After a hectic week at work while also project managing a bunch of tradies, I'm fleeing the country to return to the place I discovered drift snorkeling, because I'd like some more of that please. There will also be some yoga, lots of reading and a bit of football watching.
We have reached this part of the clothing transition from Canberra winter to equatorial island.
Arrived safely and on time. Stayed at this lovely place near the harbour before my short ferry ride over to Nusa Lembongan this morning. There is time for a swim and a massage.
This is a pretty old boat, with an overpowering smell of petrol and no lifejackets in sight. It's only a short hop but I'm nervous.
I survived the journey, the Socceroos are ahead, and the game is on in the bar at my hotel. Life is good.
I noticed it yesterday but after a full day, I'm struggling to breathe.
Last year, looking over at Bali, 20km away, I saw dozens of trash fires along the coast.
This year, the air is so thick that I can't even see Bali.
I have 3 nights in Ubud booked at the end of the week. Now, I'm thinking of going the opposite direction to find some breathable air.
The Balinese govt is trying to fix its enormous waste problems, but so far it's just led to more burning.
I hope they find solutions quickly, for the sake of the locals' lungs, and because the tourism jobs will start disappearing if they don't.
#Bali
https://www.surfer.com/news/bali-smoke-emergency-surf-travel
This is a big part of the waste disposal challenge. My hotel is delivering 4 fresh plastic bottles of water to every room, every day. Many other places I've stayed try to minimise plastic bottle waste by providing water fountains. I am working around this by filling up my bottle at a nearby cafe that also gives discounts if you bring plastic bottles to recycle.
A gaggle of loud, white South Efrikan boomers has just arrived. I may need to change islands.
Did a Yin Yoga class yesterday and will do a Slow Yoga class today. Also had a massage. Today's objectives are to read at least 100 pages of my book and to book a private snorkeling trip for tomorrow.
Apparently everyone on the island is going snorkeling tomorrow, so I think I've arranged a private trip on Thursday for the suspiciously low price of 1 million rupiah (about A$85). The other quotes were 2.5 - 3.5 million.
On the down side, I have scratched the left lens of my multifocal specs, which is going to annoy the hell out of me for the next two weeks and cost A$250 to replace. This is becoming an annual habit.
Apparently one of the lesser football codes is having an allegedly important game.
Moon and planets - Venus at the top, Jupiter on the left, I believe.
Edited for correct planet alignments.
I've been very remiss in not posting food pics, but this Nasi Campur Special really was, so I need to share it.
It's time for a new island today, so I took a very short boat ride across to Nusa Penida for three literally beachside nights, with a slightly different angle of old mate Agung (the big, brooding volcano in Bali's northeast).
Went for a drive up into the mountains this arvo, which was an interesting adventure. On the way back into town, we came past a queue of about 50 cars waiting to buy petrol, which I'm told is a daily occurrence, when the tanker arrives.
Jonny Ell
ZZ Bottom
cafuego 🔭🤦🏼♂️
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