Surf camp - part 4

I

Mel's coach Bahar was goofing around before one of the morning surfs.  This is a wire spool that he has tied to his head and the other guys filled it with flowers.  He went out surfing like this and knowing how good of a surfer Bahar is, he probably kept it full of flowers as he surfed!!!!

Several of the guests said good bye after 2 weeks of camp.  The camp sessions are usually 2 weeks, but you can stay as long as you want (or as long as you can afford)😄

Mel and I are staying for 3 weeks this year.  There is always a 2 day break in between camp sessions which allows the staff a chance to clean everything really well, restock food and other supplies and it gives the coaches a little break.  They are with us pretty much all day every day, so they need a break as well.

We had decided to head over to the Gili Islands and thought Gili Meno was about our speed.  VERY laid back and the quietest island.  You can walk around this island in about 2 hours.

Getting there was a bit of an adventure.....This is the boat we took......there were 43 people and supplies for the island....

Everything has to be brought to the island, including fresh water......

They pretty much load the boat with supplies down the center of the boat and then people along the sides......Sally and Olie.....from surf camp

The ride was pretty good, but we couldn't help but think about how many boats probably sink being overweight.....

Anyway, all was well, we arrived safely and found our bungalow.

Here is the restaurant/ bar

This is a typical menu here in Indo....

I loved how bright and colorful this sign was..

Here is one of the many bungalows to stay in...  For you Aunt Diana!!!😄

This was a great place to stay on a budget....such creativity all thru this hostel.

Accomodations are a bit more expensive here....I guess because they have to bring everything over... This hostel was the cheapest place to stay by far........$10 per night......there is a place to lay your sleeping bag, and a shared bath and showers....they did a community dinner every night for about $3.50.   Definitely a great place to stay if backpacking.

We had a very restful relaxing time.  I got to do a lot of beach combing and I found this gorgeous blue coral that I really wanted to bring home.....I probably wouldn't have been able to bring any fabric home if I had grabbed it because it weighed about 30 lbs......

This picture does not do it any justice.....it was GORGEOUS!!!!!

I did find a smaller one that I am bringing home....if it is not taken from me.  I have no idea if I can bring it home, but everyone here at the camp says you can take shells home.....

All of the beach here is white coral...

Again, the picture does not do it justice.......

There is a turtle sanctuary on the island......these babies are in small pools according to their age.

Soooo cute!!!!!

We did a little bit of snorkeling.

The coral is amazing.....soo many different kinds!!!!

We saw a few tropical fish, but we didn't go out too far and this area was right in front of our bungalow.

We had a nice sunset dinner......

That is Gili Trawangan in the background......the crazy party island......we could hear the music all night.......if we ever came back here we would stay on the other side of the island.....

Mango juice and pineapple juice......YUMMMM

Tofu and Tempe curry for dinner......Ahhhhh

I do think I will be a little tired of curry when I get home.......I can't wait to have a grilled fish burrito!!!!😄

There are no motorized vehicles on th island which is nice.  Everything is by horse cart.

Our time here went fast, then back on the boat for a crazy ride to Lombok......

This boat load was just people......LOTS of them......This is the public transport (12,000 rupiah = $1.20)

or you can take the speed boats for about 350,000  =$35.00

We got back to camp as the new guests were arriving......another week to go!!!!!

Scott (he is the main boss here) has been waiting patiently for his wife and new baby girl to arrive from Sweden......this picture didn't turn out, but I didn't want to put the flash on the baby.  

Scott has such a huge smile on his face. They are hiding out for a few days to adjust, but I am hoping to get another picture before we have to leave.

Time to get ready for my afternoon surf session, so I will close for now...