Holiday in Bali: Wheels Up
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I took an uber from the Wynnum station on the opposite side of Brissy, got off at Redbank, and then another uber to my Airbnb spot at 15 Pandian Cres. Exhausted, my hangover wearing off slightly amid the Aussie summer heat, but emotionally spent and thoroughly depressed.
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Not just about my New Year's Eve/Day experience but my entire Romp Down Under. Somewhere along this half-day journey and in between random chats about how awful people can be with my Uber drivers I couldn't help but feel the weight of my decisions. This was supposed to be the time of my life, inspire more people to travel, show anyone that dreams can come true (not fortune & fame ones), write the book on working internationally with Massage Envy, or at least get a job as a professional diver…
I’ve gotten quite used stocked up for a week’s worth of foodstuff and they all fit nicely on the only shelf I get at the Airbnb. Looking around this was not the Hilton but defiantly not a Motel 6. It was a multistory single-family home converted in almost every way into a dorm-style Airbnb. Outside in the back, was no different save that I saw at least two different caravans operating the same style arrangements. Makes a person wonder how many travelers like me have wandered through this house covered in random signs outlining clean, bathroom, and kitchen etiquette. But this was home, for now. My room had a lock and window even though I was on the lowest level. Goblin mode was defiantly in full swing… So I started chatting with those who wanted to chat online. If there was one thing I learned before deciding to go for this Romp Down Under it was if you’re feeling blue, but the sun is out… Talk to someone, it helps keep those really dark thoughts away. And one of those lovely souls happened to be an online friend from Kazakhstan.
Svetlana, woman from Alamaty, was and still is as beautiful outside as she is inside. Was there some flirtation between us, yes. I must tell you, folks, that when a beautiful soul invites you out to Bali for a holiday with their friends, you bloody better cash in and go. Me, I checked my bank account and then decided when I would ever have another opportunity to go both to Indonesia and see this amazing person. I doubt she knew then or maybe till now that this invite truly helped me keep the worst thoughts out of my own head. So, sing with me in the manner of House of Pain’s famous song and cue the famous intro…
“I came’ta lose the frown, No heads down So get out ya head ‘n romp around Romp around, Romp around… Jump up and get down… Romp around”
Ok so that’s not how the song goes but you get the idea. And sometimes, folks, just then moments truly are life-changing. The next set-up events took four hours and a two-stop Uber ride. All done almost simultaneously because my first flight to get to Bali leaves in 4 hours…
Ordered my uber ride… He is en route. ETA 15 minutes out.
Text Paul and see if I can store my large luggage at his casa for a few days. He had no issues.
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| Redbank Station Google Image search |
What I got was very different. On a sunny Aussie day my uber pulled up to a large house, I found my room, unpacked a bit, then had another 30-minute walk to the nearest Aldi food store. In almost complete zombie-minded mode & mood I made the round trip with a pack full of food essentials.
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| 5 Pandian Cres Google Image search |
I’ve gotten quite used stocked up for a week’s worth of foodstuff and they all fit nicely on the only shelf I get at the Airbnb. Looking around this was not the Hilton but defiantly not a Motel 6. It was a multistory single-family home converted in almost every way into a dorm-style Airbnb. Outside in the back, was no different save that I saw at least two different caravans operating the same style arrangements. Makes a person wonder how many travelers like me have wandered through this house covered in random signs outlining clean, bathroom, and kitchen etiquette. But this was home, for now. My room had a lock and window even though I was on the lowest level. Goblin mode was defiantly in full swing… So I started chatting with those who wanted to chat online. If there was one thing I learned before deciding to go for this Romp Down Under it was if you’re feeling blue, but the sun is out… Talk to someone, it helps keep those really dark thoughts away. And one of those lovely souls happened to be an online friend from Kazakhstan.
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| Sveta 2018 |
Svetlana, woman from Alamaty, was and still is as beautiful outside as she is inside. Was there some flirtation between us, yes. I must tell you, folks, that when a beautiful soul invites you out to Bali for a holiday with their friends, you bloody better cash in and go. Me, I checked my bank account and then decided when I would ever have another opportunity to go both to Indonesia and see this amazing person. I doubt she knew then or maybe till now that this invite truly helped me keep the worst thoughts out of my own head. So, sing with me in the manner of House of Pain’s famous song and cue the famous intro…
“I came’ta lose the frown, No heads down So get out ya head ‘n romp around Romp around, Romp around… Jump up and get down… Romp around”
Ok so that’s not how the song goes but you get the idea. And sometimes, folks, just then moments truly are life-changing. The next set-up events took four hours and a two-stop Uber ride. All done almost simultaneously because my first flight to get to Bali leaves in 4 hours…
Ordered my uber ride… He is en route. ETA 15 minutes out.
Text Paul and see if I can store my large luggage at his casa for a few days. He had no issues.
Video chat with Svetlana I am coming to Bali.
She seemed pleased - Sweet As! Truth, it was the first video chat ever with her.
Begin booking my round trip to Bali.
Orbitz and begin searching for those flights.
First Flight leaving in 3 hours… I have 2 hours to get there and check in on time.
Gather all my luggage (All 3 bags total weigh around 130lbs) and Packed my 3-day pack – this thing will now have gone from Iraq to Indonesia
Shit! What about all that food I just bought???
Ran upstairs to this construction/trady worker named Angelo. Told him I'm off to Bale, and that there are sizzle steaks in the fridge. Cheers mate! He was equally confused as he was pleased with the "Say hello, now wave goodbye" I gave him... Or maybe just happy about the free food that was left. Wasn’t till later on Facebook that I explained that I had a shit new year and I refuse to continue to mope around. Time for another adventure folks!
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| 181 Samford Rd Google Image search |
Uber arrives and takes me to Paul’s.
ETA to Paul’s 20 minutes. 181 Samford Rd will always hold some great memories.
Screenshot all confirmations with my flights.
Uber takes me to Enoggera to drop off my bags.
Quick cheers to Paul and his daughter Thoma, both occupied with cleaning the family car.
ETA for first flight 2.2 hours
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| Brisbane International Airport Google Image search |
Uber takes me to the Brissy Airport
Arrived with about 2 hours to spare.
Standing in the queue for Qantas Air
Texted my only friend in Sydney if I could stay one night.
She said yes. Otherwise, I would have wandered the streets of Sydney.
Wheels up and the day turned to night flying over Australia. The next adventure awaited. I was running on adrenaline only when I landed in Sydney. Time to get from the airport to the harbor to meet my friend happy enough to host me one more night.
Landed... Heart beating faster and with no time to notice the anxiety starting to settle in I headed to the Sydney Opera House pier.
©Dustin J. Casey 2023
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