Thursday, 17th June, Ubud

Nyoman didn't get my SMS about cancelling Lovina until this morning because he turned his mobile phone off at 5pm, so he laid the guilt trip on thick, but it's not my fault if he becomes unreachable. 500,000R "for a chance, not a guarantee" at seeing Dolphins, and 2 long full-day drives just didn't make sense to me.

I've changed accommodation. I couldn't walk in bear feet at the last place due to "months??" of dust, the shower didn't work (the water ran out of the bottom of the bath, all over the bathroom as soon as you turned it on, and there was nowhere to put the showerhead so that you can leave it going - only handheld), the ceiling fan would only work on "1", which you couldn't even feel. A Very Different room to the room they gave me the first time I stayed there, but they had opportunity to tell me these things and chose not to, so I left without telling why.

I moved to the middle of Monkey Forest Rd, to a little back place, down a long alley, that becomes an enormous beautiful garden, it's so lovely.

The fan works, they say it has hot water, but it felt cold to me :(, but the room is so open and light that I can see myself staying here until the end of my trip. The walls are missing, in it's place, bamboo windows with flyscreen, which makes the room so airy, fresh, and breezy. I can see the beautiful gardens from anywhere inside.

This place was Nyoman's recommendation, and as they are friends with him, they allowed me to have it at 60,000 instead of 80,000. I checked in, and they bought me tea and coffee to have on my little outdoor setting. This place would be so romantic if shared with someone you love.

At 12, I went and met the Ubud Made (as opposed to the Kuta Made). This Made is pronounced Maddy.

We had a drink with a guy who has born in Mexico but has lived in Seattle for the past 25 years and just got married last week in Bali. He was pretty cool, and I probably shouldn't even mention this, but he liked to talk more than listen which was a bit much.

Made & I rode around Ubud on a scooter. It took about 15 mins of riding to reach our first destination. Goa Gaja "Elephant Cave". We saw some holy water where they used to bathe, and went into a smelly cave. The whole area was a pretty nice place to be but there were HEAPS of tourists. There was a bus load of Czech Republic women, and one of them was stressed out and very rude because she couldn't take her photo of the cave (due to tourists). Diddums.


We then went on a longer bike trip to a village called KEMENUH. Lots of beautiful places to see on the way, nice terraces, temples, and places made of stone. Just so much to take in!

When we arrived, I donated 10,000, signed the visitors book on the side of the road, then rode along further. There was a magical waterfall. We climbed down a few hundred steep steps to the bottom, walked along stones and sat on a very large rock to watch the waterfall and the lake. It was so nice out there.


Made is such a sweet, gentle, loving character, you can't help but feel close to him.
Unfortunately, he really wants a western girlfriend and asked me to be his. I told him about my South African fling and that I still like Nick so I couldn't be his girl. He was upset, but he seemed ok with the fact that "noone" will have me, not just him. They are a very jealous culture.

We rode back to town and I came back to Pramisti Bungalows (where I'm staying) for a shower and to sort my DVD's. I'll go and have a snack soon, it's 5pm.

Went for a walk to look for a certain dish (rice that looks like bread), and some guy stopped to talk to me. He said he would scoot me around for free "for fun" because he was bored, so we head off, zooming around town trying to find a place that sells it. No Luck. Found out that they only usually come out at the market in the morning or along the streets after dark.

We went to a local electric shop so I could get a "quadruple" adaptor (to plug in my walkman, speakers, and charge my mobile at same time). Paid local price - 15,000.
(but it's really crap! I should've bought the expensive one)

Went and ate at a Warung with my new friend. His name is Wayan, but his nickname is Blondy - I've yet to ask how he got the name.

Cap Cay is pronounced Chap Chay, and it's fried vegies. I paid for both meals, plus his drink, and lots of prawn and soya crackers, all for less than 20,000.

He took me to where he works (Swan Inn) and showed me the rooms there. Stunning, and very cheap!
35,000 for cold water
50,000 for hot water
All have double-beds, an outdoor setting that could fit 4 comfortably, ceiling fans, beautiful gardens. Very clean. It's behind Monkey Forest Rd, in Wianu Lane. A short walk from Ubud market.

He dropped me off at my place, and I lay down and listened to music for a few hours, and now I've just got changed again to go meet Oka.

I met a guy named Rama (different Balinese name because he is from a different caste - middle) in front of the same bar that I was to meet Oka. He had a certain "noone fucks with me" type of air about him, but was friendly towards me and talkative. I finished a corn-on-the-cob that I bought from a walking street-seller. It was char-grilled and had been "painted/basted with honey and butter", nice flavour but it was hard instead of juicy.

I then dropped my cds back to my bungalow, then returned to the bar to meet Oka. We went to a small chinese warang for dinner. I had special Nasi Goreng, which was yum. Oka hardly ate anything but paid for both our meals and drinks.

We went back to his bar, then went for a walk to the "Grand opening" of a pizza/bar that had already been open for months (things are a bit backward here - any excuse for a party!). It was soooo coool. We had Arak punch to start us off. Oh my god, so POTENT.

I had a couple of those, then loosened up a little, enjoying the "reggae" atmosphere that the live band gave out. It was upstairs, the walls were missing, so you were outside, even though you were under cover. The music was great - all Indonesian singers, electric guitars, Tamborine, and bongo drums. Bob Marley songs were a favourite, then various western songs with a bongo beat and reggae feel - soooo cool. You can't help but sing along.

I really enjoyed myself. There were people from all over the world, dutch, swedish, danish, english, aussie, different islands, different villages of Bali, German, French.. all soaking up the party, happy, loose atmosphere.

I started on the Arak + RedBulls. They served 3/4 glass of Arak in a glass, so I was pouring 1/2 of it into a separate glass for Oka. I had no idea how wasted I was until I stood up.

But it was too late, by that time, I had already kissed Oka who was all over me all night.

The thing I like about him, is that he just oozes confidences. Everyone respects him. His village wants him to be their leader, and I can easily see why.

And although he has this Leader-manner, he was still gentle and respectful to me. He's a cutie, but I know it was just the atmosphere and Arak that made us get into this situation. He's very intelligent and we can have intellectual conversations rather than eggshell "safe" discussions.

He walked me back to the entrance of the lane of my bungalow, he acted like he was head over heels, so I don't know how I'm going to break it to him that I'm just comfortable in his company and only want to be friends. I have a huge crush on Nick still and even though we are a world apart, I feel "guilty" being around another man. I also have to be concerned about sweet Made's feelings as the Balinese are very emotional, everything is about money or about feelings, love, heart and soul. And considering I don't want either of them, I should find a some way to be friends with both, or else, just leave Ubud.. hehe.. take the easy way out.

Oka keeps sending SMS's and calling. I think I must be sobering up because my logic is kicking in. Why can't I just enjoy the company, call it a fun night, and go on with life? Well that would be because they act like they are married to you or something! hehe.. I hope it will be ok. The last message I sent, said that I just want to be friends.. and I haven't heard back since.... oops.. oh well.