With a new rider in tow for just one day we made our way along the flat coastline of North East Java, the chain of volcanos still rumbling impressively along at our side. 'Budget' Binnie as we came to refer to him, a friendly German cyclist gave us a full run through of his journey on the first evening we met him. IT just so happened that he and Andrew plonked down their bicycle computers on the dinner table in front of each other (Binnie I might add not joining us for dinner - earlier in the day baulking at the price of a 25p instant noodle pot - he nearly had a cardiac on opening our guesthouse restaurant menu!!!). The two cyclists couldn't help but compare the functions of each others computers, checking which was the superior model. Binnie, unknowingly, proudly flicked his computer over to his total odometer distance - reading a very respectable 6500km or so - clocked up since his origin in Bangkok. At this point we hadn't felt the urge to explain the full ins and outs of our journey to Binnie - it can get a little tedious repeating the same story to every person who we meet. Anyway Binnie flicks over on to our tripometer to find our current total of something like 23 100km. After a bit of confused stuttering, Andrew begins to explain our journey, and Binnie warms to the story. Binnie is our first cycling companion since we can remember, and makes a pleasant distraction from the road as Tim, Andrew and I make our way along. All too soon, however, and Binnie is forking Southwards, and away from our road. We're still not quite sure whether it was our 'extravagant' lifestyle, or our route that frightened him off - but we send all our best wishes for a smooth passage, fair winds and no punctures!

We make a great run along the coast into Ketapan, and catch our first glances of the Selat Bali, the unusual black volcanic beaches of East Java, the deep blue clear water, the tiny outrigger fishing canoes, and looming in the background, just 5 km away, the tropical volcanic island of Bali. Tim, Andrew and I can't resist a quick dip in the crystal waters. Even without a snorkelling mask we can see tiny cloloured fishes swimming around before our blurry eyes. Our appetite for the next few crossings by Sea Kayak has been well and truly whetted!

Dean and Scrivs make a late arrival into Ketapan, having drawn the undoubtedly short straw of being the kayak luggers. Tales of a sweaty and uncomfortable 7 hours in the jammed in the guards van with 50 dozing Indonesians, are recounted until we all fall asleep. Ready for the crossing to Bali tomorrow.