Alex Boucher's blog

The 8 Year Old Travel Memoir: Day 156 (Lovina) 20th June 2002

MEGS: Up for breakfast in the hotel, it was ok, will try elsewhere on other mornings. Had our washing delivered, then on to sunbathe around the pool, and played big chess and filmed it. Went for lunch at Kopi Bali, still hard to choose due to our bellies: opted for chips, pancake. Looked at big dolphin statue on the beach.

ALEX: Dragged ourselves round the corner to visit the Hot Springs. Glad we did, well worth the 70,000. Natural hot water from the volcano (I presume) filtered through pipes into ornate pools – very soothing, made us feel better. Bit of a mad driver though! Had a quick drink in Planet Lovina, would have eaten at the place Lonely Planet mentioned, but they had no wine so ate somewhere else. Chicken Satay, and Veg Curry. Ok. Back early, gotta be up at 5.30 for the dolphins.

The 8 Year Old Travel Memoir: Day 155 (Lovina) 19th June 2002

ALEX: Had a very deep sleep last night, woke up with a sore neck as a result. Had brekkie at Dunkin Donuts, Yes, Dunkin Donuts. Can’t seem to shake off our sore bellies and weak and feeble symptoms. Had a 2 ½ hour drive through Bali, mostly hills and bendy roads, loads of rice paddy fields on different levels across the landscape. Turned up at our hotel, looks very quaint and chilled out, nice pool and bar and giant chess set! Went out to explore Lovina.

MEGS: Beach not that nice, black sand and lots of hawkers. We’ll try another section I think. They also have a mini-gym! Went downtown, a 20 minute walk and booked the dolphin tour for Friday at 5.40 am! The Hot Springs beckon too. Lots of nice restaurants, ended up in Kakatua, for jacket potatoes, but chose spicy chicken tikka instead..Tried Hatton rose wine – actually ok as wines go. Then on to Poco Bar for a drink and Alex played on the drum kit. Home to Aneka Lovina Hotel. Still not well enough to drink loads.

The 8 Year Old Travel Memoir: Day 154 (Kuta) 18th June 2002

MEGS: Both had a bit of a bad night’s sleep, mine was to do with the wine which disagreed with me (just as I thought I was getting better). My little cat was waiting for me as usual this morning when I opened the balcony. Breakfast, and then bought some Lombok stomach pills – fingers crossed. Driven to airport at 9.15, and told that our flight had been changed. Rep was not very talkative. When we got to the airport, we were told we were on standby. Luckily, after a 45 minutes stressful wait we were allowed on a flight! Phew, could have been waiting until 4pm this afternoon.

ALEX: Didn’t have seats together, but only a (sweaty) 25 minute flight. Got hassled by the rep on our transfer back to the Dewi Sri, praying he isn’t escorting us on our 2 ½ hour trip to Lovina. Checked in, went to get food from the Hard Rock Deli, then stayed in the room to convalesce, watched some films, ordered room service. It’s a hard life.

The 8 Year Old Travel Memoir: Day 153 (Lombok) 17th June 2002

MEGS: Alex had a bad night, basically feeling same as I did, so our 7.30 alarm call was not welcome. Had brekkie then up to Perama office for 8.20 (40 minutes early!) Onto the boat at 9ish for a pleasant crossing and awesome views of Lombok's landscape. Arrived at Gili Trewanagan by 10ish, nice little island, very beautiful clear turquoise sea. Lots of cafes, and no cars, only horses and bikes.

ALEX: We share everything, even Lombok belly. Thanfully Gili Trewangan is very chilled. So did stuff at our own pace. The heat is 5 times worse when feeling shit. There’s more stuff on this little isle than there is in Sengiggi. Too early waiting for the boat back, just us and another couple. Very choppy for the return trip, got sea water sprayed, Megs gripping the side of the boat for dear life.

MEGS: But we made it back in 45 minutes! Back home, my cat came calling again; this time I was well prepared with some cheeseballs which she loved. Alex feeling more like I was yesterday and the day before – rough. Went to Poppy’s for a “safe” meal of jacket potatoes. Had some Vin de Pays red wine which was lovely proper wine! Back home to pack.

The 8 Year Old Travel Memoir:Day 152 (Lombok) 16th June 2002

MEGS: Slept in until 9ish, my body needs it at the moment! Had brekkie then sunbathed in the shade. Went to Poppy’s again for cakes and milkshakes, then on to internet.Too hot to handle sitting there, but lots of flats for Walthamstow and Camden we saw. Pool in afternoon, had no strength for lengths so just cooled down. Met a nice couple from Dublin who recommended Alberto – where we went for dinner this eve.

