Blogs from Indonesia, Asia - page 525

From about 2:30 to 4:30 pm on my brother's birthday, I hung around the pool reading my book and swimming. I then headed off to the beach to do some sunset surfing with the goal in mind of not spending a lot of money for a board. I succeeded on my third guy who was willing to charge me less than half of the other two's original prices. So I borrowed his rash guard (wet suit) and paddled out into the Balinese sunset on Kuta Beach. Totally worth it. I felt so at peace out on the waves. There were only a few people around me, none that much better than me, and all respectful of the place. I picked a good spot and rode some good sized waves. Probably none of the best waves I've ... read more

Egunon Euskadi! Menudo klabo tengo!!! bale, me jodo. Vaya par de lokos ke estamos hechos... ke pasada, kada vez ke salimos acabamos komo animales, ke risas. Azkenian ixa edan barik fanginen Kanadakuekin diskoteketara, justo atian esan notzan Ibairi ke nauela super kantzauta ta etxera fateko, baina jarri zauen aurpegitxobat ke esan notzan, bale, apur baten egongo naz... Sartu ginen batera, holan zaharra Ostarku morukua baina doblia tamainaz, hori bai, zapai danian kolorezko tirak zintzilik ta argitxuak por dokier, ta musika alaia. Canadakuak zazen jota pedo ta igo zien tarimetara segitxuen, ni moskeauta zegaitxik zauen hainbeste ur lurrien... pues ke piscina bat zauen diskotekan beste alde baten! zan umeiendako piscina horreitako bat, baina jausten zan ura zapaitik tipo kaskada, ta jende dana barruen dantza itxen. Kanadakuak sartu inzien ta batzuk bestiei lurrera botatzen todo lokos.... read more

Bali. An island packed with temples, forests, lush rice terraces and beautiful beaches. A gorgeous place - provided you stay away from Kuta! It is the embodiment of everything I hate about mass-tourism. A tacky, commercialised holiday destination lacking any grace, style or charm. After visiting many places with rich culture and history, arriving in Kuta was like being hit around the head with baseball bat. But admittedly, Kuta does serve a purpose. If you are looking for a cheap holiday fix without any frills, just beaches, bars and cheap shopping, then this is the place. THINGS I HATE ABOUT KUTA 1. Shops selling stickers like "I dig fat chicks" and "up the bum, no babies". Who on earth is buying these? And where are they sticking them? (I know where I'd like to stick them) ... read more

After waiting on the side of the road in Moni for about an hour, a rattling minibus finally came lurching up the hill past us. We flagged it down and glanced inside, finding it even more packed full than the bus we'd taken to Moni. We could wait another couple hours for another bus, and hope it would have more space, or we could ride on top of this one. We climbed on top, settling ourselves and our bags into the luggage rack next to the guy in charge of luggage, who had himself squished into a crevice between bags, his hat pulled over his face to block the sun. As the bus pulled away Jeff and I loaded up on sunscreen, then settled back for the ride. Although undoubtedly not as safe as being inside, ... read more

There were two more sights I wanted to see in Java, but their remoteness made independent travel a pain in the butt: Mount Bromo and the Ijen Plateau. I had heard about a three-day excursion which also included onward travel to Bali. A gentleman I met gave me a leaflet, and promised me a hefty 30% discount if I booked through his office. I arrived at the office, and the guy behind the desk denied all knowledge of a discount. "Who said this?" he demanded. I didn't know the other guys name, but I remembered he was cross-eyed, and so I described him. "No-one like that works here I'm afraid. You'll have to pay full-price". Just then, my cross-eyed guy came into the office! I greeted him with a handshake and said "I came. 30% discount, ... read more