Bali & Gili Trawangan

The flight from Hong Kong to Bali was a bit exhausting, it was night at Finnish time and I hadn't really slept since I left home more than a day ago. There were the usual screaming babies, drunken Aussies, fighting American couple and an uncomfortable seat. I ordered some wine to fall asleep more easily but ended up pouring all of it to my lap when turbulence hit us. Nice, these were the only clothes I had with me and could well be the only clothes I would be wearing for the next week, as I got told already at the airport that my luggage was not on the flight. Nice. Well, the flight wasn't too long and I managed to sleep and hour or two, the clothes dried as well and surprise surprise, my luggage was waiting for me at the airport. Found a smile on my face. The minute I stepped out of the plane I just felt amazingly relaxed. The warm sun, sounds of the tropics and the atmosphere of an holiday stroke me at once. The feeling hasn't left me since. :)

At Bali we (me, Päivi, Maman and couple of his friends) checked out Kuta, which was full of drunken tourists and throbbing nightclubs. Instead of joining the scene we drove around on motorbikes through the little allies and narrow streets between the tourist boutiques and restaurants and ate in local warungs eating Indofood and drinkin Thebotol, local cold bottled yasmintea. Next day we drove around the Island seeing the temple Tanah lot, Ubud Monkey forest sanctuary and some beautiful rice fields. The night we spent in Badangpai, on the eastern cost of Bali ready to hop on the boat to Gilis the next morning.
”Welcome to my paradise” sings Maman, as I hop out of the boat bear footed to the sandy beach of Gili Trawangan. A paradise this is to a word in many sence. Gili Trawangan is all about snorkling, diving, surfing, lying on the beach on a bamboo-hut or a sunbed, sunbathing, partying, tiny adorable cats, bicycles, horses and bear feet. No cars, no markets, no motorbikes.

I have been snorkeling a couple of times, straight from the beach. Amazing. Saw tens of species of beautiful fish, observed a couple of Green sea turtles feeding on sea grass and surfacing to breath once in a while. Went diving today, amazing reefs full of colourful corals and beautiful fishes. Where is my waterproof camera? And, did I say amazing yet? Planning on going on a snorkeling trip around the three Gili islands tomorrow and maybe another dive (or two) another day..hoping to catch a climpse of an Manta and maybe some sharks.

I have been driving around on a little orange bike, walking on the beach, but mostly lying in a bamboo chair, cuddling a kitten and just chilling with Päivi, Maman and the other staff of beach bar Gilinta, where Maman is working at. My stay here is probably quite different than the average tourist spending their time in the luxorious hotels and partying all night long with other tourists. I'm staying with Päivi and Maman in their room behind the beach bungalows, local style, also eat mostly at local Warungs, local food, local prize. But sometimes going the tourist way as well, eating out in restaurants, having sangria, shopping, using toilet paper..

All in all, I'm enjoying myself enormously and recommend Gili Trawangan warmly to all of you who haven't experienced it yet!

Trying to get some more pictures in when the internet connection allowes me.

Love you loads!

Helsinki-Paris-Hong Kong

Got to the Helsinki airport early thursday morning, which was good, cause I was still half asleep and it wasn't too dramatic saying goodbye (I have been known to dehydrate myself at the airports in the past). Had a cup of coffee and stared at people strolling by, running by, storming by, just walking by. I have always (really?) had a fondess for airports. I like to watch people come and go, the fond goodbyes and teary welcome backs. There's something universal about airports, the feeling that we are all just insignificant and equal parts of this huge revolving puzzle.

The Finnair crew spoiled us passangers on the flight to Paris. Check this out; we got a complimentary cup of coffee and a minimuffin because it's midsummer! How lucky were we to be on board! I thought that was hilarious, they even made a proud announcement of this genorous act before delivering us the treat. Well, shouldn't be ungrateful, it was a nice muffin.

Flying above the French countryside was beautiful, I could almost smell the fresh baquettes and hear the cracking sound of an old Edith Piaf LP as we flew over beautiful old castles and villas. The fact that most of the passangers seated around me were speaking french probably helped painting the picture even more romantic and vivid.

The 11 hour flight to Hong Kong was relatively easy and pleasent. There were a few reasons for that:

-I had a seat on the isle and there was and empty seat next to me, possibly the only empty seat in the plane.

-We got served food 3 times (I looove aeroplane-food!) and could order it form a pretty printed menu.

-I wasn't too tired and ended up watching 3 films and 8 episodes of ”How I met your mother” (yes Suski, it's addictive).

-The crew and the passangers on the flight were ridiculously polite. Example: a man on a toilet queue in front of me glanced at me a bit nervously before going in and then came out pretty quick (I assume he just had a quick leak), let me in to the toilet and joined the queue again (I assume he didn't want to poop before a lady goes in, although, other options crossed my mind as well)

-I ammused myself by observing the man who sat two seats from me. He ordered a portion of pot noodles four times in addition to the meals we got served automatically and he literally inhaled the noodles down his throat in a record time (just like that guy next to mr. Karl Pilkington), maybe he was going for his seasonal record or something.

-There was also this lovely song playing in my head almost the whole flight. It goes something like this: ding ding ding - ding digiding – ding digiding HONG KONG! (That's from an add in Finnish TV) I'm pretty sure I was singing that aloud at some point cause the noodle man kept giving me weird looks.


Now I'm sat at the Hong Kong airport waiting for my connecting flight to Denpasar. The scenery is stunning, even from the airport window. To one direction there's mountains, or hills, or whatever pretty rocky formations and to the other way there's a view to the sea. Huge boats and tankers float by..everything is massive. A couple of more hours here, then another few on air and then Päivi is gonna come and meet me at the Denpasar airport. We'll spend a few days in Bali, probably hiring a car and driving around the island before taking a boat to Gili Travangan where she's living, and where we'll most probably be spending the next week and a half. Can't wait, would like to have an hour or two of sleep though at some point.

Adventure has begun. Yey!

Ready-steady-go

Bags are packed.

That's about it, otherwise I really don't realize that I'm leaving. No, actually i do realize that I'm leaving but not that I'm going anywhere. I get the tears, the sobs, the miss you's, the packed bags and empty shelves. But i don't get that I'm on my way for an adventure, to places never been, seen, heard or felt.

Kimmo is taking me to the airport at 4 am, that's in 6 hours.

6 hours. Then Paris-(Amsterdam)-HongKong-Bali.

Hope all goes well and I get there safe and with all my luggage..

Travelplans

Everything has slowly started to fall into place. Got my visa, which is kind of essential I guess. Got all the flights booked as well. So first flight is to Bali on June 23rd. I'll got about a week and a half there before flying to Sydney on July 6th. I'll be spending most of time in Indonesia on the Gili Travangan, which is the largest of the three Gili islands.

I'll get to Sydney just in time to meet my good friends/new flatmates, Eeva and Vesku before they fly to Finland for a holiday. Then I'll have about a week before my courses start at Uni. A week to organize and familiarize with the new surroundings, a new life, new home.

I just received a confirmation that I have been enrolled to the courses that I have chosen, so that is also good. The first course I'm taking is a Terrestrial Ecology Field Course in a rainforest in Wangat, western Australia. Sounds and looks awesome (http://www.wangat.com.au) :) Then when the actual semester starts in late July I'll be attending a course in Marine Biology, Entomology and Evolutionary Genetics & Animal Behaviour. Should be interesting.

So now it's organizing some final things here and just getting excited.. :)