Sri Lanka: ciudades antiguas

Llegue a Sigiriya por la tarde, para llegar allí en bus hay que hacer cambio en Dambulla, otra de las ciudades antiguas. El pueblo no es mas que una calle con establecimientos de Roti y curry para turistas, pero todo muy muy tranquilo. Al dia siguiente, madrugue un poco para evitar el calor (nunca lo suficiente) y me dirigi a subir a la Roca del León, y visitar las ruinas de la antigua Sigiriya, centro del reino de Kassapa. Al llegar hay grandes jardines y jardines acuaticos, cuevas en enormes rocas y la gran Roca del leon, con sus enormes garras a sus pies. Hay escleras para subir y en un tramo se observan aun muy bien los frescos en la roca. Son un todal de 1202 escalones y arriba se supone que estaba el palacio, pero otros dicen que fue mas bien un monasterio, de las ruinas no queda apenas nada. Las vistas son impresionantes. Todo se visita en unas 2 horas.

Cuando acabe fui a coger de nuevo un bus que me llevaría a Dambulla y de ahí otro a Anuradhapura, antigua capital del reino cingales.

Decidi visitar la ciudad al dia siguiente en bici. La entrada solo vale para un dia y aparentemente son 20km que ver, pero como sabia que no lo veria todo, tire para alante. Madrugue para pillar menos calor, y aun asi puedo decir que fue infernal. Me habian dado un mapa y menos mal que uso maps.me porque  sino aquello es imposible. No estan muy cerca unas de otras las ruinas, y alguna parte no esta muy señalizada. La entrada es cara y hay un par de sitios que hay que pagar aparte. La zona mejor conservada es la ciudadela, al norte de la cuidad antigua. Hay unos cuantos controles donde te piden la entrada, y tambien algun guia por ahi que te dice que puedes visitarlo sin pagar la entrada que ellos te llevan, pero preferi hacerlo bien. Con todo, aconsejo que se haga en tuktuk, porque seis horas en bici a 34 grados es matador, y luego ya, si eres tan buena en bici como yo, salir de la ciudad nueva para ir a las ruinas entre el trafico cingales, eso ya es de nota: llegue mas estresada que otro poco!

Ruwanweli

Abayagiri

A las 13.30, a punto de morir, decidi volver a mi habitacion, y me quedo por visitar el Árbol, Sri Maha Bodhi, pero ya no podia mas. llegue roja como un tomate y despues de una ducha me quede dormida mas de dos horas. 

El sitio en el que me quede estaba guay, con balcon y genial de precio, eso si, tambien hacia un calor de morir, porque por la noche tenia que cerrar las puertas del balcon porque unos gatitos le cogieron cariño a mi habitacion.

En resumen, tengo que decir, que en mi caso que ya habia estado en Angkor y en Bagan, estas ruinas no impresionan tanto, estan mas separadas y en bici, es mas incomodo de visitar, con lo que igual merece la pensa solo visitar los templos con entrada separada que es muy barata y son dos de los mas importantes.

I got to Sigiriya in the afternoon after changing buses in Dambulla. Sigiriya is a quiet street with rotti and rice and curry restaurants for the tourists. I stayed a bit far away in the only hostel. 

I woke up early the next morning to avoid the heat, and went straight to climb the Lion's rock, and visit the ancient city of Sigiriya, Kassapa's kingdom. There at the feet of the rock you can see gardens, water gardens, many caves hiden in enormous boulders, and then the Lion's rock. When you start to climb the steps there are son very well preserved paintings and th mirror wall where visitors of the kingdom use to leave their writen impressions of the city. There are a total of 1202 steps that lead you to the top where the King had his palace, or according too there, where there use to be a monastery. There is no much left today, but some incredible views of the area.

It took me 2 hours to visit, from there I took a bus back to Dambulla and another one to Anuradhapura, my next ancient city.

