Surfing... Take 2

This morning was our second surfing lesson.  We started in the pool to work on improving our balance.  It was really hard as you have to paddle across the pool and then try and stand for 5 seconds with no waves helping you move forward.  After 30 min of this, we were off to the ocean.  The current did not seem as strong at first, but grew as the hours went on.  Sean was a pro today, paddling and standing on many of the waves he caught.   I had a little more trouble.  Sean told me that the surf coach kept holding my board to keep it straight, so it was like I was fighting to get my balance against what he was doing.  As a result, my foot kept slipping off the board and I was having no luck whatsoever.  After awhile, he decided to let me try on my own and I was much more successful  There is so much to think about: board perpendicular to the shore, watch the wave, paddle when the wave is coming, but not if it is a double wave, and then try and stand, get your balance, bend your knees and stay low, lean forward to increase speed, lean back to slow down.  After 2 hours of this we were both exhausted. 

We have decided to go to Ubud tomorrow for a few days, and the to the Gili Islands after that for some scuba diving and try our third lesson once we are back at Kuta Beach. 

Our plan as of now is to hire a driver in the morning to take us further south on the island for a few hours and then take us to Ubud.  We have no hotel plans, but there seems to be lots of availability from what we have seen, so will figure it out once we arrive.

We have no pictures to post today as we can't take any as we are surfing.  :)

All for now,
Sean and Nancy 

We Have Arrived

Surfers at sunset!

Fish therapy

We have had one full day here.  We walked to the beach which is about 5 min from our hotel last night to watch the sunset and then had a quick dinner and we were in bed by 8.  It is a 14 hour time difference so our day and night are completely mixed up.

After an 11 hour sleep we were off to find a surf shop.  We took a 2.5 hour lesson today, and were able to stand up a few times.  The current is quite strong in places so it is exhausting even walking out into the ocean. We have booked ourselves in for 2 more lessons over the next 2 days.  We'll be riding the big waves in no time :). 

After dinner tonight I had some fish therapy.  It was very ticklish.  Sean decided to pass and just watch.

We booked another night at our hotel.  Our room is nice, right by the pool and we have a covered outdoor shower!

Pictures are all in weird spots.  Not sure why. 

All for now.

How the other half lives!

Watching the sunset

In Transit in Taipei

Two flights down and one to go.  I thought we had a 9 hour and an 11 hour flight, but realized part way through our last flight that that was for the Europe routing.  Instead we had a 13 hour flight from LA to Taipei, and only have a 5 hour one once we board again in a few hours.  The flight here went by quite quickly, and we both agree that we could get used to the pods as we both slept for about 8 hours of the 13 hour flight.  We decided not to wear the pjs they gave us, but the food was good and the duvets were nice.
All for now.  We will write again once we find an internet cafe in Bali as we did not bring any technology at all with us. 

Nancy and Sean 

On Our Way to Bali

We are just finishing our packing and are set to leave for Bali tomorrow evening.  We are looking forward to diving, surfing and relaxing on the beach.  We will post pictures and updates along the way.

Nancy and Sean