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 directions.
Acer Laptop Shop in Denpasar
Upon entering the shop, I conveyed my laptop issue to the first staff member. However, language barriers hindered our communication, prompting her to fetch a colleague from upstairs. The second girl clarified that a comprehensive system check would take up to 5 days. Faced with time constraints, I emphasized my urgency, expressing the need for a same-day resolution, as I had plans to depart Indonesia the following week.
The girls, eager to assist, assured me they would give it their all. They swiftly removed the hard drive, allowing me to transfer my files to a new one. I breathed a sigh of relief as all my precious pictures and videos remained unharmed. However, the file transfer process was time-consuming. While the girls installed Windows 7 on the fresh hard drive, I occupied myself by pacing through the shop, determined to leave with a fully functioning laptop. Unfortunately, after almost two and a half hours, they delivered the disappointing news—it wasn’t the hard drive, but rather the motherboard causing the issue. In that moment, frustration consumed me.
Once more, the girls informed me that the motherboard’s arrival would require a wait of at least five days, with the component being shipped from Jakarta. Faced with no alternative, I reluctantly agreed, setting a pickup date for my laptop on the 4th of March.
The Incredible Water Temple
Disheartened, I made my way back to the hostel and reached it around 3 pm, navigating through heavy traffic. Following a late lunch in Kuta, I returned to the hostel, where I shared the tale of my laptop woes with Paula and Ales Sandra. After a brief conversation, I headed off to Tanah Lot—an almost-hour drive from the hostel, but easily accessible from Kuta.
Upon arriving at Tanah Lot, the site was predictably bustling, but I anticipated the crowds. Thankfully, I timed it just right for the sunset. Initially, I snapped some overall shots while strolling around, savoring the majestic waves crashing in. The sheer power of the sea left me feeling exhilarated and grateful to be in such a remarkable place.
Capturing Tanah Lot from various perspectives, I eventually sought a shot with the sun framing the temple and ventured to the opposite side. Along the way, I spotted numerous quaint restaurants and settled into one. Despite the steep prices for drinks, typical of touristy spots, I indulged in a refreshing lime juice. Sipping the delicious beverage, I relished the enchanting view, with the warm sunrays gently caressing my face.
As the clouds obscured the sun, signaling the approaching darkness, I made the decision to depart Tanah Lot. With no lights on my less-than-ideal scooter, I knew navigating the lengthy road back to Kuta in the dark was not an option. As I neared the Kuta district, dusk descended swiftly, turning into pitch black within a mere five minutes. The challenge was intensified by the rapid loss of recognizable landmarks, leading me to drive in circles, repeatedly seeking directions. The perplexing one-way roads in Kuta added to my frustration, and after an exhausting 30-minute search, I finally wearily arrived back at the hostel.
Unexpected Turns and New Connections
The girls were having a good time at the lobby table, sharing plans of a possible night out. After a brief chat, I headed to the dormitory to check my email. To my surprise, Kadek had messaged me, informing me that Arik from Smile Computers in Amlapura had reached out.
She had learned about the laptop incident at the service center and offered me the chance to acquire a brand-new laptop in the Ubud area the next day. The only requirement was to return to the Denpasar service shop, retrieve my photos and files from the hard drive, and then I could claim the new laptop. Following a call with Kadek, I learned that the pick-up location was in Gianyar at 3 pm, just a 15-minute drive from Ubud.
Following these fortunate developments, I indulged in a refreshing shower before making my way downstairs to the lobby. Fueled by the excitement of the positive news, I inquired if anyone was still up for going out. Thankfully, the plan was still on, and I got to meet some new faces: Carissa, a girl from the USA, and Jonas, a guy from Sweden. Adding to the mix, there was another girl from Germany named Lena.
Kuta’s Nightlife
I asked for a bit more time, mentioning I needed to shave before I could join them. Around 10 pm, we set off, kicking off the night with a drink at a place with what I considered less-than-ideal ambiance and music. The volume was cranked up so high that conversation became impossible. In an attempt to lighten my mood, I opted for a sizable cocktail. Unfortunately, the atmosphere didn’t do it for me, and Paula and Lena decided to call it a night due to fatigue. Ales Sandra was up for more partying, and I was determined to find a better venue. I believe the initial place was Surfer’s Bar.
