Flores in Figures - an epic 8 day trip across the crazy island of Flores came to an end today when we flew back to civilisation in Bali. The combination of immense volcanic geography, some wild journeys, lovely people and what must surely be the best rice and bananas this side of Lombok, made for a truly unforgettable week. And how else to present it but in our Flores in Figures Countdown: 1600 metres up Mount Kelimutu at 4am on the back of 2 mopeds to a stu...

Who do you fatten up first? - Let's take 32 people. They represent various European countries and Australian states. They range from 19 to 72 years of age. They each want to travel from the west coast of Lombok along the north coast of Sumbawa to Labuanbajo in Flores. Though they all have their different reasons, they each choose a three-day Perama boat leaving Labuhan Lombok on 31st May. Agatha Christie would have had a field day with this lot, as the three d...

Sugar and spice... and too much rice - Over the last four days, we've moped-ed (mo-peed?) from Sengiggi on the West coast of Lombok to Kuta Lombok (far nicer than Kuta Bali with Lombok's hottest surf spots and deserted beaches) and across to the South West peninsular, known as Lombok's Caribbean. We've sea-kayaked, sunbathed, done the best snorkelling of our lives in amongst shoals of giant bumphead parrot fish, read lots, walked around islands, eaten some delici...

I've had the climb of my life Rising over the northern half of Lombok, the mighty Gunung Rinjani (3726m) is Indonesia's second highest volcano and has spiritual gravitas. Balinese Hindus and Sasak Muslims consider it sacred and make pilgrimages to its peak and lake to leave offerings to the gods. But we were after a more earthly satisfaction. As part of our desire to climb anything we saw and the fact that we've summited higher mountains before, we thought it w...

Gili Billies - Just over one week in and we're still in 'holiday' mode. And what an amazing place to have a holiday. We'd initially planned to stay on Gili T for three days to do a spot of diving and chill out. But the lure of this beautiful island, absolutely amazing dive sites, the Advanced PADI qualification and general slow pace of life meant we've stayed for five nights. Of course it's a very touristy island, but 19 metres under water, it's just you an...