My blue heaven

It's difficult not to believe you are in heaven when you first wade ashore on Gili Trawangan, one of the three exquisite Gili islands, just off the coast of Lombok in Indonesia.

Our brief boat trip had begun in the small port of Bangsal. I had read a few warnings about running the gauntlet of relentless touts, but we had a great cab driver who drove us directly to the ticket office, rather than the more usual terminal about a kilometre away. It was simply a matter of sitting and waiting until there enough passengers to fill up a boat, and we were off.

Bangsal harbour looking towards the closest of the Gilis, Gili Air

The little pony drawn carts in Bangsal harbour called cidomo were a foretaste of those on the island. Because motorised vehicles are banned on the Gilis, the cidomos, together with pushbikes, are the most popular means of transport.

Looking back at Lombok from the boat

My suitcase amidst the produce

Approaching the harbour at Gili Trawangan. Can you believe the colours of the water?
'Fifty Shades of Grey' be darned. Give me fifty shades of blue any day!

Once I had secured a room at Dream Village, which had been recommended by a friend in Jakarta, I decided to head off to see the sights, and what better way to start than to circumnavigate the island by cidomo.

Entry to my hotel, the Dream Village

Apologies in advance for a very poor photo editing on my part. Every scene was so beautiful, it was hard to cut any!

Traffic Trawangan-style!

These simple coral wind chimes are another idea I will take home with me.

Not such a pretty snap, but it gives idea of the dryness (in the height of the dry season).

Loved this driftwood horse with his necklace of coral

Even without that blue, there was so much beauty. For starters, the bougainvilleas.

Palm inflorescence

After two wonderful days, I very reluctantly dragged myself back to the little harbour we had arrived at. I briefly watched the locals at work, then, all too soon, it was time to leave Gili Trawangan. I hope I'll be back.

Exquisitely coloured sarongs like those I saw in Lombok

Fit for a King

Although I was only in Bangkok for two days on my recent visit, I made the tough decision to relinquish a whole day there for an expedition to the ancient capital of Ayutthaya. I took the easy way out and opted for a coach trip. An added attraction was that the return trip included a river cruise along the Chaophraya, which provided a wonderful perspective of the city of Bangkok. On top of that, we also visited the beautiful Bang Pa-in Summer Palace.

The present day palace dates from the reign of Rama V, King Chulalongkorn (1868-1910). He was one of the royal children tutored by a series of European tutors, including Anna Leonowens, an episode which gave rise to the story of The King and I. He subsequently sent his own sons to be educated in Europe and made two visits there himself, the first Siamese king to do so.

The European influence can be clearly seen in the buildings that make up Bang Pa-in Palace. The literally 'palatial' building are exquisite, but I must admit I was particularly taken with the buildings on the other end of the scale  - a delightful pavilion, the royal raft, and the colonial cottage-style houses of the consorts and concubines. (King Chulalongkorn had 99 consorts and 77 children.)

It could be anywhere in the south of Europe, an Italian lake perhaps,  but this is Devara-Kunlai (the God King Goes Forth) Gate, the principal entrance to the Inner Palace.

Phra Thinang Varobas Bimarn, Residential Hall. The covered bridge to the right separated the Inner Palace from the Outer Palace and allowed the court ladies to look out without being seen themselves.

Aisawan-Dhipaya-Asana Pavilion

Beautiful pots of bougainvillea on one of the bridges.

Phra Thinang (Royal Residence) Uthayan ... 

Another view of the covered bridge and Phra Thinang Varobas Biman, Residential Hall

The Sages'  Lookout, Ho Withun Thasana

Phra Thinang (Royal Residence) Wehart Chamrun (Heavenly Light)

Two of my favourites:

The Royal Raft (just wait till you see inside) ...

And Bubpa Papas Pavilion - how gorgeous is this? 

Here is a little more of the Royal Raft. It had been opened up by the time I walked back.

How wonderful it would be to have this moored in your backyard. You could just cast off when you needed extra peace and quiet to finally start work on that novel!

Inside the raft

Here are some of the houses of the consorts and concubines. I love these little painted wooden cottages with their shutters and verandahs.

Finally, a closer look at the garden...

Potted Allamanda

Adenium, the Desert Rose, which has cropped up everywhere on my travels lately.

As a patriotic Aussie, I couldn't resist a photo of these topiary kangaroos.

Not sure of the name of this, and I hadn't realised it grew as large, but fabulous patterned leaves
(Mystery solved, thanks to Virginia C .  This is  Erythrina variegata) .

A more typically Thai subject for these topiaries and one of my favourite tropical trees, the Breadfruit, in the background.

You know - me and water features.... (love the Chinese pot and stand but hate seeing the protective chain around this.)

This seemed to be a very dainty variety of wisteria.

I have a new favourite tropical flowering tree - the Indian cork - more posts on this to come.

Finally, one of my fellow tourists, a Buddhist nun snapping away on her i-Pad.

Hope you enjoyed your visit to the Bang Pa-in Palace.