[ by Stian ]
Selamat Ditang di Indonesia:, or welcome to Indonesia as they would say in English! It was about time to enter a new
country and a totally new culture. Indonesia, a country with about
120 million inhabitants and also the largest muslim population in the
world. The country is also famous for it's recent tragedies, with the
tsunamis that took many lives. For me this would also be the first
ever visit to Asia, so I was excited, but also a bit worried. We are
not in the «western» civilization anymore – so I did not know
what to expect.
Airport Hell
The departure from Australia wasn't
without problems. At first they wouldn't allow us to check-in without
us having to prove that we had a departure ticket from Indonesia.
We tried to argue that we do have tickets out of Tokyo and
South-Africa, and even showed them these, so we DID have prove that
we would be leaving the country (at one pont) - like I ever would
give up Norway for Indonesia? But no, we actually had to order a
ticket out of Indonesia before they would let us in, so we just had
to follow order. At this point we realized that it might probably
become way harder to travel spontainiously this way. We really would
like to have the option to decide if we want to stay longer at one
place while we are there, not before we arrive... well well.
Arriving Bali
We arrived Bali pretty late in the
evening. Luckily it was very easy to get the visa. We only payed
25 USD for the visa. They then scanned our passport, gave us a stamp
and didn't ask any questions. We were now in Indonesia:) We were
surprised to see all the tour-brochures offering full-day tours on
Bali for only 50 USD at the airport already – that is WAY cheaper
than anything we had seen in Australia at least, I immideately
thought to myself what a jolly life Asia would be :) We withdrew
money from the ATM and FINALLY I can call myself a genuine
millionaire:-D Wiiiiii! Money is a bit funny here though since they
operate with 100 000 dominations and I actually had to do two
transactions because the ATM wasn't able to give me all in one go,
because of the thickness of all the bills together, haha. But then
again – one million Indonesian Rupiahs is about 500-600 NOK, so not
that much money really.
Jolie's Hostel in South Bali
We got a cab to our hostel, which
according to the webpage was supposed to be Balis luxury hostel.
Well, it wasn't easy to find Jolie's Hostel at first, but we did
eventually. It was located on the Bukit Peninsula on the southern end
of Bali island, in a pretty shabby and dark street, with loudbarking
dogs and a horrible road leading up to the hostel. There were holes
in the street everywhere and our taxidriver accidentally fell into
one of these and hurt his leg a lot when he was about to drop us off.
Poor guy. So at first we were pretty worried what we had gotten us
into – so far Bali didn't look anything like the nice and luxurious
photos we had seen online before departure.
When inside the hostel it wasn't
that bad really. There was a very nice pool and the staff was
friendly, even though the guy in the reception looked like he had
just gotten out of a serious fight – his eyelids were bleeding. The
hostel was brand new and opened just a couple of months ago... so not
alot of people know of it yet, and therefore there were not so many
people there either. We decided for an early evening and went off to
bed early. We had our private room with private bathroom, and the
airconditioning worked perfectly. We chose a temperature of 17
degrees for the night – which was awesome:) All in al it seemed
like a pretty good hostel, and it was very quiet here during night so
that was good:)
Exploring the peninsula.
We were supposed to go straight to
the Gili islands the morning after, and not to spend any time in Bali
at all, but we learned that the fast boats to the Gili islands all
had departed for the day – so there were no options for us to get
there... so we had to stay another night at the hostel and then
travel the next morning instead. Well, we were not to upset about
this really. We got in touch with Timor and Christina, a couple
staying at the same hostel as us, respectivly from The Netherlands
and Germany, now living just on the border of Germany, on Dutch
side;) Together with T&C we did a short walk, wich of course
turned into a longer walk in the end. We dropped by the
Garuda Wisnu Kencana which is a cultural park located just a 5
minute walk from the hostel. The park is devoted to the Hindu god
Vishny and his mount, Garuda, the mythical bird who is his companion.
It was a very nice park to walk in, containing traditional Indonesian
statues and carvings, and there was also a Balinese dance performance
to attend. There are plans to make the world largest statue in this
park, but the religious authoritues do not agree with the plans so we
will see how it will turn out. If the plans go through the final
statue of the god Vishnu will be 146 meters tall, and he will be
riding the Garuda which will have a wing span of 64 meters. Well
well. I doubt it will ever happen though. The entry fee was about 60
000 Indonesian rupiahs which is only 35 Norwegian kroner, so it was
pretty cheap. It was though VERY VERY hot. I realized that when it's
sunny it's way more humid here in Bali than what it was in Darwin,
though I didn't feel much of the humidity when it was cloudy,
strangely enough. Another sidenote is that this park is the venue of
the Miss World competition this year.
