Lombok. Sengigi.

It is time for island holiday and we have chosen Lombok and the Gili Islands. It is such an unknown for us except for Moira having been here with friends in a rented home that we did not really know where we should go or vIsit. Warren as per usual has done all the slog of reading up and planning. I got the giggles when he described the place he had booked us into for two nights. The rates were so reasonable, the description so charming etc. I teased that it may be made of cardboard and be a shack. Rajasthan I am pleased to say turned out just fine. Our room was delightful with a outside bathroom. No hot water but who needs hot water on an island? The staff are friendly and accommodating and the main road (and only real road is just down the way!

Instead of using the fast taxi from the airport we took the bus to Sengigi. We were the only tourists on the bus but everyone smiled and were pleasant. The plane was choc a bloc mainly with workers returning home for Ramadan. The airport was jammed with family waiting for family to return. On the drive back we were so impressed with the rice paddies, fields of corn, water buffalo and noticed that most of the land is being used to produce some crop or other.

Our little resort is down a dusty road and along a narrow lane. It is like a little oasis.

Of course there is definitely a good taste of Bali around here except that this is a Muslim island which is made obvious by mosques on every corner....this is not an exaggeration. Arriving at the start of Ramadan the calls to prayer are very busy and some times from our room it sounds as though the calls are in competition with each other! What amazes me, after a stroll around the back streets from our resort is the beautifully maintained mosques while people right next door live in such squalor! I never mind seeing humble abodes but when there is so much dirt and right at the front door and seeing the children play and frolic in the muck, I do get upset and feel disturbed. Is it because people don't care or are not aware or what. Where is the pride? Come on people of Lombok....you live in a piece of paradise, look after it!

Another worrying sight is the broken coral washed up on the beaches! There is SOOOO much, is this a sign of sheer neglect by beach authorities to curb boats from using certain areas? Where is all this destruction going to end up?

We spent the morning on the beach and the water temperature is lovely. Lots of families are spending the first day of Ramadan picnicking and swimming.

Our resort is super has great wifi so I could catch up with my Blog

The lounge and the bathroom!

 

 

Some of the garden "ornaments"!

On the go again!

After a hectic almost three weeks at home we were back to JHB. and ready to head off for our three month trip overseas! I say hectic, as I tried to jam as much into my limited time at home as possible!

Firstly, I had to get over a miserable cough and cold which I tried very hard not to pass on. One day my aged neighbour stuck her head out the door and I happened to be walking along and she smiled so sweetly and asked how I was. I answered that I had a lousy chest cold and before I could tell her that I was on the mend she gave a yelp of panic and shut her door rather hurriedly. Obviously she was determined to escape any flying germs! Ah well.....!

I spent my self imposed seclusion making several quilt tops and crocheting squares for blankies. I think I have about 17 quilts in different stages of completion and a few promises of quilts from friends. My dream of having 67quilts to hand over by July next year is becoming more of a reality!

 

This I made from left overs of African fabrics which Sarah gave me ages ago to make a duvet cover.

Not sure but it was just a pretty piece I found lying around!

Robyn put these strips together, her first effort and I assembled them. Well done sis. Here's to you doing a few more!

I used up some of me Malaysian fabric scraps. Oh the memories!

I look forward to seeing them quilted which my friend Mary said she would do!

With Oscar's birthday coming up I was asked to make thirty Ben Ten watches. They turned out so cute and one was put into every party pack.

All my chores done, socialized shopped, packed etc. we were off to JHB. Oscar turned five and we were so pleased we could share this special day with him. Everything revolved round Ben Ten and Sarah, Adrien and their team did a brilliant job.

Soon we were jetting off to K.L. And after two long trips it was great to arrive and see Nick and Joshua! It was also wonderful to back in the beautiful weather again! No sooner had we arrived and we attended a "soccer party" at Joshies school. The World Cup fever sure has everyone celebrating.