Advertisement
Published: April 30th 2009
Edit Blog Post
Indonesian princess
From Bali with love Dear readers,
What follows was not meant to happen... An extra month in a country that was not included in the original plan: Indonesia. Moreover, Max and Jems, the 2 other Mineros had stopped travelling, so I was on my own. A lonesome experience described below.
Legian, Bali:
It had been 6 months I had left Asia and from the very first dinner, I felt I was back in this world of tasty flavours and marvellous scents. Back also to this world where streets are overcrowded by vehicles that seem to be willing to climb on each other so they might be able to earn these precious minutes nobody knows whether they really worth the energy spent. Last but not least for a long-term traveler, I was also back to a country where the cost of living is low, making my life a lot easier.
Although all the conditions for a good trip were met, I spent my first day in Bali in a hospital to check my ankle that had got swollen since I fell off a step in Melbourne. A couple of X-rays later, the doctor announced me I had to wear a cast for 8 weeks
(and pay €250...) to protect an "incomplete fracture". The best decision for me was then to fly back and cancel my trip, 1 day only after landing. But as I hardly felt any pain, I showed the X-rays to doctors in France who told me I could keep on traveling but carefully. Back on the road again!
As I was advised to rest as much as possible for a week, I did so and was able to meet interesting people in the place I was staying. It felt good to barely do anything there as the staff hosted me with a warm welcome I hadn't experienced since South America. Sebastian and Tomas are 2 persons worth mentioning as we spent a good time altogether sharing the same views on various subjects and enjoying time passing at low pace. Tomas is a Swedish firepoise artist (cf. pictures) and Sebastian works in a business between India and Germany.
I also met Rian, a Balinese surfer, who took me around on his motorbike, taking me to incredible "warungs" (local restaurants) and making me discover what I would have never been able to find by myself or with a guide. The more lonely you
are, the more people you meet!
Flores Island: Maumere-Moni-Bajawa-Labuanbajo
As my ankle had improved in 5 days, it was time for me to move on.
Flores, in the Nusa Tengarra region, was the island I picked as I wanted to concentrate on a place where I could explore traditional villages, admire some natural wonders and possibly dive on a world-class site. I also wanted to see something different from Bali in terms of culture and religion: the majority of people living in Flores are catholic with a significant part of Muslims whereas Bali is mainly hindu.
But, once again, it all started badly. My flight to Maumere on a black-listed airline (all Indonesian airlines are on this black list, so you have no choice) got cancelled 1 hour before departure and the next flight was 5 days after. Luckily, 2 Indonesian businessmen complained and managed to make us flight to Kupang in Western Timor where we stayed the night in a hotel for free and to Maumere early the morning after. From a 1.5h flight, it took me about 20h to get to Maumere, but I was happy I did not have to change all my plan.
In
this long journey I got the chance to meet Björn from Belgium, a professional diver, with whom I spent the next 10 days on Flores island. With him, we rented motorbikes and drove around to some fine beaches (Maumere), impressive colourful lakes on Kelimutu volcano (Moni), visit traditional villages and hot springs (Bajawa). We also had to bargain as much as we could as we quickly realise the price for transportation was negotiable too.
We crossed the island in 5 days and we met Stephane and Yusan with whom we stayed for the next 5 days sharing meals and negociation power ! They were really nice and friendly indeed and had also been traveling for a long time. Once we were in Labuanbajo, we decided to dive. As I was a beginner, I had to take a 4-day course to eventually be able to spot not only all kinds of coral fish, but also giant turtles, sharks and even manta rays about 3 meters wide. That was truly amazing not to say about the feeling I had underwater. I realised how diving is addictive and how this sport can become another reason for me to travel (as if I did
not have enough reasons already...).
Bali: Legian, Ubud and its region
After 10 days spent on Flores, I flew back to Denpasar in Bali where I had a couple of days left before I flew back home. So I rented a motorbike to drive around Ubud and its region. I was really enthusiastic about the Balinese arts: sculptures, wood carvings, paintings are really worth the discovery. Ubud has clearly a real artistic scene and you can definitely feel the creative energy in this village. In terms of landscape, rice fields, rice paddies are numerous and lovely, making the drive smoother and apeasing. I also went to Pura Besakih, the most famous Hindu temple in Bali where I attended a ceremony that is held every 10 years. I expected a lot from it but was a bit disappointed when I learnt I could not enter some of the places as I was not Hindu. However, I could observe people's faith and behaviour outside the temple and appreciate their immaculate white clothes.
This trip to Indonesia was a great experience. But this country is too big and too fragmented to be done at once. I will indeed go back
as its people are welcoming and faithful. Traveling alone was a challenge for me and I appreciated it as I was constantly available to meet people.
Thank you all for your continuous support throughout this trip. I hope you have enjoyed this blog.
This wonderful dream has now come to an end. A new chapter is about to be written about job and life in France. Let's see where this will take me!
As usual, you can find all the articles we have published since the beginning of the trip at the below link:
Advertisement
Tot: 0.086s; Tpl: 0.014s; cc: 11; qc: 30; dbt: 0.0379s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.1mb
anonymous
non-member comment
Mon pote....l'exposition est obligatoire!!!! "Tomas Nevisoul on fire!" Elles sont complètement dingues ces tofs! Si t'as un problème de droit d'auteur tu me fais signe! Au delà de ça, quelle tristesse de voir le blog toucher à sa fin... C'est avec un plaisir non dissimulé que j'ai suivi vos aventures. Mais toutes les bonnes choses ont une fin! Il est temps de tourner cette jolie page et d'en écrire une autre. L'heure est maintenant aux retrouvailles et au débalage de gros dossiers, à l'ancienne!!! Welcome back les mineros! La grosse bise à tous!