In the holiday zone

Thursday 29 Dec, 2016. Ende to Boawae. Stats for the eleventh cycling day of the trip. 8 hours 30 minutes travel time. 85.67 kilometres. Average 10.1 km/h. 1326 metres up. 857 metres down.

Yesterday was probably the best day of the trip so far. Everything (except perhaps the cycling) was effortless. It takes a while to get into any holiday, and then normally it’s time to go home.  I’m fortunate that I’ve still got a bit to go, around two thirds. I’m having a great time.

Today went swimmingly as well, and included a swim in the Savu sea. The initial ride west from Ende is along the coast, and while there are a few small hills there is also a nice amount of time riding on flat roads. The beaches consist of very fine volcanic black sand, and one beach is covered entirely of blue pebbles. For some inexplicable reason I didn’t take any photos. I think I was in a holiday zone. Relaxed. In the flow. Living the moment. I saw the blue pebbled beach. Thought far out man, that’s cool as…. And cycled on. The day was a bit like that. A little later on I wanted a swim, so I pulled over, leaned my bike against a coconut palm, undressed to my shorts and jumped in.  Beautiful temperature. Even waves. Black sand in my pants for the remainder of the day -that I didn’t notice until bathing that night, at Sao Asih guesthouse in a remote town called Boawae. They even fed me so I didn’t have to brave the evening shower to find dinner. 

Another great day. Plenty of food options. A manageable Flores hill climb with a couple of coconuts for snacks half-way up.  Beautiful riding at the top, twisting roads through farmland with women sitting roadside selling the world’s biggest mangos.

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