Saturday 21 February – a pampering day

I did a few loads of laundry, we have to run the generator to run the washing machine, this also charges the batteries and replenishes whatever we have used overnight, once the batteries are full, it is a waste to run the machine. We also need relatively calm waters for the washing machine to work as it has a balance sensor. I got two loads done and hung the bedding out, there was a breeze and it was hot, enough to dry the bedding a little before taking it downstairs into the guest cabin to dry. There were dark clouds about and we were heading into town. Rowan had got me a voucher at a spa in town, and then we were going out for lunch at a very nice restaurant. We picked up the German guy on Pangea, we had seen them rowing back to their boat yesterday, their dinghy engine has packed up. He needed a lift in to try and get spares and find a mechanic. He was very friendly but his english is about as good as my german, so difficult to have a decent conversation.

My spa was really good, I asked for a medium strength, I would hate to think what strong is! It certainly felt invigorating and loosened me up. Rowan had also bought me a pedicure, which was a great treat. The hour and a half which was really two hours cost £30. I may need to go again it was so good. Rowan had walked to the restaurant, along the way he found a tailor who would fix all the perished elastics in his shorts, which will be a relief for all concerned. My session lasted much longer than anticipated so Rowan had rather a long wait at the restaurant which was about half way up the hill with a great view. Thankfully trusty Finus picked me up, I did not want to undo all the good by sweating up the hill! We had an excellent meal at Alma, the Italian/Argentinian restaurant, Rowan’s swordfish carpaccio with dragonfruit was particularly good, as was my asparagus soufflé. Afterwards Rowan had pork belly and I had beef cheeks both with local spinach, hugely enjoyed by both of us. The other bonus was there were plenty of other people eating there, we have been to so many restaurants in Indonesia and we are often the only people eating. Definitely the best food we have had since leaving Port Vila in Vanuatu. All washed down with a very nice chilled bottle of Rose, it was a real treat with a great view overlooking the harbour.

It was good to walk off the meal with our walk back to the dinghy. We only got back to PolePole late afternoon, and enjoyed a relaxing read up front of the boat, until we had to get the awning down as stormy weather was brewing.