Their arrival was kind of funny. Don and I had been watching for them for days, binoculars glued to our eyeballs every time a fast boat came in from Bali. We were afraid that they would return and be unable to hail us because we had moved Quantum Leap to an outer mooring from the close-in mooring when new moon tides made the water off the stern uncomfortably thin. Day after day, fast boat after fast boat, no Tom & Bette Lee.
On Thursday, we went ashore in the morning for our walk and got back to the harbor just as the boats started coming in. We sat and sipped watermelon juice as we watched passengers unload and still no Tom & Bette Lee. Suddenly we noticed a small boat hanging between Quantum Leap and our nearest neighbor. Moments later I see a bag thrown aboard! We jumped into the dinghy and zipped out.
It seems they had been persuaded to take a "faster boat" to Gili Trawangan, where they were assured, they could readily transfer to a local ferry. Wrong; no local ferry running. So they had to hire a small boat to ferry them across, and so, were able to get dropped off directly to Quantum Leap. Wouldn't you know!?!
All the time they were gone we were working hard to channel Bette Lee's cleanliness standards, so I think they were quite pleased with the condition of the boat upon their return...and I'm not sure they actually noticed that we were on a different mooring until we pointed it out. Our big solo voyage: 200 feet! Accomplished just like we knew what we were doing!
Since their return, the moorings have filled right up with rally boats from many countries. still none of our close friends, but a rainbow of new ones. In a burst of energy yesterday, Tom got the windsurfer out. He and Bette Lee showed us how it should be done, and I gave it a shot (it being four years since my last (and first) lesson with Tricky at Musket Cove!), and narrowly avoided T-boning a couple of boats, which I understand means I did a good job because I actually progressed somewhere! When Tom took over again to sail the windsurfer back to Quantum Leap, he spontaneously turned it into a circuit of the cruising boats inviting them to a sunset party at four o'clock.
What a fun evening! Sixteen people from a handful of different countries assembled in the cockpit for wine and snacks and later on the foredeck for the sunset. It never stops amazing me the way cruisers can so quickly connect and build friendships...especially when a little libation and snack lubricate the works. Afterwards, six couples made it ashore for supper.
We are currently awaiting a fuel delivery, due between 10-11 am. It is now 11:15, hardly late by Indonesian time. The plan is to leave tomorrow for Lovina Beach, Bali, making one stop on the way. The currents in the strait between here and there can be very strong. A boat that left yesterday had it with them and made the trip very handily; against you it can slow progress to a crawl!
None of us want to leave here. Close friends are very close to arriving. The spa should be open again. With Ramadan over, restaurant service should be getting back to normal. We've just started windsurfer lessons (what were we waiting for!)
And, of course, in Lovina we will be getting off. :-(
Yes, it will be sad. We have come to feel very much at home. On the other hand, enthusiasm is building about travel time on Bali. Tom & Bette Lee experienced a bit of a hotel crunch during their time in Bali thanks to Ramadan and the final weeks of the European summer vacations, and still they had lovely accommodations. They, of course, bring us much good feedback for our planning. Getting off at Lovina Beach should work well for our needs if we can find a hotel that will store our excess baggage while we travel around. Then we can come back to Lovina for the Rally week before turning our minds to departure.
Fuel's here. Not bad!
Later....
Plans have changed yet again. Now we are NOT going to Lovina by catamaran. We will get off here so the next guests can have some R&R on Gili Air before they head off. Don and I researching and formulating alternative land plans. I think we'll just wait ands wee what we do and when!
Gwen Hamlin
Cafe Getaway
Sent from my iPad
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