Holiday in Bali: Seminyak
I landed in Sydney, Australia for the second time. Without my Romper, again, but this time by choice. This experience was different, but the same – Just more passing through. Grabbed my carry-on and walk through the terminal straight away to the train station. Purchased a ticket and got myself to Circular Quay - the Sydney opera house stop. I met up with Terry and she was fully engaged with a couple of Kenyans doing mission work within her church. After a couple of drinks and catching up with her, we both made our way back to where this whole Down Under romp-about started. Incredibly awesome of her to allow me to stay for another night. Folks, something you can almost take to the bank when meeting fellow travelers and expats is that when they say they have a spot or bed for you to crash at (regardless of where that spot is) they mean it. But always pay it back and forward. Early the next morning I grabbed an Uber and then went straight to the Sydney airport. I won’t miss my flight this time!
 |
| Sydney Airport 2019 |
It’s exciting to go on these adventures. After some online chats with my friends from back in the States about how I’m doing this and encouraging them to travel, I boarded my flight. Off to a completely different country… As I told one mate from the States… It’s not about the job you have… If you want the big house and cars and flat screens and the latest gadget to keep up with the Jones’, do you buckaroo. As for me, I want stamps in my passport and a pocket full of memories. It is now time for a holiday in Bali.
 |
| Sydney Airport 2019 |
Wheels up after a safety brief, the captain speaks, and I stared out the window… We flew right over the great reddish orangish nothing that is the Outback. Truly folks, there’s nothing there until you get to the coast and then the great expanse of the Timor Sea that turns into the Indian Ocean. Flying right over it the land and ocean scapes to one of the islands north of Aus -Bali, Indonesia.
Bali… I knew very little of the history or people… Not why I was going, to be honest.
Six hours later…
Folks, I swear to you to this day, the “OH shit!” moment didn’t occur to me until I boarded the transportation bus waiting on the tarmac that will shuttle everyone to the customs desk at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport. Say that noun three times fast. I finally, thank God, realized that I just traveled to a non-English-speaking country, I had no idea what the hell I was going to do whilst there, and all because I accepted an offer from a girl I had never physically met in person. A good plan and full-on.
However, I stand by my word now as I did then, Sveta is an amazing person. So, I had to shrug off the legitimate anxiety and I logged onto the airport's Wi-Fi, opened WhatsApp, and told her that I had landed. She immediately gave me the number to the taxi driver that she used. Sweet as! Thanks, Sveta!
Got to the customs officer. And asked the official, “Business or pleasure?” Well… I’m not looking for a job anymore. The pleasure it is!
I was still thinking about what I got myself into. Especially after I tried to get a SIM card to work, and it didn’t – Thanks Verizon! Shrug it off, many backpackers go wireless… Or at least they did once. I too shall attempt to enjoy my holiday from Aus.
Outside the airport doors, I must tell you folks it was sensory overload. Beep beep, honk honk, various Asian-styled languages spoken, and taxi services everywhere! I’m pretty sure half the Polynesian people are taxi drivers trying to score a fair. Everywhere my eyes looked I got asked “Taxi? Taxi? Taxi?”. But that’s just how it is at a popular holiday spot. Regardless of where you go figuring out transit is key. But you get used to it and begin to learn to be much better prepared for the next adventure.
The next thing I know after wandering around, trying to find a taxi person. I ended up using the number Sveta gave me. Folks, WhatsApp is an amazing application for international travel. I finally met up with a guy name Buan. Friendly, chill, and to this day I have no real clue what he does for official work. All I know is once he knew I only had a backpack I was given a helmet and sat down on the back of a motorbike (Jason Bourne style). Buan expertly navigated down the road, and on the footpath (sidewalks) when the road was too busy. Yeah… I was not Jason Bourne during any of this. Helmet on and squeezing Buan’s shoulders all the way. Truth, my mind was on two things. Number one, this is how I die. Number two, I should’ve been using my GoPro right now. It was quite the experience… Like straight out of one of those EDM music mix videos from YouTube.