When back at the hostel we all went
for a swim before we left for the Uluwatu beach to catch the sunset.
The Uluwatu beach is a really nice, but rocky, beach were a lot
of surfers go. The scenery here is amazing and we were all really
glad that we chose to go here. Eventually we found a really nice spot
to watch the sunset, at a nice bar on top of a rock, so we kinda had
to climb a steap stair of stone both to get up and to get down. So
here we could sit and enjoy the sunset along with some local Bintang
beer:) Kenneth is actually getting pretty used to drinking beer now –
especially if mixing it with Sprite, which he seemed to like a lot
better;) This sunset was especially beautiful because of the
silhuettes of people swimming and surfing on the beach below us.
Very, very nice. Then we had dinner at a very local resturant in the
very dirty street close to our hostel, but wow was the food good! AND
CHEAP! We got loads of food for almost nothing. I paid like 22 NOK
for a full course dinner:) REALLY nice:)
Lucas – Our new local guide:)
Shortly after arriving back at the
hostel I got in touch with Lucas, a local guy. A really sweet,
intelligent, friendly and of course handsome guy that spoke perfect
English, which surprised me because not many here do. I got to be
his bitch, back on his moped, crusing through the stressful Balinese
streets of the night – I have to say I was a bit worried, and I
could just picture the headlines in Norway in my head: «Norwegian
tourist killed in a moped accident in Asia» - why? Because there
seem to be alot of these headlines every year in the Norwegian
tabloids. But he was steady and had full control so there was no need
to worry really. It turned out that Lucas is doing event managing in
Bali and at the same time operate his own business of production of
something that are exported to Europe – so he is pretty much well
put. I got to see his house shortly which was amazing! So obviously
he was a man that had worked hard and made something for himself.
RESPECT!
Gili Trawangan
The next day we were picked up at
06:15 at the hostel for the shuttleride to the harbour city of Padang
Bay where we eventually would take the boat towards Gili islands.
The Gili islands are three small islands just northwest of the Lombok
island which is located east of Bali. They are famous for being
backpacker friendly and less touristic than Bali. We were told to go
there by my really nice colleague Marie. Bali is way bigger and have
a lot more options to do, but we liked the idea of getting away from
what we back home call charter-hell, in this cause drunken Aussies
doing the all inclusive, and rather find ourself a secluded beach
were we could just relax. We would be heading for the biggest of the
three islands, Gili Trawangan. We chose to go to the bigger island
mostly because we like to meet people, and since February is the very
low season we were a bit worried that there might not be so many
people on the other two islands, Gili Meno and Gili Air. This
non-existing problem/worry seemed to solve itself automaticly right
away because already on the shuttlebus we met a lithuanian gay
couple, Egidijus and Mindaugas,
who were heading for the same island as us. We got in touch with them
almost right away after we got of the bus and we then decided to
find a place were all four of us could stay so that we could hang out
together. Egidijus, or Egis which I prefer to call him, was a really
nice guy big Lithuanian guy that worked as an actor and in
theatre-productions. He seem to be a pretty famous name in Lithuania
as well, as we were to experience when we suddenly run into a couple
of other Lithuanians and they just had to stop Egis for a chat. Egis
seemed to be a very modest guy and wouldn't really admit that he was
famous or anything, but according to Mindi this happen everytime they
run into Lithuanians on holiday. It was fun to see Mindi's reaction –
and to me it seemed like it kinda was a jaleous reaction;) Mindi is a
really cool guy and work as an opera-singer back home. He reminded me
right away very much of Kenneth to be honest. They have the same
body-structure and time would prove that they kinda have the same
mentality as well. They act a alot in the same ways, and it was
obvious that the two of them also got along very well together 'cause
they acted like kids almost right away, while I and Egis were the
grown up (boring?) ones. Though, that was just my personal
observation and is probably up for discussion. Haha.
First Day At Gili T
We had
to do a 90 minute boatride from Padang Bay to get to Gili Trawangan.
The ride was really nice, and it was interesting to see how the
boatdriver blessed both the steering wheel of the boat and also
blessed the water, which I guess symbolized the actual journey, with
a small boquet of flowers. He did it several times as well. Finally
at the Gili Trawangan we were met with loads of guys that were trying
to sell us «their» hostel convincing us that they knew were the
best one was and that they had the best offer – well well. You
shall never believe these kind of guys very much, but we did
eventually follow one guy, and the first two «great» places he took
us to were already full, so he finally took us to a third place, a
place he hadn't mentioned at all, but we liked what we saw and
decided to stay there, at the «Lumbung Cottages».
