#Stuckinbali: Infinity pools, cocktails, great tans and plenty of beach time... thousands of holidaymakers express their 'hardship' on social networks at being stranded in wake of volcanic eruption

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Tourists stranded in Bali after the volcanic ash cloud grounded flights across Indonesia have taken to social networks to share the 'hardship' of extra days spent on the beautiful island.

While some holidaymakers have voiced their frustrations over the delays, others have looked on the brighter side of being stuck at the popular party island, which boasts picturesque beaches and an adventurous night life.

Photographs posted on social media, with the hashtag 'stuck in Bali' show travellers making the most of their remaining days on the island as skies start to clear, making it safe for air travel.

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Australian Josh Irwin posted this picture of his wife making the most of their extra time in Bali as an ash cloud delayed their flight home

Mr Irwin's wife Eva posted this photo of the view from their hotel, right on the beach

An ash cloud from Mount Raung, on the neighbouring island of Java, has been hovering over the airport in Denpasar, Bali's capital, since Thursday and has stranded thousands of passengers from around the world.

Indonesian authorities at Bali's international airport were fighting Monday to clear a backlog after almost 900 flights were cancelled or delayed in recent days due to a volcanic eruption, causing travel chaos during the peak holiday season.

Officials said the clouds of ash continued to drift away from Bali Monday, giving airport authorities a chance to clear the backlog, which they said would take about three days.

'We are doing this as quickly as possible as the ash could come back any time,' airport official Yulfiadi, who like many Indonesians goes by one name, told AFP.

Between Thursday and Sunday, a total of 873 flights were cancelled or delayed, Yulfiadi said.

Madeline Tiarne, from New Zealand, has been lounging poolside at her five-star hotel and 'making the most' of her terrible situation

Another photo Ms Tiarne shared on her social media account while she was stranded in Bali as an ash cloud grounded flights at Denpasar airport

Most airlines resumed flights Sunday evening after the airport reopened, but Australian carriers Virgin Australia and Jetstar decided to keep services to Bali on hold. Many Australians are stuck in Bali after spending the school break on the island.

Virgin Australia also cancelled its flights to and from Bali Monday, saying their forecasters had warned that conditions were not suitable, while Jetstar resumed services during daylight hours.

Airport manager Trikora Harjo said the airport was operating normally again, adding: 'The weather is good so I am not sure why one or two airlines have chosen not to fly.'

This holidaymaker was happy to be serenaded in the airport after being stuck in Bali

And Leesa-Maree J decided that there was no point in 'stressing' and the situation should be exploited

But those who are still unable to fly home do not seem to be that fazed by their unexpected delay.

Graphic designer Madeline Tiarne, from New Zealand, has been soaking up the sun by the poolside in her five-star Seminyak resort.

'Might be stuck in Bali because of the silly volcano but making the most of it,' she wrote on social media, with a picture of herself stretched out on a lounge chair.

Australian Josh Irwin also appears to be enjoying their extra time in Bali.

He posted a photograph on social media of his wife overlooking the ocean, lying next to their hotel pool.

The caption included the hashtag 'sorry not sorry'.

'We're having a good time... I guess as long as it doesn't put us in an awkward position... we're cool with it,' Mr Irwin told MailOnline.

The ash cloud does not seem to have ruined the beach side experience for tourists at all

Holidaymaker Carly Knight has resorted to hand-washing her underwear as she remains in Bali

U.S. woman Robecca Goldberg and her husband have turned a bad turn of events into a good one. Here they are lounging on a Bali beach

It seems to be the same story for U.S. woman Rebecca Goldberg Segal and her husband.

They appear in a photograph together lying on a Bali beach with the stunning ocean behind them and smiles plastered on their faces.

But it is not all rest and relaxation for Carly Knight, from Australia, who has resorted to hand-washing her underwear at her hotel.

'Desperate times call for desperate measures,' she posted along with a picture of her wet laundry laid out to dry.

If conditions remain clear, more than 6,000 passengers will return to Australia later this week.

Virgin Australia initially ruled out resuming services on Monday, however after sending two observation flights to Denpasar to get visual confirmation of improved conditions it made a call to fly on Monday evening.

The 3,300-metre Mount Raung volcano emits a column of ash and steam as seen from Bondowoso disctrict, located in eastern Java island on Sunday

Thousands of passengers have been stranded in Bali after an ash cloud from Mount Raung made it unsafe for planes to fly

Kobe Rose, 10, waits at Melbourne airport for his mum to arrive back on a flight from Bali

A Virgin Australia spokeswoman told AAP that two scheduled Monday evening flights would be flying back to Australia, carrying 300 passengers. 

Both Virgin Australia and Jetstar said extra services were being planned for the coming days.

Virgin is offering guests who booked to travel to Denpasar the option of switching to one of a dozen alternative holiday destinations.

Mt Raung erupted on July 2, emitting plumes of ash that can choke jet engines.

Flightboard is seen at Melbourne International Airport showing Virgin Australia VA054 flight from Bali has been cancelled for Tuesday

Kobe hugs his mum after she arrived following days of delays at Denpasar airport in Bali

Denpasar airport was initially closed on Friday along with nearby regional terminals.

It reopened on Saturday allowing some Australia-bound flights to get out but the ash cloud returned on Sunday, forcing the airport to shut down again.

It opened again late on Sunday.

Jetstar passenger Donna Lemon spoke of her frustration after her trip back to her family to Alice Springs was cancelled on Sunday.

'We love Bali, we've had a nice holiday but we just want to go home,' she said on Monday.

'We're missing home. We're not going to go anywhere from the airport, we need to stay here and sit tight. We've been here since 5am.'