We’d set our alarm for 5:30am but we’re both awake before it went off. We had already packed our bags last night with the things we needed for 3 days on Nusa Penida island. Yanti the cook did breakfast for us earlier than the normal breakfast and made us fried eggs, toast and fruit so we could eat before setting off, bless her.
We shared a car with Nincta from the Netherlands as she was moving on to Australia next and was getting the boat over to another island first for a few days. It was 600,000 dib dabs between us so 200,000 each. It sounds like loads but it’s about £12 each lol.
The driver had already organised our boat tickets so when we got there he took us to the right desk. We were booked on the 10:30am boat but when we checked in they had 2 places on the 9:30am boat so they let us in that one. That’s the difference between UK mentality and here. If we had booked seats on the 10:30 boat at home they would have made us wait an hour and let the bait go with empty seats because ‘it’s not changeable’. Here they see the logic of filling the seats so they can sell more tickets for the 10:30. It’s not rocket science. They put our bags up too and everyone put their flip flops in baskets.
The boat ride was about 40 minutes to the island. When we got there is was all very organised they brought our bags to the shore and we found our flip-flops in the basket on the beach.
The minute we got on the beach a guy made a beeline for us offering us a ride. We explained we wanted food and a drink then we would book a hotel. He waiting outside the place we were eating and kept coming over showing us pics of amazing views and asking if we wanted to see them on the way there.
We had a fresh fruit juice and chicken and veg with steamed rice. They do so many frehs juices here like watermelon, Papaya, Mago etc so it would be wrong not to take advantage of all the vitamins.
As soon as our hotel was booked he was helping us with our bags to his car which was parked outside and was driving us to our hotel. We didn’t agree on a price first ‘roomy mistake’ and so ended up paying over the odds but it was still only £12 total.
The transfer was about 40 mins. We booked the green beach inn and upgraded ourselves to a sea view room as it was only £10 a night extra each. When they said see view they weren't joking.
We unpacked and then decided to have a swim in the sea. Word of advise, make sure you pack sea shoes of boots. The tide was out and all the sand was full of coral and rocks so I spent about 30 mins trying to get deep enough to swim. I went in with my flip flops in the end to protect my feet but after being thrown about by the waves I gave up. I was taking one step forward and then being pushed over and hitting the coral and rocks, not pleasant. I could easily see how someone could drown in shallow water like that as I couldn't stand up and it hurt to sit down too. Layla got further out but even she said the current was strong and she struggled to swim against it. Mission aborted.
We ended up have a sunbathe by the pool with the sea view instead. We had the pool to ourselves the whole time which was amazing.
I put on factor 50 and Layla used factor 15 but even though we weren't out in the sun long, we forgot about the fact that normally we are having our siesta between 12-2pm when its the hottest time. So needless to say we looked like first day on holiday tourist wankers when we got back to the room...
WE had a shower and then slapped on lots of aftersun and got ready to go out for dinner. Layla is the best travel companion for organising things. I'm lying on the bed and she has found a restaurant on google that's nearby with good reviews. If it was left to me we would be wandering around the street aimlessly looking for somewhere.
The place we ate at was called Warung Jukung and it had a really nice laid back vibe, with. a guy playing on an acoustic guitar.
We both had a fresh fruit juice to drink and for starters, I had onions rings and Layla had Calamari. For mains, I had the grilled tuna steak that came with mash, and Laylay had two mains sweet and sour fish, steamed rice and what she thought was steam veg but it came in a sauce with lots of chilli's in. We both said our Kirsty would love all them chilli's.
The singer asked if anybody wanted to get up and sing a song so Layla got up straight away without a drink and we had only been there 10 mins. She ended up singing a few with him during the night.
The service wasn't very fast but to be honest it's the kind of place you go to chill and take it easy so we weren't that bothered. A bit of advice though, don't go if you are in a rush and have plans to be somewhere else as it's a very laid-back pace. The food was okay, nothing amazing but nice enough.
Neil looks so lovely...Julie xx