Blog 62. 26 September. Lombok to Gili Air and Ambat. 08.19.93S. 115.38.59E

Alcedo
David Batten
Mon 30 Sep 2019 08:32
Bird watching in Indonesia produced another surprise. The driver was waiting for us when we arrived ashore at the “marina” at 07.30 as arranged. The guide was waiting for us when we arrived at the Kerangdangan National Park, a small park at the end of the road, just beyond the village of Kerangdangan. Not only was Denis, our guide, waiting for us, but he turned out to be really knowledgable, with a book on the birds of Lombok written by his brother, binoculars and a repertoire of bird calls and tapes for the local birds.

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Denis in the forest park, waiting patiently for a kingfisher to respond to the tape call. No luck this time.

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The Elegant Pitta bird which came to Denis’ call for a reward of water and food. Several years of patient conditioning means Denis can now guarantee the appearance of this lovely bird.

We did see king fishers, honey eaters and a beautiful bright yellow, rook sized bird with black markings, name now forgotten.

Since then, shopping in the traditional market, more ATMs and good bye Medana Bay, hello Gili Air. The latter only for a snorkel with more tourists than we have seen in Indonesia at any time and a very good dinner, courtesy of the Ship’s Boy. Luckily the fish and the two turtles seen when snorkelling were well used to human company, the coral was beginning to recover from the earthquake that shook North Lombok last year and the dinner was the best. The local boats taking tourists to and from the island were noisy and seemed to positively enjoy sending the anchored boats rocking in their wake.

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The pier at Gili Air in the evening, with local boats from the island peaceful at last after the last tourist wishing to be elsewhere had left.

After saying goodbye to Vaa Nui, who were going to Marina del Ray and south Bali, we left Gili Air and enjoyed a brisk, if somewhat rough sail across the channel between Lombok and Bali, with winds gusting 25+ knots. So a quick sail to Ambat, a lovely, peaceful bay with just a few tourist and a less noisy mosque.

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Local boat, sort of mini spider boat, making good use of the wind

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Ambat Bay, Ahmed village, home to mini spider boats, good diving off a wreck and a reasonable anchorage for the night, but too much swell for a trip ashore on arrival

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Leaving Ambat in the morning, with the volcano to the west making for a impressive backdrop

So today we are heading for Lovina beach, motor sailing in a tiresome sea and with a variable wind.

Alcedo
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