Bali

After 15 hours or so on a plane with a French couple comatose in the seats beside me I was beginning to feel fairly knarky to say the least. Clouds were obscuring the view until in the distance I spotted something. As i came close I realised it was a massive volcano crater serenely jutting out of the clouds. What a sight Gunung Bromo is!! Some quick calculations and I reckoned I'd be atop the crater 3 weeks later. Can't wait.

Bali... airport a mess, got a taximan down from 100,000 to 70,000 and proceeded into Kuta/Legian beaches. The madness on the roads was something else. What a shock to the senses once I started to wander around. Smells, sights and all sorts. Being jet-lagged I felt a bit disheartened as it was complete chaos all round. The next day was however a massive improvement. There's such a positive vibe in the lpace, the locals are all selling or trying to sell you some sort of tick or tack!!

So that evening I grabbed some food and found a smallish bar where I met a Belfast man who has lived in OZ for 35 years. Had a great ole chat with him and lots of banter with the bargirls who were amazingly friendly and helpful.As the bar was shutting I was invited to a [party in one of the girls blocks. I've recently read Yesman so it had to be a yes. Unfortunately ther locals are wearly risers and early sleepers. By 12 they were all in bed or close to it. So I had to settle for a couple of quiet beers and some smoked fish, mussels and rice. I love all the seafood they have hear and have decided against listening to how they prepare it..;)

Got dropped off about 3 in the morning and fell straight into a mild coma to awake with a deathly feeling about me. It was only then I remembered I had booked surfing lessons for high noon. But I did manage to catch a few waves and took immense satisfaction and slight bemusement that my tutor was unable to ride 2 waves when he tried "to show me how it was done" 1-0 Murphy.

But disaster almost struck when my right foot slid off the board and my left (recently repaired knee) stayed where it was. I was never meant to be a gymnast lets put it that way. So my tendons around the knee and hammies hurt like fuckers, maybe a massage may be in order!! What a place to start surfing though 30 degrees, hundreds of fellow surfers and nice big, long consistent waves. Surfing is MASSIVE in Kuta and no wonder.

Next stop Padangbai..