Bali Trip #001, day 1

first dish served here

Or should I say night? We left Changi airport on Thursday evening, reaching Bali around midnight. Let me start from the beginning...

CONTEXT : We are one of these couples which travel with the Lonely Planet guide at hand (if there is someone to blame, that's me, but I tend to think originality is overrated anyway). The statement implicitly includes a disclaimer on the choice of things to see and do. Our itinerary is the result of obsessive-compulsive reading of the guide before and during the flight, although there is a random discovery element involved. The AirAsia flight we boarded on must have had a great number of fellow travellers falling in the same class; it is not an exaggeration to say that there were tens of these guides on the plane, at least in four different languages. AirAsia was not bad actually, much better than western low-cost carriers, but obviously no Singapore Airlines (helps to remember that the price is not similar either). In fact I think AirAsia will be the only realistic way to explore the fabulous places around Singy. So much for my dreams for mileage accrual :S

It took about three hours to reach Denpasar airport, which happens not to be in Denpasar, but is in fact much closer to Tuban. The airport is named after Ngurah Rai, a national hero, I read, who died leading Indonesians who preferred an honourable death than surrendering to the Dutch (puputan). The airport is incredibly grafic to my satisfaction, and there are some ATMs next to the luggage conveyors to pick up your first rupiahs.
Related info: You need to have US $25 with you to get your visa-on-arrival (one entry, 30 days). I had read online that they also issue $10 visas with validity up to 10 days, but apparently this is no longer the case.

After managing to lose the Man in such a small airport, and finding him again, we meet our driver -arranged by the hotel, I suggest you do the same- and head to Ubud. The fact that we arrived late, means that the trip will take about 50 minutes, to our delight (the area around Kuta is known for its traffic jams, but we escape the relevant graficity this time).

First impressions, travelling through Bali's main road at night, are not that vivid. The setting is not particularly different from typical provincial roads, usually found on the outskirts of cities. A statue or a temple every now and then. Upon entering Ubud, we ask the driver to stop in a convenience store to stock up on cigarettes (so cheap!), yummy stuff and bottled water. A sudden turn and we arrive at the hotel -slash- cottage.

Amazing! Sitting on the terrace of our room feels like being in the middle of the jungle - FYI I have never been to the jungle, so the statement might not actually correspond to reality. The setting makes me wonder whether I should be expecting animals to pay a visit in the outdoors(!) bathroom.


Time to go to bed.

Related info : do not forget the mosquito repellent.

next dish served here