Super map

I decided to visit the ancient city by bike. Apparently it is more than 20km and the ticket is only for one day, but I was going to do what I could. I got up early and left around 7.30 to avoid the heat, but that wasn't enough. I was lucky that I was given a map at the Guesthouse cause it is kind of difficult to move around ( signs are not that clear and I was so glad that I had Maps.me). The ticket is quite expensive and also there are separate tickets for a couple of the places, they are not close to one another. The best conserved part is up north, the citadel. I am not a master with the bike so the way to the ancient city from the New one and back was quite stressfull, also, 6 hours at 34 degrees with no shelter really gets into you, so I would really consider hiring a tuk tuk for the day, specially if you are 2 or 3. At 13.30 i was so tired and hot that decided to call it a day and went back to the Guesthouse. 

I got here and after a shower, as red as I could be, i fell asleep for more than 2 hours. 

The place where I was staying was for once so cheap and one of the nicest. I got a balcony but had some kittens around so had yo close the doors at nice and the room was so hot.

I had been to Angkor and Bagan and I have to say that comparing to those this is not that cool, and are quote dispersed, I would advise to consider just visiting the temples/ sites with the separate ticket that is only 200 ruppies and that are 2 of the most important ones in the ancient city ( including the sri Maha Bodhi that I didn't visit cause I was exahusted).

Tips:

Sigiriya Hostel: 10 dollars, shared room, I was invited to the breakfast. 
Entrance ticket: 30 dollars!!!

Anuradhapura: Swiss garden cotagge: 10 minutes far from the bus station. 14$ the Night with in a double room with balcony and ensuite. They have food, not local prices but ok, I had a nice rice and curry for diner and tried their juices. 
Entrance ticket: 25 dollars!!!

From there i took the bus to Trincomalee that ß at 11.50 am and i am not sure of the price but should have been something along 160 ruppies (2.5hours). The bus from Dambulla to Anuradaphura was also around 100 ruppies and around 1.5 hours.

Sri Lanka: central region, From Ella to Kandy

Tras el safari en Uda Walawe, de nuevo en bus (2) me dirigi a Ella. 

Ella es un puebo de montaña muy visitado por los viajeros, e invita a quedarse unos dias. Yo solo estuve una noche para poder abarcar mas y porque no soy muy fan de los trekkings. Visite el Little Adan's Peak, que se tarda en subir unos 45 minutos y desde el que se pueden disfrutar de unas vistas muy chulas, me di un paseo por las plantaciones de te y vi el puente de nueve arcos, por el que pasa el tren en direccion a Ella desde Badulla. Esto se puede hacer en una tarde y aun hay tiempo a pasearse por el pueblo, cenar algo rico y tomarse algo. A quien le guste mas caminar, pueden aventurarse a subier a Ella's Rock y tambien visitar las cascadas de Rawana (que se ven al llegar a Ella si vas en bus). 

En ella coincidi con Nicole, y nos fuimos a cenar, comprar te y acabar la noche con un mojito. 

Otro motivo, y el mio principal para visitar Ella, es que desde ahi sale el tren a Kandy, que es conocido como uno de los mas bonitos del mundo. Se aconseja reservar con antelacion, pero llegue tarde y no quedaba nada mas que tercera clase y me dijeron en la taquilla que mejor iba directamente que seguro que tenia el mismo dia en segunda y a precio sin reserva (menos de la mitad). Al final, cuando llegue por la mañana habia cancelaciones y consegui un billete en segunda y asi me asegure mi asiento.

Yo cogi el tren de las 9.23 y complete su recorrido hasta Kandy. Tiene numerosas paradas pero la gente suele ir o bien a Haputale, a una hora de Ella o hasta Nuwara Eliya. Me recomendaron ir directa a Kandy, y asi lo hice. Son 7 horas de viaje. La parte mas bonita esta entre Nuwara Eliya y Kandy, y tambien la parte mas fria (esta a casi 2000m). En mi caso, ademas, llovio tambien en las alturas asi que pasamos algo de frio. l tren, ademas de kms y kms de plantaciones de te se pueden ver las llanuras del Horton y El fin del Mundo. La verdad que el tren merece mucho la pena, es un must en la visita a Sri Lanka.

