It's day 2 for me in Bali now.
I was reluctant to come to Bali as I didn't want to be another Australia (bogan) tourist.
However, like a lot of touristy places, they are full of
tourists because they are beautiful places. I found this to be the case
with Thailand and I feel the same about Bali.
The plane trip was a bit grueling; we were on the plane
but had an extended trip of 4 hours of not flying due to air traffic.
The guy next to me on the plane was fat and cranky. I got given an exit
row seat though! I find as a single traveler that people look after you
as you are non threatening and easy to accommodate.
I am staying in Canggu, a coastal town north of Katu at a
surf camp. I am the only Australian. I have been warmly embraced by 2
dorms of obnoxious but nice men with 3 girls total. Although exhausted
when I arrived, I managed to be persuaded to head out to a party by the
beach.
Kima Surf Camp
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| Graffiti by the beach. |
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Locals at Canggu building infrastructure. |
I spend my first day here exploring the town and doing some
shopping with this lovely confident little German girl called Natalie.
Natalie has severely bruised her ribs surfing and is really upset that
she can't surf because of the injury.
I had my first surf in the afternoon. I knew to leave my
ego behind, but I still got a shock. I headed to the beach 'Old Mans'
with Hendrick, the Balinese guide. I said to Hendrick 'lucky me to have a
guide all to myself'. Hendrick said ' I am the lucky one because I get
to take the girl to the beach!' The Balinese men are flirty and have a
great sense of humour. The usual questions that I get asked are: are you
married? No or not yet? And do you believe in God? Do you like spicy food? Do you like Bali? Do you like me? The Balinese people
are really special and good people, they work hard, they are caring,
they are prayerful and they show others how to love life.
Old Mans beach is very different to the beaches that I am
used to at the south coast in Australia. You need to paddle so hard when
it is choppy and for long distances. I felt I had used up all of my
energy before I had even surfed! I caught about 4 green waves, you have
to paddle really hard to catch them and they are incredibly fast and
powerful. I got a bit of a shock when my feet hit the bottom on the
reef, not used to that back home.
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| Interesting surroundings to the beach. I love the cows. |
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| Old Man's Beach |
The beaches are pretty but its sad that you know that they
are polluted. While in the water, some other foreigner started lecturing me about something. I
Couldn't hear what he was saying, but frankly, I don't care. I don't
feel as a foreigner you should be lecturing other foreigners in the
water.
I couldn't always understand what Hendrick was saying and I
don't think that he always understood me. Hendrick gave me feedback that
I am fine once I'm standing up but that my paddling and positioning
needs a lot of work, which it does.
I was the only whitey wearing a hat in the water but I
think foreigners should take note that the Balinese guys are wearing
zinc. I'm Aussie, I know how big the hole in the ozone layer is!
Despite my confidence in not getting burnt, it was my first rime not
wearing a wetsuit surfing (the water here is like bath water). So my
rashey kept lifting up, so I now have a bright red streak of sunburn on
my lower back. Ill wear a spring suit tomorrow to avoid that!
I got so tired just from that surf and intimidated but I will stick to it.
I was greeted after my surf by some Red Bull Balinese reps
who took a photo of me taking a red bull from them and then invited me
to a red bull party.
Last night one of the French guys was having a nightmare
and was screaming and punching the bed. He doesn't even remember it. Poor
Priscila on the top thought he was getting attacked!
I joined by friend Priscilla this morning to yoga.
Fernando, was the instructor. It was a 90 minute session and it smoothed
out all of the pain in my body. I found myself starting to cry in the
meditation. I think that travel becomes soul searching and reflective
no matter what you do.
Fernando could see me a bit lost in some of the practice.
But I know now not to panic and not to worry, as yoga is not about ego
and perfection. He said afterwards the first class can be hard as there
is a lot going on. He said, don't let this make you think that this is
not for you. IT IS FOR YOU. I said, I know. He smiled and gave me a big
hug.
I'm sitting here at the camp relaxing. I love how quickly I
have managed to forget about everything: work, home and the past. I
still wonder where I should base myself in the future though. When I am
in places like this, I realise that a big part of my soul yearns to be
by the beach, and that in the warmth I am happy and confident. Food for
thought.
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| I love the use of lanterns everywhere in Bali. It feels so romantic, spiritual and cultural all at once. |
Man some of these Europeans are so beautiful and nice and
intelligent, it's revolting! :p It's made me feel a bit self conscious
but I have to remember that I am me and that is how I am meant to be.
Another surf this afternoon.
The man Pultra at reception has asked me and Natalie to come to a wedding to tonight. How lucky are we!
I haven't even taken any photos as I have been very in the zone or relaxing.
Bali is enchanting.
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