Gunung Rinjani here I come

After a quick transfer in Bali, we are now in Lombok. We're here because I want to climb a volcano. The surfboards are in storage (don't panic, it's only temporary) and Michael is coming too.
Tomorrow we will get up at 5.30am and head to Gunung Rinjani, where we will start climbing. We'll spend the night on the crater rim. The following morning we'll get up at 3am and start the final ascent to the summit for sunrise. The Rinjani summit is at 3726m/12,224ft. After the summit we're heading down into the crater to some hot springs and the crater lake. Then it's back out of the crater on the other side and downhill all the way home.

I only just got my toenail back after the battering my feet took in Nepal. Hopefully this will be a little easier!

I remembered to grab my bra

We've spent the last few nights of our time in Sumba in the fishing village of Pero. It's on the very Western tip of the island - there's no land between here and Africa.

The village itself is set on either side of a single road that leads directly to the ocean. The houses are a mixture of bamboo or stone. My favorite time of day here is the early evening, when I can walk down to the sea and watch the fishermen prepare their boats for the nights fishing. The main catch here is cumi-cumi (squid). They use bright lanterns, which make the horizon look like a floating city when the sun has set.

We have been staying at a small 'Homestay' a short walk from the ocean. The outdoor mandi (tub of water with a bucket that you use to scoop water over yourself) is refreshed daily with water from the well, and most recently with rain water. Electricity is available in the evenings, when the whole town seems to watch the same TV channel.

On our last night there was no power, so Michael and I were in bed reading by flashlight. We heard voices shouting. Initially it sounded like a party, but I remember the moment when Michael and I looked at each other as we both realized that people were screaming. We were out from under our mosquito nets quickly. Michael ran to the front door to see what was going on. People were running up the road shouting and screaming. I frantically pulled on my sneakers and we headed out the door - ready to run.

The house immediately next door was engulfed in flames. The smoke was black and I was left in shock at how quickly the fire started, consumed the contents of a house, and was then put out by the neighbours with buckets of water. Luckily the house was of the brick variety. If it had been one of the bamboo ones, it would have burned to the ground.

There's no fire brigade & no home insurance. It makes you think about what it means to lose everything.

According to this map, which renames US States for countries with similar GDP's - we're in Louisiana.....

I think I'd rather fly

We're in Sumba. And I already can tell that I'm going to like it here. It's just a feeling, but a good feeling!

The trip from Roti to Timor was fun. We were on the 'fast' ferry. (The slow ferry sank in 2006, with many lives lost). The fast ferry is a passenger ferry. A passenger and chicken ferry. With a stack of surfboards and a moped strapped onto the deck.
Michael and I had seats deep in the basement, right in the front row, in the bow of the boat. There were no windows in front of us which is probably a good idea. I prefer not to know what we are sailing into.
The crossing was fast and flat for the first half of the trip. Then we crossed into the channel, where the sea was 'a little choppy'. At times the windows on either side of the boat were underwater, we were cresting over waves and then dropping with a loud thwak. There was vomiting, screaming and the ladies across the aisle were chanting 'Hallelulah Yesus, Hallelulah Yesus, Hallelulah Yesus', their arms in the air. It was like the best /worst roller coaster ride, with extras.

On the move

We've been on Rote / Roti for the last couple of weeks. No internet access, no telephone service and slightly salty well water for washing!

We're back in Kupang, W.Timor for a night of fun. Tomorrow we fly to Waingpau on Sumba Island. I predict another 2 weeks without internet access!

As soon as I am at a computer I'll give you the news from our travels.....

(We did have a frantic 24 hours on Roti. Two words: Tsunami Warning.)