Friday 18th June - Ubud

Woke up late this morning (no surprises there). Still couldn't get hot water, but was desperate for a hot shower to get myself clean and fresh, so walked to reception to ask what the trick is.

The trick turned out to be an empty gas bottle, so they fixed that up for me, then I had a luke-warm shower.

Their breakfast was nice, a thin omelette, with 4 slices of tomato, a piece of toast with honey, and some mixed fruit. I had brekky and tea outside in the garden, very nice.

I went for a walk to exchange a music cd that I couldn't get working and it worked fine in the shop (and later it still doesn't work for me!).

Then I went to Ubud market and bought some hair clips made of bamboo and shells for 50,000 for 4.

Then an excited guy came up to me trying to encourage me to go to a cremation in another village. After a little debate and some bartering, I was on my way for the low price of 100,000R.


It took about 1/2 hour of mad rushing to get there as he didn't want to be late. I was the ONLY tourist there, and the only white-skin person for miles.


Half the children had never seen anyone like me or it must be very rare, they were all smiles - big, cheesy grin, smiles, and saying Halo Bully (Hello, Foreign Person), what's your name, then I was hearing my name every few minutes as the children tried to get my attention so they could smile, wave, and say their English words.


The ceremony was interesting. There were 2 deaths (a man and a woman). The man died from some lung disease, he was a policeman, an important man in their village.


It was amazing to see that many people "involved in the whole process", including carrying the body, it was an interesting experience. I didn't stay to watch the burning of the bodies as the description of what was to come was enough to sicken my heart. Apparantly when they burn the bodies, you can see their arms come out, or legs, and you see their hair and flesh on fire. Coupled with what Ama was saying about the spirits screaming, I didn't think it would be wise to stay.

I felt disrespectful taking photos of the ceremony, but my driver paid a guy and said it was quite ok for me to do.

On our way back to Ubud, we stopped at a local market so that I could buy some traditional clothing to wear to the Art & Craft Celebrations/Festival.

According to the driver, it will make the locals so happy if they see me make an effort. I bought 1 traditional outfit for 100,000 and another for 150,000. I think I look funny and really FAT wearing them. I hope I can get some photos taken anyway cos it's unlikely I will ever wear them again.

Still no word for Dolar, despite sending him a couple of SMS's asking if he's upset or still cool. :( I still want his friendship and I think I hurt his feelings and I feel like crap.

I also saw Made a few minutes before I came to this cafe, and he had obviously been told cos he was acting weird towards me too. Bugger.