The Bali Express

So I have found my way back to civilization, and my ear has been clogged for about 8 days now. I went snorkeling the first day I got to Amed, dove about 2 meters, had my brain crushed by the water pressure, and I have yet to equalize my ear. Perhaps it is water. Perhaps it is pressure. Perhaps the brain damaged jokes are catching up to me. Nevertheless, my hearing is at about 60 percent, but I'm still having a blast.

Since my last installment, a friend from Japan has taken me up on my offer and joined me on the road. Her name is Shiori, so now you can put a name to the Japanese face you might see in some of my pictures along the way. Nevertheless, here is what we have been up to...

19 March: I landed in Bali and set out chasing my tail. Check the previous post if you're not sure what that means.

20 March: I met up with friends from Australia - David and Tracey. We partied and then parted.

21 March: I met up with Shiori. We partied, ate, slept, ate, slept, watched some pirated movies, ate, slept, and then got ready to leave the Denpasar area of Bali. FYI, don't stay in Denpasar if you come to Bali. It's crap. In other words, too many tourists, too much noise, too dirty, etc. It's the Tijuana of Bali for me, and thus, certainly not representative of the Balinese paradise.

24 March: I met up with a friend of David and Tracey. Didi is his name, and driving is his game. He drove Shiori and I to Amed, a small fishing village on the east coast of Bali. It was great! We caught up with David and Tracey, and had a feast of a barbecue party on the beach the night we arrived - fresh Mahi Mahi, Tuna, Mackerel, Octopus, and Balinese Sambal (i.e. a hot chili mixture that tastes great on EVERYTHING!) . The rest of the time was spent drinking, eating, riding a scooter, swimming (including the ear incident), and 100 percent relaxing. Didi invited us to his house for dinner one night - OH, MY GOD! Say it with me... S-P-I-C-E-Y & D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S!! And one highlight of my time here was 26 March. That is the Balinese New Year and silence is practiced everywhere on the island. That means that no one is on the street, nothing is open, and minimal lights are used at night. Basically, if your neighbor can hear anything coming out of your house, you are probably going to get into trouble (and that ain't no joke!).

30 March: Didi drove Shiori and I to the biggest temple in Bali, Besakih, and then to Ubud, which is the art/culture center of Bali. Besakih was beautiful; it is nestled deep in the Balinese mountains and is a good representative of the Balinese Hindu tradition. And now we're in Ubud. It's quite a change from the fishing village, but much better than Denpasar.

As for Bali in general, it has been great, but I will be happy to get out of here. For you travelers out there, Bali is cheap, but not nearly as cheap as the rest of Southeast Asia (save Singapore). In other words, where has my money gone?! However, Bali seems to be in a different world, and so it is worth checking out. Their version of Hindu is quite unique from other forms, most specifically India's version. You will encounter daily offerings to gods and demons. Children and animals (i.e. cows, pigs, ducks and chickens) have the right of way on the street, and whoever is fastest is not only first but also right! Though it is illegal, cock fighting is almost a daily spectacle and evidently you should be betting on the reddest cock. The sarongs are beautiful and worn by everyone. You will never believe how much a 70 year old woman can carry on her head without using her hands for balance. And some final notes: don't win a fight or you'll go to jail no matter what happened; don't get caught with drugs or you'll probably be executed; don't drink the water...EVER!...; expect to get diarrhea.

As for the future, we are leaving Bali on 9 April and heading to Singapore for a whole day. We will fly and that should be the last time I am in a plane for a while. Thank Vishnu! Thereafter, we will embark on a train adventure into Malaysia with no further plans.

So until the next installment, this is the Bali Express signing off.

Selamat malam and terima kasih!

Delusions of Grandeur

I have traveled around the world. I have met people you might not believe existed, or perhaps wished did not exist. I have seen things that could change your life in an instant. Then I came to Bali with the understanding that I would be staying at a "friend's" house, and who among you could pass up that offer? Well, I obviously could not pass it up, and never have I been manipulated in such a way. UN-BEE-LEAVE-ABLE!