ALEX: The only good thing about Cafe Alberto is that they come and get you, and take you back. And its on a beach. Thats it. We were greeted by morose staff, who served us with half sized portions of pasta that wasn’t even al dente, and garlic bread that didn’t taste of garlic. Or bread. After waiting ages for the bill we left the restaurant in a record time of 20 minutes. Bunch of arse.

The 8 Year Old Travel Memoir:Day 151 (Lombok) 15th June 2002

MEGS: Up early, felt a little better so down for some sun, but had to go up again – felt sick. No tomato soup left at hotel (which is all I feel like eating) so had a cry and went in the heat up town to Poppy’s Tea Rooms, for a lush chocolate milkshake and chicken soup – all of which ended up rather quickly down the loo. (It was lovely soup as well) Went back to the hotel to spend another day locked inside with a book and air con. Had a visit from a very loud cat today whom we fed and watered. She came back later, I must buy some stuff for her.

ALEX: Went back to the English place for jacket potatoes (good reliable food), Chicken Satay for me. Back to the hotel for the World Cup, sitting amongst the staff chatting in Balinese (probably about us). England won by the way. 3-0

The 8 Year Old Travel Memoir:Day 150 (Lombok) 14th June 2002

ALEX: A bad night’s sleep, worrying about Megs, mozzies, malaria (wimped out on taking the pill) Megan was awake all night with an angry stomach. Day was spent on the balcony reading (thank god its got an impressive view) and playing Mum again. Strange as it seems, Lombok possesses an English Tea Room, so got some scones for lunch. Finished Ian Fleming book and took advantage  of room service again, with a better meal – American grilled chicken, Megs had soup. Fingers crossed for tomorrow.

The 8 Year Old Travel Memoir:Day 149 (Lombok) 13th June 2002

ALEX: Moved to the room next door only to find the TV was even worse. I give up. Went to the ATM to withdraw cash, all the hawkers sit outside which is rather off-putting. Saw Eddie again, determined to sell us jewellery. Had lunch in the biggest place in town whilst it rained. Megs started to feel a bit odd so spent most of the overcast day reading or being mum. Decided not to eat out, so I went on a quick mission to the supermarket, returned back in time to watch Megs barf for England. Ordered room service, noodles and soup – not all that. Glad we didn’t book a boat trip to the Gili ilses tomorrow..

The 8 Year Old Travel Memoir:Day 148 (Lombok) 12th June 2002

ALEX: Woke up feeling quite rough – hangover? Not pleasant, so had a lie-in. Still undecided with the Gili Isles, but looked at prices. Walked to the other end of Sengiggi strip to find the Cafe Wayan bakery, who had nothing worth eating so had a juice. Checked out Cafe Alberto, looked nice – tables set out on the beach and they have a pick up service too! Had a real (but stodgy) sandwich and then back to the hotel to catch some rays and watch tv.

MEGS: Getting a little bit annoyed with our room now, had 3 tv’s all of which have had little or no picture and the bathroom insists on leaking every night, so we wake up with a lovely wet pool on the floor. Tomorrow we must ask to move rooms, (shouldn’t be a prob as there are only 6 rooms taken). Well, after burning my nose with the suns hot rays, we got ready then went for a few games of pool at the Down Under Bar. Its below the Princess Restaurant.Got friendly with a little stray kitten, who followed us with meows. Then on to Bayan Cafe, for a slap-up meal of veg and seafood tempura, crab balls. Lovely. On the way to the football match, we saw “Fast Eddie” again, who casually got his rings out to flog us. Not tonight. Back to the hotel, some people were actually eating in the restaurant! Tv still not fixed. Grrr.

The 8 Year Old Travel Memoir:Day 147 (Lombok) 11th June 2002

MEGS: Room so dark, kept waking up thinking it was the middle of the night. Went down for breakfast (included) at 9ish, choice of Indonesian (noodles & rice) or Continental – so we had fruit,toast and bright coloured jam. Had a long walk to the beach – a big section of  what used to be a market was burnt down or empty. Beach full of locals selling things, and quite small, but pretty with boats moored. Back to the hotel to see our rep Fyan – he told us only 6 other people are guests (its a huge hotel) money is running out, so staff are leaving; its obviously not what it used to be. But Lombok is like that – complete lack of tourists, so they are all fighting over our custom.

ALEX: Chilled on the balcony as the sun went down, headed for the Marina Cafe – another huge place but totally empty. We would have played pool but they charged per hour, so one drink then a meal at “Asmara” the restaurant closest to the hotel. Quite good, pretty expensive, must be doing ok as they didn’t come out and hassle us to go in! A nice choice of places for us to eat in Lombok, I just wish we could eat everywhere and keep this little community afloat, but it aint gonna happen. So sad.