September 16,

We both awoke around 0600. Neither one of us having slept well. We have a very loud gecko in our room. Jeff had his ear plugs in and could hear it! They are nocturnal and this one is very active at night, well I assume it to be one… Anyway, it or they can move on. We decided to go to the beach since we were both up and at ‘em. It was lovely and we were the only ones at first. We caught some of the last rays of sunrise before it became full on sun. We went the direction closer to town and where the fishermen’s boats are tied up. We saw a few locals sitting about and one young man shore fishing. As we curved around at the other end of the bay, the sand changed from black to a mix of black with coral bits making it more a dark tan color. We saw one other foreigner over here at a resort getting ready to walk her three dogs. We reached the other point almost- the beach had run out due to high tide. It was a mile walk so we turned around and went back to our car. Thankfully we had driven as the sun was getting intense already.

When we arrived back at our place we showered and made our Javas. I had an iced one this morning. At 0840 we were served our breakfast by Sondra. We had ordered the same thing, but the fruit didn’t include grapes as yesterday’s had. Also the drinks were not given as we had requested. After we finished, we went back inside. Jeff was able to book our Korean trains!! YIPEE!

Around 1045 we decided to go for a drive to the upper corner of the island where the Ferry goes to Java, the town of Gilimanuk. It was a 32 km drive or almost 20 miles. It was not a bad drive. It took us around 40 minutes. We saw a couple of things to check out on our way back. We passed by West Bali National Park, and a corridor of monkeys all sitting on the side of the road. The monkeys must be waiting for handouts! The terrain is way more dry with lots of dead looking grasses, not lush like you think a tropical paradise to be!

We arrived in Gilimanuk. It seems bigger and has more of a town feel as opposed to the village we are staying in. We found the ferry port and even saw a ferry coming in. We may take a ferry over to Java just to see another part of Indonesia. We’ll see. There were a few interesting statues, a large arch entry welcoming all to Bali and a large Buddha. I got out and took a few pictures. This welcome is a nice way to differentiate Bali, Indonesia from Java, Indonesia.

Now we returned back. In the monkey corridor, Jeff pulled off on the shoulder to check something out on his phone. Monkeys started to come at us!!! A monkey swarm! They are definitely being fed. Jeff took back off immediately. That was crazy! Next was a place for bird watching, trekking, and tours with a guide in the national park. Jeff talked at length with someone, we may do this also. Lastly we stopped at a pull off road labeled God’s Courtyard. We turned in, but it seemed to be linked with a high end resort and had controlled access.

We turned around and went back to our village and our place. I blogged and Jeff read. Then we went to lunch at La Casa Kita, Wood Oven Pizza Bar & Restaurant. We shared a Mixed Salad, and a Pepperoni Chili Pizza. Jeff had a new Balinese beer, Singaraja; I had an “Arak Attack’- which is Arak with ginger, honey, lime, and tonic. It hit our spot. The sitting area was nice and open, but cool with fans. They had a Koi pond and I got to feed their fish! Anyway we paid 240,000 IDR, or $14.61, and left back to our place by way of a convenience store. We keep trying to find good bread, but no such luck! Ubud had several bakeries, but not up here!

Back at our place I blogged and Jeff read, finalizing the blog before we post it. We had a light rain as we did yesterday, but it did not amount to much except some wind continued blowing. For supper, we made a Greek salad in our host’s humble kitchen and enjoyed it back in our place. Life… simply living, just someplace else.