The descent into Ngurah Rai airport gave us an amazing view of Gunung Augung(3041m) - Bali's tallest and most sacred volcano. With it plummeting through the clouds and a sunset all around it was a spectacular sight.Our first stop in Bali is the infamous Kuta Beach, a 3km drive from the airport. Matt arrived here with Jolanda (his Dutch 'friend') a day or two ago so we had pre-arranged a rendez-vous. It was great to see him, especially after him being sick and his stint in hospital (which has meant him shedding a few pounds but looks great for it). As it was 8pm we decided to check ourselves in at the same accommodation, which is very nice, but just above our budget allowance. We headed straight out and went to a nice restaurant as everyone was starvin. There was a full fixture of EPL matches on so we went to a bar and enjoyed their happy hour. A live band were playing also so I got in a few requests :o). They were pretty good! After Matt and Jolanda retired for the evening myself and Kev had a few more drinks to get a feel for the place. In peak-season I would say this place is absolutely kicking but it appears to be alot quieter now. We cut our losses and got some much needed sleep.

We decided to stay another night in our accommodation and enjoy a day at the pool soaking up the sun. It seems way too long since we were last able to do this. During the afternoon we walked down Kuta Beach and got another nice blast. We'll be pink lobsters tonight On our way back myself and Kev noticed a beach-footie tournament which was kicking-off [nice pun!]. We managed to blag our way onto a team. It was real nice again to have a ball at the feet but it was tough work with the sun beaming down and the heavy sand. Our team got trounced by the opposition which turned out to be mostly national Balinese players.The next couple of days were enjoyed soaking up the sun on Kuta-Legian beach. The weather has been perfect so the tans have been coming on real nice! The waves here are amazing (and also potentially dangerous which I discovered a few days later). Great fun getting taking out of it. You come out of the water shattered, they are relentless, and with your nose running continuously for about 10 minutes. Real attractive :o) We rented body-boards a few of the days and that was good fun also. The nightlife is quite good although nothing I would imagine compared to peak-season. We stumbled across Bounty nightclub one of the nights and this seems to be the busiest and maddest place. Red Illusion and Dynamite are the culprits - two concoctions containing Rice wine which get you mighty pissed. Percentage wise its about 80/20 Ozzies here, 70% blokes. Even with the sunglasses model looks and the guns having a laugh and talking to people is difficult. Last night was a bit of a mad one. Bounty has a stage which the drunkest people get up on. Queue, myself and Kev up there. Getting up was were it happened. My shorts tore slightly around the crotch area. During the next hour, the tear started to get bigger. Vinnie's going commando. Next thing I'm starting to feel a draught and pretty much the family heirloom is on display. Kev notices and proceeds to rip the tear even more. It's pretty much down to my knee-cap. So I left the club, holding myself, to try and find a shop for some shorts. Everything is closed. All the local lads are pissing themselves. So I jumped on a motorbike and headed back to the guesthouse. It was then I remembered Kev had the key. So I asked the guy at reception for the spare. He hands me literally two sets with about 50 on each hook. None of them marked. So I'm outside my door trying all the keys. Nightmare! I finally noticed an other pair of shorts of mine hanging on the clothes horse two feet away. Sweet! Back to the club for more madness. Kev in his drunken state hadn't even realised I was gone. Everyone pointing at the new shorts.

Writer Comment : Recomended for young people only....