Hi all, Gilli Trawenga (Gilli means Island) – Getting there  Oh my god – 6am the alarm goes off and I have to get up ready for a monster journey, you definitely shouldn’t see two 6  o’ clock’s in one day when you’re on holiday! Anyway, the minibus arrives at the hotel to take us to the port. I inflate my travel pillow (a must if you are thinking of going traveling) take up 3 seats and go back to sleep! We arrive at the port a t about 7:30 am and are told  to wait on the café until the ferry arrives. When you book any kind of tour in south east asia they al ways make you wait around at each stop so that you will spend money. It’s annoying really cos it adds hours onto your journey.  So we ordered breakfast, I had lemon tea and a banana pancake and whilst I was tucking into the pancake,  that had obviously only been threatened  with the frying pan, I wondered whether I  would have to pay extra for the hair that was stuck in the middle of it! Then whilst paying for the worst breakfast in history I turned and noticed a little Indonesian man had picked up my rucksack and was hurrying off up the street with it! Great. I wasn’t the only one who’s bag had been ‘stolen’, so we rushed after them to find them standing  at the dock with the bags. We marched over, furious and  took our bags back only to be greeted  with ‘now you pay for porter service!’ It was the best joke I have heard since my journey began. I think that my bag has been stolen and now I’m expected to pay for this privileged  service! So as  you can imagine I told him where to go, as more of them appeared demanding money I stood my ground. It wasn’t the money, it was the principle. Some of the others paid but I didn’t  give in, I did start to wonder if my stubbornness was going to get me into trouble (probably one day), but then  they gave in and  walked off, 1 – nil to me ! After being hassled for about half an hour to buy water, rice, fruit, sarongs, newspapers, something in a medicine bottle produced from an inside coat pocket, we were allowed to get on the ferry. The ferry was basically a cargo ferry so we were on the top deck, sat on the floor with only our rucksack to lean on for com fort. We entertained ourselves by playing cards, reading books and listening to music. Five hours later we arrived  at the next port in Lombok – which is the next Island to Bali. We  then got on another minibus and after being harassed to buy water, rice, fruit…..the bus s et of across Lombok to the n ext port. After  an hour or so (and getting cash out as there are no ATM’s on  the Gilli’s) We arrived at the next port. Again, the ‘porters’ came and tried to take our bags but we were read y for them  this time, they still try and take them out of your hands! After being hassled to buy water, rice, fruit….. we began  the final leg of the journal on a long boat to the Island. After the stoned Aussie  guy got stung for mosquito repellent ,he paid about 10 quid to the sellers that pester  you and it costs about  80p from any shop! Oh and they also got him for porter service, the boat set off. We passed Gilli Air, Gilli Meno and arrived at Gilli Trawenga which is the main back packer island. Shattered, we found a nice place to stay, nice clean room with brekkie thrown in for about 3 quid. We went out to eat and sat in a lovely restaurant right on the beach, the sea was lapping up practically at the side of the table. It was so peaceful and chilled, there are no motorbikes, the only methods of transport are horse and cart and push bikes!  After eating we found an Irish bar where they have all pub games free of charge, darts, football table, jenga etc and you can have your own TV and DVD in your booth and pick  any film from about 2000, again free of charge!  I took an instant liking to the Island and think if your looking for a paradise island – this is it. The nightmare journey had been worth it. Lots of love  Julie x x x