The Gili Islands

So we've spent a little over a week 'shipwrecked' on the Gili Islands...specifically Gili Tramwangan (sp? I see that word over 10 times a day you think I'd be able to spell it by now).

Anyways, We promise to post pictures soon but I don't think they could ever do this place justice so I definitely want to try to describe what it's like. There are 3 islands, but we're on the biggest which is where most of the hotels and homestays are. It's a very small island, with one road right on the water that goes all the way around. I haven't done it yet, but it would probably take about an hour to walk it. Everywhere you are you see crystal blue water and although it's the rainy season there hasn't been a cloud in the sky. However, the islands are just off the coast of a bigger island called Lombok which you can see right across probably 10 miles away. On that island, there are massive thunder clouds 24 hours a day and supposedly when it's not rainy season you can get a pretty good view of the volcano over there. Basically, we're just very glad that we can view the thunder clouds from a far and not have to endure them.

The Gili's are known for fantastic diving spots and along the beach are all the restaurants and hotels which are consequently dive shops as well (pretty efficient). There's probably about 12 dozen or so, right along a line (which makes it very easy to get around). And that's pretty much all there is. Which may sound boring, but there's a beach a 5 minute walk, each of the dive shops have pools, all the restaurants are fantastic (fresh fish every day) and our favorite thing like I mentioned in a previous post are the movie booths. Which we continue to occupy nearly everday. There's nothing like a movie, a bintang, and a view of the ocean. And there's a surprising mix of very good restaurants--for instance, an irish pub (which also serves good pizza), an indian restaurant, sushi, an organic seafood place, and a couple others thrown in so you can definitely get your fix of western food if you want it.

Speaking of diving, Andrew has just successfully completed his open water diving certification. He's out on a dive as we speak (shark point!) and this is his first 'fun dive' without having to do any tests. He's very excited--mainly because he wants to do a 'loop-da-loop' (that's also probably not how you spell it. I fear i've inherited my mother's spelling gene. Sorry dad!). I can only see that ending drastically, but I guess I'll find out in an hour or so. My bet is he gets stuck upside down.

Another interesting thing about the island is that there are stray cats everywhere. But they aren't particularly sickly looking or dirty, they just bop around picking up scraps. I'm sort of missing my cat, so it's fun to hear them meowing and playing. And every once in a while you see an adorable kitten which is always fun.

We're here til Sunday, and then we'll be leaving this paradise to trek to Ubud on bali for some suckling pig. Ubud is also known for other 'cultural' things, but we're more interested in the pig aspect. We've met a wonderful Irish brother and sister duo who happen to love food like us--and when we mentioned the Anthony Bourdain 'No Reservations' epsisode when he was in indonesia and ate Suckling pig they had already reserached the restaurant--we all knew it was our destiny. Plus we have a ton in common with them so it's very fun to travel around as a group. And now we'll have a place to stay if we want to visit Dublin! (and ironically enough the brother, Garrett, used to live in the south and managed a waffle house in alabama, and a Chili's in atlanta. Two of my hometown favorties so right away I knew we were destined to be friends).

That's all for now, once again another long one. Hope you don't mind! Will update soon.