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.
Breakfast with a View
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 prices were too steep. I learned that out of thirty participants, only three would make it to the actual summit, as the ascent was exceptionally challenging. Feeling fatigued, I eventually decided against pursuing the Gunung Agung tour. I anticipated being physically drained upon my return, and there would be additional tasks to manage, including laundry, repacking my backpack, and addressing financial matters.
Once I was ready and stepped out of my room, I encountered Jana, a member of the resort’s housekeeping staff. He mentioned that the entire staff appreciated my courteous behavior as a guest. Expressing my gratitude, I thanked them for their kindness. Over the past few days, the staff had been teaching me some new Balinese words. I had now acquired the ability to compliment a girl on her looks and inquire about her well-being.
In the morning, I took my laundry to the friendly family nearby, ensuring them I would pick it up the next morning. Following that, I headed to Ubud center and treated myself to a lavish breakfast, or more appropriately, brunch, given the time was already noon. For starters, I ordered delightful spring rolls, and as the main course, I opted for a substantial chicken and bacon sandwich. While the sandwich was satisfactory, the spring rolls were truly fantastic. The restaurant was quiet, allowing me to secure the best table with a splendid view of a fountain surrounded by a small rice field. Sitting there, I couldn’t help but think, ‘A friend back home would appreciate this fountain.’ Once I finished my meal, I left the premises.
Chores
Back in my room, I retrieved my laptop and took care of some final financial matters for my upcoming destination, which I knew would be considerably more expensive than Indonesia. The thought of leaving Indonesia saddened me; I was certain I would miss this incredible country and its warm-hearted people. Perhaps the attachment felt even stronger because Suly Resort & Spa had truly become a second home during my stay.
I unpacked my backpack, discarding unnecessary items. Although I had contemplated buying extra weight for the flight, the backpack’s weight was within the acceptable range. I made the decision to part with my Lonely Planet book on Indonesia, realizing its information was outdated when I struggled to locate my hotel in Padang. If you ever want to be misled by a guidebook, buy an outdated one. I placed two books in my day pack, which was now laden with two laptops, the books, and some warm clothes essential for the upcoming flight.
Moped Rental Issue
In the afternoon, the resort’s front office contacted me once more. They informed me that the scooter rental guys had arrived. I found this odd since I had rented it for four days. Checking my receipt, I spoke with the friendly staff from the moped company. I explained that I had rented it from February 28th to March 3rd, and I needed it for an additional day, asking them to come back tomorrow. I assured them that I would be ready by 1 pm. They thanked me with smiles, and I wished them good luck in Balinese.
These locals are fantastic, and I’m pleased to support their moped business. After our conversation, I reviewed the receipt and realized it still wasn’t accurate. My intention was to rent the moped for four days from 4 pm on February 28th until March 4th. The company counted 28th February, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd March as rental days. According to their system, I would have to pay for 5 days. I resolved to discuss this matter with them tomorrow as I wasn’t willing to pay for an extra day.
A Rainy Roadside Incident
In the afternoon, I opted to revisit the spa. As I stepped outside my room, Jana greeted me and initiated a conversation. He expressed a desire to show me his village. I explained that I couldn’t go there tomorrow afternoon as I had to leave Indonesia. Eventually, he suggested that a morning visit would be possible. He wanted to give me a tour of his house. Grateful for the invitation, I thanked him and conveyed my genuine interest in the idea.
As I headed towards Ubud center, a sudden downpour began midway. Seeking refuge, I found shelter under the roof of a gas station, joining other locals. The road from the gas station served as a shortcut to the main road leading to my accommodation. Unlike the well-maintained main roads, this small, inclined shortcut suffered from neglect. The rainwater cascaded down the road, causing the water level to rise. Small streams emerged, and I had to patiently wait for almost 40 minutes until the rain subsided. During the wait, I observed closely as a guy on a moped skillfully maneuvered down the waterlogged road downhill.
In an instant, he lost his footing and tumbled quite forcefully. Traffic immediately came to a halt, and within moments, about five individuals rushed to his aid. Together, they assisted him in getting back on his feet. Fortunately, the guy managed to stand up, dragging his moped to the side of the road. It was heartening to witness everyone coming together to help him out. Despite a few scratches, he appeared fine. I appreciate the sense of community and how people readily lend a hand in times of need. While such incidents can happen anywhere, the social solidarity here in Bali is truly noteworthy. This marks the third accident I’ve witnessed, and it’s worth noting that most of them occurred during my time in Bali.
Another Day Another Spa
After the rain subsided, I continued my journey to Ubud. Deciding to indulge in another massage, considering the affordability in the area, I revisited Kayma Spa and opted for the Balinese massage. Words can hardly capture the level of relaxation it brought; it surpassed even my initial experience, now that I knew what to anticipate.
Later, back at the hostel, Ales Sandra informed me about a Balinese dance performance scheduled for around 6:30 pm. She provided details about the venue, and I mentioned I would make a decision later. Prioritizing the completion of final reports for the website and initiating the last upload, I finally managed to do so. Once done, I got up and left the resort around 7 pm, reaching the central street of Ubud, near the Lotus Temple.
I parked my scooter and proceeded to the entrance for the Balinese dance event. The attendant requested 80,000 IDR, expressing my surprise as Ales Sandra had not mentioned any fee, leading me to assume it was free. Deciding to explore further, I opted to sit in the adjacent restaurant. From there, I could still enjoy a view of the nearby dancers. At the Lotus Restaurant, I ordered a somewhat pricey juice and a dish featuring mushrooms. Despite my initial reservations, the fried mushrooms turned out to be delicious, though I couldn’t help but notice the meager count of five mushrooms on my plate.
A Balinese Dance
While I dined, I attempted to appreciate the Balinese dance performance, but it failed to capture my interest. Some fellow tourists were invited on stage to partake in the dance. Surprisingly, I found the music and the musicians more appealing than the dance itself, perhaps chalking it up to personal preferences or the fact that I had missed the beginning. Although the dancers looked stunning in their costumes, I felt a sense of relief when the performance concluded after 15 minutes. Once again, I took the opportunity to test the zoom capability of my camera—truly incredible.
I anticipated encountering Ales Sandra in the crowd for the Balinese dance, so I promptly settled the bill for my dinner and stepped outside to the entrance. The theater emptied as the last spectators departed, but Ales Sandra was nowhere in sight. I assumed she had left earlier. Returning to the resort, I discovered that my upload had failed. “Issues to address tomorrow,” I mused, eager to update the final report on Pura Ulun Danu Beratan.
I headed back to my room and relaxed to some music in bed. Tomorrow marked my last day in Bali, and I was grateful that it wouldn’t go to waste. Earlier in the day, I had accepted Jana’s invitation. Retiring for the night, I set my alarm for 8 am. The plan was to meet Jana at the prominent statue at the intersection in Ubud around 9 am.
