The story takes a turn as now we are in Ace-ia(Asia)
I arrive into Denpesar airport at around 9:30pm to meet Kirsten who arrived a day earlier, and as soon as I get through customs I am scammed out of $20 by some porters to carry my bags all of 10m-I assured myself after that I wouldn't be scammed again.I didnt feel so bad cos Kirsten got scammed as well.
After checking in we head out into the notorious Kuta which is renowned for its nightlife and beach. The place is a real eye opener , the hot smell, the thousands of scooters rolling around,the older caucasian males with their local girl, the security guards with semi automatic guns(obviously to stop fanatical muslims from the mainland going boom in a night club again)
A I am buggered from the flight we only go out for a few drinks but you cant help but notice how westernised the place is. There is an abundance of McDonalds, KFC and Pizza all in an Asian setting
In the morning we venture out to the markets which soon become known as running the gauntlet. They all sell the same imitation stuff and all use advanced selling techniques to lure you into their shop like "hey my friend", hey where you from, t-shirt 30,000 rupiah( the local peso) and the biggest of them all is everywhere you go "you what transport". As it turns out the haggling becomes a real iccue(issue)3 things not to say to a street vendor in reply to their constant questioning- your name, where your from and most of all I may come back in a couple of hours or tomorrow. Everyone remembers a face over here.
We went for our first swim of the winter. The water was pristine and the waves were bigguns. Although to get to the sand you have to walk the gauntlet to get there. It is a tad hot to chill on the beach in the sun for a prolonged time though due to my hissing(sweating)
Despite this all the people are super friendly and the service you reserve is 5 star. They even wipe the moisture your beer creates on the table whilst drinking.
My go to's here are Bintang(beer) and mego rang, although everyone here is repping a bin tang tee.
Went to the food market that is frequented by locals which has around 20 stalls and each one employs around 4 people to stand outside and shout and hold up menus to tourists-you want noodle. The locals seem as they look after each other and there seems to be more kick backs going on here than Taito Phillip Fields house.This was evident when I went for an altered image(haircut). It was like the saloon in Coronation Street-there were definately a couple of our davids working there and none of them were fussed about looking busy to justify their employment.
The most chilled place in Kuta is definitely the beach at night with a few beers, no haggling and no bloody transport to be seen. Kirsten managed to check the sun set the night before I arrived which I ended up missing but get another chance when we head back to the west coast.
Our journey established some defined roles with Kirsten easily nominating herself for team captain for her diligent planning using multiple guide books and as I say to her as long as it has a fan im chilled. I have stepped up and assumed the treasurers riole so at least im utilising my degree whilst away.
Kuta for us both is a love hate relationship-and as our style fits "its off to somewhere more chilled"