Al dia siguiente visite Kandy con un chico Israeli. Fuimos al famoso Templo del diente de Buda, rodeando el Lago, el paseo hasta alli es muy bonito, en el Templo hay ceremonias por la mañana y por la tarde, todos visten de blanco y llevan flores como ofrendas. La entrada es algo cara a mi parecer, unos 10 dolares para una visita de 20 minutos. El diente, que es la reliquia mas importante de Sri lanka, no se puede ver. 

De ahi subimos a ver el Big Budda y fuimos a un jardin de especias, donde un hombre muy amable se tomo su tiempo explicandonos una a una las especias ue cultivan  sus usos: clavo, canela, vainilla,-cacao, cardamomo, nutmeg (ni idea)...

Le pedi al tuktukero que nos llevara a comer a algun sitio local y nos llevo al mercado, donde hay un pequeño restaurante local a la entrada y donde comimos genial, por fin. la comida no es muy alla en este pais hasta donde yo he probado.

Por la noche, eramos un grupo grande y el dueño del hostel nos llevo a cenar a un sitio plagado de mochileros, fue divertido escuchar las historias de los viajes de la gente, muchos venian de la India, otros tantos empezaban sus largo viaje aqui en Sri Lanka. Al dia siguiente se jugaba un partido de criquet muy importante: Australia vs Sri Lanka, y muchos iban a ir a verlo, yo de ahi, me dirigi a Sigiriya a visitar la Roca.

(Tips al final del texto).

After the safary in Uda Walawe, I went to Ella on the bus (2). Ella is a town in the mountain very visited by the turists (for the train and also beacuse it atmosphere invites you to stay longer). I stay there only for a night as I was not going to do any trekking, and I visited the Little Adan's Peak, the tea plantations and thee ) arch Bridge. Those who love hikking can climb Ella's Rock and also visit the Rawana falls. I visited all in one afternoon, met again nicloe and we gent for a roty diner and a mojito.

The main reason I was in Ella was to take the train to Kandy. They advise to book in advance but I got there too late for the reserved tickets, and was adviced by the guy at the counter to return in the morning as those days it was not full and could get tickets without reservation much more cheaper. When I got to the train station in the morning some 2nd class were cancelled and I got a seat (I didn't dare to buy the cheapest and have to go standing up all the way to Kandy. I took the train at 9.23. Most people takes to train to Haputale, 1 hour away from Ella, to Nawara Eliya or Kandy, all the way to Kandy takes 7 hours. The nicest part is from Nawara Eliya to Kandy, and also the coldest as that part is almost at 2000m. It rained also the most of the trip. From the train you go through many tea plantations and also get to see the Horton's plains and the World's end. It is a must in Sri Lanka. 

I got to kandy and the net day i visited the city with an Israely guy. We went to the Buddha's Tooth temple on a walk by the lake. 

The tooth in the buddhist most sacared relic in Sri lanka and there were a lot of locals visiting it. They wear white and offered floweres. There are 2 ceremonies during the day (morning and evening). From my point of view the entry is a little expensive, 10 dolars for a visit that does not last more than 20/30 minutes. You cannot see the tooth.

From there we went to the Big Buddha and to the spicy garden were we were explanide oll spices hervested in Sri Lanka along with their uses. I asked the tuk tuk driver to take us somewhere local to eat lunch and he took us to the market where there was a small local restaurant where I finally enjoyed the Sri Lanka rice and curry. So far food is not being great...

At night we were a big group of travellers and the owner of the hostel took us for diner to a place full of backpackers. It was fun and we got to hear many travel stories. People were mostly coming from some time on India or starting their trips here in Sri Lanka. Many were going to watch the criquet game the day after: Australia vs Sri Lanka. I would continue my trip to Sigiriya to climb the Lion's Rock.

