Sheer Joy - Bali!

It wasn't that I didn't enjoy Sumba but the sheer Joy of being back in Bali was beautiful. I immediately caught up with Natalie for lunch before she whizzed off to the airport. Nat was flying back to Thailand through Singapore and going back to the 'Special Place' Grrr I'm jealous. But before she left she passed on a very good tip, if you want to learn how to surf then head to Zanzibar (a bar on the beach) and look for Sunny, a blond Balinese in white shorts a green t-shirt and a green Starbucks cap. So I checked myself into a nice hotel (Felt a distinct need for pampering!) rented a moped, dumped my backpack with housekeeping for laundry service and then it was off to the beach. Sure enough Sunny was found. The lesson booked, I headed off for sun downers with Daphne and Peggy followed by an early night.

Peggy and I

The next morning we all met bright and early on the beach and off I was, my first lesson in Surfin!!! It was AMAZING, Im totally hooked! I managed to stand on the board!!!! and I managed to turn right and left!!! I was on a 9.4 board and then that was reduced to an 8!!! Ive a long way to go but I think I'm gonna be able to call myself a surfer (in a couple of years) !!! haha I even caught myself strutting around surfer style later on day 2 - it was hilarious!!! Don't worry I smirked to myself and shock it off! (immediately)

Reached the beach in one piece!

Love this shot - The Wipe Out - well 2secs before!

Unfortunately my Indonesian visa expired on the 15th leaving me only 2 nights in Bali. I didn't stop, lunch with Nat, finding Sunny, window shopping, dinner with Daphne and Carrie on Thursday night and surfing all day on Thursday and for 2 more hours on Friday morn before the mad dash to the airport: direction Borneo!!

The Surfin Crew, Sunny and the Girls.

It was fun and I must admit I might have to spend more time in Bali.... if I'm going to learn how to surf!!! haha - Told you I was hooked!

...walking through customs having just paid my departure tax 100,000 Rupiah ($10), the customs officer (so official for the 1st 2secs, then they smile that Balinese smile and they become your instant friend) asked me can you cancel your flight? I can extend your visa... Damn - I had told him it was a visa run to Borneo!!

I waked to the gate with a smile on my face and the waves still on my mind.

Ahhh La Vie Est Trops Belle!


13th - 15th June 2007

PS HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALOISIA!!!!