First rain after 6 week of burning sun. Today, just after returning from my scuba diving trip, a heavy downpour set in. It washed away the dust of the past months from roads and plants. The island will probably look much different tomorrow, when sun rises again.
It will be a very scenic stage, all day along the coast. Hidden beaches, white sand and palm trees for miles.
Tweet ##transoceaniaAt 1am there was a ‘Tsunami Alarm’ and 2 members of the ‘French Legionaires’ evacuated Stirling and me from our room and pulled us into the Senggigi nightlife.
There is more to report, but local authorities were closely watching us and … [censored] … 
update:
7:08am. I wished I had 3 hours more sleep before I got up for my scuba diving trip …
The Suly Resort * Yoga * Spa * U B U D / B A L I
We are placed in Paradise for our Rest Day in Ubud.
With a blend of Balinese and a hint of modern architecture, surrounded by lush gardens in the tranquil village of Ubud, the rest day location provides us with an unforgettable atmosphere and relaxing experience.
The Welcome Statues at the entrance immediately indicate that this is the perfect retreat for our ‘French Honeymoon’ couple, which immediately formed when Mr. G. joined the group in Java.
After some complaints about the not always satisfactory internet connectivity and speed at our camps, the TdA directors have decided in an emergency board meeting in Bromo, to permanently expanded the tour staff team. Two additional IT & network specialists are now being with us on the tour, always being sent ahead to the next campsite to install a dedicated highspeed internet connection for use only by the tour cyclists. Excessive internet users, like our E.B., A.W. and B.T. have voluntarily donated an essential amount of rupias to cover for the additional expenses …
I hope the technicians are not being immediately expelled again, for breaking the tour rules and not wearing any security features.
It was worth the early morning wakeup call at 3am. Stunning views and colors when sun rose and illustrated the craters and the caldera. Cold up here in almost 2800m but that will change soon.
In the caldera to hike up and around Gunung Bromo.
Returned ‘tanned’
and with a souvenir
Besides the usual things needed to be done during our rest days, the 2 days in Yogyakarta were actually meant to allow to visit and explore the famous temple sites of Borobudur and Prambanan. However I had to skip this program, as my first priority was to get my health situation under control and myself back in shape to be able to ride my bicycle on the next stages. Therefore I canceled the sightseeing program in favor to more rest and to gain new energy.
A short rickshaw ride together with Eric into the busy center of Yogya was the only escape from my nice ‘Rehab’ Hotel for the past 4 days. Back into the city smog and noise!
Although I lost some kg during my ‘Gastro’ phase, our driver had a hard(er) time to spin the wheels with me and my partner Eric, as Eric obviously overcompensated for my weight loss 
– he is a real good eater 
.
You would be amazed about the number of good sorted bicycle shops you can find in town. In one I found my dream bike; good for the rough conditions we face here. However I was in shock when I was told by the merchant, that I did no longer qualify to own such a vehicle as the name already suggests it is only for a very exclusive client group … 
This night I moved out of the room I share with Brett. It became too hot with the A/C switched off (however no way to get over my cold sleeping with A/C) – The bed sheets were kind of plastic causing more sweat. Mosquitos bugging me all night. No way to fix a net in the room. Not comfortable at all. At 3am I grabbed my mattress and moved onto the table in the living room, bedding me raised above the floor. Mosquito net attached to the lamp, hot tea in a cup and eventually I dozed away for a healthier sleep. I should have done this right away.
Now my part of the bedroom serves as a store room for my bags …
Giving up my temporary home at the Splash Hotel in Bengkulu – a very spacious bed, neutral sheets and a real shower head instead of a bucket and cup.
My life is back in my 2 bags, ready to load on the vans.
6 more riding days in Sumatra before we set over to Java, the second island of the tour, and the begin of section 2.
Let us get rolling …
Tweet ##transoceaniaEnough rehydration? One and a half day and a few bottles later my body feels so spongy …
Ready for some real sweating on the next days hot miles.
Tweet ##transoceania
