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 stop at Suly resort before we embarked on our journey. Before hitting the road, I made a brief pit stop at the gas station for a final liter of fuel. The anticipation of the upcoming adventure fueled my excitement.
Nyepi
In the morning, our journey to Tegalalang was punctuated by several stops, each revealing a unique aspect of the upcoming celebration. Jana introduced me to the vibrant Ogoh-Ogoh statues being prepared for the festivities, set to precede Nyepi, the renowned Day of Silence observed primarily in Bali. Nyepi calls for complete silence, extending to all, including non-Hindu individuals and tourists. During this solemn day, tourists are required to stay indoors, refraining from making noise or even using lights in their accommodations.
Throughout Nyepi, locals engage in unique rituals, with each village boasting its own distinctive version. The Bhuta Yajna Ritual, occurring a day before Nyepi, serves as a powerful ceremony to eliminate negative elements and restore harmony with God, Mankind, and Nature. The ritual unfolds in a vibrant parade featuring the prominent display of Ogoh-Ogoh, commonly recognized as demons. This symbolic procession embodies the collective effort to conquer and dispel negativity, paving the way for a renewed sense of balance in the spiritual and natural realms.
Following the parade, the demons are ceremoniously set ablaze. According to Jana, the grandest celebration is scheduled in Tegalalang, commencing two days prior to Nyepi. In this village, the Bhuta Yajna festivities extend for an impressive two full days, in contrast to the one-day observance in other locales. Jana mentioned that the thoroughfares would be inaccessible, with road closures preventing traffic passage throughout this extended celebration.
Jana was eager to showcase the picturesque paddy fields next. Unfortunately, a local resident obstructed our view and insisted on a fee of 30,000 IDR. Given my previous encounters with rice fields, I opted to forego the payment. Undeterred, we proceeded to Jana’s village, where he revealed another temple and an impressive Ogoh-Ogoh statue. Jana enthusiastically shared that being present during Nyepi in this locale would be an extraordinary experience. Regretfully, I expressed my inability to stay as my visa was set to expire in a few days. Reflecting on the missed opportunity, I noted that had I known about the parade earlier, I would have gladly included it in my travel itinerary.
Jana’s House
Following our brief visit to the temple, we embarked on a scenic drive through a lush, dense forest, a part of the journey that particularly captivated me. Within five minutes, we reached Jana’s residence. There, he kindly offered me a refreshing bottle of water, and we spent our time casually chatting. Jana shared insights about the hospitality school, highlighting how the government was supporting the financing of his family’s home. Additionally, he expressed his aspirations to apply for a front-office job, aiming to enhance both his résumé and income.
Back at Suly Resort
At approximately 11 am, following our conversation, I made my way back to the resort. Meanwhile, Jana headed to the cemetery for a ritual. Around 1 pm, the rental guys swung by to collect the moped. It was then that I brought up the rental duration mistake – I had initially booked it for 4 days, not 5. Acknowledging the error, they accepted a payment of 160,000 IDR.
Subsequently, I arranged for a cab to transport me to the airport later in the evening, aiming for a 6 pm arrival. After finding the phone number for Bluebird taxi online, I provided it to the receptionist. Ultimately, the fare for the cab from Ubud to the airport totaled around 225,000 IDR.
During the afternoon, I sought solace on the reception sofa, immersing myself in the available Wi-Fi. I dozed off for an hour and awoke when two Dutch girls checked in. Seated on the adjacent sofa, I pretended to continue sleeping while discreetly eavesdropping on their conversation. It was intriguing to anonymously tune into their Dutch discussions regarding tour plans. However, their chaotic and stressful demeanor disrupted my peaceful state. The girls came across as snobbish, deterring any inclination I had to engage with them – they seemed rather stuck-up anyway.
A Great Cab to the Airport
At approximately 5:30 pm, I embarked on my journey with the Bluebird taxi to Ngurah Rai International Airport. Initially intending to drown out the world with my earphones, I reconsidered when I heard ‘Hotel California’ by The Eagles playing. The driver showcased an incredible taste in music, leaning towards rock with tracks from Metallica, Guns ‘N Roses, Queen, and more songs I enjoyed. Midway to the airport, I requested a volume increase. Initially, he misunderstood, thinking I wanted it lowered, but after clarification, he smiled. It turned out to be my first enjoyable cab ride with a friendly chauffeur.
