Local kids, island life, knock-your-socks-off bungalow

The time in our trip has come to change gears from the mountains to the ocean. Indonesia has outstanding options for both. While we had a great experience summiting Rinjani, our quads let us know that it was time for a little rest. So, we left Senaru and headed for Gili Gede, an island in the Southern Gilis off the coast of Lombok.

Local children I met in the village on Gili Gede

Breakfast before we left Senaru

The main road around the island of Lombok goes right along the ocean 

I snagged this photo of someone (orange shirt) cutting a limb off this tree and the limb almost landing on a motorcyclist 

Crops along the drive

Looking at Gili Gede from the mainland 

The boat to take us to Gili Gede - it is a short ride of only about 15 minutes 

Gili Gede is one of the southern Gili islands. These islands are considered much more remote than the northern Gilis (most tourists go there). This island did not have electricity until 4 years ago. It is surrounded by coral reefs which means you can snorkel among beautiful coral right outside of your lodging.

On the boat heading for Gili Gede

A local fishman

On the boat, almost to our lodging on Gili Gede

The boat had to navigate through coral reefs to get to our lodging (the beach that you can see)

Arriving at Alam Sarang, our lodging for the next few days 

What??? Is this even real? Fresh flowers everywhere decorated our bungalow.

Our bungalow was right on the beach

Check out the bathroom - so cool (as long as you don't mind cold-ish showers)

We were pretty wow'd by our digs

Fresh flowers everywhere 

The outside of our bungalow 

Lunch on the beach

Lunch!

After lunch, Dan laid down for a little while and I went for a walk to check out the small fishing village on Gili Gede. Many people chatted with me along the way (Google translate is a game changer). The Indonesian people are super friendly. Children are always saying hello and frequently want to give high fives.

Looking back at our lodging while on a walk

Awwww... Indonesian tidal pools 😍

Indonesian children playing on the beach

The fishing boats in the village on Gili Gede 

One of the only streets on Gili Gede (it was a dead end too)

Fish drying 

Goats out beach combing

Indonesian children making sandcastles

I came across this group of children making sand castles on the beach. We ended up having a fun conversation with the help of Google translate. They were excited to tell me about school, their sand castle, their ages, etc. When I told them that I worked at a school, they called me a "guru". We had fun taking pictures so that they could look at them.

Deluxe sandcastle construction 

Impressive sandcastles

When Dan came along, the children were excited to meet my husband. He was out looking for me because I was taking so long to get back. I told him that I was having so much fun with my new Indonesian buddies.

Indonesian children giving Dan a high five

Saying goodbye

There are swings everywhere

Looking at the summit of Rinjani. It was hard to believe that we were on the summit yesterday.

After our walk, we went for a short snorkel just outside of our bungalow. It was impressive the amount of colorful coral and fish that were just outside of our door.

Checking out Rinjani in the distance

Cocktails on the beach at sunset 

Dinner at our lodging

Being on Gili Gede was a fun change of pace. While sitting still is not a strength of mine, this is a good place to work on it. I will publicly apologize to our children in this blog for not ever taking them to a place like this. James, you would have especially loved this.