let's go...

Kuta Lombok or Kuta Bali?

'We are going to Kuta.' 'Oh, that's crazy and busy, and so touristy,' they reply. 

'No, Kuta in Lombok. I think it will be a bit different. People say it reminds them of Bali ten years ago.' 

They reply 'Oh, I've never heard of it. Where is that?'

Each morning we wake and do yoga. A purpose-built deck on the beach means we look out to a calm bay, complete with bobbing fishing boats and lone SUP'er heading out to the break out the back. The beach is quiet (all except one morning when conference delegates thought loud dance music would be appropriate to blast out of speakers at 7 am) except for the thunder of waves crashing beyond the bay. Swell is big. I've never been able to do yoga for more than 45 minutes, but these one and half hour sessions are easy. 

We hire a moped for $10 a day and go scootering. I wouldn't dream of doing this in Bali, but the roads look calm and safe here - as long as you keep an eye out for potholes. A tour down the main street takes about one minute. We slow down for buffalo, dogs sniffing and wandering old men. There are a few surfers chatting and locals laze in the shade. Children play in the puddles while one old man has a quick wash roadside. 

The restaurants and shops are deserted. And there is no 'lady, come here, see this' or 'Psst, you want? Just look.' Shop owners may smile, throw something your way, but don't persist if I decline.

There are a couple of side roads - most leading out of town. They are lined with stores, surf schools, guest houses and more restaurants. But all are empty on our visit out of season in February. 

And that's how it stays for the rest of the trip. Near-deserted. Each night the restaurants and beachside pop-up bars would take it in turns to entertain the tourists that are staying around Kuta. One bar per night would be 'the place'. 

Near-deserted white sand beaches line the southern coast around Kuta. They look like the beaches I dream of - lush vegetation bordering the white sand that leads to water that is clear and turquoise colour. Sometimes we find a little rubbish floating about, but nowhere near the amount we swim through in Bali. 

After discovering beaches for two days my moped we decide to hire a guide, boat, and boards and head out for a surf at Gerupuk. The break we go to is called Insides, in the middle of a bay this break comes from seemingly nowhere. 

The surf guides family being amused by Ben in his home.

It must be one of the easiest surf sessions I have had in my life. I catch a long wave, and then instead of an arm breaking battle to get out the back again, I have a quick and gentle paddle just outside the reef break. I'm back in the lineup minutes later. I catch waves that reform with no concern for the hard paddle that normally goes with it. The locals have fun with us, showing us tricks that keep them entertained on these smaller waves.

Back at the Novotel, for now, the only resort on the beachfront, we are met with hawkers. But instead of sell, sell, sell, they try the sell, then sit and chat. Their children are playful and muck around with us. I try and teach them sand-angels. We book our driver to Sengiggi through one of the ladies - her husband. It's a nice end to the day after adventuring, chatting with our new 'friends'.

A 25-minute flight to Lombok. Is it worth it? You bet. If you want to see somewhere different, less touristy (but not too off the beaten track), stunning white sand beaches, and good surf - head to Kuta in Lombok. Nearly Bali - but better.

Holidaying without your kids… you have to.

We are back from Lombok. What a great place, and what an awesome holiday. (I particularly love South Lombok, but more on that later.) 

After six years of travelling with a baby and toddler, and in the last couple of years, toddler and child - this was a real holiday. Not just 'travel and experience' as I like to call going away with kids. Or, 'same shit, different place, and hard work. But hey, it was worth it, I got to explore somewhere else'.

There was nothing hard about this trip, except for the overnight flight home with a packet of Gastro-Stop handy. 

My lessons learned why every couple should have a holiday without their lovely treasures? Read on.

1. You actually have time to get bored while waiting for your flight to leave. Especially if one of the crew on your departing flight can't get through customs due to her passport not being accepted. You now have an extra hour to wait for a call-in crew member to arrive.

Hint: if you can't log on to Adelaide Airport wi-fi in the Departure Lounge, stand by the Business Hub, and then log in. Ta da!

2. Happy Hours are actually happy hours - not whinging, 'quick, let's grab some food and go back to the room' hours. Enjoy watching the sunset with a mojito (or Bintang) or two, then meander off to any restaurant that takes your fancy (rather than checking each menu for child friendly options first). You can savour the food and experience too, rather than gulping it down as quick as you can - there are no children to throw embarrassing tantrums in the middle of the restaurant to worry about. Well, not yours anyway.

3. Throw some caution to the wind and hire a scooter for touring. You don't have to think about how to anchor child seats, or if the car will have seat belts. Be free and feel the wind on your face. Southern Lombok is perfect for getting around on a bike - minimal traffic (motorised and the animal kind) and have decent roads at times. Go like the expats and locals do.

4. Get hubby up and start the day with an hour and half of yoga, overlooking the beach. Bliss. Even for people that have never tried yoga. Hubby has never done it, and raved about it. The lap (or thunder, in our case) of waves, the sea air breezing over your body, a well trained teacher… Peace - parents, do you remember what that is?

5. Get a local child to take a pic of you together. Don't worry about focus, getting your heads in the frame is the only idea to strive for. You get the experience and the fuzzy visual memory. And the kids love it.

We had little pups trying to nibble at our feet in this pic of us at Mawun Beach (absolutely stunning with only half a dozen people scattered on the white arc of sand).

6. We are in the era of technology - so if either party misses each other, Skype is the answer. We Skyped our kids daily, and video Skyped them once too. But when we heard our daughter hid under the bed for ten minutes after seeing us, we decided video was finished.

Not sure if this Skype thing benefited us, or them, as we were the only ones eager to talk. :)

Final thoughts...

I'd like to make sure we go away once a year, for some time to do what we want. It felt like we were young again, with no pressures or responsibilites. We could do what we want, when we want - or nothing at all. Some days we lazed the day away reading and browsing the iPads on our beach front patio. Other days we explored near deserted beaches, one after the other. And one special day, I went to the Spa for four hours. Namaste.

What are your thoughts and experiences?