Jan 4&5 Bali

From Darwin, the ship stopped at Komodo Island to see the dragons.  Since it was miserably hot and we had just been here 18 months ago, we didn't take a tour to the island.  If you want to see what the island and dragons look like, see
http://drdavebradley.blogspot.com/2016/04/428-komodo-only-reason-to-stop-here-was.html
I have it on reliable authority that the guides and dragons were the same as before.  Only the cruise ship had changed.

Our arrival into the Komodo anchorage.

 Several boats approached our anchored ship, with the boys calling "Money, Money".  The idea was you'd throw money off the ship and they'd dive in and get it.  Apparently one of these boats pulled right up next to one of our tenders with the islanders attempting to sell pearl necklaces and the like.  The Regatta crew were able to successfully repel the boarders.

 Yet another spectacular sunset

 Arrival in Bali -- early because we left Komodo early and the captain went at full speed because of  a medical emergency.  We left the ship for our first day touring 1.5 hours earlier than expected.

 I presume these were port workers since Oceania proclaims safety as their first and most important concern.

 We were touring via a hired car arranged by Cathi.  The driver had been used by them in previous Bali visits.  The traffic is intense, and looks a lot like Saigon (HCMC).

 Lots of statues, because there are lots of shops that sell statues.  This was one of about 100 that we saw.

 First stop was a batik factory, to purchase fabric.  Batik production is very labor intensive.

 Second stop was a wood carving factory.  There are neighborhoods where all the shops are batik, then the next neighborhood is wood carving, the next stone carving and so on.  Then it all repeats again.  Reminded us of the "occupation streets" of Hanoi.

We stopped at one of the famous rice terraces, but the rainy season was in full bloom, making it a "gun and go" photo stop.  It was quite wet.

 Here's a "woodie" motorbike, including helmet!

 This was not at a carving shop, but rather part of a large statue in the middle of a road intersection.  

 Transport of used motorbike tires for reuse/recycling.  We remain amazed at what can be transported on a motor bike.

 We ended the first day at the Rock Bar, part of the Ayana Resort and Spa on the southwestern portion of the island.

 The bar is multilevel, built right into the cliffs overlooking the ocean.  Unfortunately it was cloudy following the rains (but fortunately not raining).

 Here's our guide for the two days, Komang Mariawan, 081 328 414 334 or 081 558 923 846, komang_km32@yahoo.com.  He guided our group of 6 around the island very competently for both days and we recommend him highly.  

 We didn't get to celebrate the sunset but we did have a very scenic drink before retiring to the ship.

On the second day it was only 5 travelers as Dave decided to stay aboard ship and hope for his cold to abate.  Cynthia went with the other two couples to Lovina at the far north of the island.

Once again like Saigon, a motorbike for the whole family..

 A scenic overlook half way to Lovina that sold Strawberry Pizza--tomato sauce, cheese, and strawberries.  None of us tried it.

 The black sand beach at Lovina

 Cynthia purchased a star fish pendant from this gentleman.  He spoke with an Aussie accent to Jennie and Peter and then immediately switched to American for C.  He was an artisan and a master of linguistics!

 More road art

The evening, and our sail away from Bali, was once again cloudy.  During the afternoon it poured down rain at the ship, making a channel marker less than 100 yards away invisible.  It flooded the shopping stalls set up next to the port, so there was no opportunity to buy anything before sailing.