Crossing the causeway of the entrance to the first room mostly red lights greeted us and created the club scene. The DJs mixed their beats with tracks on the turntables as easily as the drinks being sold at the various bar tops. Behind the bar tops sat fat stacks of Rupiah (Sanskrit for silver) piled on tables with cash counters and people manually counting because you know… Cash only here folks. Seriously, it really looked like some mobster scene out of a Hollywood picture behind the main bar. Through the slightly sleazy undertones of gyrating dancers, the mix of body sweat, dance beats, lighting, and easy-going sultry moods of all the patrons at this club made for a good night. I think we must have had a good time because we both decided to tour around Bali until we both had to return from whence, we came.
But don’t pack the bags just yet there’s so much to see while on a holiday in Bali.
 |
| Outback Australia 2019 |
Bali… I knew very little of the history or people… Not why I was going, to be honest.
Six hours later…
Folks, I swear to you to this day, the “OH shit!” moment didn’t occur to me until I boarded the transportation bus waiting on the tarmac that will shuttle everyone to the customs desk at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport. Say that noun three times fast. I finally, thank God, realized that I just traveled to a non-English-speaking country, I had no idea what the hell I was going to do whilst there, and all because I accepted an offer from a girl I had never physically met in person. A good plan and full-on.
However, I stand by my word now as I did then, Sveta is an amazing person. So, I had to shrug off the legitimate anxiety and I logged onto the airport's Wi-Fi, opened WhatsApp, and told her that I had landed. She immediately gave me the number to the taxi driver that she used. Sweet as! Thanks, Sveta!
Got to the customs officer. And asked the official, “Business or pleasure?” Well… I’m not looking for a job anymore. The pleasure it is!
I was still thinking about what I got myself into. Especially after I tried to get a SIM card to work, and it didn’t – Thanks Verizon! Shrug it off, many backpackers go wireless… Or at least they did once. I too shall attempt to enjoy my holiday from Aus.
Outside the airport doors, I must tell you folks it was sensory overload. Beep beep, honk honk, various Asian-styled languages spoken, and taxi services everywhere! I’m pretty sure half the Polynesian people are taxi drivers trying to score a fair. Everywhere my eyes looked I got asked “Taxi? Taxi? Taxi?”. But that’s just how it is at a popular holiday spot. Regardless of where you go figuring out transit is key. But you get used to it and begin to learn to be much better prepared for the next adventure.
The next thing I know after wandering around, trying to find a taxi person. I ended up using the number Sveta gave me. Folks, WhatsApp is an amazing application for international travel. I finally met up with a guy name Buan. Friendly, chill, and to this day I have no real clue what he does for official work. All I know is once he knew I only had a backpack I was given a helmet and sat down on the back of a motorbike (Jason Bourne style). Buan expertly navigated down the road, and on the footpath (sidewalks) when the road was too busy. Yeah… I was not Jason Bourne during any of this. Helmet on and squeezing Buan’s shoulders all the way. Truth, my mind was on two things. Number one, this is how I die. Number two, I should’ve been using my GoPro right now. It was quite the experience… Like straight out of one of those EDM music mix videos from YouTube.
 |
| Jalan Poppies II, Kuta Bali 2019 |
Buan, weaving in and out of footpaths and small backroads tried to find the Airbnb that I had booked for about $10 a night. It was never found. Instead, we found a different hotel. It was only after I had checked in, I realized I’m pretty sure I’ll get tetanus from just the shower or robbed because there was only a janky deadbolt to secure the door. Time to text Buan. I hopped online while he made his way back to me and booked a different hotel… A bit more proper hotel but still only ~$25 per night in the slightly quieter area known as Kuta.
Finally, a properly locked room with a key card and Aircon. Thank you, Bedrock Hotel, in Kuta, Bali!!! Oh, don’t forget the Wi-Fi because I tried to get a Sim card at the airport, and it didn’t work. Having flashbacks of the tech ordeal I experience when I first landed in Sydney, I decided to basically take a full dosage of Robin Williams “fuck-it-all” pills and try to go without mobile service. A rest was needed from tech, but no time like the present…
Finally, a properly locked room with a key card and Aircon. Thank you, Bedrock Hotel, in Kuta, Bali!!! Oh, don’t forget the Wi-Fi because I tried to get a Sim card at the airport, and it didn’t work. Having flashbacks of the tech ordeal I experience when I first landed in Sydney, I decided to basically take a full dosage of Robin Williams “fuck-it-all” pills and try to go without mobile service. A rest was needed from tech, but no time like the present…
 |
| Bedrock Hotel, Kuta 2019 |
Time to catch a Bluebird cab service (the most reputable). But be careful there are impostures out there on the streets of Bali. Off to meet Sveta at the Hard Rock Café. Traffic was hell but I made it! But where in the deuce was Sveta?