«Lumbung Cottages» really did turn
out to be a very nice place to stay. I and Kenneth got our own
bungalow which we paid 300 000 Rupiahs per night for, that would be
like 175 NOK pr night. There was a pool there, and also
airconditioning, and it was located about 5 minutes away from the
beach, in a very quiet area, away from the party street. So it was
pretty much perfect:) A perfect place for a tranquil experience:)
We first settled in, and then we
headed for the beach together with Egis and Mindi. The beach was
ok, and we got to do some snorkling as well. We later, after sunset,
then headed down the main street and got to see some of the really
luxurious places, which looked awsome, but also honestly looked
completely empty. February is considered being the low season – but
I guess it's only low season for the luxurious resorts and the
expensive restaurants 'cause the cheaper options, that would be the
backpacker options, seemed to be busy all over. We then had dinner at
a socalled «Irish» restaurant – even though there wasn't any
Irish with it at all, other than the name «Tir na nog». The service
wasn't the best either. I ordered a gazpacho as an appetizer, but
ended up getting a tuna carpaccio after a very long time, which I
definitely did not want !!!! Yuk! I eventually did get my gazpacho
and it was really good. Kenneth and Mindi har ordered long drinks,
but they obviously forget to include the alcohol in this country,
which we were to experience several times later as well. As a main I
had BBQ-scews but it took like forever to get the food and when we
finally got it, it was pretty much impossible to eat the extremely
overdone beef-scews. Yummy rubber, not!!! So we were left
unimpressed. We chose to do an early evening – at least I did,
which was really really nice. Though during the night I had to
increase the temperature of the airconditioner because I DID freeze
my balls off at one point – haha;)
Second Day at Gili T
The next day was a very sunny, hot
and humid day, and we headed for the beach once again. We had a
short swim and suddenly Egis and Mindi were to leave the island. I
wasn't aware that they were leaving so it was a surprise to me –
but it happens so that they are going to be in Singapore the exact
same dates as us so we will hook up with them when we get there:) So
looking forward to seeing them again.
I then went for a walk to explore
the main street during daylight while Kenneth waited behind cause he
was meeting up with Erik, a Dutch guy staying on the island. The
street really did not look as impressive during daytime as during
nighttime, but I guess that's how most exotic islands just tend to
be. I remember the same thing about Isla de Mujeres in Mexico whixh
also was amazingly beautiful with perfect lighting and decorations
during night, but pretty much just ordinary during day (without the
lighting-effects). Anyways, I was sweating so much that I had to stop
along the beach several times to cool down with a swim... and I of
course ended up getting a real sunburn on my shoulders ... but it's
ok. I am just impressed that it took me more than a month and a half
to get a real visibly sunburn:-) Wiiiiii!!!! Now at least it really
shows that I have been on holiday;) haha
I then met up with Kenneth and Erik.
Erik seemed like a very outgoing and fun guy to hang out with, and he
was handsome as well. He lives in Amsterdam and also works as an
actor so it was just natural that he had this extrovert
personality.The three of us hang out together the rest of the day –
mostly just staying at the beach, slacking on this beachbed, eating
food, having some beers and then some coctails. I just love the names
of some of the coctails – especially the one called Lady Boy. Of
course I had too much alcohol and had a hangover the next day. So it
was natural to put as status on facebook that I had a hangover and
that it probably all started when I had the lady boy, and almost
everyone thinks that I am refering to something sexual;) Like i would
EVER put anything sexual as status on facebook;) haha, I do love
facebook reactions ;) But seriously – I haven't had this much
alcohol in a very, very long time. I had at least 3 beers, the
Indonesian beer Bintang. Then I had at least 4 coctails, a Lady Boy,
a Pina Colada and two Mojitos – happy hour with 2 for 1 just makes
you drink a bit more obviously;) We payed only about 18 NOK pr
coctail! CRAZY;) Then we headed back to the bungalow and of course
Erik had some vodka available, but we also got some beer on the way
home. So we then had each a large beer again, before some
vodka-sprite drinks... oh it was just way too much. I at one point
obviously also had the brilliant idea that we should try magic
mushrooms, but thankfully that didn't happen. Haha;) Funny thing is
that drugs are very very strictly prohibited in Indonesia, but magic
mushrooms are legal funnily enough...
