-Pictures are added at the end of the post (in random order). Happy reading-
The ride over to the airport went smoothly, after about an hour the driver went into a rest stop and after that we continued to the airport. The queues were long but I had plenty of time. My bag was about 12kg, I was allowed 20 so no worries there.
The first time I went here was almost 10years ago. A friend that I had met in New Zealand was going and asked me to join her, just for a few days until her boyfriend would arrive. I told her no, and that my next time to Indonesia was going to be with my mom. I was set on it. In the end, convincing myself that Bali is to Indonesia what Amsterdam is to the Netherlands, one big tourist hotspot and not really Indonesia and so I booked a flight. Weakling.
And when I got in, even at the airport, I felt connected, it felt like home. The people, the smells, the language, the food. Even though I was never raised Indonesian, I felt like I belonged. I eventually cancelled my next ticket to Birma (still went a while after) and stayed with my friend and her boyfriend (now her husband), I was more than welcome to join them! It was also a start of a great friendship!
After that I went to Bali once more to visit a few other friends from back home on their holiday. I was in Australia at the time anyway, so why not!
And here we are again, all these years later and I'm back again. My heart skipped a beat arriving to Bali. But I recognized nothing, airport building outside had changed, the roads have been renewed. I decided to stay in Ubud for a few days, same as on my first trip. But I wondered if I would recognized anything at all. I had stayed there once but had been twice and I still had such vivid memories. I arrived in the evening and so decided to stay at the guest house for the night. I had an outside bathroom, had one before on one of the Gili islands and it was why I picked this place as well! I took a bath, with my Kneipp bath salt I bought in Germany (LOVED IT) and chilled for the rest of the night, indulging myself with the only food I had left, tempeh snacks (kind of similar to krupuk or crisps). It would have to do. Slept great that first night!!
The next day I went to the main street and walked around. I still did not recognize anything until I saw an ice cream shop! It was there, my 2nd time in Ubud, we were sitting after visiting the Ubud markets and I was making deals for sarongs for my friends with this lady who was across the street. Made my friends laugh and a deal was done. The markets already looked different from the outside, but I continued my walk. The street we stayed the first time had to be close. And there it was, Jalan Bisma. I recognized the entrance of the street, going up. And walked for a bit, I recognized the place we ate and the place I had a massage. Also the rice fields which was the end when we stayed but was now nowhere close to the end of the street. Took a few videos and pictures for my friends and walked back.
Most of Ubud had completely changed. The markets were in a modern building but also spread out throught the streets and alleys in Ubud making them not busy, crowded at all. There were even a few (I think electric) buses! It was very modern! I walked around for a while, can't say I really reconized much. And later that day I went into the pool at the guesthouse, overlooking the jungle. It was beautiful, but it had rained and so there were mosquitos and the sun had already gone so lownit was behind the trees so I didn't stay long. I then went out again, to get some food. It's easier to get a massage around here than to get some (local) food it seemed. I eventually found a local place to eat and went for a pedicure on my way back to the guesthouse. I think the younger girl was learning and so all she got to do was use her phone for extra light when the other lady did the pedicure.
Back to the room for another good night. And then, my final full day in Ubud and I decided to go to the Monkey Forest, not so much for the monkeys, they had me traumatized the last time I was there, when I was with my friends and the driver told us to get closer to one of the monkeys for a picture. I didn't want to and he kept going "a little closer", and the monkey nearly bit my head off. And so I was more interested in the nature side of the forest this time because I never really got the chance to see all of it. I took a scooter taxi, cost me close to nothing and it was soo hot and humid! But I don't mind the sweat so off I went. The first time in Bali, we didn't make it out of the parking lot, the second time we went in for a few minutes (felt like that anyway). I walked for a few hours by myself, exploring every inch of the place. It was gorgeous, and of course where others were mostly interested in the monkeys, I was looking at trees. And for hidden monkeys instead of the once on the pathways. And people never learn do they?! This one guy sat so close to a monkey that it scratch him and he said, "why do you scratch me buddy?"...I saw more upset monkeys throughout the park and people trying all sorts of things to lure them.
