Cocktail Time

Saturday, June 04, 2011
Gili Air, Nusa Tenggara Barat, Indonesia
We had an early rise at 9:30am and went to eat breakfast, but it was a little disappointing. The bread was sweet and bone dry and the pancake was too thick so a little undercooked. It was a let down considering we had a top notch breakfast at Gili Hideaway, but I guess you pay for luxury. We set off walking along the main island path behind the beach and came across a dive shop that had a map of the best snorkeling sites around the island. The owner came out to talk to us and warned us that the current was strongest on an afternoon. Andrew, Dean and Sam hired snorkel equipment at double the price they had paid every other time but at least it was better quality. Andrew was even given reef boots and strap on flippers which professional divers typically use. We walked further north on the island so that the current would allow them to snorkel the length of the coral reef and so they wouldn't have to swim against it. I remained on dry land and curled up in a bamboo shack to read a book. The snorkeling crew returned and reported seeing a number of turtles as well as plenty of fish. We went to a restaurant for something to eat but after quite a long wait we ended up being disappointed for the second time in a day! The chicken and vegetable curry tasted of nothing and the chicken was as hard as stone. We then wandered to the far southern tip of the island and lay on a sun lounger to take in the late afternoon sun. As Andrew and Dean walked back to our bungalow Sam and I opted for a refreshing cocktail from Scallywags Resort. A very heavily laden jewelery seller then approached us as we lay on the beach. I asked for the price of a coconut bangle, which was 75,000 rupiah. It always made me laugh at just how much they inflated the price. I immediately offered 20,000 and so the comprise began, but she wouldn't go lower than 30,000 rupiah. Sam bought a bracelet for 20,000 so then I was given a final price of 25,000, but as usual I was told to keep it a secret! Sam paid for it as an early birthday present. Andrew and Dean returned with a Bintang and we chilled out until the sun started to set. We quickly walked back to our bungalow as we didn't want to have to get a shower in the dark smelly bathroom, at least in daylight you could see if anything was lurking around the room! There was indeed a spider on the floor to keep me company whilst Andrew took back the snorkeling equipment with Dean. 
 
Once we were all ready we walked to 'Zipp Bar' for something to eat . I was the odd one out as I ordered a Red Snapper whilst everyone else opted for either a tuna kebab or a tuna steak. This time the service was much better as we were offered either rice or potato, salad or fried vegetables and a choice of sauce. The food was so good and we were all completely stuffed by the end. We sat and drank on the beach front for the rest of the night. 
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