I have been suffering PBB which is Post Bali Blues and have put off writing for awhile but decided I might do a bit of a JBR series when I get time.
To set the scene, my partner and I went with my brother and his partner. Me for the umpteenth time and it was my lovely ladies first time. Bro and partner have been numerous times before.
Yoo hoo two weeks on the Island of the Dogs from 3August until 17 August.
Coming from New Zealand we have to fly Sydney or Melbourne to pick up Garuda. No dramas except the three hour wait to clear customs in Bali. Bloody amazing, 14 blokes collecting VOA and yet only two guys processing the arrivals. Boy have they got their priorities. They figure that they will grab your dough real quick and then if you snuff it they don't loose out. That room is hot and 4 lines merging into one tests your patience.
Anyway through there to discover the enterprising baggage guys had dragged our bags to the furtherest part of the carousel area and put then in an inconspicuous place, but to their credit they 'helped us' find our luggage. Man they are helpful and I felt real bad telling them that my near empty bag was easy enough for me to handle.
The customs guy wasn't interested in the large bags, as I am sure he had sussed out with the handlers that mine probably contained 3 pairs of holey undies and a picture of my pet sheep. He was however interested in alcohol or tobacco that my day pack seemed to suggest I had although I had declared none. After he shoved his hand in, he discovered to his disappointment that I was telling the truth and although my jumper probably intrigued him, he wasn't gonna make any money on it. Left him standing there feeling like I do every Sunday after I have checked the Lotto results.
Off to the taxi stand and paid our $50k rp per taxi when two sprinters bolt out of the office and grabbed our bags. They were very persistant that this was part of the service and that they didn't want tipping. Any hooos half way to the taxi and after establishing that we were Kiwis (Karmate Karmate Kora Kora) what ever the bloody hell that means, but they shout it at me if they find out Im a Kiwi, and these boys are asking for; yep a tip.
I didn't want to disappoint them so I gave them my old grannies favourite tip. That is to put boiling water in the teapot and swish it round then pour it out before making the tea. This heats the pot up and the tea then lasts hotter for longer.
I knew they were impressed as they just stood there with their mouths open. Its like I say. Whats round, goes around and I know that tip gave me heaps of Karma browny points.
Into the taxi and away to Legian Village Hotel (classy eh?)
Had my 1984 Lonely Planet book that I had bought at a garage sale and was determined that I would be cool and 'Find the REAL Bali' like so many do on this forum. Hell, I used to think it was hanging around Kuta/Legian and drinking at Sammy and Susy's, yobbing onto Aussies about our pretty sheep and how the only disadvantage of them was that you had to get off them to go around and kiss them and and..... enough of that!!!!!