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
Denis in the forest park, waiting patiently for a kingfisher to respond to the tape call. No luck this time.
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.
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.
Local boat, sort of mini spider boat, making good use of the wind
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
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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