After we hiked all the beaches on the South side of Bali we rented a van and drove the rest of the island. I use the term "drove" loosely. Bali is very densely populated and it seems as if there are 2 motorbikes for every person. In the cities they are everywhere, passing on both sides! In a lane sized for 1 small American car you'll often find 2 scooters and a car vying for space. Add few street signs and the fact that the map is written in Indonesian and the scarce signs in Balinese and you have an instant recipe for driving woes.

We were lost most of the time but no worries; a motorbike would pull up next to Terry, motion for the window down, and give us directions that were usually right. Even though we really enjoyed Ubud, the cultural center of Bali, and the volcanic mountains which are majestic and still threatening to erupt, our favorite spot was Lovina. It's a gorgeous little beach town on the north shore that reminds me of Key West. Cruisers feel so at home here, after our sojourn to Lombok we returned and are enjoying our time with old friends from Polynesia, ridiculously cheap food, hotels, and of course Bintang.

We're off to discover more of Indonesia at dawn tomorrow and will be at sea for a couple of weeks.

Cheers to beaches, beers, and best friends, KK