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Indonesia

Indonesia

Day 68: My last day in Indonesia

March 4, 2014

Today, I embark on a journey to Ngurah Rai International Airport for my flight to Australia. Waking up promptly, I swiftly prepared for the day ahead. With a refreshing shower, I gathered the last few items and readied myself. Today marked the beginning of a new chapter in a different country. After securely storing my bags at the reception, I headed to the iconic statue in Ubud. Following an unexpected invitation from Jana, a friendly hotel employee, I adjusted my plans, postponing the retrieval of my laundry. At 9:10 am, I met Jana, who needed to make a quick…

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by Maarten
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Indonesia

Day 67: A Balinese dance and another massage

March 3, 2014

Today, I planned to watch a Balinese dance performance at a local restaurant. I woke up around 10 am to the sound of the phone ringing. It was the restaurant inquiring about breakfast. I declined and attempted to go back to sleep, but my rest was disrupted. Despite my initial intention to sleep until 11 am, I found myself getting ready for the day. Previously, I hadn’t opted for hotel breakfast since it wasn’t included in the room rate. Yesterday, I attempted to organize a tour to Gunung Agung, Bali’s highest volcano. Despite discussions with various tour operators, the quoted…

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Indonesia

Day 66: Pura Ulun Danu Beratan and the Jatiluwih rice fields

March 2, 2014

The destination for the day was Pura Ulun Danu Beratan, a temple that had been on my bucket list. I overslept by an hour, missing my set alarm. Despite feeling tired and tempted to sleep in, I compelled myself to get out of bed and kickstart the day with a shower. The clock on my phone read 8 am. Regrettably, I had forgotten to visit Pura Ulun Danu Beratan during my time in Lovina, but I realized I could still make the journey from Ubud. I still didn’t have GPS, so finding my way from Ubud to the main road…

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Indonesia

Day 65: Rice fields, a massage and Monkey Forest

March 1, 2014

I rose at 7 am, eager to explore Monkey Forest and indulge in a massage in Ubud. Glimpsing through the window, I was greeted by another day of splendid weather. Keen to start the day, I swiftly prepared, and within 10 minutes, I was heading to the parking lot. Accelerating smoothly, I navigated the tranquil, empty roads of Ubud, a welcome contrast to the bustling streets of Kuta. My destination: the center of Ubud and then northward to a charming village known for its picturesque rice fields. Despite 15 minutes of driving, my destination remained elusive. However, the scenic route…

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Indonesia

Day 64: Pura Gunung Kawi, pure tranquility

February 28, 2014

Despite setting my alarm for 9 am, I found myself awake around 7 am, ready to embark on a visit to Pura Gunung Kawi, a temple that awaited exploration. While my room seemed familiar, the distinct feature of being on the fourth floor was an instant reminder of the unforgettable events from the previous evening. After a dramatic encounter with a colossal black spider, I made the decision to switch rooms (yes, you read that correctly, no shame here, and no, I’m not one to shy away – you weren’t there!). Although I once held a tarantula at the age of…

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Indonesia

Day 63: Arrival at Suly Resort & Spa in Ubud

February 27, 2014

At 9 am, I arose, preparing for my journey to Ubud and my stay at the lavish Suly Resort & Spa. After a night of revelry, I was anxious to gauge the extent of my hangover upon waking. Surprisingly, it felt as though I had merely blinked my eyes open. Thankfully, I felt remarkably well—no signs of a hangover whatsoever! Given the previous night’s alcohol intake, this unexpected state of well-being was a pleasant surprise. I hastily prepared myself with no time for a shower or any fancy rituals – those would have to wait until my return. My so…

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Indonesia

Day 62: Tanah Lot and a night out in Kuta

February 26, 2014

Waking up at 9 am, I geared up for a day exploring Tanah Lot on a moped from Kuta. But first, there was a pressing matter – my laptop needed attention. The maze-like streets of Kuta made memorizing a route seem futile, so I relied on road signs to guide me to Denpasar. Navigating solely with my less-than-reliable Google Maps photos felt like a gamble, yet miraculously, I made it. It took some time on the broad and lengthy main road, but eventually, I discovered the Acer service shop nestled between the Holland Bakery and the hospital after consulting locals for…

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Indonesia

Day 61: Back to the hostel life in Kuta!

February 25, 2014

At around 9 am, I woke up but decided to sleep in until 10 am. Today, I was planning to move to a budget hostel, the Rumah Kayu Hostel in Kuta. Helmi was preparing to leave as well; he had plans to meet up with friends. His intention was to spend one more day in Bali and then head to Kuala Lumpur for a job interview (as he is a flight attendant). We said our goodbyes around 10.30 am, and I invited Helmi to visit me in the Netherlands someday. Today, I had some errands to run. The upload went…

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Indonesia

Day 60: Places to visit in Jimbaran

February 24, 2014

Today, my agenda included various wonderful places to visit in Jimbaran. Although I intended to catch the sunrise at the hotel’s rooftop infinity pool upon waking up, I ended up oversleeping. Around 9 am, I made my way up there, and Helmi opted not to join me. The views were breathtaking, and the weather was perfect. The best part was the complete absence of other guests – I had the entire swimming pool to myself! I spent an hour swimming, savoring the view, and working on my tan. From this vantage point, I enjoyed a fantastic view of Kuta Beach and…

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Indonesia

Day 59: Jimbaran it is, the reunion with Helmi

February 23, 2014

Today proved to be a bustling day as I prepared to depart Gili by ferry and immediately head to Jimbaran on Bali via taxi. Rising at 9 am, I had a quick breakfast. Having packed everything the previous night, I was ready for the journey. I settled the payment with the homestay host, expressing my gratitude for the pleasant stay with the family. At 10 am, I bid farewell to Eva and Hanna before boarding my boat around 10:30 am. Initially expecting an hour-long journey from Gili by ferry, it turned out to be a 2-hour sail to Amed…

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by Maarten
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