After the Monkey forest, I walked back to the centre. It was a nice local walk, houses and every other house or so had a statue of worship of some kind. It was a very nice and relaxing walk. Took me about 30min to get back. I also went to the Ubud Water palace where everyone had to be dressed in sarung, kimono and headgear. Also a pretty quiet and peaceful place, but also small, so took me 15min or so to walk through it pelan pelan. I then went for a very late lunch and a footmassage and went back by scooter taxi again. Cost me less than an euro. Had a bath and went back out for dinner! And booked a hotel for the next two nights, Sanur. Last minute again, I'm still not really used to the whole 'I only have limited time' and so I leave things till last minute.
I had a morning to spend in Ubud and so I went back to the markets. "Special price", "I give you cheap", "Please come inside" is what you hear constantly and of course "taxi?" And "you need a driver?". They were all met by me with smiles but also no's. And I didn't feel like negotiating because I had a shit night. My thoughts wouldn't stop, I was still arranging so much stuff and couldn' shut myself up but eventually I fell asleep. I do notice how tired I've been since I got here and when I let go, I sleep for hours.
So at the market, I didn't really feel like bargaining or buying anything but I still did. The prices they called out are ridiculous though, different from before. But it's one of the things I'm good at so packed with smiles and a few Indonesian words, I was ready (yet again) to play the game. And luckily I never need stuff, so it's also easy for me to walk away. And they always try "please a bit more, good luck for me" and I would say that my smiles bring them good luck and they smile and the deal is done. And then I'll give a little extra anyway, "just for good luck" ;-) and they smile again. And sometimes I go too low and they are te once that walk away, and so I know what the bottom price is and the games continue.
And I love that I can find my way, pretty much the only tourist again without data/a sim card or a driver. And just finding my own way. I remember when I started traveling and I didn't even have a smart phone and would go to Internet cafes once in a while.
Anyway, away from the busy markets and on my way to Sanur. A few days of having to do absolutely nothing but finish my books so I can leave them behind. Or so I thought...I was still busy arranging things from here, for my car and for my aunt. But in this environment of beach, pools, nature, it's ok. And every day at 3pm, instead of manga time, free-fruit-on-a-stick that they hand out at the pool, nom nom.
Some words I wrote down this morning
Peaceful balcony, great comfy sofa(bed), tropical trees and a bird whistles in the distance, sound of water from one of the many sculpture fountains around the hotel grounds. With this I say goodbye to the room, I go back in to the room, pack my bags and check out. Not to worry, I still have the entire day here. And they even have a room available for an hour so I can shower and change before leaving, free of charge. Pro's of staying at a luxurious place like this. And so with almost 150pages left to read, off to the pool(s) I go :-)!
This guy that handles the luggage and keeps wanting money for it, it's awkward....didn't give him any, maybe when I leave. I did leave money for housekeeping when I left. Something my aunt from the US would always do leavr a $5 or $10 note whenever we stayed somewhere and I've done it ever since when its been done well.
Oh and my ear is clogged, pretty common but I forgot the syringe I bought in the US once that allows me to unclog it myself. And so I tried it with the showerhead but no luck and then even with the water hose for the tjebok haha because I thought it would have a better water pressure but also no luck. Hopefully all goes well on my next flight.
Anyways, to the pool I went. "Cocktails 1+1 so I bring you 2", not a problem at all haha. Right ear is still clogged which is also not a problem as there is a Dutch couple to my right. Unfortunately theres also two Germans in the pool that I can hear loud and clear. But I can close myself off pretty well when reading a book.
I finished my 2nd and 3rd (final) book! I usually read in English but these were all Dutch and I noticed that. Seemed to go slower, but who knows. I am at the Christmas tree at the moment, finishing my pizza and e
Espresso martini (1+1) and have to go to the airport in about an hour to catch a midnight flight!
Byebye!