I was told there was a house waiting for me. I was told there was a car waiting for me. I was told that the neighbor was preparing for my arrival and that he would be waiting for me at the airport. I was presented this amazing arrangement with no strings attached or money required. I thought I had made an amazing connection with a man and his wife who wanted to share their world with me, and let me tell you, they certainly did.

I landed in Bali around 9:40 p.m. and it is tropical. I waited at the airport for about an hour and a half, but the neighbor never came. Perhaps he didn't see me, but how many people do you know look like me; that is, a six foot bear with a beard to his chest? To say the least, I'm hard to miss. Nevertheless, it's a tropical island, people move at different speeds here, and I was not going to stress this tiny hiccup. So I hailed a cab and went searching for this address given to me by these "amazing friends." An hour and a half later, the cabbie and I decided we would need phone numbers to find this address, so I arrived at a cheap hotel for my first night around 1:30 a.m. And still, no worries.

The next day I hit the internet cafe and searched desperately for phone numbers and emails with more details. Of course, I emailed my friend who replied promptly with more info...but no numbers. No matter - I found the neighbor online and contacted him via the phone. And did he have a story for me.

My so-called "friend" has not lived in Bali for years and does not have a house here. My so-called "friend" is certainly not neighbors with the man I spoke to. My so-called "friend" is also possibly in legal trouble in Bali as well. And the cream of the cake has to be directly quoted: "(YOUR FRIEND) is full of shit, and certainly not a friend of mine."

Despite the lies, Bali is great. I am leaving the tourist area today to head out to a fishing village far from civilization and high prices. I never made it to a FREE house or anything that might resemble it, and I responded to my "friend's" up-beat email with a similar vibe:

"Thanks again for everything. The house is great. Take care and talk with you soon."

I figured, if he still believes that he owns a house in Bali and is willing to share his world with me, then I am not going to be the person to clue him in to his delusions of grandeur. So again, thank you my friend. The adventure has been great so far, and you have definitely not disappointed.

As for the rest of you, I don't know when I will be back to the internet, but have no fear. I am having a great time and spending way too much money on this Indonesian paradise. I am off to Singapore and Malaysia on the 9th of April.

So until my next post, dream away!

Mosquito Bites, Sunburns, Broken Toe, But One Hell of a Time!

My Australian adventure has come to an end, and I'm a bit sad to be leaving.  I do realize that I will be heading towards the tropics of Southeast Asia tomorrow where I will probably find paradise, but the people here have certainly made my time in Australia heavenly.  For that, thank you all - most specifically, the Zillig crew for their immeasurable hospitality, warm-hearted company, all the food, and of course, their never ending struggle to beat me in games (HAHA Ayumi!).  Thank you so much!  Take care and all the best to y'all!

So I'm off to the airport tomorrow with plenty of sunburns, mosquito bites, and what feels like a broken toe.  It sounds like it might have been a shit storm, but it was absolutely fabulous.  I'll definitely be back!

As for the future, only Bali knows.  

Hasta luego, mis amigos...

Wildflowers

You masterful muses of beauty and grace -

Of freedom and perseverance.

Your beauty plagues the world

With smiles of fresh air.

How enchanting you are among giants!

You prowl - bold yet subtle.

My neck aches as you present yourself to me,

For I cannot turn away.

But really, I know not of your power.

Unable to comprehend your strength,

I find myself wanting to cry tears of pure bliss;

Your beauty is too potent for such an infant.

As I am but a newborn in your world,

I will insist on enjoying your majesty all day.

Though what am I to do

When the season changes and these days are all gone?

I must remain strong.

This season will return,

And how blessed it will be to cry again -

To rediscover your beauty. 

So please -

Dance your dance,

Sing your song,

Stand your ground,

And let your colors shine -

For the small things change this world -

This beauty.

For you have changed my world -

My beauty.

Thank you, wildflowers.

Thank you.