Indonesia - Nusa Lembongan

After a boat ride back to Bali from Gili Air, 
we jumped on another and headed to Nusa Lembongan.

Hmm... now the boat drop off was a bit of an adventure.
Dropped across the island without normal transport.
Jumped into the back of a truck with no benches and traveled across the island.
FINALLY made it to our little beach hotel!

Nusa Lembongan is the home of seaweed farming.
It was pretty cool to see the harvesting going on in the water
and the women on the island drying it.

We explored the island on a scooter and enjoyed relaxing by the pool.

Our hotel also had it's anniversary party.
Free food, entertainment and locals partying it up!

This was our last official stop before heading back to the mainland. 
And of course, had to be the most frustrating bit of travel.

But in the end, we made it back to Uluwatu...

and ended our trip right back where we started. 

We left a little bit of our heart in Bali and can't wait to go back.

It was on the top of our must-do list and cannot believe it's been checked off.

xx

the mcgees

Indonesia - Gili Air

Welcome to this magical place called Gili Air.
It was the most peaceful, fun, relaxing and beautiful place 
that we may have ever been.
no cars. no scooters.
only horse-pulled rickshaws.

The water was crystal clear with amazing snorkeling just outside of our hotel.
(minus the morning of jellyfish which wrecked my sensitive skin!)
Ian went diving between Gili Air and Gili Meno, while I lounged on the beach.

Oh and then there were the sunsets... 
we thought being from FL that we've seen the most beautiful sunsets.
Nope... we were wrong.
These were out of this world with the volcano backdrop.

Fresh tropical seafood... one of the main things we've missed living in the UK.
(you could just pick your individual fish from their freshest catch of the day)
Even tried a new fish - butterfish... Awesome!

We loved this teeny little island... more than we could have anticipated.

After a few days (which were extended because we were in love),
we headed on our travel boat adventure to Nusa Lembongan.

xx
the mcgees 

Indonesia - Kermas Surf Break

Keramas isn't much of an area to explore, 
but Komune Resort is pretty awesome.

Komune is built straight on the beach overlooking the Keramas surf break.
A beautiful resort with everything you need, but not much to do in the area...
they sort of have you trapped - no where else to eat or explore.

The black sand beach was a bit of a change from the other areas
and the break was killer...
(minus the fact that it was packed)

We lounged by the pool, walked the beach and relaxed a bit more.
No reason to visit this area unless you surf, but I surely enjoyed the 
"high end surf resort" - especially for the awesome price point. 

Komune is doubling in size (well, doubling the amount of villas available)

and it'll never feel the same again...

so, we are happy we had a chance to experience it as it is. 

  

snake!

Off to Gili Air... look forward to sharing this magical place with you next... 

xx

the mcgees

Indonesia - Ubud & Surrounding Villages

 After Uluwatu, we headed to Ubud but this was not without a little accident...

our driver hit a scooter as we pulled out of our Uluwatu hotel. 

Thankfully, she was ok but pretty shaken up. 

Ubud was a busy little village full of arts, culture and monkeys! 

We stayed just a few minutes away from the Monkey Forest 
and it was our first stop.

SO fun and well worth the visit. 

The monkeys were crazy! 

(has to be insanely unhealthy for them but they were brave little guys.)

We had great food while there - including dinner at the famous Dirty Duck. 

...crispy duck was out of this world 
and had our own little "cabana" overlooking the rice paddies.

Ubud is also home of the cheapest massages - ever.

And I had two (total price $25.00). 

We only spent two days in the Ubud area and since it feels like the cultural hub,

we took full advantage of the cheap personal drivers ($35 for an entire day).

In our whirlwind trip, we stopped by the coffee growers and learned about the still

very handmade way of harvesting and making ground coffee.

They are also known for their Kopi Luwak.

(little animal that eats only the very best beans and poops them out!) 

Amazing tour and even better free tasting - we came home with a few treats!

This was followed by stops in the silver village and the woodworking village.

I was in heaven in the wood village - interior designer's dreamland.

Next visit, I'll look into shipping because I fell in love with a number of pieces.

Most specifically a headboard that I'm still dreaming about.

The temples in the area were out of this world.

Elephant Cave (Goa Gajah)

Holy Spring Water Temple (Istana Tampak Siring)

We also had lunch overlooking rice paddy fields before 

heading to the Tegallalang Rice Terrace.

Of course, it had to start pouring as we arrived down this windy, hilly road

but wow... amazing sight to see.

Before our day ended, we packed in a traditional Balinese dance performance.

 

The entire time in Ubud was an experience of its own. 

It's a busy little village full of earthy, yoga-loving men and women.

(mainly single women in search of "Eat Pray Love" - where it was based/filmed)

This was the most cultural bit of our time in Bali.

We explored the villages, while taking back roads to each place.

But the main centre of Ubud was busy... busier than I expected.

But, truly amazing.

Next up was Keramas, Gili Air and Nusa Lembongan...

xx

the mcgees