Upon reaching Ngurah Rai International Airport, I handed the driver a modest tip, to which he expressed gratitude and genuine happiness. As I strolled around, the airport’s design left me utterly amazed. I had glimpsed it a week ago from the rooftop infinity pool in Jimbaran, but up close, the architecture proved to be truly awe-inspiring.
Observations, Contemplations, and Unexpected Costs
With an hour at Ngurah Rai International Airport to spare before checking in my cabin baggage, I took the opportunity to observe those around me. Notably, I observed distinctive tattoos and earrings, contributing to an overall rugged and robust appearance. The majority of the men appeared muscular, slightly overweight, and wore stern expressions, each adorned with a beard. I pondered whether they would be receptive to conversation or rather reserved in their demeanor.
As I waited, contemplation about the imminent changes occupied my thoughts. The shift back to Western standards loomed, marking the end of encountering smiling and curious Indonesians, intrigued by my background. The era of affordable diners, hotels, resorts, and spas would soon be replaced. I let out a sigh; my flashpack lifestyle was about to give way to the authenticity of being a true backpacker in Australia.
Upon reaching my check-in turn, I was informed of an additional 150,000 IDR airport tax, catching me off guard. After settling the payment, I proceeded through customs, left with only 50,000 IDR. As expected, products within the airport were exorbitantly priced. Once more, I sighed, sensing a preview of the inflated costs I might encounter in Australia.
Killing Time
I purchased a drink and a petite sandwich, strolling through the charming shops. Despite the appealing aesthetics, there was a shortage of chairs for the numerous people present. Opting for a less crowded experience, I settled in an empty terminal, positioned in front of a KLM airplane that evoked a sense of home. With ample personal space, I entertained myself with my laptop, making the most of the available free Wi-Fi.
Contemplating a playful prank, I considered posting a picture of the KLM airplane on Facebook, humorously hinting at my imminent return to Holland. However, with 130 followers, I anticipated a flurry of responses and decided against it. Opting for a different Facebook update, I entertained myself while waiting for two more hours, acknowledging that I had arrived at the airport way ahead of schedule.
Regrettably, the Jetstar flight encountered a 15-minute delay. Boarding commenced at approximately 11:00 PM, and we finally took off from Ngurah Rai International Airport around 11:30 PM, heading to Darwin, the capital of the Northern Territory, Australia. The flight proved enjoyable, particularly as I secured a seat along the aisle next to the emergency exit. Patiently waiting until the plane reached a stable altitude, I then switched on my mobile phone to indulge in some music.
Unexpected In-Flight Surprises
Just as I was settling into a doze, the flight attendant pulled her cart beside me. Unaware of her attempts to communicate due to my music, I finally noticed her animated gestures. Politely, I removed my earphones and stated, ‘I don’t need anything, miss.’ Given that Jetstar is a budget airline, I assumed there might be an additional cost. However, the woman disregarded my comment and proceeded to detail the menu options. Perplexed, I opted for the chicken dish, a choice fueled by my love for chicken.
Suddenly, she placed a steaming plate of food in front of me, eliciting curious stares from the two neighboring passengers who received nothing. The situation left me bewildered initially, especially considering I hadn’t paid for any in-flight meal. It took about five minutes of munching for the realization to dawn on me. ‘Ah, I must have booked it online when I purchased the flight. Maarten, you’re a genius, my friend!’ I chuckled to myself.
Savoring my meal, I couldn’t help but smile and express gratitude to the past Maarten who, four months ago, had booked a flight with the added option of food from behind his computer. As I enjoyed the dish, I chuckled at the confusion of my two neighbors. My surprised reaction probably made it appear as if I had received something for free. The in-flight meal, featuring chicken, mashed potatoes, and a sweet and sour sauce, proved surprisingly tasty. Post-meal, I immersed myself in music, attempting to catch some sleep.
Several hours later (around 3:00 AM Darwin time, 1.5 hours ahead of Bali), I landed, and promptly encountered one of the distinct aspects of Australia – their rules. Keep reading for the details.
