Wednesday 16th June, 2004 - Ubud

Yesterday I spent the day walking up the other side of Legian St. I had a foot reflexology in the morning, for 1/2 hr (40,000) which fixed my poor, overworked tootsies enough to last the journey.

I wasn't much interested in those types of shops, I think mainly because I have filled 3 large bags and will already have to consider leaving some things behind :(

I bought a couple of sarong-pants, which flash ya big fat thighs when the breeze picks up, which is embarrassing, so I'm not wearing them today, will bring them next time for the beach :)

I bought a few more perfumes, I have about 10 or so now. Jazz, Joop (male/fem), Beautiful, 2 different Poisons, Eternity, Red Door, Tommy Girl, and more, but I can't remember the names.

I got my 25,000 pants repaired - the repair costed 15,000 :/
I'm ready to go home, but still have a week or so to go.

It's mostly the spending money thing that wants my holiday to end. There aint much to do except spend money, and since I don't have a job to return to, my common sense is breathing loudly in my ear.

I'm currently sitting outside on the deck of the Kabu Saren Inn, in Ubud.

The driver was a fucking maniac on the trip from Kuta to Ubud, he nearly ran over children, was careless and arrogant and has a "I own the road" complex. It costed me 150,000 cos I couldn't be stuffed bargaining, but if there is ever a next time, it should only cost around 80,000.

Nyoman, my sister's driver, turned up to the hotel a few minutes ago, and we worked out a 2 day trip to Lovina for 500,000 ($80)
--- plus accommodation (apx 60,000)
--- plus a trip to the hot springs (assume free)
--- plus a trip to a volcano (apx 5,000)
--- plus the cost to see the dolphins (30,000??)
Lucky I'm a western millionaire huh :( :( :(

My Indonesian teacher wants to know when our next lesson is, but I haven't even started to use the stuff he gave me last time. Told him Sunday.

I'll be in Lovina for the next 2 days, I leave tomorrow at 10am. Then I go to Denpasar with Joni the next day (Sat), for Bali's largest Art & Craft Festival. Maybe pick up some cheap paintings there. Why do I need paintings? :/

Went to Verona Spa again, had an acupressure massage, facial, pedicure and manicure for 205,000 R

Went for a walk, ran into Agus, who had already sent me a few SMS's that day, told him in a very firm, but friendly way, that I won't be spending any time or money with him. He apologised for last week and specified that he wanted to sit down with me and explain things. Thanks but no thanks.

Had lunch at a nice quiet place filled with paintings on every bit of available space on the walls. Kinda weird but gives you something to look at. The waitress was genuinely friendly and really interested to speak with me, probably the nicest "genuine" female I've met in Bali. I spoke with her until the meal (nasi goreng) was ready. It was pretty nice (and cheap = 7500).

While I was eating, another local sat down @ a nearby table with a drink and started up a conversation. Another tour guide!! But as he was friendly, spoke English fluently and wasn't pushy, I listened to what he had to say about his upcoming trip to Australia in July, his job trekking up the volcanos, the sacrifices of cows and other animals that they offer the volcano (and why) and read other travellers reviews and saw photos. It was very tempting.

Actually, the more I spoke to him, the more I realized that the "special" price that Nyoman had given for our 2 day trip to Lovina was more than double the going rate.

I swapped phone numbers with my new friend "Bello", and said that I would go on my next trip to Bali, or this trip if I got a chance, and offered him a room @ my place if he ends up staying in Victoria on his Aussie adventure.

When walking past a club, I met another friendly soul called Made (yep, another one). A young-looking 30year old (looks about 24). He promised to show me some waterfalls and birds tomorrow... and, for a nice change, he will do it for free.

Then his manager showed up and instantly we hit it off. They call him Dolar, but his name is Oka and he has been around the world, worked on cruise ships, lived in Melbourne, and now is a bar manager at one hotel and a manager of that bar.



I went for a walk around the town by myself promising that I would have a drink with him later.

I bought a couple of mini-cookbooks (Indonesian), and some original cd's for 40,000 each, and a DVD holder - finally a solution to my space problem, it's the only way I think I'll be able to fit everything in - leave the "cases" of the DVDs in Bali :(

I took the stuff back to my dusty "wouldn't wear bear feet in here if you paid me" room, and then headed back to the bar.

We chatted for hours, and he is urging me to stay in Bali, not that I wasn't seriously considering it earlier :) I won't be staying this trip though.

I SMS's Nyoman to cancel our trip tomorrow but haven't heard back from him. Hope he doesn't show. It's 3am, so I'll probably be sleeping if he turns up at 10!