Tips (prices in SLruppies):

In Uda Tuk Tuk to bus 100 rpBs from Uda Wallabe to Wellawaya, 105 rp, form there to Ella 60 rp.

I stayed in Bloom Rose Inn in Ella, it is a homestay, they rent 3 rooms, mine was great, all new, but with carpet! It was so clean though and the grandmaa and niece (Daya and Dinithri) were so nice. 21 dollars, is kinda difficult to find cheaper and nice. Well worth it!

From there you can visit the Little Adan's peak, no need to take any tuk tuk as I decided to do everything on foot. 

We got diner at Down Town Rotty House, it was quite nice but one of the waiters was awful, which is a weird thing to find here as everybody is really nice. We had a drink at a plce just in the corner of the road that goes to the Rail station, 400 rp(2,4euros) not bad!

Tain to Kandy: reserved, 1st 1000 rp, 2nd 600 rp, no reserved: 2nd 240 rp

Once in Kandy I shared a tuk tuk with a couple and I paid ony 100 rp. I found a rotty stall were I had diner for only 50 rp on the way from my hostel to the lake.

Kandy Hostel backpackers Lanka: 12 dolars shared female room with breakfast. It was ok, nice place to meet people but no character, needs a bit of care!.

Ticket to Tooth temple: 1500 rp

Ticket to Big Buddha: 200 rp

Spice garden: free, buy something!

Diner at Slightly Chilled: around 1000 rp

Sri Lanka: back on track

Tras unos meses, vuelvo de nuevo a la aventura, aunque esta vez con un viaje corto: 22 dias en Sri Lanka.

Los que me conoceis sabeis que me quede con ganas de alargar mi viaje viniendo aqui, y de alguna manera, al final he conseguido lo que tenia en la cabeza.

No me voy a extender mucho hablando sobre Sri Lanka:

Pais situado en la ruta de las especias, muy goloso para todo el que pasaba, fue ocupado por portugueses, holandeses y britanicos. Finalmente, la antigua Ceylan se independizo en el 48  pero ha estado en guerra civil entre sus dos grupos etnicos (tamiles y cingaleses) hasta no hace demasiado tiempo (87). Es un pais mayoritarimente budista (70%) con solo un 13% de poblacion hindu.

A pesar de que poco a poco comienza a llenarse de turistas, es aun un pais por descubrir.

Comenze mi viaje llegando a la capital, Colombo, pero me dirigi directa al tren en direccion a Galle. me quede en Fort Galle, un pueblecito construido por los holandeses en el 1663. Me recordó mucho a Fort Kochi (Kerala, India). Esta rodeado por una muralla que le valio de proteccion durante el tsunami y que locales y turistas recorren de lado a lado para contemplar las vistas. 

De ahi me diriji a Mirissa, y finalmente decici salir en busca de la ballena azul desde alli. 

Mi siguiente parada seria el parque nacional de Uda Walawe, para ver elefantes y con suerte, leopardos (no hubo suerte).

After some months, I am back on track in a new adventure. This time only 22 days in Sri Lanka.

Those who know me know that I would have loved to continue my last trip here, but by that time it couldn't be. I got it in the end though!

I am not going to tell you much about Sri Lanka: you might already know that it was formerly known as Ceylon and that it was in the middle of the spices' route, what made it very appeling to everyone who went by. It was occupied by portuguese, duch and british and finally got its independence in 1948, though it has been in turmoil in a civil war between cingalese and tamil until 1987. The mayority of its inhabitants are buddhist(70%), with only a 13% of hinduists.

Although tourism is getting bigger, it is still a country to discover.

I flew to the capital, Colombo, and took a train straight to the south, to the city of Galle. Í stayed in Fort Galle, a town made by the duch in 1663. It reminded me a lot to Fort Kochi (kerala, India). It is surrounded by a wall that protected it well from the tsunami, and that is full of both turists and locals that wander it to admire the lovely views of the town and the sea.

