Yes that’s Ulf brushing his teeth in the pool…
Huu Bar, Seminyak
Category Archives: Bali, Lombok & Gillis
Meeting ET in Bali
On my stop over trip to Bali I bumped into Australian rugby league legend and now celebrity fisherman, Andrew Ettingshausen (ET). He’s a top guy who’s on screen persona matches his real personality – friendly and down to earth. ET was enjoying the chilled out setting of Potato Head’s new bar in Seminyak and I spoke briefly with him, his wife and travelling companions.
Bali for Business
Yes… dubious as it sounds, I had good reason to justify a night in Bali to meet with a potential venture partner. My good friend Shaun and I managed to get ‘mates rates’ at a stunning 4 bedroom villa in Seminyak. The meeting went well and we were all happy campers.
New Years in Bali
Bali is perhaps the default choice for most people living in Jakarta for the Christmas/New Years holiday break. I spent a short week there with a group of friends from Indonesia, Australia, India, USA, Canada and Saipan.
Sanur
La Lucciola
Rock Bar at Ayana Hotel
Mykonos Greek Restaurant – Seminyak
Jimbaran – Seafood on the beach
La Sal
Lombok
After spending a week in Bali I flew to Mataram, Lombok where I spent 1 night in Kuta at the Novotel Hotel. I hired a motor bike at the hotel and rode around exploring the stunning beaches in the area. I took the advice of all my friends who have been there to visit the Ashtari cafe (a vegetarian restaurant). The food and view was stunning.
Kuta Lombok – NOT Kuta Bali (note – no Bintang singlets in sight!)
Ashtari Vegetarian Cafe, Lombok
Gili Trawangan
I took a boat ride the next day to the infamous Gili Trawangan (Gili T), an island just off Lombok with a reputation for tranquility, beautiful sunsets, great diving and snorkelling, succulent seafood as well as ample magic mushrooms and pot. Gili T is the largest of Lombok‘s Gili Islands and is the only one to rise significantly above sea level. It is 3km long and 2km wide with a population of about 700.
On Gili Trawangan (as well as the other two Gilis), there are no motorized vehicles. The main means of transportation are bicycles (rented by locals to tourists) and cidomo (a small horsedrawn carriage). For traveling to and from each of the Gilis, locals usually use motorized boats and speedboats.
Waiting for the boat back to Lombok
Bali
I was advised early on by my colleagues to take a holiday at least once every 2 months, so I did. I started in Bali in Nusa Dua. It’s a quiet area which can be a bit of a pain to get to the many places I wanted to get to in Seminyak etc.. Nevertheless, with a great deal at the place I was staying, friendly service, attractive female guests and a private beach, I didn’t complain much at all.
Nusa Dua Beach
Waiting for lunch in Seminyak
Great spot for a nap
Little Dancers
An Introduction
Indonesia is full of adventure. From the abundant sights to see across the thousands of cities, towns and villages; to navigating entrepreneurial opportunities that require creativity, grit and perseverance. Indonesia has become my new home.
If you are interested in non-conformity, emerging markets, entrepreneurship, health, travel, scuba diving and adventure, I hope you’ll find this blog of interest. Do drop me a line, I do my best to respond to every message.
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Posted by Indonesia on November 26, 2009 in Bali, Lombok & Gillis, Belitung, Commentary, Crisis Situations, Diving, Family & Friends, International SOS Jakarta, Life In Jakarta, Medical Services, Out in the Jungles, Projects, Travel for Fun, Vietnam, Weddings
Tags: Indonesia, Work Overseas