Third Day At Gili T
So the next day I had a hangover. We
didn't do anything this day really. We just slacked all day, mostly
at the Bungalow and by the pool – also napping in the middle of the
day, which is totally unlike me. In the evening we did go to the
main street for dinner, and I had seen the menu of a resort
restaurant which I wanted to check out, earlier in the day, so we
went there. It turned out that we were the only guests of the
evening, and the staff said that usually in the evenings there are
noone there cause everyone goes to the main restaurant area to eat,
but, WOW I am glad we went there! I had spring rolls as an appetizer
which were good and then some Indonesian local food that just tasted
fantasticly. I can really advice to everyone the local dish Daging
Sapi Masak Cabe Hijau, which is stir fried beef, onions, green
paprika, rice and green chillis. Kenneth was also very satisfied with
his food – and he chose guacamole and toast as appetizer and it was
probably the best guacamole ever tasted. Erik went for the spring
rolls as well and then a sirloin steak. The best of all – the
prices weren't too bad either! So I guess that says that the saying
of never go to the place thats empty cause the food is probably crap
doesnt always stand correct! This was actually the first place on our
journey were we felt we HAD to give our compliments to the chef.
Afterwards we found ourself a
nice and relaxing spot with a beanbag on the beach to enjoy a mojito.
I as usual chose to try the most exotic version, namely the
dragonfruit mojito, which was pretty ok – but there really is no
alcohol in the drinks here – at least it doesn't taste so ;) This
night we all were so tired that we ended up falling asleep before
11pm all of us... haha.
Leaving Gili T
The last day on the island we had to
check out by 10am. We had do say goodbye to Erik, but it might happen
that we will see him again as well as he seriously is considering
meeting up with us in Singapore as well, which would have been great,
cause Erik is lots of fun to hang out with. He left about an hour
before us, so we just hang out at the beach waiting for our boat to
leave – and I also had a second breakfast of the day. This time a
typical Indonesian breakfast with fried rice, chicken and fried egg.
It was RAELLY good! It amazes me how tasteful rice can be if prepared
correctly! This breakfast also brought back memories of my Costa
Rican ex-boyrfriend, Josue, cause he always made the most delicious
rice-dishes. Ah, I am looking forward to going to Costa Rica again as
well:-D
Next Stop: Yogakarta
Next stop on our joruney is
Yogakarta, which is a bigger town, famous for all its temples. So
we are taking a flight from Bali to Yogakarta – and we will
actually meet up with Lucas, my new friend, the local guy – at the
airport, and he will join us for the few days we are in Yogakarta. So
that will be very very nice. It always feels way better when you have
someone who speaks the local language with you:) So I am looking very
much forward to Yogakarta, and also to get to know Lucas a bit
better.
Impressions of Gili T
Gili Trawangan was very nice, but it
is a place for those who wants to enjoy sun and beach, partying and
good food. It is way more expensive than Bali (or at least it
feels like it) – but it's still cheap. We spent 3 nights here –
and only one of the days we had sun almost all day. We did have some
rain. At one point I did feel that we could have stayed a night less,
cause we didn't do anything the last day, not at all – but that's
ok too sometimes. It is possible to do snorkling tours around all the
islands, but even though snorkling is nice it's not something I have
to do, since I have done it before. Gili Trawangan reminded me alot
about Bocas Del Toro in Panama as well, but I do think that Bocas is
a better place to explore than Gili, and I don't think that Gili has
anything to offer that for example Thailand can't offer – but it
was still a nice experience, and we got to meet some cool people that
we hopefully will see again soon:) So it was all worth it in the end,
as usual:)
@ Jolie Hostel
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| Millionair for a short while:-D Wiiiii!!!! |
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| The cow that scared the shit out of me the first night, haha. |
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| Symbol on a housewall in our street. |
@ Garuda Cultural Park
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| Christina, Kenneth and Timor :) |
Our Lovely Street... not.
@ Catching the sunset at the beach
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| Amazing good food, only for 25 NOK :) |
@ Gili Trawangan
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| Not promising weather |
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| Raining, A LOT! |
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| Very friendly salesguy at the beach. |
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| Egis & Mindy :) |
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| The offer mushrooms here... wiii;) haha |
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| Our Bungalow:-) |
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| Pool area at the bungalow resort:) |
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| Dragonfruit Mojitos, yum;) |
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| Fried chichen rice with egg, AWSOME breakfast:) |
