I am leaving Indonesia a changed person. I can feel it, though you may not be able to see it on here. I'm less naive, more assertive, a slightly better negotiator (with still a long way to go), and more in touch with my emotions, which often felt amplified.
It feels bittersweet to be leaving Bali. The hectic pace of life seems to have a rhythm all it's own, and one you can learn to appreciate if you give yourself the time here.
Highlights -
- low cost of living (finally!)
- frequent massage and spa treatments
- shopping (Volcom, Billabong, Ubud art market)
- Bali Zoo
- lunch overlooking two volcanoes
- drinking with Gary and Chris under a tarp in the pouring rain at Kuta Food Court
- the first night on Gili Trawangan
- hanging out with Linus, Jessica, Laura, Tim and Ashlyn
- walking around Gili Trawangan with Jessica and Laura on our last day
- walking on the beach from Kuta to Seminyak (and back) with Laura during a sunset
- listening to the live band at Joe's Place in Kuta
- eating Bali's best suckling pig (a la Anthony Bourdain)
- feeding the monkeys in Ubud
Discoveries -
- I drink more frequently when the beer is cheap (duh!)
- board shorts (w/o underwear) are far more comfortable than shorts in tropical heat
- lots of trash washes up on the beaches (of Kuta and Gili T) during the rainy season
- it's OK to make mistakes while traveling, and they often turn into good stories you can laugh about, so keep things in perspective
- when you click with people, make the most of their company, because all good things come to an end
- I can dance like no one is watching (on stage at Bounty)
# of Nights Couchsurfing -
0
Eating -
Bintang beer, Nasi Goreng Ayam (fried rice w/chicken and egg), toast, scrambled eggs, pineapple, banana, Bintang beer, tons of tea, Pringles, seafood (prawns, crab, tuna), and Bintang beer.
Average Daily Budget -
$55
