Making memories and recording them.
Our first night in Bali was spent in Padangbai...just a quick overnight in the beautiful Harmony Guesthouse. In the morning we would catch the fast boat to Gili Air.
Lush green view from Harmony Guesthouse in Padangbai.
View from our balcony.
On the fastboat, travelling from Padangbai, Bali to Gili Air via Lombok.
The Gili Islands are a group of three islands off the coast of Bali and just beside the island of Lombok. They are an island paradise. With no motorized vehicles it is really quiet and the only modes of transport are bicycle and horse and cart. I did see one or two electric bikes so not sure if this will be a growing trend or not.
The Gilis are a great place to dive, snorkel, swim, relax and just hang out.
Gili Air is one of three islands, the other two being Gili Meno and Gili Trawangan.
We stayed at the Sunrise Gili Air. A beautiful resort right by the beach. It was such a great location. We had a reef right of the beach where we could snorkel and see lots of fish. We ate our breakfast right at the beach with a view of the waves and water. Across the water we could see Lombok and its green hills.
Staying right beside us was a Slovak lady Katerina. We quickly got to know each other and even had dinner together a few times. She joined us on or first dive trip and it was fun to chat and share experiences.
Our amazing suite at the Sunrise Gili Air
Kids sleeping area.
Incredible handiwork...all natural.
Chillin'
Sunrise Gili Air...it is paradise.
Exploring the island and relaxing along the way...
Ice cream stop.
We were so happy to spend 5 nights at the Sunrise Gili Air...it has the most beautiful pool area and it is directly across from the beach.
Checking out the shops.
Relaxing by the pool.
The beach.
Best part of the day...buffet breakfast by the ocean...I want to go back, just for this!
We did two dive trips and the kids got to snorkel on both. Although the second day the sea was a bit rough and the current and waves were too strong, so the kids just hung off the side of the boat. They were still lucky enough to see a turtle swim by. Under the water, the first day, Stepan and David dove at Turtle Heaven, and yes they saw turtles, about 13 of them. The second dive day David and I dove at Manta Point, we were supposed to swim to see baby sharks, but with a change of current we didn't quite make it and our drift dive ended up taking us in the opposite direction. We did see 4 turtles and it was such an amazing experience. Surfacing at the end of our dive the waves were so big and the boat was expecting us at a different location, we ended up being tossed and turned for a good 20-30 min. while we waited, I saw another 2 turtles swim beneath us. Such a cool experience. Feeling almost sea sick being rocked by the waves, it resembled a lost at sea or shipwrecked scenario...a little scary.
Getting ready for some snorkeling and diving.
Walking to the boat to go diving.
Beautiful day!
Exploring the island.
Awesome Mexican food on the island! So beautiful and delicious.
Lol...
David second dive around the Gilis and my first. Dive location - Manta Point
Swimming with turtles is pretty awesome!
Can you see the turtle?
Safety stop
So much gratitude for all our experiences!
Beach fun!
Can't get enough of the pool!
We went on daily walks to explore the interesting shops and restaurants around the island. No motorized vehicles = a great walk.
David really wanted to go fishing...so we hired a boat, and of course they indulged us...we paid a ridiculous amount to go fishing at a bad time of day in the wrong season and poor conditions...what were we thinking????? It was pretty much a disaster...David got sea sick, the other three kids were miserable and I ended up holding the fishing rod...the joke of the day was that our boatmen kept saying "mama likes fishing?" Live and learn, I guess, but I guarantee, that this was the last fishing trip we go on in a REALLY long time.
Beautiful Sunrise Gili Resort....LOVED this place.
Swimming with the fishies and fooling around with the GOPRO.
Fragrant Frangi Pani blooms everywhere.
No motorized vehicles on the island. The only way to get around is on foot, horse and cart or bicycle.
Giant snails came out after the rain.
Early morning walk on our last day on the island.
Taking it all in, and savoring every minute.
Some pretty dramatic skies, but it didn't rain.
Saying goodbye to our friend Katerina.
Getting ready to board the fastboat back to Padangbai. Saying good bye to Gili Air...and getting ready to explore Bali!
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