My flight arrived in Bali late at night which was not my preference. After clearing customs, I picked up my bag and made a quick stop in the bathroom which was opposite a prayer room. It was small, with both a Western and Eastern (ie. squat) toilet. The urinal had a white flower petal on it. Clearly I was in new territory.
I grabbed some cash from an ATM in the terminal and headed out into the night. Once past the ubiquitous crowd of people that gathers outside smaller foreign airports, I hit the taxi drivers. I took my third offer, which was the same as my first, and none were in the mood to bargain with me. I wasn't in the mood to haggle so I agreed to pay the $7-8 or so for the drive to nearby Kuta.
Kuta Beach is *the* tourist spot in Bali, and the temporary home to many a surfer and backpacker. It is also the sight of the two terrorist bombings, most notably the one that killed over 200 people in a club back in 2002. I can still remember the image on the news of the building on fire, and I was a bit anxious about the safety situation prior to arrival.
As my taxi driver sped toward my bungalow accommodation for the next 2 nights (right across the street from the beach), I tried to take in all the bars and restaurants lit up at night, and the constant buzz of motorbikes whizzing past us on both sides. The ground was wet so I could tell it had just rained. My taxi driver was kind enough to offer to arrange a "complete" massage, which I was kind enough to decline. He dropped me at my accommodation, and I was met by the security guard as the reception office had closed.
The security guard showed me to my room, and along the way, offered to arrange a "complete massage" or a program (ie. tour package). After dropping my stuff off at my nicely decorated room, I walked next door to the "K" convenience store to get some water. Along the 10-feet of sidewalk to get there, I was offered drugs. I was getting quite the introduction to Bali. The convenience store was blasting Guns 'N Roses. They were out of the cheap 1.5 liter bottles of water (about $0.30 apiece), so I had to cough up a bit more than $1 for Evian. I returned back to my room, and was out like a light.
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PS - for all those that voted for me to splurge on a nicer than normal accommodation since reaching the 200 subscriber mark, this was it! And it only cost $24/night, including free breakfast, towel, soap, and toilet paper!
crambox says
Whoa look at you going all Ritz Carlson on us!!! Glad to see you made it in one piece If you were a partier Bali sounds like its the place to go massages,drugs,expensive water :evil: Well looking forward to your next post just watch yourself late at night on those streets :!:
Dave says
Stay tuned - I didn't watch myself well enough one night (I'm fine).
crambox says
Whoa look at you going all Ritz Carlson on us!!! Glad to see you made it in one piece If you were a partier Bali sounds like its the place to go massages,drugs,expensive water :evil: Well looking forward to your next post just watch yourself late at night on those streets :!:
Dave says
Stay tuned - I didn't watch myself well enough one night (I'm fine).
Overland Travel says
Perhaps you just look like the druggy type..? :???:
Looking forward to reading about your Indonesian shenanigans - I never did get down there when I visited South East Asia. Hope to rectify that on my current trip! Safe travels, Steve
Dave says
Nope - they just offer them to anyone I'm sure - especially guys walking alone. I'm guessing that's their best customers.
Overland Travel says
PS. Am trying to come up with a dare for you that is suitable to suggest from someone who only "knows" you by reading your blog, that will hopefully get you out of your comfort zone, and that will also possibly humiliate you mildly in the process for the entertainment of all here... the thinking cap is on! :idea:
Dave says
Uh oh - I've already got two more difficult ones posted so feel free to check out the Dare Me! page for ideas.
Overland Travel says
Perhaps you just look like the druggy type..? :???:
Looking forward to reading about your Indonesian shenanigans - I never did get down there when I visited South East Asia. Hope to rectify that on my current trip! Safe travels, Steve
Dave says
Nope - they just offer them to anyone I'm sure - especially guys walking alone. I'm guessing that's their best customers.
Overland Travel says
PS. Am trying to come up with a dare for you that is suitable to suggest from someone who only "knows" you by reading your blog, that will hopefully get you out of your comfort zone, and that will also possibly humiliate you mildly in the process for the entertainment of all here... the thinking cap is on! :idea:
Dave says
Uh oh - I've already got two more difficult ones posted so feel free to check out the Dare Me! page for ideas.
Kango Suz says
It's your own fault for comming up with a 'dare me' option! Stay safe, that sounds like a crazy place!
Kango Suz says
It's your own fault for comming up with a 'dare me' option! Stay safe, that sounds like a crazy place!