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.
A Rough Sail
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. With assistance from Kadek, I coordinated with the girl from the computer shop, ensuring she would meet me around 1 pm.
The boat initially docked at Gili Meno, the smallest island adjacent to Gili Trawangan, known for its minimal tourist presence—a somewhat honeymoon island. The sky was clear, and the water displayed its beauty. Opting to travel from Gili by ferry appeared to be an excellent choice, yet little did I know what awaited me moments later. While I wished for similar weather in Amed, my past experiences led me to hold different expectations.
Following Gili Meno, our next stop was Gili Air, the easternmost island among the three Gili islands. I was captivated by the water and the scenic views; it was truly wonderful. I knew I would miss this place, but I made a mental note to return one day and explore all three islands again.
The journey from Gili by ferry to Bali featured several stops, and our final one before reaching Bali was in Lombok, where the boat docked for 30 minutes. It seemed like a break for the crew as they all rested on the beach. As we departed, I enjoyed a beautiful view of one of the hills. The place was truly amazing, and I couldn’t help but wish for a longer visa for Indonesia. Unfortunately, my visa would expire next week, and I’d have to bid farewell to this beautiful country.
The journey from Lombok was expected to last about an hour, providing me with an opportunity to draft some reports in a Word document. I was eagerly anticipating meeting the girl for my laptop in an hour. However, the sailing conditions turned out to be quite rough! After 30 minutes, I had to stow away my laptop and concentrate on the boat’s movements. I felt a slight sense of nausea whenever the boat encountered significant waves. While it wasn’t anything serious, it marked the first time in my life that I experienced such discomfort during a boat trip.
After 30 minutes my journey from Gili by ferry ended, as we reached Amed. However we arrived at a different port than the one we had departed from three days ago. Initially thinking I had to walk back to Manis Homestay (approximately 1 kilometer instead of just 20 meters), I was relieved to see Kadek already there, calling out to me. His kindness was truly remarkable; I had no clue he would be picking me up. I expressed my gratitude, and he mentioned he would be waiting in the restaurant at the back. I had to wait for the boat crew to retrieve my backpack first.
It’s Always Rainy in Amed
Menacing clouds gathered above Amed, causing a sense of unease during the wait. Suddenly, a light drizzle began. I continued to wait for the woman to retrieve my backpack from the boat. About 10 minutes later, we reached Manis Homestay, and I stepped out of Kadek’s car. Just then, a downpour ensued, and once again, I couldn’t help but feel disheartened for Amed. This place would be truly incredible if it didn’t experience constant rain. The presence of the massive volcano, Gunung Agung, disrupts the weather in this area. Amed, situated on the windward side of the mountain, often encounters frequent showers.
After my journey from Gili by ferry, Kadek advised me to grab a quick lunch across the street. I dashed across, covering about 10 meters, but the rain was so intense that I ended up getting thoroughly soaked. In the warung, I ordered an omelet and waited for the girl to arrive with my laptop. Given the tropical torrential downpour, she likely had to make multiple stops on her way.
Four Wet Samaritans: The Unforgettable Laptop Rescue
Fifteen minutes later, she and another girl arrived at the warung. Intrigued, I paused my meal, observing as a second moped pulled up, carrying another girl and a guy. Four individuals, drenched to the core, stood before me. I felt a pang of sympathy for them, realizing how demanding I had been, and regretted not being able to return to their shop. In hindsight, it was an oversight on my part, as their store was on the route to Jimbaran. I settled the payment with the girl, and she demonstrated that Windows 7 was functioning. Upon examining the computer’s specifications, everything appeared to be in order.
At last, a brand-new laptop with Windows 7. I expressed my gratitude and pulled out some money from my wallet, intending to give them a tip of 200,000 IDR for their hard work. They all appeared surprised at the gesture and adamantly refused to accept the money. Despite my insistence on two occasions, they continued to decline the offer. Once again, I was astounded by their hospitality and dedication; these Indonesian locals were truly remarkable. This led to an unusual scene of mutual gratitude, where I thanked them for their efforts, and they, in turn, thanked me for purchasing the laptop.
