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The boat journey from Gili Air back to Padang Bai on Bali was definitely the worse either of us had ever been on before without doubt. On the way to the boat jetty a local boy told us the fast boats wouldn't be running.... we just ignored him as we thought he was just trying to get money out off us and sell us a different boat. We boarded the fast boat we had booked and everything seemed fine to start with..... BUT within 10 minutes we understood why the lad had said he didn't think the boats would be running. The sea was well rough, the waves were huge and going higher than the boat. On several occasions the boat left the water, followed by a big thud. This was not good, we had to shut the windows as water was coming in through them. This made it very hot and uncomfortable. Lucy didn't feel good and grabbed a couple off sick bags. Peter thinking he was fine suddenly went feeling very hot and dizzy.... not good if you know what Peters like. Peter then dashed too the front off the boat with a bin in his hand.... he sat at the front trying to get some air. Feeling sick and dizzy looking at the huge waves he led down in probably the only space he could of led down on the boat. The boat was full and many people had sick bags in their hands and their heads against the seat infront. Both of us looked green and very pale at times. Even some off the boats crew didn't look too clever. Lucy later returned back to her seat and left Peter led on the floor in the crews way. When the journey finished and we arrived safely on land, Peter found out that Lucy had unfortunately thrown up after returning to her seat. What a pair we are!
We then had a shuttle car journey that took us to Kuta from Padang Bai. Eventually we found some cheapish accomodation and took two big bags of laundry to a local laundrette. We had some lunch at a local restaurant just round the corner from our homestay. It was very cheap and had good variety on the menu. Lucy enjoyed a lovely caesar salad. That afternoon we didn't do much apart from wander around the streets and alleys of Kuta, exchanging a couple of books in the process. For tea we ate at the same restaurant as lunch... its good when you find a place that caters very well for your needs - cheap, good choice and delicious.
We didn't have long in Kuta so the next day we had a few purchases to make as we felt it would be cheaper in Bali than Singapore or Australia! We wandered around the streets and shops again, doing some hard bargaining in buying some sandals and sunglasses for Lucy and some boxers for Peter. XXXL boxers for Peter.... he does have a big bum! Lucy isn't having the best of times with her sunglasses. It might be her 5th pair on this trip!! Lucy took some time out from the shopping and had her hair coloured at a local beauty salon whilst Peter finally bought some new flip-flops to replace the ones he's constantly tripping up in. We didn't go on the beach at Kuta as we simply didn't have time as we were leaving the next day. The beach here is a big draw for surfers from around the world.
That evening we had an early night after enjoying some squid and a pepper steak. Beep beep beep.... 2.30am! Time to get up and leave Indonesia. We left our homestay and headed to the main street to hopefully find a taxi to the airport. We had no problem... the streets were packed with drunk people and there were hundreds of taxis on the main road. Result.
At the airport we had to pay a departure fee.... we didn't know this! Fortunately we just got enough indonesian ruppiah and US dollar together to get out off the country! Once through all the security checks and into the area where the gates where it was a little wierd.... no shops open, staff asleep on benches and a cat wandering around! We finally reached the gate we were departing from and a couple off cafes were open there. As we had paid to leave the country we only had enough money left to share a can off diet coke. GREAT!
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