From There I headed to Mirissa, and finally decided to go whale watching. 

My next stop would be Uda Walawe National Park, to See elephants and what have you ( I wasn't lucky, no leopards for me today).

Tips:

Bus from Colombo airport to Colombo bus station (besides Colombo Fort Train Station) 130 ruppies.

Train express to Galle, 2nd class 180 ruppies(1.2 euros). No matter what you do it is diffcult to find a seat, so be prepared for the 2.5 hours ride. I was so tired after the flight but it was so cool to see the views from the door betwen 2 carridges. I shared a tuk tuk with Alex to my hostel, Galle is a bit expensive and we paid 70 ruppies each for the ride. We spent the day together visiting the town.

Pedlar's Inn Hostel: nice white rooms with 3-4 beds for 15 dolars the night. 

Mama's restaurant: for me, the curry and rice wasn't worth it.

Dairy King for the best passion fruit ice cream.

I visited the vegetables and fish market outside the fort with Nicole, that I met again in Mirissa...I'm running a day ahead of her everywhere!

Up to now I have moved in bus that has been so funny and so cheap:

Galle bus station is just outside the fort. From there I took a bus to Mirissa ( is the one to Matara) for 60 ruppies (0.4 euros).

Hangover hostel: 4 beds room for 10 dollars per night.

The sea was really rough, not the best time of the year for surfing or whale watching, but I decided to go as I was told that you could see whales everyday. They never told me the sea sick I was going to get, maybe i would have given it a second thought. Hey!!! but I saw blue whales!! 3000 ruppies including the tuk tuk ride to the marina ( apparently you can get it for less but that was already half price compared to high season).

Visit Number 1 Dewmini Roti shop for its fantastic rotis,  it is on the Lonely but also all accomodations will recommend it. 

To go to Uda Walalwe I had to take  buses: first one to Matara (25 ruppies, 0,15 euros), then to Emilipitinya (120 ruppies), from there to Ula Walawe junction (50 ruppies) and finally a tuk tuk (340 ruppies!!!) to the guesthouse (a total of 1.2 euros for the buses and 2 for the tuk tuk, not bad!!!). it was a journey of 3 hours, and I didn't have to wait for any of the buses :)

Silent Bungalows: after reading all reviews I decided to come to this place. It is a bit under construction but they are quite nice (I got here almost at 4 and asked for something to eat and they prepared me a sandwich some tea and bananas). They ofered me a safari with 2 couples that were on the guesthouse and it was a total of 4700 ruppies, 28 euros for a 5 hours safari: we saw elephants, many peacocks, marabues and other birds along with buffalos, jakals, deer, crocodiles...

It is enough to stay for one night as the morning safari starts at 5.45 and ends around 11. I booked  nights not wanting to be on a rush...

Indonesia: Lombok, Lembongan y Bali...y se acabo lo bueno

Madrid, 

Esta es sin duda la entrada que mas me va a costar escribir. Y va a ser larga, porque no quiero que se acabe....Es el final de un maravilloso viaje, el cierre de un sueño, de una parte de mi vida que fue increible, y que ahora que ya estoy de vuela, prece muy lejana ya, y muy dura de recordar aun. Se que con el tiempo se pasara y sera mucho mas facil revivir los momentos inolvidables que pase, pero ahora, aun es dificil.

Mis ultimos dias, fueron, ademas muy especiales ya que los disfrute en una grn compañia, lo que hace que la despedida de mi viaje fuera doblemente dolorosa.

Lembongan

A principios de diciembre, saliendo de unos dias tontos en Laos, recordareis que conoci a Alberto en una furgoneta que nos llevaba a la frontera con Tailandia. Coincidimos unos cuantos dias en Chian Mai que fueron geniales, luego seguimos en contacto, y un dia, poco antes de Navidad, de charleta por el whatsapp, decidimos reencontrarnos mas adelante en Indonesia.

Asi fue, como el 11 de febrero, justo 2 meses despues de habernos despedido, volvimos a vernos en Bali.

