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Published: November 22nd 2006
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One cool waterfall, one cool looking guy
We stopped about half way through the trip to swin and check out this waterfall. Our guide let us swim in some white water and it was insane. The current is so strong. Alrighty! How are you guys? Thats good, I'm good too.
It is my first blog from Indonesia (sorry if I kept anyone waiting) and for the occasion I've got a story that I think is pretty wild.
Okay, I flew to Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia and everything went great. The flight was short. The lady that sat beside me didn't smell absolutely terrible. I looked out the window and saw the ocean, and as we descended I could make out some waves. It was the first time I had seen good waves, or waves at all, since I came to Asia. I was feeling fresh, and ready to surf, and party, and just have a good time. Even in the airport I felt good which is unreal because me and airports don't mix. It came time to pass through some security checks, people at desks blah bla blah. Everyone was getting out there money and then it hit me. Crap! I didn't bring any of the $25 dollars US to enter Bali. I still felt okay because I had my card with me. So I worked out a deal with the security to let me through to the ATMs that
Mr. Thai and I
This guy is probably the best travel agent in Bangkok. He brought me to Cambodia, Koh Chang, and flew me to Indonesia. He has saved me serious money, time, and stress! He is on Rambouttri St. near Kaoh San Rd. if any other traveler happens to read this. were just past the pay point. I went to the ATM and put my card in, and it said "SORRY, THIS MACHINE CAN NOT MAKE A TRANSACTION WITH THIS ACCOUNT." I shook it off..... and ended up trying about 15 different times, on 10 different machines. Still, no luck, and no money. I was shitting my pants, alone, in a foreign country, with no money. I looked in my bag and scrounged out about 700 Thai baht, which is like $19 US dollars. Places like Indonesia wouldn't let me go for $6 less though and I knew that. I knew I had to do something. That is when I met Nengah. Nengah worked at the airport. He is 24 years of pure good....... person-ness. Man I couldn't believe that an Indonesian guy, who was working for less money a day than I made in an hour back home, helped me out and lent me the money. So the problem was fixed right? Nope. I still had no way to get ANY money. I was now actually sitting at zero on the cash situation. I have never been so hopeless in my life. Yeah I could have called home, and I
Nengah and neighbours
Thats my saviour on the left, and his neighbours on the right. The kids were so cute. The little girl in the yellow was possible the most adorable kid I have seen in my life. tried, but they make it impossible to call home from Asia. Everyone who knows me well enough is probably saying " Oh man I bet Derek was flippin out." That would be my first guess as to what my initial reacton would be too, but I was actually okay with it for some strange reason. I just sat on a bench with all my bags, and didn't move. It was kind of peaceful in a strange way. I had made up my mind that I would tough it out for one or two days. I was actually getting ready to beg on the sidewalk so I could get enough money to eat, and to contact my mom through email, and get things straightened out. So here I am sitting on this bench, and then Nengah comes up to me and offers for me to stay at his house. I was like "YES" inside, but on the outside I was saying "No, I don't want to bother you" and "You have already helped me enough." He insisted that I stay at his house, and then of course I took the offer. I was a little nervous, but I knew inside he
was an honest person, and that he wasn't out to rob me. So to make a super long story kind of long, I stayed at his house for 3 nights. It was cool to live like an Indonesian person for a few days. I made friends with his neighbourhood. It was easy, because they were so friendly. I hung out with some of his buddies. All the little things add up too: like how they eat, how they drink/party, what they eat and drink, their beliefs. I asked Nengah why he helped some white foreigner. He said " I think that if I help people, my god, and people will help me." It is an easy concept but it was hard hitting. I think most things are, when you happen to be the one in trouble.
If you're wondering what was wrong with my card.... It turns out my bank didn't think I was in Indonesia. They thought my card was stolen and someone was trying to use it. Great system. But not when I am trying to get the money out!! Anyways, thanks to my mom, she had things straightened out within a day or two, and I
Kuta Beach sunset
Surfing in that is unreal. The water is cold though. I'm not used to that after Thailand. was on my own!....with more than just a couple smelly backpacks.
So now I am in Kuta Beach, where I have been for the last ten days or so. It is such a cool place. I think it is a lot like Hollywood, serious. Yes there are the slums and poverty, but it is such a huge tourist spot that it is becoming so Americanized. I don't know if thats good or not. Probably not. Nevertheless it is a paradise.
I having been keeping very busy. The only thing I feel obligated to do everyday is surf. The waves here are basically good for beginners but sometimes, man do the waves get big. Maybe six or seven foot waves don't sound intimidating but when you are in the water, trying to ride them it sure is! I have been thrown into almost every unpleasurable position by the waves here at Kuta. I don't think I could imagine surfing on bigger! I have been held underwater in the current for what seems like forever. Its all good though. I am beginning to really love it. I am starting to catch on about the technique, and how it is definately
My baby
I bought this guitar at a market for 30 dollars including a paper thin case, and strings for 30 dollars. The guy claimed it was Yamaha, and even put a Yamaha sticker on it, but I'm afraid Yamaha doesn't even make guitars this crappy. I'm joking. Its okay. about catching the right part of the wave, and being in the right place at the right time. I'm wishing all my friends were here to hit the water with me! It would be so fun with good buddies from home.
I met another cool Indonesian guy named Ewon (spelling?) at the beach. He rents me a board every day. He is a crazy little guy! We actually went rafting today. Ewon, his girlfriend and I drove a couple hours to raft for a couple hours. It was pretty thrilling. I have never done it before. The scenery was breathtaking enough that I am mad that I don't have a water proof digital camera. There were a couple really big drops too. The biggest one was 15 feet. I was screaming like a girl. It's something I would recommend for someone who hasn't done it yet.
What are the plans now? I don't even know. I have decided on staying in Bali for the rest of my Asian experience. I have a couple plans up my sleeve though. Hopefully things that will make for better writings.
Until next time,
Keep fit and have fun!
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Awesome!
Hey Der that's awesome you did that rafting man.....probably something I should have done by the sounds of it. That must have been pretty cool living with that family amongst the other locals. I bet you were a celebrity. Way to go on the guitar...it looks like something Antonio Banderas would pretend to play in a movie. Oh, and the Mr Thai plug was key. Long live Mr Thai!