Update

To keep up with my journey west to America and then on to Chile see http://sarahgoeswestwards.blogspot.com  ...

The End

So basically this is it. Hoad's blog finished. I am now in Ko Phnangan, Thailand spending my last days on a beautiful white sand beach, doing a couple of hours yoga a day, lots of swimming and eating the best Thai food ever before I head back home.

Yesterday the sun had a ring around it which was a little weird but after numerous conversations with my fellow beachites I think it can be put down to the full moon on the 20th. The girls, Carys and Laura, are from Hackney ... such a small world.

Finally I just wanted to say a few big thank yous which I know sounds all very awards ceremony-like but I really do so .... to Emma for sorting out my mortgage - no mean feat and I am sorry it was so stressful but also for the most useful going away present - namely the pink whistle which I have of course used every single day of the trip ... ; Tobes for looking after Hoad stuff and for the incredible NYC eyemask that has been the envy of many fellow travellers - I cannot wait to see you, Lina and the Gloop; Jessie for looking after the flat - I hope it has behaved itself as well as I know Tabby will have; Emilie for showing me how to set up and keep up the blog and for the incredible bag of skin goodies; Gill and Tim for looking after my shoes, the incredible Himalaya defying socks and earplugs (I have one left and am keeping it for you to marvel at); Joris for advising me on downloading photos in the early days; Dan, Resh, Irene, Tobes, Tom, Gill, Fleur, Joris, Ben, Tanya, Emilie and Heath for buying me the Ipod - invaluable but just pipped to the post by the ever so useful pink whistle; Irene for the adapter and for being 'Renie; Ben and Tanya for the Point It book which has provided endless amusement to everyone I have shown it to; Elke for the bronzing powder so I can keep the dream alive for a little longer; Dan & Loo for introducing me to Elliott Smith ... this is getting silly ... but also everyone at BB for the stuff and for making going away so easy and finally my family for being my unique and wonderful family. I miss all of you buggers and cannot wait to see you.

Ubud

Up on north I went to Ubud where Nick and Lucy (Latitude last year for those of you who went although looking a bit like Wallace and Gromit here ...) had just arrived from Java. I braved hiring a motorbike so we could go up through the rice fields and on in to the hills to see the volcano at Batur

Jimbaran

Leaving Vicky and Luke to look at waves and ponder about whether or not they were going to ride them I headed north to Jimbaran to gorge myself on the freshest fish you can eat and to see the infamous fish market ... The fish being carried is a tuna .... big big big

Bali - Bukit Peninsula

After leaving the boat everyone, apart from Michael, went on to Sumbawa - the little visited island between Flores and Lomobok famous for big waves. Whilst the everyone else paddled and caught waves I took to the infinity pool and enjoyed life not on the boat. Lots of fantasic pictures of waves for all the surfers and yes James and Heath the swell certainly did hit the day we left ... you would have loved it.

After an emotional goodbye to first Judith and then Jeff, Vicky, Luke and I headed down to Padang Padang on the southern tip of Bali. Vicky and I braved the motorbike again so we could go and see the infamous Ulawatu which as you can see is incredibly beautiful. You can also see what happens when monkeys are fed too many bananas ... it couldn't move and no it wasn't pregnant.

Finding Dwagons

On the way to the dwagon's lair we first came across some of its poo - white dusty stuff in

case you ever need to know - and then one of their nests more easily identifiable to us humans as a hole. Just so you know dwagons can grow up to 3 metres in length. I even risked my life (well ...) to capture them up close and personal on film but sadly the machine tells me it is corrupt so once again you will have to wait until I get home to see it. Oh and no they don't breathe fire but I understand they can move very very quickly if they want which they didn't when we were around.

Dwagon Hunting - setting off

So on to Komodo and Rinca our merry little band went - home to the infamous and human eating (if hungry and no buffalo or deer around) Komodo Dragons. Whilst some may have been a little sceptical about this stop off I can assure you I was leading from the front in my keeness to see them. Before setting out on the trek our guides had to arm themselves with sticks in case of attack ... personally I was a little worried as to the effectiveness of the stick but then what do I know being a mere Suffolk girl.