Slow Ferry to Bali

Thursday in Lombok was a day at the house for me.  I was up by 6am (a bit of a sleep in which I was grateful for), washed the clothes I’d worn the previous day which seem to be the best clothes when getting off and on the bike and walking through the villages.  This day was a dress day as I had only brought three changes of clothes with me. After breakfast and a wander around the garden with Ina, watering and weeding, she dug up a cassava root, breaking the stem into two before replanting it. I pollinated three more pumpkin flowers and helped with the watering.

I think I was still catching up with my sleep as by 9am I was back to bed, dragging myself out by 10:30am so I didn’t sleep all day.  A coffee frappe for us both before Ina left to visit other families in villages to the north, while I worked away on my computer.  I wanted to adapt my ‘Gardening Basics’ notes from church to an Indonesian setting, then with the help of Google translate, to change it so that my Indonesian friends can read it.  I’d already sent some notes to Ririn but I’m sure with her limited English, she hasn’t read it. It was quite a simple but tedious task to copy and paste it to the web interpreter, then to a new Word document, but it did take some time to do. I took a bit of a break to make some lunch from the tomatoes going off in the fridge, which I presume Jason and Anne had left. To this I added yesterday’s left over chicken piece.  The cassava Ina had dug in the morning and boiled dry, burning the pot, was salvaged in part, I fried some of this to be eaten as a side dish.  I also cooked some Bok Choy, all of which I ate with the prawn cracker plates we had been given the day before.  It was delicious.

While I was eating lunch, Jen called from her Airbnb in Spain. We had a lovely chat, sharing the different experiences we were having on opposite sides of the world. It was cloudy again here and quite cool, a perfect time to get out into the garden to pull weeds.  I started on the upper level where Ina had already done one area.  It was a bit hard going as the weeds were amongst serrated leafed pineapple plants.  Just before I reached the end of the bed, it started to rain.  I wasn’t deterred as it wasn’t pouring down and was quite pleasant; mind you my back was drenched by the time I’d finished.  Warm shower, wash my clothes then an inside job on the computer, waiting for Ina to return, to show her how to make the hanging pots and a pot out of the milk containers.  I now had tomato seeds as well as the coriander and basil seeds I’d brought with me.  Ina arrived, then left to collect potting mix from her home.  She is staying at Jason and Anne’s house while they are away, to look after the cat and the garden.  I showed her how to make the pots and planted out the seeds I’d saved; the rest of the tomato seeds she planted in the garden which was watered in by the rain.

We then went out to try to find some fresh milk for my kafir.  We went to several small supermarkets and one big one in the area, but none had fresh milk only UHT.  I messaged Nina to see if she could pick some up on her return.  Which she did, before going straight home as she was exhausted from her day’s hiking.  Nina has part time employment, taking tourists on hiking ventures, this helps to subsidise her the work she does in the villages.

My computer kept playing up.  I think it’s because I was using up so much RAM when trying to translate, copy and paste onto several documents at once. The next morning it still wasn’t right so I rebooted the computer with several of the windows documents open as they wouldn’t close.  All went well and I recovered all of what I’d worked on.

Friday, having woken at 3am and not sleeping again till just after 4am I slept through to 7am, feeling refreshed and ready for the day.  It had rained again during the night and although there was some blue sky, there was still low cloud covering many of the mountains, which we could see from the back veranda, including Mt Rinjani.

I continued working on the horticultural papers, showing Ina how to make white oil, which we sprayed on the scale covering one of the ornamental plants in Anne’s garden.  Nina came over to take us out for lunch at another local restaurant costing $15 for the three of us, including coffees.  Ina was explaining how she had been discriminated against at her college, Nina commenting that it was probably because she was so out spoken, which is not acceptable for Indonesian women.  She was going to contest her results, as she knew she was in the top ten scholars and had not been included on the list.  Others who had not even passed the exams where included and she was not.  Our conversations were rather difficult as Nina had to translate between the two of us.  Ina later left for a meeting and Nina and I continued chatting till she needed to drop me off before going on to her meeting.

