After exploring the ocean floors, we thought we better cover some of the grounds too. What better way to get around then by the local transportation....motorbike! The shock of it all is that we drove our own bikes! I was a bit nervous about the idea (if you know my thoughts about driving it makes sense) and then think about driving on the left side of the road, if we can call it a road! There were bumps, holes, cracks, trees, all sorts of things...but we did it! We each had our own bike, and I carried the backpack of our day supplies. We sought some directions on which beaches to hit up, and we followed the windy paths. The green vegetation and landscape made us pull over often to take some photos. We came to dream beach and boy was it ever dreamy! Waves crashing against the rocks, with the palm trees and grass huts, white sand, it was perfect! Our sweaty bodies couldn't help but jump in. The waves were strong, so we kept guard of how far we went out, but it was probably one of the best places I've ever jumped in the waves. After our beach experience, we followed the roads into the village, bringing us to the other side of the island, where a bridge connected one island to another. A rickety boarded bridge was all a apart of the adventure, not to mention the foot-gap in some places. Best not to look down! The other side was an island we never figured out the name to. We searched for a lookout point, as we could tell there was a "mountain" in the middle of it, but only found a steep incline that led no where (the harder part was getting down while local kids laughed at us!) We thought it would be best to stop for a cold drink at a local stand where young children were playing.
While eating a freezie, Kristin talked with the woman running the stand, and I played peek-a-boo with two younger children. They were adorable. Isn't it funny that we can play a similar game in a completely different part of the world? and are so easily amused? I didn't even have to speak their language to get the giggles and laughs to flow. The woman asked if we could come back tomorrow! We told her we were looking for a lookout point, and she said, "oh let me get my father-in-law to take you." Minutes later we were being led by foot through their farm land up the mountain side. And up it was. His grandson joined us and we climbed and climbed. It was incredibly warm, we both confess that was the sweatiest thing we've ever done. A quick break of eating local berries and we continued to the top, of which was a view to remember. We could see the whole island of Lombungan (where we were staying) with the ocean and bridge connecting the two. Breath taking. Our guide didn't speak English, but pointed yonder, saying "Blue Lagoon" so we followed. He brought us to the other side of the mountain, where we took in the view of a lagoon, with yet more islands in the distance. Another incredible view we would have not been able to witness if it wasn't for this local farmer. The trek home was quicker then up, but our knees felt it. We got to the bottom and his wife came out to the path and invited us into their house. Together, neither of us knowing each other's languages, we shared a bunch of bananas. It's remarkable how we could feel such a connection without speaking. We could share the views with our awe in silence. We could eat together while smiling and sharing pictures. Such hospitality was much appreciated. We couldn't help but reflect this as being one of the biggest highlights of the trip so far. Getting to know more of the local life and the beauties of the country gave us a joy that the regular touristy things couldn't.
We thanked them graciously and continued our motorbiking to some other beaches. Our evening was cooled with a tropical storm that coloured the skies in various shades of blue and gray. We couldn't help but cozy up with a book in our bungalow. Another wonderful day of exploration!
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