The fast boat to Gili Trawagen was supposed to leave by around 1pm, so as we got back from the volcano, we rushed to gather the rest of the group (mostly Endre’s sister+her family and their parents), jumped in a hired car and headed off to the port. Albeit the distance being not over 50 miles, the trip took almost a whole 1.5 hrs; highways don’t exist on Bali, only narrow, windy, and the occasional median-divided road. On the way to the port, we passed many familiar sights one does get used to after being there: gasoline being sold in glass bottles on the side of the road, mopeds loaded up so the driver is almost buried beneath the piles of green shrubbery/coconut husks/plastic tourist toys, as well as the occasional moped packed with up to 4 people at once, and of course the traffic: stoplight colors only suggest a stop or go, most of the time not obeyed, mopeds making up their own lanes – sometimes up to 3 other lanes going in the same direction besides the two marked for cars.
Finally arriving at the port, our fast boat was nowhere in sight.. typical timing around here.. the passengers – all of whom where european or asian tourists – were already lined up waiting for the boat to arrive, and intermingled where the locals seizing up the opportunity for business with baskets of local fruit, colorful sarongs, sunglasses, and other crap for sale. The biting sun beat down on us as we made our way over to the melee made me glad when we finally got there and could hide under a bit of roof the docks had. Waiting around another 45 minutes or so, we finally got to board the boat equipped with about 6 Honda propeller engines in the back, and headed out to sea. Although I had taken a seat inside, barely a minute after we pushed off from the docks, I followed Michael out to the back of the boat and then further up to the top where the wind almost blew the glasses off my face. There was already a crowd of 5 people up there – making me laugh as they were all in bikinis or bathing shorts, tanning their already brown bodies.. it looked like a scene from Ocean’s 11 or Jersey Shore or some other really cheesy American TV show. Then I took a turn around to face the direction we were going, and experienced the most liberating feeling ever, making me want to throw away everything and find a job as a sailor or something – the strength of the wind bellowing against me, the feeling of the sun heating my skin, and the gorgeous view of the Balinese shore on the left, blue sky marked by occasional white clouds, and small islands speckling the waters to the right. These islands were just like on a Windows screensaver, rocky cliff shores, green grass growing on top with only a couple of shrubs and maybe 1 or two trees. I probably took way too many photos of the same view, but I probably won’t regret as I look at them when I’m feeling depressed in the dreary Portland weather sure to last for at least another month or so after I get back – and if not then there’s sure to be another winter of similarly damp-grey weather to be served up by mother nature next year.
Approaching the island, I was pleased to see the clear blue waters and white sand, as well as bamboo fishing boats mingled with the occasional snorkeler popping up here and there. The place looked like paradise. Once on the island, I was further amazed to learn that the island was completely moped/car/truck free. Only form of transport was by bike or pony-drawn buggy besides the obvious one of using your own two legs. It took Michael and I about 15 minutes to walk to our hotel – which turned out to be an irish one right in the middle of everything. Great choice! The room was also great: 2 twin beds and an outdoor restroom with a little roof to keep the sun and rain out from above the toilet and sink area. After dropping our stuff, we jumped into the ocean and marveled in its clarity and relaxed floating in its gentle undulations.