I made an afternoon snack by deep frying the burnt cassava. Yum. Nothing wasted here.  Ina returned and worked on the garden while it was still cool and easy to work the soil, due to the rain.  While she dug the vegetable garden, pulling up more cassava and lemongrass, I pruned two citrus trees, one of which was being smothered by a pumpkin plant that was growing up and through it.

I also received an email saying my fast ferry was cancelled and I was to take the slow ferry, which takes four to five hours from a port nearly an hour from where I was staying.  Praise the Lord for Nina who offered to drive me there.  She had suggested we go very early but I said I didn’t want to rush. The rest of the evening I worked on translating the horticultural notes, then packed.  Nina, who had gone home earlier, came over to watch a movie with Ina and I went to bed early so I could get up early to finish packing. I couldn’t sleep, so by 10pm took half a Phenergan.  That didn’t help. I was awake for another two hours, then tossed and turned the rest of the night, waking at 5am!

It was Saturday and I needed to get ready before finishing off my final pack. It always seems like I take more away with me than I bring!  I messaged Nina when I was ready and waited for her to arrive.  We went by bike, as it was easier and quicker than the car to reach the car ferry at Lembar.  There were people queuing up everywhere, as yesterday’s fast ferries had been cancelled and all their passengers were also looking to get on today’s slow ferry.  We heard stories of people who had arrived at 5am yesterday morning and stayed all day, some sleeping on the ferry and in the terminal overnight.  I’m so glad I decided not to hurry this morning, as we still had to wait till midday.  Nina left after about an hour; I waited at the terminal with the crowd.  Then there was a sudden scurry as a ferry arrived and announcements in Indonesia were heard. No interpretation so people asked the locals who could speak a bit of English.  I was sitting in an outdoor area near the gates to the jetty.  This put me in the right spot to jump into line as the agents came around, saying only those with tickets could board now.  We were told we needed to buy new tickets but many of us weren’t so sure so we just remained in line.  I walked towards the gate, following others who were being ushered through.  This caused a panic and people started pushing to get to the gates.  I was with an English girl who needed to get to the airport in Bali before her flight at 6pm.  Somehow we found ourselves being pushed and squeezed towards the gate and were eventually let through, with me saying “she’s with me, please let her through” as the authorities were trying to hold people back.

Praise the Lord we were both through, our tickets accepted as we were ushered towards the ferry.  I suggested we sit near the middle to avoid turbulence if the seas became rough. Her friends had sent her a video of the car ferry unloading the previous day, with waves breaking over the cars trying to disembark. I also heard there were people jumping overboard with lifejackets on.  I contacted Lynne, as I knew she had planned to leave on the Friday.  She said she had been instructed to get to the slow ferry, there was one leaving every hour.  When she arrived, no one knew what was going on except that the harbour master had closed Padangbay harbour, where all ferries docked.  It had been closed to all ferries due to the extreme weather.  She then took a taxi to the airport, but was told all flights to Bali were booked.  The only flight left was just leaving to Jakarta with one seat available, from there it was a one hour wait before a flight to Bali.  She took it, although it cost a fortune. Her thinking was if she stayed, the taxi fares and hotel would probably cost just as much, as prices were hiked up due to the desperate needs of stranded tourists. She eventually arrived in Bali at 10pm, exhausted.

We had an hour to wait before eventually leaving the harbour at 12:30pm.  A second boat had arrived and was filling up rapidly.  I’m sure the stranded passengers from the previous days were all accommodated, as well as the transport, which was banked up waiting to go.  I was pleasantly surprised at how calm the water was; even when we eventually came out from the lee of the islands into the open sea it wasn’t really rough.  Still I’m glad I took my motion tablet.  I also offered one to a local lady in front of me who was holding a plastic bag up to her mouth.  I really didn’t want anyone being sick around us; also she had a baby girl and although her husband was caring for her, she also needed her mother.  Both soon fell asleep and slept for most of the journey. I too curled up on the two seats with my backpack as a head rest. I felt much better on waking about an hour later.  During our journey I was very aware of all the prayers that had been offered for a safe and calm journey.  I’m sure without them, this trip wouldn’t have been possible.  Thank you Lord for watching over us and calming the seas as you also did for the disciples in Mark 4:34-41 and Mathew 8:23-27