A Ride to Jimbaran
After their departure, I patiently waited for the rain to cease, but it showed no signs of stopping anytime soon. After enduring the downpour for 5 minutes, I made the decision to brave the rain and cross the street to inform Kadek that I was prepared to leave Amed. He assured me that he would be my taxi driver instead of relying on a taxi company. When I arrived at Manis Homestay, I discovered that some girls were patiently waiting. They were heading to Kuta, and another girl had plans for Sanur. To my amusement, I learned that they were all waiting for me to finish my lunch. I chuckled at the situation, as it goes against my nature to keep people waiting.
Prior to our departure, I sent a message to Helmi, a friend I had met at the Batu Secret Zoo, informing him that I would arrive in 2 or 3 hours. We had planned to meet at a hotel in Jimbaran for a few days and share the expenses. However, the journey turned out to be longer than anticipated. We left Amed at approximately 1:30 pm, and I didn’t reach Jimbaran until around 4:30 pm. Despite the extended travel time, I utilized the ride to type up some blog reports.
A Conversation with Kadek
After all the girls had exited the car, I engaged in a conversation with Kadek regarding his homestay. He provided me with insights into his family and the homestay, and I offered him some suggestions to enhance the overall experience for guests. Kadek also shared a concern about a Tripadvisor issue, and I assured him that I would assist in resolving it. This individual was truly remarkable, and I anticipated relying on his help in the upcoming days, knowing that I could trust him.
Kadek assisted me in transporting my 20-kilogram backpack to the reception area. I expressed my gratitude for all his help and handed him 250,000 IDR for the taxi service. Wishing him the very best, I assured him that I would make it a point to visit him should I return to Bali in the future.
The Maxone Hotel in Jimbaran
I completed the check-in process, received the key, and headed to my ground-floor room. Helmi rose to greet me warmly, showcasing the courtesy befitting a flight attendant. His manners and hospitable demeanor were evident, making our meetup a pleasant experience.
We engaged in a conversation where I shared my recent experiences, also about my rough journey from Gili by ferry, and in turn, Helmi recounted the challenges he faced during his journey in Yogyakarta. Following his visit to Malang, the eruption of the Kelud volcano disrupted his plans, leaving him stranded in Yogyakarta due to the ash cloud. The airport and numerous businesses in Yogyakarta were shuttered, confining Helmi to his hostel for the duration of the disruption.
Following our conversation, I inquired if Helmi had explored the rooftop’s infinity pool, and he revealed that he hadn’t had the chance yet. He patiently awaited my arrival, passing the time by watching a movie channel. Intrigued, I expressed my interest in checking out the pool, and he gladly joined me. The panorama was breathtaking; situated on a small hill, the Maxone hotel spanned six floors, with the infinity pool gracing the rooftop. Upon my arrival, I captured a beautiful picture of the mesmerizing Bali view, extending my gratitude to Moreno and Nathalie for their excellent recommendation.
The infinity pool was even more impressive. I thoroughly enjoyed my time here, and the pricing was reasonable too. Lately, I found myself reflecting on my backpacking experience, realizing how luxurious my journey had become. I identified more with being a flashpacker than a traditional backpacker.
After a 15-minute break, we went back to our room to relax. I focused on setting up my new laptop, transferring all the files from the old one. Additionally, I had to handle some gifts – the girl from the shop had given me a new mouse and a fan for the laptop. While appreciated, I didn’t actually need any of these items, and they felt like unnecessary extras to carry.
Kang Kung
In the late afternoon, Helmi and I ventured out. We strolled uphill and discovered a supermarket. I purchased chocolate, some Coca-Cola, and a pack of razor blades. Later, in the evening, we visited a local warung where Helmi recommended I try Kang Kung. This delightful dish consisted mainly of morning glory, also known as water spinach, complemented by tomatoes, chili peppers, garlic, ginger, and a unique but delightful sauce. I thoroughly enjoyed the meal, finishing it 10 minutes before Helmi. The cost was only 22,000 IDR, which is not even 2 euros. A few days later, I captured some pictures of this delicious dish.
After our meal, we returned to the hotel. I dedicated some time to troubleshooting the issues with the web-building software for my website, as it continued to present errors. It was crucial for me to resolve this problem, as the website serves as my diary for this journey, and I am committed to documenting every moment. Later in the evening, I discussed plans for the next day with Helmi.
I retired to bed around 1 am, initiating an upload of the website. Anticipating a five-hour process, I planned to check the laptop in the morning. However, given the program’s significant lag, I feared the upload might fail.
