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We set off to the airport (once again) On waiting to board the flight to Bali we spotted my bag being loaded onto the plane (at lease I knew it was going) this occupied us for 5 minutes. We flew with Garudua Indoniesia which was actually a fairly decent airline to fly with (apart from the fact they charged us excess baggage!)
On landing in Bali we went through customs and to the carosel to collect our bags. On waiting for mine a little chappy came over trying to wisk my bag off as quick as possible (he was a porter) and then have the cheek to try and charge me for the privilage of having my bag whipped out from between my fingers whilst I chase after him! Well I was having none of that. I quickly pulled my bag back from him and after abit of a tussel he let go. I put the bag on my trolley and quickly scuttled off, meanwhile Rachel none the wiser to this little tactic thought these gentlemen where being helpful that was until they asked for money! To which she ran! We got out of the airport and the first thing I did was light a cigarette. I text mother and put my phone back in my bag. We walked over to the hotel booking desk to book a hotel room for the next few nights and on going to get my purse out of my bag I realised by bloody phone had been stolen! "Welcome to Bali!" I thought.
Having reported it to the police, who didnt really care, we went back to the hotel (me rather annoyed) and went to bed. The following day we woke up and went for a walk to Kuta Beach. This was very disappointing, very busy and crowded, a little bit dirty and monkeys on chains performing. Needless to say we didnt feel inspired to whip of our clothes into bikinis and sunbathe. We headed back to the hotel and figured out a plan of action to find nicer places. Whilst we were in Darwin a Italian man told us about some islands called the Gili Islands and how beautiful they are. So we set about hatching a plan in which to find our paradise.
The following day we woke up bright and early and hopped on the shuttle bus which would take 2 1/2 hrs and to a port called Padangbai where we could get the boat over to Lombok. The boat journey to Lombok take 3-5 hrs. We got off in padangbai and again we were hasslled by numerous people but we went to the ticket desk 9to ensure we wernt ripped off) to find out how much the boat over to the islands were direct. The cost was 600,000 Rh which in the grand scheme of things was only about 30 quid but we did think that was too dear. We were going to go for it anyway but soon discovered that the local (only!) ATm was not working, therefore, without beating about the bush, we were b*****ed! with only 400,000Rh between us!! whislt we were stood away from the office desk deciding what to do a local man over and took the chance to try and get himself some cash. He said he would get us to the Gilli Islands (our ultimate goal following Lombok) for 350,00 for the 2 of us. Obviously we were abit wary of this man and took some time to think about our options, which were that didnt have any! So we had to put our trust in the man and handed over the money. He wizzed off on this moped and said to follow him! He had obviously over looked the fact that we had 25kg backpacks and hand luggage with us as we struggled up towards the boat, not even attempting to keep up with him, just trying to keep sight of him!!! luckily he came and found us and pointed us in the right direction. We stood and waited for the boat with the locals. 45mins later we finally boarded at 2pm. We felt like the only 2 europian on the whole boat (we werent, there were about 5 others on other decks) but all the loacls stare at you and your bags, eyeing everything up (as if to say "ooooh what shiny, spangled thing can I steal from her?") We spent the 5 hr journey over to Lumbar, Lombok, wide awake and holding onto our bags and worldly possessions for dear bloody life!. On arrival into lombok it was around 7:30pm and dark. we were sat next to a man from the indoniesian army who had put the fear of god up us by telling what to, what not to do, watch our bags and telling us about all the scams. We scurried off the boat and luckily (just as the moped wizard has promised) someone was the other end to meet us. it turns out there are a fairly reputable tour company (thankgod!) he shows us to the mini bus and we settle down for the 2 hrs journey further to Bansar where we then connect to the islands! (no one said this travelling lark would be easy did they!) A lovely Swiss couple were also dragged onto this arse about face way of getting there by the same moped man, So at least we wernt on our own. The final test for the day was when the guide this end said as it was too late there are no more boats over to the Gili Islands that night and we would have to stay in Sengiggi overnight and get the boat in the morning. None of us really wanted to do that so when we arrived in Bansar we managed to come to a deal with a local boat owner who would take us over the the Islands that night............
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