Three weeks ago I was stung by jellyfish and the scars are still on my arms. It looks awful and I'm wondering when they'll fade. Some locals told me to apply vinegar but that makes them sting more. I eventually obtained a tourist visa after enduring the tedious bureaucracy of the Taiwanese Embassy in Jakarta.
Bali arrival
I made it to Bali Island - the tropical jewel in Indonesia's tourism crown. I flew east over Java with incredible views of volcanoes piercing the immense carpet of cloud. It's a relief to be away from Jakarta's chaotic congestion and pollution.
Football
Newcastle are away to Bolton at 2200 and it's live on a big screen near the Guest House. First game of the season on my first night in Bali! I think I'll be hungover tomorrow. Amazing to think I can watch this live on the other side of the World. Thankfully the English Premier league is massive in SE Asia.
I walked from the airport to the center of Kuta. The first thing that struck me is the amount of fat Aussies here - millions of them. A fair smattering of Japanese too. I have two weeks in Bali before starting a new career as an English teacher in Taiwan so I'm going to make the most of it.
Bali - reflections
Bali's wonderful, not Muslim like most of the country but Hindu. I wish I'd spent less time in Java and more time here. There are many things for the senses. All over the ground you see little leaf-made containers full of flowers, rice and other bits-n-bobs which seem to be religious offerings. I went to a temple and was intrigued to see a decapitated chicken. They regularly sacrifice animals according to the religion which appears to be a mix of Hinduism/Buddhism/Animism. Enchanting Balinese music resonates from the many festivals that seem to spontaneously manifest themselves.
Wedding
With Rene and his son Jonathan at the wedding.
Kuta

Ubud

I've been with Rene and his family for a week. He's an art dealer so we've been to many galleries and exhibitions (Eh? What's all this about?). His youngest son had his first birthday followed by a family outing to a quiet beach called Blue Lagoon near Padang Bai. We grilled two massive ugly Grupa fish on a beach BBQ before snorkelling among the coral and dazzling fish. His other son was like a limpet on me as the waves crashed over us. It was a great day except for a little sunburn.
I helped Rene make some bamboo shelving at his self-built house. His house is open (no doors) with a fish pond surround. You walk over stepping stones to enter - really cool. It feels odd been in a family home with kids, meals, jobs and regular life stuff going on. I felt pangs of I-need-a-family as I played with Rene's sons.
One problem here is the amount of scary wild dogs that roam the streets in packs. Maybe it's a Hindu thing but I'd cull the bastards if I was in charge. I've almost been bitten a dozen times by these ferocious beasts.


One day I stopped for a coffee when five young women stripped naked and washed themselves in the nearby river. I stared, transfixed, trying to comprehend how I've been so lucky in life.
Pergee Kamana (Where you go?)
jam satu (1 o'clock)
No comments:
Post a comment
Please be nice.