Bali Indonesia

In the van on the way to the airport I meet a french girl who is also headed to Bali. She's not sure where she's going to stay when she gets there. I tell her she should at least stay with me the first night in my hotel until she decides what to do. Perfect, my hotel is $35 per night and it would be great to split that. I'm also a bit nervous heading to Southeast Asia alone so it will be nice to have somebody to face it with. We both agree it sounds like a plan. We go check in together, go through security, and have a snack. We board the plane separately but just before we part I tell her I'll meet her on the other side. When I get of the plane, I go through the usual customs, immigration, and baggage claim. I wait for her outside but can't find her. I decide I'll give it about thirty minutes. Nothing. I guess I'll have to brave it alone. Taxi drivers are everywhere trying to get me to use their service. This makes me nervous because I usually find my way by train instead of getting in a car with a stranger. I have no choice here. My driver takes me to my hotel for about seven dollars.

I'm in heaven with a king size bed, my own bathroom, and TV! I awake the next morning refreshed and ready to see Bali. I head to the town of Kuta about fifteen minutes by cab. I love it here. There are Australian tourists everywhere so I don't feel out of place one bit. All down the streets people are trying to sell me souvenirs from their shacks. The first thing they often yell is "Yes!" followed by, "Hello!" For the next couple of days I am a bit annoyed because they constantly yell after me "Where are you going?" Why are they asking this? I later read that it is just an attempt at making contact and it doesn't require a real answer. After a couple of days I am used to it. I had this same issue back in May when I reached China. One day I just wanted to yell "OKAY, I'M WHITE! I GET IT! CAN WE MOVE ON NOW? STOP LOOKING AT ME!!! " And the next day the urge to freak out was gone.

Back to Kuta....

I'm loving this town. Every day each person gives an offering in a square grass basket. It has flowers, crackers and sometimes money. They place them in piles in the streets to be beaten to a pulp by cars and motorcycles. Some dip them in the ocean to be washed away by the waves. They burn incense and place their hands together in prayer.

I make my way to the beach where tons of Australians are on vacation frying themselves. That night I go to a festival that the girl at the front desk of my hotel has told me about. There's an ad in the paper about it, so I figure it will be widely publicized. When I arrive, I am one of about ten white people at this festival. I stick out like a sore thumb. One lady who has a tiny food stand at the festival tells me to sample the meat she is cooking. I do, and she and her friend tell me it's dog. I continue to eat it because it's pretty good. All the while I keep asking "Is this relly dog?" They say "YES!" with huge smiles. "You mean, WOOF WOOF?!" "YES!" I go for the chicken as my official meal, and as I'm leaving their other friend asks me a question. I tell him I just ate dog, and he informs me that it wasn't dog, it was chicken. Both of the women look at each other and laugh. They look at me and all four of us have a good laugh. I thank them and move on to the performance competition down the way. The theatre is a huge outdoor theatre packed with about 1,500 people. The bands walk out in traditional Balinese clothing of orange red, white, green and gold. They begin chiming and clanking on their symbols as the dancers enter up stage. For the next hour I watch as the dancers perform. They dance with their hips thrust to one side stepping on to flexed feet. Their hands curve backward and their eyes are turned toward the starry sky. The audience loves it, and all react and cheer in unison at what I think are random times, but they all seem to have an understanding of the material and know when it's getting intense and when it is funny. This is truly an experience.

Over the next few days I spend time in Kuta town and tanning on the Kuta beach. I play in the warm water and body surf until I'm beaten to a pulp by the waves.

I've loved my vacation away from vacation in Bali Indonesia, but it's time to head to Malaysia.