...and more ships

While violently wrapping my way around volcanic mountains, I discovered how similar the landscape of Flores, with its Banana and Cacao fields, is to my native land. Savoring passion, cashew, papaya, and guanabana fruit and seeing naked kids swimming in rivers brought back memories of a carefree childhood in the Dominican Republic. It is hard to believe, taking in the familiar sights, smells and flavors, that I am in a new faraway land. Along with the flora, the natural wonders of rushing waterfalls, steaming hot rivers, and the breathtaking beauty of the tricolor lakes of Kelimutu made for an exciting trip to the interior of Flores. Regrettably, one must be weary of alcoholics and the Moni Mafia in the small town at the base of the volcano cradling the three crater lakes. My trip was cut short by unpleasant mafiosos trying to scam me into expensive incomplete day trips and the town's drunk continued stalking and harassing of other backpackers. The aforementioned annoyances and rumors of theft ruined the otherwise relaxed and quite charm of tiny Moni.
Once back in Labuan Bajo, I expectantly boarded a sailboat with eight strangers, all European, in order to spend three nights and four days westwardly crossing the Flores sea to Lombok. Despite mild sea sickness, the trip was surprisingly entertaining. On the itinerary: a visit to Komodo National Park, multiple island stopovers for snorkeling and trekking to a waterfall (our only fresh water shower of the trip, spoiled only by the swim back to the boat). Otherwise the daytime hours were spent reading, sunbathing, chatting, relaxing and at night, we were entertained by gazing at the stars, the screeching of island bats, and the green plankton that made a light show of the ocean. Despite limited resources, the food was filling and deliciously prepared by the friendly Indonesian men who tended to our every need. Upon arriving in the port of Labuan Lombok, I said goodbye to my shipmates and made my way to the Gili Islands on the west side of Lombok. In Gili Menu I would spend an undisturbed three days laying on beach bungalows watching the setting sun, reading and eating. Some light walking and snorkeling, as well as one dive in which I saw huge green turtles helped to pass the sunny days. I slept safely in an open air loft and enjoyed the pleasant company of the youths who ran the Balenta, our home, restaurant and bar. On the fourth day, however, my island paradise would become a nightmare as I came crashing down, literally.