El pobre llego a las 4 de la mañana, despues de mil horas de vuelos y retrasos en aeropuertos, pero con una sonrisa en la cara, como siempre!

Al dia siguiente llovia a cantaros, lo que limitaba nuestra movilidad, ya que queriamos ir en moto, pero mas o menos nos las arreglamos para poder seguir adelante con los planes. Queriamos cruzar a Lombok rapidamente, alquilar moto no solo era imposible por la lluvia, sino que no nos dejaban cruzarla de isla (y para cruzarla es importante que te den los papeles originales de la moto, sino te quedas en tierra). Pillamos un taxi a Padang bai y de ahi el Public ferry a Lombok.

Selong Balanak

Fueron 4 horas en barco, mucho mas barato y comodo que el speed boat (se lo que digo, no es la primera vez haciendo ese trayecto). Al llegar a Lembar, de nuevo sin posibilidad de moto, cogimos otro coche para ir a Kuta Lombok, donde pasariamos 5 noches. Fueron unos dias super intensos, de playa, yoga a tope todos los dias y algunos doble sesión, y surf.

Yoga class

Alberto estaba super ilusionado con el surf y se nos trunco un poco, el primer dia que ibamos en direccion a la playa ya con las tablas y a medio camino, que Selong Balanak esta lejos, pinchamos! y tuvimos que dejar el surf para el dia siguiente porque perdimos mas de una hora, pero así pudimos ver un campeonato de surf en Seger. 

 Seger beach  

Para mi la leccion de surf del dia siguiente fue como una tortura, nada que ver con Siargao, se me dio de pena vamos, y me lleve mil golpes con la tabla! parecia tonta. El resumen de estos días: No paramos ni un minuto.

Rinjani from south Lombok

 Tanjung Ann

Como siguiente destino ibamos a Nusa Lembongan, y es algo mas complicado llegar a esa isla, especialmente desde Lombok. Era todo carisimo (para presupuestos mochileros), y cuando creiamos que habiamos conseguido algo guay, nos dejaron tirados en el ultimo minuto, asi que nos toco correr al Public ferry y pasar una noche extra en Sanur (Bali) antes de cruar a Lembongan. Al final nos salio bastante bien la cosa, ademas pillamos un hotelillo majo en Sanur, y nos dimos una vuelta, ese dia caimos muertos, despues de tanto tute en Lombok y algo de stress para llegar hasta ahi(yo).

Pit stop to fix flat tire

Para cruzar a Lembongan hay multitud de speedboats rondando los 25euros, pero nosotros cruzamos en un barco lento (1.5h) por poco mas de 6 euros. Nos quedamos en Nyoman Guesthouse, super recomendble, menos de 14 euros la habitacion doble con desayuno. Mas yoga, puestas de sol y visita alrededor de la isla en moto. Tambien cruzamos a la isla vecina, Nusa Ceningan, a traves de un puente  de madera, muy divertido! y unas vistas preciosas desde ambos lados!

Devil's tear, Lembongan

Tambien coincidio el Kuningan, una fiesta balinesa, y pudimos ver los desfiles y a todos los lugareños engalanados.

Kuningan

Un dia fui a bucear, yo queria ver el Mola Mola, pero no es la epoca del año, pero vi unas cuantas mantas, tambien faciles de ver en la zona, y fue espetacular! 

Alberto fue a hacer surf, y menos mas que no fui: la zona es muy poco profunda y hay q tener mucho cuidado. Es una experiencia, en cualquier caso, ya que es de estos sitios donde te llevan en barco ya que la rompiente esta alejada de la orilla.

