Down, down, down to the Indian Ocean - through a manageable traffic inferno..

Started in peloton - we were 6 of us - and I think it was an advantage where we went today. Heavy traffic, lots of queues - and not any space for a cyclist. Well that was what it looked like - but it never the less kind of worked out for us. Actually we had a great ride - it cleared up after about an hours' ride and it was nearly like a revelation - it IS unbelievably beautiful around here. And the traffic is predictable. In the sense that especially the truck drivers really take caution and give us space. I find it challenging and it gives me some kind of a kick to navigate through the whole thing - including bad road stretches and sections where we go "in the rough" in the side of the road. I also had a flat - just after lunch - so I walked back and we found out that it was just the valve for the pump that had gone loose after I pumped it this morning and not fixed it properly.
 After approx. 100 k's ride going down most of the time  we reached the Indian Ocean - turquoise blue surrounded by palm trees - and a little Bounty island a little further out - just perfect. Had a little climb along the ocean at the end of the day - it didn't matter as the vicinity of the ocean chilled us a bit and the vistas were outstanding. Now at a boutique kind of beach hotel just south of the 1.000.000 inhabitants city of Padang - I think we are the first guests here - everything is new and nearly still smell of paint.. NICE!! So far I have been in a single room every night - wonderful!