Looking for Ketut

tgw — Thu, 26 Jun 2014 21:36:00 GMT

Don't get me wrong, I love Bali but it really is Australian's second home. Aussies with their sunburned skin covered in ridiculous tan lines, wearing fluro coloured clothes and Bintang singlets; stalk you where ever you go. I even tried escaping to the confines of the infamous Monkey temple in Ubud where once again I was surrounded by THEM. Why do Australian escape to Bali? For the same reason I went there.

While walking down the main strip of Semenyak, I see a sign stating 2 for 1 happy hour from 12noon to 9pm. I don't think twice. This must have been my best idea yet I decide. I'm sat on a rickety wooden chair sipping an extremeley alcoholic, fruity, multi-coloured cocktail and am surrounded by like minded people; all of us are tourists. My day gets blurry from there on in.

I'm sat under a colourful umbrella that I paid 25,000 rupiah for on Double-Six beach feeling sorry for myself. My head pounds from a too few many colourful cocktail creations the day before. I've covered my face in a pair of sunnies and a hat. A Javanese man by the name of 'Eddie' wants to teach me how to surf for 20USD. An hour later, I have a broken bikini top, rashie vest tan lines and a huge grin on my face. Who knew I could stand up on a surfboard un assisted!

'Jim' is a Javanese man who is selling me a Bintang singlet and an ankle bracelet that I brought down from 10USD to 5USD with my impressive bartering skills. I wave goodbye as I walk away from his store to the next one, which also sells Bintang singlets and ankle bracelets. There seems to be a theme to this shopping madness.

Again, I'm sipping on another alcoholic concoction aka the Potato Head special. According to my friends, the Potato Head Club was a must go. I now know why. Who knew food could taste so good. The sunset was a plus too I guess...

I get my first taste of the culture behind Bali on my ride back to my Villa. 'Wayan' my Balinese driver explains to me the naming system of Balinese siblings. There are four names in the Balinese culture based on birth order: Wayan, Made, Nyoman and Ketut. Now I know that Rhonda's Ketut has brothers out there somewhere..

When I embargoed on this holiday, I didn't expect to find myself sipping a long neck with a local Balinese family. They're lovely and have fed me enough Nasi Goreng for a lifetime. They explain to me the reason for the offerings I see everywhere I go and answer my other silly questions. They seem to love Australia. The Australian flag on their wall made it fairly obvious.

I'm sharing an exotic sunset at Tanah Lot Temple with hundreds of tourists. My pictures would be perfect were it not for all the tourists. I'm still amazed by the beauty and tranquility. There are some locals surfing near the reef below.

Its my last day and I'm already thinking of the next time I come back to Bali. The people, the hospitality, the surf, the sunsets. These are the reasons that Australian's come back for more. As I get on the plane back home, I realise how much I resemble these Australians; with my Bintang singlet, rashie vest tanlines and laid back attitude. Bali, I will be back.

Same Same But Different

tgw — Sat, 10 May 2014 11:47:14 GMT

The Bus driver turned around from his front seat to give us a wide toothless smile and exclaimed, "Have a good time, now get out!" He had stopped by a sandy bank of the Thu Bon river and I was now stranded with my several travel mates waiting for god knows what.

Roughly 10 minutes later we heard the 'put put put' of a rickety fisherman's boat. This was to be our tour guide for the next few hours. A lovely Vietnamese local fisherman by the name of Vien (pronounced "Yin") proudly escorted us onto his fishing vessel for what was to be the best day of my trip. After 3 attempts to start his boat, we were off, meandering downstream on Thu Bon River.

Our destination was unknown but after bonding over a few beers, courtesy of Vien, we were all best friends and were more than happy to trust Vien's decision to stop on the shore line to enjoy what he said would be "the best sunset you will ever see".

"Sam"; Vien said, pointing to an Aussie bloke sitting next to me, "You Australian? Come help me set up the Barbie!” Vien whipped out a small portable barbeque and a large Esky filled with pre-prepared fish, prawns and kebabs. Another Esky provided us with refreshments, Beer. Next came a foldout table and milk crates to sit on.

While all this was happening, Vien passed me a beer and stated, "You... You are Fifty- Fifty, Same- same but different". An expression I had heard being said around Asia was now being used to point out my mixed heritage. Tears of laughter ran down my face, echoed by my travel companions.

It was with those words that we sat in silence and watched the sun set, along the shore of the Thu Bon River, Hoi An.

Getting Lost Will Help You Find Yourself, Travel Often

Looking for Ketut

Same Same But Different