Ya de vuelta en Bali, nos toco ya coger moto cargando con las mochilas, a pesar de tener solo 25 km de trayecto hasta Uluwatu, fue algo asi como una hora, cargando con 4 mochilas en una scooter, asi que os podeis imaginar, Llegamos  a Bingin agotados, y se puso a llover, nada mejor para relajarse en nuestra bonita terraza, y preprarnos para ir de Fiesta a la Sunday Night del Single Fin, muy famosos por la zona. Yo ya había estado antes, pero la fiesta del domingo se ha convertido en una super fiesta, lo que antes cerraba a las 10 ahora esta hasta la bandera y debe durar hasta altas horas! pero aun tienen concierto en directo y fue dvertido! mas divertido, ayudar a nuestros vecinos borrachos encontrar el camino de vuelta a la habitacion!

Party night at Single fin

Comparado con Lombok, todos estos dias fueron mas relajados, Alberto se puso algo malo de catarro un par de dias y nos lo intentamos tomar con calma, se acercaba ademas el final...yo no podia evitar pensarlo.

Balangan

View from our balcony at Kelly's

Como despedida, pasamos la ultima noche en Seminyak, es como la zona pija. El hotel fue una pasada y mi ultima mañana celebramos el cumple de Al por adelantado con un desayuno impresionante en Cafe Organic. Luego relax, paseos, llore un poco y esas cosillas...

Fueron unos dias geniales, no podia haber tenido mejor despedida que estos 13 dias en una compañia tan increible. Fue tan triste irme, y depedirme en el aeropuerto que me pase dias intetando ni pensarlo, y creo que a dia de hoy sigo asi...

Last day

Me alegro mucho de haberte concido. Los giros inesperados que da la vida...Encontré aquel As de treboles en Houai Xai, creo que me dio suerte e hizo que llegara a conocerte! Sigue disfrutando de tu viaje, nos vemos a tu vuelta, que no es pronto y...a seguir sonriendo!

                                                                    GRACIAS!

podeis leer la otra historia en;

www.porotroslares.com

Alberto, fruit lover ;) ahahaha

This, is, no doubt, the hardest post I had to write, not only because they were the last days of my trip but also because I had the best company during those  weeks. It was the end of a wonderful trip, the fulfilment of a dream, a great part of my life that won't come back and now is painful to remember.

At the begining of December I met Alberto in a van on the north of laos. We crossed the border and got to know ech other during some days in Chiang Mai, later on, during a conversation in whatsapp we decided to meet again in Bali, and  months later there we were!

He got there so late after long delays on planes but always wih a smile on his face.

Heavy rain made the start of our trip different than we have liked and we took a car to get to Padang bai and crossed to Lombok on the Public ferry, It was really cheap and more confortable than the spedboat. We got to Kuta Lombok, rented a bike and spent there 5 nights, relaxing, surfing and doing some yoga. We visited many beaches, had a flat tire that held us for onw hour missing our first surf lesson and I hd a fight with my surf board. It was a really intense stay in Lombok, we were so tired at the end of it.

English lessons at Mawan beach

After that we were on our way to Lembongan, not without having some issues with the arrangment of the transport, but finally we manage, after having to spend an extra night on the way, in Sanur.

The next morning we took the public slow boat to Lembongan (6 euros against the 26 of the speedboats). 

Crossing on the slow boat. Happy to finally reach Lembongan.

Lembongan view point

We stayed in a really nice guestouse for only 14 euros the double room with breakfast, and spent the days visiting the island, doing some yoga, relaxing sunset watching and Alberto went back to surf and I went diving. I did not see the Mola mola as it was not the season but enjoied diving with mantas!. We also crossed to Nusa Ceningan using the woden bridge, there are really nice views on both sides.

Also we lived the Kuningan festivities during those days in Lembongan.

Sunset in Lembongan

Back to Bali, loaded on the scooter with our 4 backpacks,we went all the way to the south, to Bingin beach, that afternoon it started to rain so we relaxed in our great terrace and went to the Single fin at night for the Sunday party, it was so crowded, nothing to do with what I remembered, but it was fun!

On the way back we had to help our very drunk neighbours to find the Guesthouse and it was so funny to lead them down the stairs on that condition!

