of our own, but I don't do waves. Whilst everyone else is wooohooing I'm a mess, break out the worry beads.
It really didn't help that when we boarded the only seats available were right up front just behind the captain. This was a position guaranteed to feel every god forsaken smack-down, major organ re-arranging, terrifying moment. Once we cleared the harbour and entered the Lombok strait it was messy. I went into lock down and made sure I had my headphones on and music blaring, one hand was white knuckling the rail on the back of the captains chair and the other was being consoled by Rob. I think I may of only opened my eyes a few times during that 85 minute crossing.
Once when the boat did a huge lurch and I heard squeals over my music I looked to the right to see a BIG wave approaching us and we were in a gutter.....I shouldn't of looked, uncontrollable shaking and sobbing followed,I don't think I have ever felt that panicked before.
If I hadn't had my music to focus on at that point I possibly could of lost it. The only 2 songs that didn't keep skipping with every lurch were my too favorites at the time "@#$% You" by CeeLo Green and the wonderful "Rolling in the Deep" by Adele. I really didn't realise the irony of that one at the time and it's probably just as well.!..but it got me through.
It maybe helped (or not) that when I looked at Rob a couple of times for reassurance he was beaming and whooping it up, WTF talk about different ends of the spectrum! I think Lance and Shaz got some sleep and Geri thought it was a lot like being on the Mad Mouse. Karl did alright too and was rock solid in his possie right at the back and central.
The only other spare seat was next to a man who was sitting near one of the doors. I had eyed it earlier with the thought of perhaps getting an easier ride there but dismissed it as unreachable because the boat was rocking and lurching so much. It was just as well I didn't move, apparently he got completely drenched !
As soon as we reached Pandang Bai all was good. I stepped shakily on to the wharf and left all of my troubles behind in the Gili Cat. Would I do it again...hell yes ...maybe a little less confidently than before but to get to beautiful Lombok and the Gili's it is worth the trouble and tears. I think the Gili Cat is one of the better companies operating this service. Maybe we will look into flying next time but I agree with the philosophy" I can swim better than I can fly". We will see when the time comes.
Onward to Ubud!
We met wonderful, Jack (gorgeous) who had been waiting for us for the duration of our crossing. I had text messaged him when we first got on the boat and he was already waiting for us..what a guy. It was decided that the guys would go on the nice big Gili Cat complimentary bus to Ubud and we girls would go with Jack and the luggage in his van so it was not so squishy.
He took some back lanes on route and we got stuck behind a big old, dirty gravel truck with guys sitting up on the gravel . There was some big writing on the very large mud flaps and Jack laughingly told us the translation was the equivalent to our bumper sticker "Honk if you're Horny".. funny. We didn't honk but may have if we had come across the truck after we had passed the very fit and handsome guy bathing in the irrigation ditch....oh my!
We made a couple of short stops on the way and the guys were waiting for us in the Komaneka Monkey Forest lobby when we arrived . An elderly lady approached me regarding Jack as she and her husband were transferring to Sanur. So Jack had a return fare..cool. We wouldn't see him for our last few days, we were here to just shop, eat and relax.
Mine and Rob's room was the only room ready as we were a little early so we all went to have a look and chill for a while. It was nice but I expected more. Of all our accommodations this trip The Komaneka was by far the most expensive and the least impressive. I had chosen it for the location and we had stayed at it's sister 'Bisma' which is impeccable. It was nice but not worth the price tag.
There were nice little extra's throughout the hotel like beautiful vases of flowers, jars of cookies and at reception there was a jar of brandy snap type confection only it tasted of ginger.. yum. I had my greedy fingers in that jar often as we came and went.
(feel entirely different about snails in my home garden!!)
Our room and Shaz + Karl's backed on to the rain forest, ravine
Geri and Lance were very, very disappointed in their room that had privacy issues. The staff did offer to transfer them to the Bisma but we were travelling as a group so they declined, they gave them a couple of complimentary massages in the Spa which was good apparently. I did post a review on TA. The staff were very friendly and delivered a chocolate cake to each of our rooms one evening as I had mentioned whilst making the booking it was a special trip for our anniversaries. A lovely gesture.
We all had a great time in Ubud and the girls enjoyed it so much that during their next trip they are spending the majority of their time there. We had a great day wandering the markets whilst the guys went quad biking.
Oh but bags glorious bags!
We had a nice afternoonsies at Indus with a great view, food and drinks. Cafe Wayan that night for dinner which was good ...really large menu, set to please everyone.
We had dinner at Tropical Bale the following night. I had reeeaally been looking forward to this one having read a lot of good things about it. They don't have a big menu which is ok by me so long as they do what they've got well , most things got a big tick but they had run out of a lot which was very disappointing.
On our last day we wandered Monkey Forest rd. stopping and shopping and browsing. If we took too long the guys could be found in the nearest bar with a Bintang. They were thinking of offering their services as 'crowd pullers' because empty cafes were filling up once they had sat back for a spell :0)
And yes on our final day I purchased my much coveted 2ft. tall bronze Ganesha, love, love, love it!
The return flight was the best Rob and I have ever had as we Aced the exit seats at check - in ..What a difference that made!
It was a trip that was sooo full of fun and laughter I was even in fits on the way home from the airport at 8am, listening to Karl's account of his trip to the Cabbie....he wasn't holding back on any of the details!
What a wonderful trip we had with lots of laughs and special moments experienced by all of us. It was made all the more special I think because we could share these special places with friends that have now fallen in love with it also.
Next trip to Bali we just can't get enough ....1 week 4 days and 17 hrs, Bring it!!
Fantastic blog thank you so much for sharing your wonderful holiday with us:)
ReplyDelete