Today we hired a little boat, which seems to have become a bit of a holiday tradition now. There was an almighty storm last night but everything was calm and flat this morning so off we went.

About an hour up the coast we found a little inlet with a tiny deserted beach and moored up. We spent a happy couple of hours there snorkeling and chilling out.

When we got back in the boat the outboard wouldn't start. Mike tried lots of fiddling and googling but no joy. So we tried to ring the mobile number of the hire company. Our phones wouldn't connect. Eventually we got a text through and the guy rang us and he talked Mike through how to de-flood the engine (which had flooded really easily). The engine stalled again a couple of times as we were trying to get out of the bay.

By this time the wind had picked up so we decided to head back to Bol. The life jackets the kids had on had seen better days but that hadn't seemed so much of an issue when the sea was as flat as a pancake. The kids were both terrified as the boat was lurching over the waves. I was too but had to pretend it was fun and shout yeehah as we went over the waves and told Eva to pretend we were show jumping!!! All I could think was if the outboard stalled again we'd have no way of keeping the boat into the waves and we'd just be smashed up on the rocks.

To make matters even worse the seat me and Eva were sitting on fell down on Eva's side so not only was I trying to brace against the waves hitting us I was also trying to hold on to Eva and stop us both sliding off the seat and over the side. I couldn't feel my fingers on my left hand where I was holding onto the rope and my back was killing from trying to hold the same position for so long.

After about an hour of sheer hell we made it back to Bol. We could not wait to get off the boat!! And Mr EG wonders why I don't like boats!!

Spent the rest of the day recovering (drinking!) then went out for dinner but food and service terrible (only brought 3 tepid meals out despite ordering 4 and food was so salty it was barely edible). So not the best day but we are all in one piece at least!! Never let the kids say they don't have any adventures!!