Tuesday 23 November 2010

Kuta, Bali, Indonesia; Tuesday 23 November 2010 בס"ד

Stood anchor watch at 0400, lit the stove, and woke Bracken at 0445 because there was a new, larger arc being made on the chart plotter. He explained that it was because the tide was ebbing, not that we were dragging anchor. Otherwise, nothing of note. Woke up at 0715, breakfasted, and then domestics on the breezeway head. Packed up my stuff (which wasn't much, just my laptop), and took the 0900 skiff run into the Bali Marina. The harbor water is absolutely disgusting, but there are a lot of interesting vessels around. Got to the marina, dropped off my laundry and had a beer, then went walking to the nearest bank to get some local currency. Unfortunately, the ATM was out of service. Dapper was able to exchange some US and Canadian currency he had, and with that a small group of us caught a taxi into Kuta, the alleged Australian surfers' hub that had the two terrorist bombings in the past decade. We found an ATM, and then split up into two groups and said we'd rendezvous for lunch at 1330. So Dapper, Sophie, and I found as little internet cafe. Stayed there for about an hour writing emails, chatted with Jo and Joe, then went walking around. We saw many little Hindu temples and managed to check one out that was under construction and walk around the inside. I bought a cheapo hat since almost all of my shore hats have started to get moldy in storage. Then we reunited with Brad, Yo, and Megan and had lunch at a cafe. I had some Gado-gado, and several peddlers came to our table and tried selling us either CDs or skin lotions or viagra. Then we found the Gora Beach Inn, where others of us had stayed the night before. Dapper and I got a room, which was like $5 or $10 US a night, and then hung out with Logan, Davey, and Alex on their patio. We went on a beer run, and sat around hanging out and an art peddler came by and I bought one of his paintings. We all went out to this reggae bar, and had a lot of 2-for-1 VRBs. There was a live reggae band which was pretty good. Then a group of us went out to Twisted Monkey and had some shakes. I couldn't stop laughing. Dapper's face. The construction site was in 3D! Things are just a little weird. A million miles away. Fast forward. The reality is the monkey is on the pool table, and that's the funny part. Tide or no tide? First impressions with Ben. You couldn't make this stuff up. Went for a quest. The perfect setup – full moon, lightning, dark alleys, hidden temples with gargoyle statues, the gate is not quite locked, dogs howling right on cue! The big man and the little woman were too funny. A walk to the club. Every threshold a new scene. The midgets are playing with fire and the hookers don't even care. Twenty people TRANSPORT TRANSPORT! It all makes sense now. I've been in that seat before: the sandwich seat. Johnny English don't even care 'bout me granpappy from Darwin! It's gotta be 0600, bed.