This is my first time stepping foot on a continent so vivid in my dreams. For so long I have wished, wanted and waited for the day to arrive when I could explore such rich and vibrant lands. But nothing could prepare me for how much I would fall in love. Through getting scammed 20minutes after we left immigration to my partner getting bit by a monkey. Here are my highlights from the past 72 hours…
VISA ON ARRIVAL
Once you land in Denpasar, a lot of countries are eligible to purchase a 30day visa once they arrive for the price of US$35. What we didn’t do was take US$. I was informed that they would accept Australian dollars. Whilst standing huddled in one of 7 lines, everyone was pulling out American Dollars. My heart sank and I started to doubt whether the information I had received was correct. I slowly approached the desk with my $50 bill, gleaming up from my passport and thought, wow, this could be a really short trip if I have got this wrong. $44 later and we were through. Phew. And breath.
THE BIG BALI TAXI SCAM
Now, once you pass through Immigration and baggage claim, you finally see the light. Kind of. The light is blocked by around 50 taxi drivers all staring at you. The tourist with the big backpack. I had heard a lot about the taxi drivers at the airport, and advice was given to walk straight past them and find a taxi with a meter. I knew from my holidays in Turkey you had to be firm but polite in saying no. However, after a cramped and dull flight from Darwin, I was probably more of the former than the latter. One young fellow was persistent and followed us right out into the smoking area. I left negotiation to my partner who had been to Bali once before. Once we learnt he didn’t have a meter in his taxi, we walked away and found another taker. Didn’t take long.
At this point, I couldn’t appreciate much of my surroundings. All I wanted was to get into bed at our hotel. So you can imagine my delight when the driver charged us 100,000rp ($10)!! What have I learnt. Negotiate a hard price before entering the vehicle. They like to spot the tired traveller and take advantage. Try and perk up and get a good deal.
We were greeted with smiles and and warmth when we checked into our hotel for the night. I looked at Scott and with tired and soft eyes told him just to forget about the taxi charge. It’s done. Let’s learn from it and go to bed. My excitement went through the roof when the hotel receptionist asked for a 1 million rp security deposit. With little cash, we reluctantly handed over our passports instead and went to bed. I was exhausted. All I knew was that everyone wanted to take your money. Urgh.
BITTEN BY A MONKEY…
Owch.
As we wandered through Monkey Forrest, Scott was highly concerned I would get bitten as I was getting up close and personal with my GoPro. I had mothers hiss at me when I got to close to their young, so I gave them space. Poor Scott was just sat on the stone wall when a little fluff ball decided not to like him. Before I knew what had happened, he was on his feet and the monkey was hissing after him. All I thought was, please don’t have broke the skin. PLEASE DO NOT HAVE A CUT!
Voila!
Blood. Great.
I rushed him straight to “First Aid” where the woman just smiled and swabbed his arm with some antiseptic ointment. She assured us they were totally disease free and her laid back attitude made me believe that his happens quite regularly. So. When you visit Monkey Forrest, watch out. They are quick, unpredictable and you don not have to do anything for one just to come up all calm… and naw on you!
TASTE SENSATIONS…
With meals in Bali costing around $2 per main, you are able to eat out comfortably three times a day! That always gets me in the holiday spirit! Also, after spending 14months in Australia where spending $30 on an OK meal is standard, I am in heaven right now!
I always try and find the little back lane hideouts and eateries compared to the higher end tourism resturants. Our first was a place called Warung Igelanca. NO WESTERN FOOD IN SIGHT. Excellent! We had a large feed which only set us back $10. That included 2 soft drinks, a chai latte and two mains. Now we’re talking!
SCOOT SCOOT!
After hearing the stories and then actually witnessing those stories come true along the roads of Bali, the idea of hiring a scooter was MADNESS! There are no rules (which are followed anyway) out here. If 4 cars can fit across two lanes then so be it. If it is a one way road… Never mind. A pavement? Pfft. I’m getting up on that!
However, with our villa being so far out (5-7minute drive, longer by foot) it was silly not to have our own transportation. So at $5 per day paired with Scott’s experience of driving a bike in the mad Spanish traffic for years, we went for it.
DID. NOT. REGRET. IT.
Seriously, it’s mad but so long as you are careful but confident, A bike is the best way to get around the Island! So many stunning sights, we end up just getting lost everyday for the hell of it! Wind through villages, stop for coffee somewhere overlooking the rice paddies and then keep on going!
Plus, if you run out of fuel (like we did), no problem, all the tiny shops along the streets (most of them) sell petrol by the bottle!! You will see them all stacked up outside in vodka bottles. Little more expensive, but in terms of Petrol prices back in England… Pfffft! (Gas stations will cost around $1.50 for a full tank!)
So there we have it. 72 hours through and I can say with all the honesty in the world. I don’t want to go back to Australia. I don’t have to just yet anyway. Next stop. Gili Trawangan!
