What would you rate Bali out of 10?

***Warning: This blog may contain material offensive to some readers. I would give it a PG rating for inappropriate micturation. Grandparents who think their grandkids are swell, you have been warned...***

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"10 being if you could really do space travel and 1 being thrown in jail during a hurricane" ~Dale Rieu

Upon further reflection of this quote, I would have to say that my weekend in Bali was at some points a 2 but at most points around an 8.

We took a mini-bus (11 people) from out school in Surabaya across East Java across a ferry to West Bali, drove across west Bali and ended our Journey in Kuta. It was a 16 hour trip, overnight thankfully. It took especially long since we had to buzz around Surabaya picking up people in apparently no logical order. And then there was the traffic jam by the mud-flow area. Oh well, better than paying for the pricey long weekend-priced airline tickets. A 150$ round trip by plane was converted into a 40$ round trip which included door to door service, a meal each way and no pesky airport departure fees.

Anyways we got into Kuta around 10 am local time I think. Kuta is absolutely nuts. I was in culture schock. I was staring. It has been 2 months or more since I have seen that many white people. OMG. I had not realized it, but I was totally getting used to being the only white person or one of the only white people around. (case in point --> I went to the grocery store this morning and one of the employees took a picture of me and him on his camera phone) Anyways, there is so much crap in Kuta. People selling all sorts of stuff from watches to shoes to clothes etc etc. There is a never ending supply of merchandise to buy. We thought we would head out to Ulu Watu/Dreamland area on some intel that it was chill and relaxing and there were some cheap places to stay. After a motorcycle taxi ride out there we were dissapointed. Dreamland had been taken over by a huge resort. We went on to Ulu Watu, but the waves there were massive and over a reef and the break was crowded. So after a Fanta we decided to head back to Kuta to stay the night and go from there.

Kuta beach at sunset. This is from the internet, but the day I was there looked just the same.

We surfed at Kuta beach that afternoon. It was nice to be out in the water again. And the sunset was unbelievable.

That night David was eager to head out on the town wanting to "get wasted". I should have spotted the trouble right there, but honestly I thought he wasn't serious. Boy, was I wrong. So we went for a yummy dinner at a little spot. Then the interesting bit really began. We went to this place where there was "All-You-Can-Drink" Heineken for 2 hours for 50,000 Rupiah. I now know why this is illegal in Canada. Anyways from 8pm-10pm we had all you can drink Heineken, met 3 Toronto boys, 2 Swedish guys, and a German guy. Who had a pack of cards and suggested playing drinking games. After that we went "upstairs" for the free flow hour. Where drinks were free for an hour. Seriously. Another bad idea. After that we went next door for their free Margaritas. I had stopped after the Heineken and a free-flow drink, but unfortunately David kept going. Sadly I didn't know the way back to our place. And when I finally dragged David out of the bar and as he was zig-zagging all over the sidewalk it was clear that this was not a good situation. Anyways, after wandering the safe streets of Kuta I finally caved into the offers of "Trasport! Transport!" from the locals. A couple of motorbikes took us back to the hotel not before David almost fell off of his. Classy. I think he paid his guy 50,000 Rupiah, while my guy took 15,000. I thought I had overpaid, but thought it was worth it to get home in one piece.

Not my picture, but representative of the night.

Anyways, after stumbling David up the stairs (I think he fell a couple of times at least) I got him to bed where he promptly passed out. I thought that would be the end of it. But no, oh no, it wasn't. David totally got up in the middle of the night looking for the bathroom and thought he had found the toilet. Nope. He didn't, turns out it was MY BED!!! It took me a minute to wake up and realize what was going on. By then he was done and had gone back to sleep. FML. Worst night ever? Maybe. Anyways, found a mop and cleaned it up as he couldn't be woken up, and at 2.30am the staff wasn't at the front desk.

I told David (who barely remembers leaving the first place) what had happened and he was pretty embarrassed about the whole thing and agreed with me when I suggested that we should leave Kuta and go somewhere a bit more chill. So off to Pedang Pedang we went.

I think David was still drunk actually, but we managed to find transport to Pedang Pedang beach. And found a cute little home stay there for pretty cheap. Went to the beach that afternoon and David went surfing as I swam, sunbathed in the sun/shade and read my book. Ahhhhh...... now that was BALI! The beach was so beautiful. I managed to get a few pictures of it before my camera crapped out. There were ladies selling things on the beach and I caved for a sarong as I had forgotten mine in Surabaya. I also bought some Fried Rice from a little beach hut and watched the sun go down in the late afternoon. Great afternoon :)

Sunset at Pedang Pedang. This rock was really cool. (internet image)

That night we went to a very chill place. I had a Big Love smoothie (papaya, pineapple and mango) it was so good and QUESADILLAS! Finally! I found some Quesadillas! I have been wanting some for over a month! Best dinner ever. It might not have literally been the best dinner ever. But there is something to be said about eating a meal you have been craving. Just the satisfaction alone is tasty!

View of Pedang Pedang from the road.

The next day we decided we needed to arrange transport home for Sunday (the following day). After a difficult phone call to the Penjor Bus Hotline and some help from the hotel staff we were told Sunday was full, but Saturday (that day) was still open. So we decided to go home the Saturday. We still had most of the day to spend soaking up the sun and surf anyways with the bus not leaving until 5.

Pantai Pedang Pegang. (image from the internet)

More sun, more sand, more beach time. Fantastic. I also bought bracelets from the nice ladies on the beach who are masters of the hard bargain. But I feel bad being a tourist and arguing with the locals over a few dollars, or a few cents. So I totally overpaid. Oh well.

The bus ride home was fine. Nothing eventful. Got home in time to listen to the hockey game. Unfortunately I came down with a high fever Sunday afternoon at home and spent all day in bed, realizing how much nicer it is to have a fever in not a tropical 3rd world country. here is why:
1. In Canada you don't have to worry that your fever might actually be dengue or typhoid.
2. In Canada its usually cooler, you don't have to sweat your fever out in 30'C +humidity. Thank goodness I have air-con.
3. In Canada when you run out of water and are very thirsty and dehydrated you can just drink from the tap, you don't have to put on clothes and walk to the corner store to buy water and gatorade.
4. In Canada there are people to bring me food, a cold compress or the remote!

Don't worry I am managing and my fever has gone down and I feel better, although I called in sick today.