Bingin

Compared to Lombok, those days were not that hectic, we visited a couple of beaches and Al got better of a cold he got. Also, the end was coming and I couldn't help thinking it.

Balangan

As a ferwell, we pent the last day in Seminyak. The hotel was beautiful, and we had a grea breakfast to celebrate Alberto's birthday and my last day. We had a walk, relax and I cried a little bit, those kind of things...

It couldn't have been a better ferwell than to spent my last 13 days in such a great company. It was so hard to go, and say goodbye at th airport. I couldn't think about it for some days and it still hurts.

It was so great meeting you. Life has its misterious ways. I found that Ace of clovers in Houai Xai and maybe because of that we meet, and I'm so greatful for it. Keep enjoying your trip as you know, see you again...and keep smiling!

                                                                  THANKS

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Tips;

Take a blue taxi from denpasar airport, not the ones that come to you at the exit, it'll be much more cheaper. I took a mototaxi for 60000 (4euros), and they were asking around 200000. 

We spent a night in Legian, as we got there late, otherwise skip it.

Hotel Duo Legian, 215000 per night (14,5euros). Handy and comfy.

300000 a taxi (150000 each) to Padang bai 2 hours ride.

we took the public ferry to Lombok, it is much more cheeper, 41000 ruppies (2,7 euros) than the speed boats. It takes around 4 hours but it was nice compared to the sppedboats when the sea is rough. Also speedboats are never less than 250000 ruppies (16 e).

There we took a taxi, bargain as much as you can but you won't get it for less than 100000 per person to Kuta Lombok.

We stayed at Nalua Homestay, it is new and modern, in the back of a surf shop. 200000 per nigth the doble with breakfast.

Nalua's breakfast.

Nalua

Mana yoga, drop in classes, hatha and Vinyasa. 100000 per class, we took a 5 classes bono for 400000, and we got one for free on Valentin's day!

We got recomended Nuggets Corner for food, and we enjoyed a great dish of tuna. It was 70000 (4,7e) expensive for a budget traveler but so worth it. We went twice!

Careful with the travel agencies, we tried to get a trip to Lembongan straight form Lomobok nd unles you pai around 500000 per person it is impossible. We got back to padang bai the same way and from there took a van to Sanur for 75000 ruppies ech.

We spent the nigh in Sanur Indah, only 1 euros the double room with breakfast, really nice for the price.

To cross to Lembongan there are many options, we took the cheapest, public slow boat that takes 1.5 hoursand is 100000.

there is also the public fast boat for 140000 and several private speedboats for 300000 or more. Easy to decide, specialy bacause the sea was calm. On the way back we took the public fast boat as on sundays there is no slow boat. takes less than 45 minutes.

In lembongan we stayed at Nyoman guesthouse. 170000 per night with grat breakfast, that is 11.5 euros, see for yourself below!

We went to yoga to the Yoga shack, 100000 ruppies..

I went diving with Dive Concept. So many people on the boat, not really confirtable, a bit messy. 950000 for 2 dives (64e) including manta point and crystal bay. Equipment included.

Visit Nusa Ceningan crossing the bridge on the other side of Lembongan. 

Renting a motorbike was always 50000 per day, that's less than 3 euros.

In the south of Bali, bukit peninsula, we stayed at Kelly's warung. it is getting a bit more expensive, and they do not have wifi, bathroom is outside the room and breakfast is not included. In any case the room is so nice, we choose the one with balcony that is straight on the beach, and we enjoied the great breakfast of their restaurant. room with balcony, 250000 per night (18e).

In Seminyak, a posh neighborhood north of Kuta Bali and legian, we stayed at Brown feather Hotel. It was incredible furnised, coosy, so beautifull, well located and everything you could need. It was 32 euros the night for a double room, it had a cool swimming pool overlooking a rice terrace and you could also add breakfast for only 50000 which is so nice on that area. 

We went for breakfast to Cafe Organic. Beautiful and yummy. Smoothy bowls for 4 euros and many more things.

Cafe Organic

Brown Feather Hotel