Week Twenty-Four

Friday – Having recovered from the trip we were up early Friday and get this, all three of us went to the gym at 0700. Safe in the knowledge that this week would involve a lot of very good food we all undertook to do a little something in the way of fitness in a vein attempt to offset the calorie overload. With the early morning exercise out of the way it was off to the buffet breakfast. Well what a feast was enjoyed, and this was something we came to enjoy every day for the next week. In the evening we were off to the local village to change up some local currency enjoy a local meal and a pedicure.

Got to love the Indonesian rupee 18800 to the pound so you quickly become a millionaire here! This is exactly what we like about Bali the ability to be pampered for a ridiculously cheap amount of money. A few of the local Bintang beers were enjoyed before we turned in for the night.
Saturday – Day two of all three of us going to the gym before breakfast. It was a bright and sunny morning so after a short session on the sun loungers we set off for the short walk to the Bali Collection a local shopping mall. All we did was look around there was not much that caught our eye, but the walk along the beach was vey enjoyable, especially with Laura with us – we see so little of her these days so it is precious time indeed. After dinner we sat out under the stars enjoying a drink and the beautiful atmosphere of the Hippie style bar at the Ayodya hotel.
Sunday – Day three of all of us attending the gym before breakfast – impressed yet? We awoke to dark skies perhaps that was an omen. Despite the gloomy skies the weather was warm and there was intermittent sun so we were on the beach again catching a few rays. Having enjoyed a day by the sea and pool we went back to the room and got ready for our dinner. Tonight was to be our traditional Bali food experience at the main restaurant, a more formal night than most and we were all excited. We got to the restaurant at around 7pm and had a perfect table by the tropical lagoon. We had barely ordered the first drinks and chosen our meals from the menu than

our lives were about to change forever in a small way. The first thing we noticed was a long 5 to 7 second rumble and gentle vibration of the table with the drinks quivering, before the penny had dropped there was more significant movement, the ground shook side to side with the floor tiles looking like they were floating rather than stuck to the floor. About now we began to realize that we were in an earthquake. We all jumped up from the table with the other diners and rushed out from under the canopy above the restaurant. Lights were falling to the ground, as were pictures and even some roof tiles were cascading down. No sooner than we were all in some form of panic or another than the movement subsided and things stopped falling. The three of us checked we were all all right and decided to get out of the building properly in case it started again. Chaos reigned as unsurprisingly everyone in the hotel had the same idea. The rush was not too bad all things considered no one was pushed over and some order prevailed. We all gathered outside the front of the hotel. It was now that we – and I guess all the others – started to think of the possibility of a tsunami. We discovered from the Internet that the earthquake was centered on the North of Lombok Island some 45 miles away and just across the shore from us, the Indonesian government put out a tsunami warning which was in place for two hours. These were amongst the worst two hours of our lives. We were scared that a Thai type tsunami would swallow us

all up, there was nowhere really to go as we were already at the highest point and this was not very high and only 200m from the shore. As we waited there were more aftershocks but no more significant damage. Thankfully no wave ever came and after two hours the tsunami warning was withdrawn. Many people were huddled together making calls to their family, it was dark and it was a very scary time. As with so much in life, time passed and finally we were given the all clear to return to our rooms – not that we wanted to – but we had to go somewhere and by the early hours with all the events we were overcome with tiredness. I managed to sleep but Wendy and Laura stayed awake all night.
We later discovered that the earthquake was level 7 in force and claimed more than 400 lives on the adjoining Island of Lambok, and hundreds more were displaced.
It was a sad night that will live long in our hearts and for me highlighted the fragile nature of life and how we must cherish every minute of it.
Monday – Funny enough the gym routine was a victim of the earthquake, a lack of sleep and worry of what had just happened made the day a quiet and reflecting day. During the day there were two smaller aftershocks, on the face of it not too much shaking but on the back of the previous day it was alarming.
Tuesday – Overnight there was a large aftershock at 0300, which caused a stir in the room but this all calmed down after an hour and something

resembling a normal night followed. The day brought a pleasant day around the pool enjoying the sunshine, ice creams and exchanging stories with the other guests. It has to be said that the numbers in the hotel had dropped off by around a third after the quake, with many getting the first available flights off the island. We managed, wisely or otherwise, to stay and see out the rest of our week there.
Wednesday – This was a normal day without event. By now we were really appreciating normal. If a day went by without a noticeable aftershock we were all relieved.
Thursday – Escape! We love Bali, and the people here are so friendly and work tirelessly to make sure that you enjoy yourself whilst on your holidays. That said after the stress of this week we were mighty glad to wake up Thursday morning without event. Here I should point out that I managed to maintain the gym all week so I was feeling very proud of myself. We all packed up and set off to the airport having enjoyed the holiday in parts but happy, if we were honest, to be getting out of Bali. Arrival at the airport was pleasing as we were notified our flight tickets qualified us for entry to the Premier lounge. We happily shuffled off to the lounge and were tucking into free drinks and a light lunch when, and you can’t make this up, there was

another earthquake! On steel framed mezzanine floor the movement was exaggerated. Furthermore the jolt from thinking we were almost out of the danger zone only to experience a similar quake to Sunday night made it more of a shock. The same routine followed all out of the building and all thankfully in tact. This time there was no word of a tsunami – which was well received, as the airport is right on the coast! One poor lady had a large tile fall on her head and was getting treatment as we passed her by but other than that no injuries that we were aware of. We were advised that this quake was 6.4 and apart from a short delay to take off did not interfere with our flights. The relief was palpable when the aircraft door finally closed and we taxied onto the runway. As we waited for clearance to take off two military aid aircraft took off in front of us reminding us that our concerns were just that, and that many hundreds of people had lost their homes, livelihood and loved ones. Our thoughts remain with the many who, not as fortunate as us cannot simply get on a plane and fly away from it all.
Goodbye, good luck and thank you for being so kind to us Bali.