It was around two o’clock when we hit the open ocean; here we overtook the second ferry, which had somehow gotten in front of us.  People gathered at the windows along the port side, excitedly pointing at the porpoises breaking through the waves. It was a nice distraction to a very quiet trip. I consumed the snacks I’d packed; the remainder of my squishy bananas, a chunk of pineapple, water and my iced coffee.  I later bought some roasted broad beans to tide me over. I could have bought some rice or instant noodles but really didn’t feel like much to eat.

It only took the ferry four hours before reaching its destination at Padangbay, but another two hours was spent rolling around on the waves before we finally docked after 6pm.  We had been on board nearly seven hours.  The English girl and a group of others had ordered a taxi to pick them up, paying an exuberant fee.  They wouldn’t be getting their flights, but I pray they were able to arrange other flights to get them home.

When we landed, the taxi and shuttle bus drivers mulled around trying to get passengers.  I told them I was not going to pay their exuberant fees and would order a Grab motorbike.  I was told the motorbikes would not be out in this bad weather, as it was too wet.  I kept walking. I wanted to get out of the hustle and bustle, away from the congestion of cars, buses and the truck which lined one side of the road waiting to board the ferry as the others disembarked. Finally the traffic began to dwindle as I moved pass the shops out of the village.  Then I realised I’d gone too far.  The unlit road was pitch black, only being lit by the oncoming or leaving vehicles lighting up the road as they passed me.  The sides of the road were treacherous with broken pavers leaving huge holes down into deep storm water gutters.  I walked along the right side of the road, stepping off to the side when the lights of the oncoming vehicles illuminated my path.  I eventually came to a home with a street light and from here ordered my Grab driver.  It didn’t take long before he arrived from the direction I had just walked.  I was so pleased to see him.  He was so polite and nice, even asking if I needed a rain jacket as it started to rain.  I had come prepared and was already wearing the waterproof pants and jacket slung over my backpack to keep it dry.  Praise God it only sprinkled for a short time.  The roads were wet and traffic quite busy and it was another long ride.  I was so glad to get home.

As we pulled up, Joshua had just arrived and was closing the gates.  Gayle later arrived from a night shop and gave me a very warm welcome home hug.  I felt so loved.  I noticed when I arrived back there was a sink full of dirty dishes.  I jokingly said Gayle was waiting for her live-in maid to return.  They had been without water for a few days, which is quite normal here. Joshua had been meaning to fix the pump to their water tank, which would give them a supply while waiting for the water to return.  Praise the Lord it came on that evening so we could all shower and start on the dishes. Gayle and I then chatted, catching up on events till 9pm, although we were both exhausted. I excused myself and crashed out, sleeping soundly.

Sunday I was delighted to hear the church had moved to the new building.  There were still a few things to complete before it was finished but for now it was presentable and functional.  It still needed the classrooms, office and a few other things to be done, including the entrance which, had a flimsy metal door which kept getting caught both top and bottom, disturbing the congregation during the service with people coming in late.

After the service we were invited out for lunch at a roast pork place not far away.  It was very delicious.  Gayle then dropped me at a bus stop while she returned to the church. I wanted to get home to post the latest blog.  I didn’t have to wait long.  Unfortunately all the buses are now cashless so I had to pay full price, just until I find out how to get money into an account which uses a QR code.  I stopping at the shops to buy my favourite juice, before coming back.  It was here I saw and removed a box, with a large stone in it, from the middle of the road as I was crossing. I then heard someone shouting at me trying to tell me to return it to where it was.  It was then I saw that his car had broken down.  Later while I was waiting at the bus stop to come home, another guy stopped his car in the middle of the road and removed the box too.  I shouted that the car had broken down and got a thumbs up from the passenger who obviously understood me.  Not long after, the owner of the broken down car returned with two plastic water bottles full of fuel.  This is a usual way to buy small amounts of fuel.

