Flying from Perth to Bali

This has been kicking around for some time now. I wrote it in Melbourne, a few weeks after going to Bali, though the numbers should be correct based on the records we kept.

Keep in mind that this information is about Bali during their low season. Not only was it low because of the season, but also because there has been an ash cloud from a volcano screwing up both the inbound and outbound flights. This had left a lot of people stranded for over an additional week, and delayed whoever was planning on going. I went this time because it fit my timeline, I figured it would be cheaper, and insurance would help carry the burden of my extended vacation if it came to that. My experience may be different than the norm because prices and bartering leverage will be different due to the scarcity of visitors. Chances are that a lot of the companies, cabbies, and tour guides were thirstier than usual for customers at this time.

July 28th, 2015

My view from the shower

It’s Game day! Yes, that’s right, Game day! And I have no plan!  Shimou proposed that we go into the Ubud Market in search of a gift for one another to commemorate the trip. It’s on! Price limit: $100,000 Rupiah!

July 27th, 2015

Rediscovered that my phone does have panarama
Back pool area, with the back right area leading to a ravine.

Surprise! Breakfast!

Life is Good. Waking up naturally at 10 because of habit and sunlight flowing in through the sheer blinds. I was thinking that we should change places tonight because this one wasn't the best (no kitchen private or drinking water in the room) but changed my mind when I realized that they prepare breakfast and coffee on demand. Banana crepes, omelet, and coffee? Don't mind if I do. I explored more of the place while we waited for the cab, finding a better view of the pool lounging area at the back. Very agreeable.

The only goals for today were babi guling, massage, and checking out some shops. Turns out that babi guling closes at 3ish, and we are still full from the unexpected brunch. Tomorrow is our last chance to get some of that sweet, sweet pig.

Great Snorkeling!

July 26th, 2015

The French(?) guy who rented us the room didn't handle the room's problems very well. He wasted our time by getting us to wait in the room for an hour because he asked us to, then messaged us 45 minutes later to say he was with his girlfriend and couldn't come back right away. We're only there one night, and my natural urge is to not clean up after myself. He can clean it after being a dick. But I stop myself because that's not who I want to be. Ultimately, I'm glad I didn't because he came back later and reimbursed us ~40% of the cost.

A quick tour through our second place

July 25th, 2015

Today started at 10, and a slower pace. Thank God. I like seeing stuff, but I've never been a fan of the "culture by machine gun" approach to travel. Then again, it was nice to see so much of Ubud before fleeing the city.

Nick is gone, replaced by a different taxi that the villa's owner helped us find. We were planning on snorkeling today, but the sea is rocky and our boat has been cancelled on our planned return trip. The hotel we booked wouldn't let us cancel without forfeiting our money. Change of plans.

She missed the memo

July 24th, 2015

It's ridiculous that I've had to train myself to enjoy things like this trip. "Wherever you are, that's where you are" is the phrase I've been focusing on for the past year or so. It sounds stupid on the surface, sure. The way it was explained to me was this: if you're unhappy and constantly complain, it doesn't matter what your environment is. You just won a trip to your dream destination? A negative person will be a negative person in the end, though they may perk up a bit at the initial change. Hell, even I complained about that kid on the plane, though I mainly included it because I thought the phrasing was funny.

And we made it!

July 23rd, 2015

Ever been on one of those rides where the cart is on hydraulics, moving to and making you feel like you're in the movie? I pretend that the cab is one of those rides because I have just as much control in the outcome. For me, part of learning to relax is letting go when holding on changes nothing. I've come to terms with the idea that there's a chance of an unpredictable, violent death. It's part of the trade-off for quick transportation. The upside with flying is it will probably be instantaneous.

On a less morbid note, I'm amazed this guy's car has so few dings on it. He almost took off a side mirror or three on the ride to the hotel. Maybe that's just the way they drive over here because the lanes are clearly suggestions more than rules.

The Beginnings of a Shanty Town

July 22nd, 2015

As the title indicates, I'm literally trapped in the airport, counting the hours as we wait to see if we can actually leave at the now-delayed time of departure. Lee and Joy have arrived at the airport at 2:30pm in anticipation of their flight, which was scheduled for 4:50pm. Our flight was originally scheduled for 8:05pm, so we arrived around 6pm. All four of us sit here, playing cards, at 2:30am. The flights have both been delayed to the same time, which sits at 4am as of writing. The griping from people around us has died down as the room's people have reached entropy, sleeping spread out on the various seats and huddled together along the walls. We are all trapped here. But let’s rewind a bit, shall we?