11^th – 15^th March – Last Week in Nusa Penida and Bali

On Tuesday evening we went up to Namaste for a quiet drink, as it was our last chance before we leave. We had an interesting conversation with a guy from New York who had been volunteering in the Philippines for an organisation called Helping Hands, deconstructing earthquake damaged homes and buildings in readiness for the owners, mainly poor local families to rebuild.  Homes for Humanity were also going in alongside Helping Hands to offer assistance to effected families with their rebuild.  He told a great story and was very passionate about the programme.

Jim, Melanie, Danielle and I  booked an outrigger long boat on Wednesday to go on a search for the Manta Ray, however the weather was against us and the sea swell to lumpy to be able to get to the likely spots. We were all a bit disappointed, however we went to four other snorkelling spots and saw some great fish and corals.

On Friday morning we caught the Ferry back to Bali, said our goodbyes to Agus, Putu, Komang and Wayan who have look after us for the past month. After a thirty minute boat ride back to Bali and forty minutes in a Taxi to our hotel the Ibis at Kuta. A really good hotel next to shopping mall so good place for a wind down.

We have had a great last night staying in Kuta and have taxied to Seminyak to the well-known Potato Head Beach Club for a drink and dinner.  Very, very nice, shame we couldn’t have stayed there our whole trip!  Lovely sunset above the affinity pool, looking over the beach, with beach chairs and loungers as well as a bar in the pool and other bars and eating areas, beautifully lit up with clever lighting.  The outside of the building is also clever; made of old shutters from windows. Well worth the visit.

Flying to Delhi Saturday via Kuala Lumpur on Malaysian airlines, expecting high security checks in KL for obvious reasons.