Monday Gayle was attending a pastor’s conference in the north; she would be away until Wednesday, giving me time to work on the garden and just relax. Some of the church pastors picked her up from the house. After bidding them farewell and safe journey, I picked up the shovel to try to dig the grass and weeds away from the side path.  I wanted to extend the garden by 40cm to the path, firstly to stop the grass growing into the garden and secondly to give the vegetables room to grow.  The ground was rocky and hard to dig with a shovel and they didn’t have a garden spade.

Joshua had heard the sound of kittens mewling outside the back door where there was a pile of wooden planks and other household items. Sure enough, a mother cat had brought her babies here out of the rain.  I’d seen a cat inside when I woke during the night and wondered if it had been the mother looking for a safe place for her babies, but the following night the same cat was back.  I’m thinking it is looking for a comfortable, quiet place to sleep.  That night the kittens were gone.  Too much activity around the house that day I suspect.

Joshua made a batch of chocolate chip muffins from a box of stores we had found, while trying to find what the strange smell was in the kitchen.  We finally found that it came from a small knife.  This knife had been cleaned and returned to the kitchen but the smell had penetrated the wooden handle and it still had a strong stench.  I had found it in the compost when I was turning it over with my hands inside some plastic bags!  Praise God He protected me from slicing into myself!

That afternoon I wanted to clean out the fridge so cooked up some chicken and veggies for Joshua and myself and then relaxed, while Joshua went back to help out at the church.

The following day Joshua and I went out to see if we could find a garden spade.  We looked at Mitre 10 and another hardware store in the area but both only had shovels.  We had stopped at Gosha for a coffee and cake before going so that Joshua could ask about the coffee grinds for the garden.  The barista was very obliging, saying that I should come back in the evening, which I did and was given a small bag of grinds.  These I added to the compost.  Back to the house after our unsuccessful hardware shopping; it seems they only have shovels, not spades of any description.   I strapped up the old shovel handle which was about to split, and Joshua then used it to loosen the grass and weeds, before heading back to help at church.  Later that evening I used a trowel to dig out the loosened weeds.

On Wednesday, Ibu Rosa arrived and using a pair of hedge clippers, dug the rest of the grass and weeds out.  I was surprised at her method which worked well, but wasn’t the best for the clippers! All the weeds were thrown into the bin, not the compost as I was concerned they would spread, not being a hot compost.  I then showed her how to add more dry matter to the compost by tearing up paper, cardboard and adding dried leaves, turning them over in the bin and wetting them down.  The bin is starting to smell much better and there are less maggots now.  I’ve also been throwing in kitchen scraps every day to prevent the vinegar flies hovering around the kitchen.  Joshua had made another batch of muffins which had just finished cooking, so I offered one to Ibu Rosa as a rewarded for her helping me in the garden.  She then found a guitar in the spare room and we sang some Gospel songs and prayed together before she left.  What a wonderful family the Lord has.

*[Peoples names have been changed as many are working in sensitive areas]

Photos:  1. Bird of Paradise    2. Lunch    3. Ina in the garden    4. Ants harvesting from scale    5. Sunrise over Rinjani    6. Father and baby on ferry    7. Overtaking ferry    8. Sunday new building    9. Local basil in my self-watering hanging pot    10. Ibu Rosa

Prayer & Praise Points:

Please praise the Lord with me for answered prayer; calm oceans and my safe return to Bali.

Praise Him for all I have accomplished both in Lombok and Bali during my stay here.  I give Him thanks for His provision

Please pray for the next leg on my journey as I fly to Malaysia on the 17^th July. May the Lord continue to protect, provide, guide and keep me in His divine health during my travels.

Pray that I will have opportunities to share His love to those around me.

Please continue to pray for Joshua as he applies for his Indonesian citizenship.

Please pray for Jen as she does Work Away in Spain. Pray she will remain safe and well during her adventures and travels in Europe and the UK.

Continue to pray for world peace and for the refugees who are caught up in the suffering this war has caused, both in Ukraine and Russia.

Please continue to keep my sisters, Tricia, Jen and Kat, in your prayers.  Pray that they will come to know the love of Jesus.