Change of plans… No Hard Rock tonight. Good, I say, I am a creature of habit and Americana cuisine is comfort food whilst in travel mode. She told me she jumped out of the taxi because it was taking too long. So, I grabbed another cab and headed north to finally meet her. Nervous to say the least. But there are times in your life when you never forget meeting someone. And this was one of those moments.
Dressed for a night out she sat on a bar stool at the Bali Bali Hai Cafe there smoking a long cigarette. With only a slight pause in the conversation, we sat there talking. If she wasn’t sure about her English, she covered it well. We understood each other. Thank God because I don’t speak any Russian. Yes, we had a meal, drinks, and even some shared smiles. But one of those smiles almost turned to laughs was my absolute ignorance of Kazakhstan. One of the first questions she asked me in her own direct manner was, “What do you know of Kazakhstan other than Borat?”
Folks, I was mid-sip of a beer and almost spit it out. I wanted to only say I hear y’all have good potassium. Wha wha wha-whee-wow – Borat reference anyone? Bottom line the girl has jokes.
Finding my words again and drawing a little inspiration from Anthony Bourdain I asked, “No matter who I meet, or where they are from, they all have one meal or dish they are known for… What is Kazakhstan’s?”
Slight Pause…
Her response was, “Oh we like wild boar and horse.” And with a kiss of her fingers to indicate deliciousness from either meat I was convinced we would get along just fine.
Folks, I would defiantly try about any food prepared by a chef. Why not?!
The night progresses onward. Two young adults walking around aimlessly in the night near Bali’s party central – Seminyak. The nights are a bit of a haze... We walked… We might have gotten a taxi… But eventually found a three-level club guarded by a Balinese soldier or two with an M16A2. If my fuzzy brain is dipped in nerves and alcohol serves me correctly, I think the club was Red Ruby. Either way, yeah, I am not in Kansas anymore Toto.
Dressed for a night out she sat on a bar stool at the Bali Bali Hai Cafe there smoking a long cigarette. With only a slight pause in the conversation, we sat there talking. If she wasn’t sure about her English, she covered it well. We understood each other. Thank God because I don’t speak any Russian. Yes, we had a meal, drinks, and even some shared smiles. But one of those smiles almost turned to laughs was my absolute ignorance of Kazakhstan. One of the first questions she asked me in her own direct manner was, “What do you know of Kazakhstan other than Borat?”
 |
Bali Bali Hai Cafe 2019 |
Folks, I was mid-sip of a beer and almost spit it out. I wanted to only say I hear y’all have good potassium. Wha wha wha-whee-wow – Borat reference anyone? Bottom line the girl has jokes.
Finding my words again and drawing a little inspiration from Anthony Bourdain I asked, “No matter who I meet, or where they are from, they all have one meal or dish they are known for… What is Kazakhstan’s?”
Slight Pause…
Her response was, “Oh we like wild boar and horse.” And with a kiss of her fingers to indicate deliciousness from either meat I was convinced we would get along just fine.
Folks, I would defiantly try about any food prepared by a chef. Why not?!
The night progresses onward. Two young adults walking around aimlessly in the night near Bali’s party central – Seminyak. The nights are a bit of a haze... We walked… We might have gotten a taxi… But eventually found a three-level club guarded by a Balinese soldier or two with an M16A2. If my fuzzy brain is dipped in nerves and alcohol serves me correctly, I think the club was Red Ruby. Either way, yeah, I am not in Kansas anymore Toto.
 |
| Somewhere in Bali 2019 |
 |
| Somewhere in Bali 2019 |
But don’t pack the bags just yet there’s so much to see while on a holiday in Bali.
Dustin J. Casey 2023©
Comments
Post a Comment