Bali - Round 2!

I had previously left Bali somewhat disappointed and disgruntled, but I'd like to think I'm blessed with a forgiving (maybe) and optimistic (certainly) disposition.  Nonetheless, before flying to Bali again we armed ourselves against adversity; hotel supplied pickup from the airport at a utterly reasonable price.  Check.  Tons of great advise on where to go and what to do from our travel buddies from our Rinjani trek.  Check.

The flight in was without incident, we landed and were greeted by our private driver (waiting with named placard) and were swiftly deposited at our recommended hotel in Kuta.  We checked in very quickly, briefly noting how nice the place was, especially for a mere pittance, before heading as quickly as possible to recommendation number two...

The urgency was due to Skybar's infamous "free beer" deal; purchase an all you can eat at the daily buffet for an equivalent of £2.50 (today was steak and fish night, woe is us) and drink beer for free between 5-6pm.  We skidded in at 17:12, rolling out drunk and bloated by 9pm (absolute latest, though it's hard to recall...).

The best beer; Free beer.

Bali second time was, thus far, a roaring success!!!  It was, therefore, almost a bit of a shame that we had just a single day day to enjoy it more.  We checked out after breakfast, left our bags with the hotel and headed straight out, our onward flight would be at 1am that coming night.

We had heard plenty about Kuta, most of it negative, but quite frankly, and ironically, the town was bliss compared to "spiritual" Ubud.  While walking the streets, a polite "no thank you" or a shake of the head would be enough for nearly every street hawker or taxi driver to leave you be.  We hit the beach and the hawkers of beer, surf hire and handicrafts were equally pleasant.

We explored the side streets, grabbed a delicious bargain lunch, a haircut, then had just enough time for a nap on the beach before 5pm rolled around.  Skybar, Sunday roast buffet and free beer.  Good times.

I'd absolutely love to say Bali redeemed itself, and maybe it did, but only if I blot from memory a final 11pm stand off with a taxi driver at the airport, this time for a fare clocking in at 6 times what it should have!  I couldn't help feeling dejected stepping on the plane, I just hope that, some day the officials will at least do something about the taxis.  [Insert chosen profanity here]

Fondest of farewells Flores...

Our time in Flores was almost at an end, soon after Indonesia too.

We returned our battered scooter, turned heel sharply, and the next day left Bajawa by way of a 12 hour public bus journey to Labuan Bajo.  For the record, this was a mere 170km journey, a final example of the insanity of the Flores highway.  It did, however, afford a last glance at the fantastic volcanic landscapes that Flores really should be known for.

 Our "interesting" local bus

 Slightly mental bus conductor

[I've been conjuring plans for a return trip dedicated to bagging a whole swathe of the peaks; It's prime real estate for dedicated trekkers and climbers]

A night's sleep and a lazy morning passed quickly and quietly in Labuan Bajo, it was then time to fly back to Bali.  We had truly loved every moment spent on this huge but little travelled island, the spectre of Bali's unrelenting greed and dishonesty lay ahead once more, I found it hard to enthuse myself for the journey ahead...

Final views of Labuan Bajo