Archive for April, 2011

Kuta, Lombok

Posted April 24, 2011 * Comments(0)

I don’t know if it was mis-communication on her part, or her German boss is schizo, but when I got to Sengiggi on Friday night, it turned out Winda had to work Easter weekend and couldn’t go with me South to Kuta, Lombok. Disappointing, but no big deal in the end, as I didn’t have to get two rooms, and it was still nice. I took a “scenic” route, and got there within two hours. Got a cheap room, hung out on the beach talking to kids trying to sell braclets, had dinner and drank some beers, talking with a local guy Lee.

Winda

offerings to a tree diety a sunset

I awoke super early the next day, so went out to see the sunrise. Lee and others had convinced me not to take a scenic route through the mountains back to Lembar, the port town, in case I got a flat, as there is no one out there to fix it. I didn’t in the end, but now am thinking about a system to self repair that would free me up to do more kooky adventuring. It’s much more complicated than a bicycle flat fix unfortunately. And the roads here are often shot out and full of little pot-holes that must be navigated. But I made the ferry back by 9AM. It turned out to be mostly empty and we were back on Bali by noon. Then I rode on home. Not the greatest weekend ever, but a nice little getaway. Driving through the countryside, seeing the rice fields and mosques, which are actually kind of pretty, the only foreigner around, gives me more appreciation for being here. I look forward to more trips out to other islands, Java and beyond.

Mid-April Update

Posted April 17, 2011 * Comments(0)

It had been my intention to do weekly posts during my year in Indonesia. I’m not making this schedule. Partly as work is very busy, and I don’t have regular net at home still. Plus it’s not as if each week something of note happens. I got a DVD player recently, or a second one after the sale one shit the bed on me within a week and had to be returned, so I’ve been watching lots of movies. Same pirate DVD scene as China. Actually slightly cheaper and a better selection.

Otherwise, I’ve more or less recovered from the very demoralizing failure to be paid on my BDay… I was ready to throw in the towel then and go home, as they’d technically broken the contract, but lucky my sister was here and calmed me down. I was of course paid the next day, a technicality blamed on the vacationing accountant. And Bali really isn’t so bad. But I don’t picture re-signing here. I preferred China, as much as it sometimes also drove me crazy. But of course plenty could change in my remaining 3/4 of a year. I head back to Lombok next weekend, which is a three day for Easter. I’m picking up Winda in Sengiggi, spending another night in the Blue House, then taking her down to Kuta, Lombok which is supposed to have amazing beaches.

Chilly turns 40, sister comes to visit Bali and another Ubud getaway

Posted April 7, 2011 * Comments(1)

My sister came for a brief five day visit to coincide with my 40th. It was very nice, and as she travels in more style, I got to suck up some residuals, like a three time breakfast buffet at Hotel Niksoma in Kuta, and staying in this place, outside my usual budget, Hotel Tjampuhan in Ubud.

We also went to a Monkey Chant retelling of the Ramayana, an abridged version of which is posted below the Fire Dance. Near the end of the show we saw this…