Feeling a bit restless, I wasn’t ready to call it a night just yet. I approached Jonas and asked if he’d be up for continuing the night with Ales Sandra and me, to which he agreed. He mentioned a karaoke bar he liked, which we had passed before entering Surfer’s Bar. Despite Carissa feeling tired, she insisted on joining us, citing her FOMO, a new term for me, meaning Fear Of Missing Out. We bid farewell to Paula and Lena, leaving Surfer’s Bar. The cocktail had worked its magic, and I was already feeling a bit tipsy—quite exhilarating. That night taught me a valuable lesson: When you’ve just met some fantastic people at a hostel and decide to go out together, opt for a place with a fantastic atmosphere where you can actually have a conversation.
The live music at the karaoke bar was fantastic, featuring a playlist of numerous great songs. To my delight, the band even performed “Toxicity” by my favorite band, System of a Down. In contrast to the first bar with its unpleasant atmosphere, I regretted not bringing my camera there. The vibe in the karaoke bar was a complete turnaround, and we had an absolute blast!
The Engine Room
We exited the bar around 1:30 am, and Ales Sandra expressed a desire to head to a club or something similar. I was open to anything – while I enjoyed the karaoke bar, I was also eager to explore other facets of Kuta’s nightlife. In a laid-back manner, I left the decision to Jonas and Carissa. They aligned with Ales Sandra’s preference, so as a group, we departed the karaoke bar. Our next stop was the Engine Room, which appeared somewhat empty. The person at the venue’s entrance handed us numerous vouchers for complimentary drinks.
Upon entering, we observed a lively crowd, and we enjoyed ourselves near the entrance. I particularly relished observing the diverse and energetic individuals in this lively setting.
The Party Continues
Despite the absence of a crowd, Ales Sandra was adamant about heading to the first floor. Undeterred, we managed to have a good time—goofing around and even taking a group picture with some locals. On this level, we discovered a deal on vodka Redbull for 10,000 IDR, and with the abundance of vouchers, courtesy of Ales Sandra, I found myself enjoying vodka Redbull for the entirety of my time in the Engine Room. Eventually, we made our way back downstairs.
Carissa spotted the cage, and I couldn’t resist the temptation to step inside for a playful moment, prompting laughter. I wanted a picture of this amusing scene, and Carissa joined in. Subsequently, a guy at the bar crafted some paper flowers for Ales Sandra. As our time there wrapped up, it was my turn to decide on the next bar or club.
I suggested Skygarden, a place we had passed multiple times. Ales Sandra showed enthusiasm, and Carissa along with Jonas were on board. However, at the entrance, Carissa had to part with her water bottle during a bag check. Soon after, I regretted my decision as they insisted I stow away my camera in a locker. The staff displayed rudeness, not only towards us but also other visitors. Disheartened, I expressed my reluctance to enter, a sentiment shared by Carissa. Fortunately, Jonas and Ales Sandra agreed, and as we stepped back outside, the party atmosphere swiftly returned, lifting our spirits.
Night’s Disappointing Finale: A Bitter Note
As we scoured the area for a restroom, we engaged in playful banter with the locals, exchanging jokes along the way. The lively street was filled with repetitive inquiries from every passerby: ‘Magic mushroom!!?!’, ‘Marihuana, marihuana!?’, ‘You need a motorbike?’. The thoroughfare seemed like a marketplace for moped rentals, with bargaining opportunities popping up every 5 meters. A stark contrast to the previous day when finding moped rentals was a bit of a challenge in the afternoon.
In a jesting manner, we entertained ourselves by joking with locals who were attempting to sell Ales Sandra. “You want a girl for 500,000 rupiah!” The locals’ humorous responses added to the fun. After some amusing interactions, we finally located a restroom in the Indomaret. Opting for a coke to sober up, I realized the importance of preparing for an early wake-up call at 9 am, knowing I had to navigate the drive back to Denpasar.
As we strolled outside, scouting for the next club, a dreadful incident unfolded—Ales Sandra fell victim to pickpocketing. She realized her bag had been opened just five minutes later, only to discover her phone was missing. Frustrated, she retraced her steps to search but found no trace. Unable to pinpoint the culprit among the multitude of locals, she returned, and collectively, we decided to head back to the hostel. The night had been a mix of fun and chaos, but the conclusion was disheartening. We returned around 4 am, and I promptly retired to bed, drifting into slumber while listening to music on my phone. The alarm clock jolted me awake after a mere five hours.
