Monkeys and Diving

12/7/11

We hired a moped and set off on our own tour of the island. After stopping for 2 litres of fuel we realised just how expensive fuel is in the UK… 30p here versus 138 in the UK. After that revelation we set off with gusto through the streets of Lombok before heading up a long winding road into the hills. We had been told about monkey mountain but our crappy map did not show it. We needed have worried as we were left in no doubt by the sheer number of monkeys sitting by the side of the road that we had arrived. The monkeys were innumerate and so disinterested in passing cars. It was like we were just passing though there living room. They got on with monkey life- grooming, eating, caring for the babies and having sex. The cars and mopeds were no distraction at all. That said we did not try to interact with the monkeys as they had rather large teeth and looked like they may not be friendly!

Later we stopped on a stretch of deserted beech for an afternoon of reading. I was dispatched to find food but failed to rustle up anything more exciting than a bag of crisp and some pop. Street food is less in abundance here. Healthy lunch was not but James was happy to receive a junk food offering!

13/7/11

7am and we had planned to go diving but there is always a problem with plans and this time it was James and a cold he had picked up. Normally not the end of the world but in diving terms it means you cannot regulate your ears. As such I left James at the hotel and set off for an adventure. Normally the roles are revered as I have often stayed behind whilst James went diving so I was a little apprehensive setting off on my own. .. I needn’t have been!
The dive was a shark point, a large coral reef. This alone was spectacular with many colours to keep me entertained. But it got better when the dive leader pointed out a turtle nestling amongst the coral. WOW a real life turtle but wait there were four more. One swam past my face and the others just sat there completely unperturbed by the four divers staring at them intently. WOW WOW WOW. Until now diving had been a pleasurable activity now it had become an amazing underwater adventure!

I felt very sad that James had not seen this so resolved to bring James to the island. But this would mean changing the plans not something James likes to do! That said my excitement persuaded him that a change of plans would be agreeable. This precipitated a mad dash to the travel agents to change out boat tickets. As we were due to head up a volcano the next morning we did not have time to book accommodation so agreed that we would find accommodation upon arrival. Now for those of you who know how we travel this is a radical departure from the norm for which I am somewhat terrified as what I find will surly fail to match James exacting standards. Only time will tell!!!