Finally Bali.
This is the first time I have not done much reading up about the place before I go. The only research that I did was to source for the one night stay on my own on the first night in Kuta there as the rest of the people in the group are only joining me on the second day. For the rest of the trip, the planning was done by Felicia and Elene – not an easy task, considering they have to try to take care of all 10 of us in the group ( the more people, the more unexpected changes to handle… )
Seems like it was only yesterday that the world was shell shocked with the news of bombing in Bali back in 2005 and everyone avoided Bali. Not so now. When I reached Kuta, it was just like any busy tourists packed area with touters trying to get your attention. Even while checking the prices online for a night’s stay in Kuta is back to what it was before the bombing. Plus almost all the cheap accommodations are fully booked and it was quite a challenge to look for a budget and yet clean place to bunk for the night.
Kuta
I reached Bali late at about 9pm. It was really a rush for me and I almost did not make the flight from Singapore as I was the last one to have checked in at the counter. It was always the case when I go for holiday. There are always last minute jobs and things to clear and the mind start worrying about this and that. On top of that, there was the mad rush to call the various budget hotels to try to reserve a place to stay. ( note : most budget places cannot confirm if they have rooms or not 2 days beforehand, they asked me to call back on that day itself to check again… so it was really a mad rush. )
The little backpacker budget hotel that I finally managed to secure is called Ronta Bungalows. It is located in one of the mini lanes in between Poppies Lane 1 and 2. Apparently not even the taxi driver knows where it is… ( I paid 50,000 rupiahs for the taxi from airport to Kuta and the driver dropped me off at the wrong place, pointed me to the wrong direction – I walked for a massive 10 mins or so lugging my luggage before I finally realised that it was the total wrong direction – had to walk all the way back amidst heavy human traffic, scooter bikes honking…. ) When I finally found the hotel, it was already 10:45pm…
It is really a no frills bare basic hotel for one to bunk in – there is not even toilet paper in the attached bathroom! But at least it was clean although very run down. However, the people there are very helpful, friendly and kind. Hearing that I lost my way around, they were very concerned when I went out for my supper and they quickly passed me their namecard with the address and map on it.
( photos coming soon… )
