Had a really good nights sleep and only woke up at 4:55am just the right time for our sunrise on the Jukung (a traditional fishing boat) boat ride with the Yowana Bhakti Segara (Youth who protect their ocean) fishermen! We met them on the beach at 5:30am and got straight in the boats. They were like a canoe-type boats with stabilisers and could fit 3 of us plus the fisherman in each. You sat on wooden slats with your feet up not like in a boat in the UK where your feet are kinda in a hole so you are properly seated on a board. Instead, you had you feet up like you were sat on the floor (if that makes sense).
Morning sunrise on the Jukung (a traditional fishing boat), with the Yowana Bhakti Segara (Youth who protect their ocean) fishermen!
We sailed out towards the sun to get some nice pics as the sun came up. The sea was nice and calm and the whole round trip was about an hour. It only cost us 125,000 dib dabs which is about £7, which is amazing for an hour's trip out. Most places would pull your pants down and smack yer arse for any kind of "excursion". We both gave him a bit extra as it all helps him make a living as he defo didn't catch any fish :-/
Jorg took a couple of nice pics of me and Layla and one of the other boats took a great pic of our bot in the sunrise. I took a couple of good ones of Jorg and our driver which turned out well.
After we got back it was pretty much time for breakfast. Lovely fresh fruit again and also the option for scrambled eggs and toast. I also had a crunchy chocolate spread on toast afterward to satisfy my sweet tooth. They do seem to have an aversion to knives here as they always just put out forks and spoons, not sure why. They had one for the chocolate spread but that was it lol.
Straight after breakfast it was time to get to work. The structures that had been built last week had dried out so we had to dig a hole in between where two of the legs would be in the sand and then get a long piece of wood to pry each open up out of the ground. The excess sandy was then scraped off. Two people had to then carry them using a roped loop and a long piece of bamboo. These were all taken to the beach where someone else hosed them off to get rid of any sand in the tunnels that had been made etc.
Below are some of the ones made last week:-
This is the first step in the process, digging down and making 4 holes for the legs. Once dug out these are filled with concrete and then a square base put created on top with concrete and metal supports. The idea of the structure is they are kind of like concrete tables with 4 legs and then a design is put on the top. There needs to be a combination of places for the fish to hide and also rough surfaces and holes for the coral to attach itself to.
The dried ones were all taken to the beach today and washed down. tomorrow they will all be loaded onto the same fishing boats we went out on this morning. These will then be dropped into the sea where new the coral is being built. Then Thursday we dive down and arrange them on top of each other to build it up.
It was heavy work lifting them all up and carrying them to the beach But we were done by 10am so we're off work after an hour. I like th fact they don't just make you work the full shift and find you something else to do.
We went to a local shop for an iced coffee with a guy from the Netherlands called Ceese (pronounced Case). We didn't even know this place was just probs the corner from us. The lady serving us was so friendly and it was nice to support local small shops rather than always going to the bigger supermarket.
Everywhere you go there are just chickens and roosters just wandering about. There was one in the shop just strolling about not paying us any attention.
Layla played a game of cards with some of the local kids. It was kind of like snap but with round cards that had lots of symbols on them. The girl in red won every game but I think that's cos she was so close to the cards nobody else could get a look in. They seem to have really taken a shine to Layla.
After lunch we had a snorkel over to where som of the new structures have already been placed. We were walking along the beach and a lady was waving to us and. recognised Layla as the person who had given her daughter some goggles yesterday. She was so grateful bless her and on our way back her daughter Katut was in the sea wearing them beaming from ear to ear.
We learned how to make the religious offerings just before dinner. It was really interesting to see how they use coconut leaves for everything. I could probably practise them with the leaves off one of the plants I have in my garden
Here was my attempt, I'm sure they will get better with practice
Dinner was quite spicy tonight they had chicken satay but the sauce had quite a kick to it. After dinner we went down to the beach as they had organised a bonfire. I headed back up to the room after a bit as I was goosed and wanted to have a shower before bed. I figured now would be a quiet time while everyone was on the beach. There are only two showers and two toilets between everyone so you have to time it right. I use my phone so I can see what I'm doing int h shower. The toilets have lights onso they are fine. Layla stayed for a while and sang a couple of songs with Zack on the guitar.
Pictures are brilliant neil..xx julie