My next flight QZ-555 took 3 hours to get to Bali but obviously I had to be there 57874 hours before. Clearly forced to shop at duty free while waiting for my flight. Immigration was quick! Visa on arrival (VOA) was £26 or 35USD. Some people actually got rejected so it was kind of sad seeing them go to the quarantine only to be sent back. I got to the baggage claim then caught the airport taxi to my hostel which was a nightmare. I went to the taxi counter in duty free and they were charging me 350,000IR. Are you serious?! I went out to the front and hoped to find a cheaper one. The taxi counter out there charged me 250,000 and it was 1am and I was really not having it. Luckily I had already known it cost only 60,000 to get to my hostel and also know the airport is practically next to Kuta. I was very adamant to pay only 60,000 so with all the men throwing my offers of twice the price, I kept saying no. To speed up the process, I lied saying I came last week and paid only 60,000. The results was fascinating as their faces dropped and one random man finally gave in and said yes. BUT he was in a different uniform and flashed me his badge (because I asked for it) too quickly. The man was dark skinned and the face on the badge was more Caucasian. As I followed him, I got a little panicked so when we reached his car, I took a photo of his license plate and noted down his name. I wouldn't even know if it was real!? He was on his phone a lot so I immediately thought he was planning a kidnap. I had thought 'oh this is a plan, it was a plan the whole time'! I quickly said the Lord's Prayer again (I do this like 15 times a day) and prayed His angels are sent to be with me on the journey. I felt calm but then the driver stopped!!!! In the middle of the road. He said I'll be one minute and left the keys in ignition and left the car. I sat there thinking, I'm not going to be kidnapped right? The door was even open so i was thinking someone else with a balaclava would jump in the car and drive me off elsewhere. Within 2 minutes, my driver came back with a box of cigarettes and apologised for the wait. Are you serious? He asked whether I smoked but I rolled my eyes saying smoking is bad. I was dropped off and he was paid. Thank you Jesus!!
I took myself around the area extremely sober among the crowd and stupidly slept in early AM of 4.
The next day I took the walk to legian beach after breakfast in the lobby. Breakfast was given on a menu and I chose heavy omelette with watermelon slices and toast and butter. It was so so heated, it was over 30degrees and one of the hottest day I've experienced. Along Jalan Legian where I stay, there are shops after shops, restaurants after restaurants. And I loved it, I loved every one. I walked passed a Jamie's Oliver and thought what an earth it was doing in Bali. I was quite annoyed to find so many western eateries along the street that I find myself walking over an hour for Indonesian more local outside of this street. I hit the beach and it got even more hot and I wasn't sure why!!? The sands were burning my feet making it crisp and the sea was filled with surfers and splashers'. Along the walk, there were so many vendors, surf centres and women with clothes in a basket on their head or by a tree. Every step I took, a man approached me asking whether I wanted to surf, this is all despite seeing me say no not long ago! The walk took me about 2 hours and I got tired and worn out already. 12pm diarrhoea struck me. I felt so sick and everything was put to halt. Last night I opted for Pepsi instead of water (can you believe it was cheaper?!) after my spicy noodles meal. Then I was feeling drowsy and dizzy. For a speedy delivery, get as much rest as you can, take an acute relief tablet, one after every release and drink plenty of water. I drank so much my belly bloated! I ate some vitamin C sweets and soon lost my appetite to eat. I had to head back to my hostel (which felt like years!!!) which is quite a walk from the beach. It was the slowest 3 hours I had spent in bed hoping to get better during my toilet trips but it soon became less frequent after the tablets.
4pm, I pulled through and planned a trip to the uluwatu temple which is in South of Bali an hour away. On my way there, I saw a Topshop and Marks and Spencer's. In Bali!? On an island?! I had to buy something!!!!! Or did I? I managed to get the car driver to accept 300,000 (about £12) for both ways. This meant he needed to wait for me terr. He name was 'Bruce Lee' on his card apparently (obviously not) but he was Bali-born and bred and very kind! He insisted I drink lots of water by taking me to the shop to buy a new me. And allowed me to lie down flat in the car to rest! The road is busy and there are a million motorbikes!! I was too unwell to take the motorbike taxi there (which would have been a lot cheaper).
Uluwatu Temple, or Pura Luhur Uluwatu is one of six temples believed to be Bali's spiritual pillars. It is famous for its location, placed on top of a steep cliff 70metres above sea level! Looking down, my heart just jumps every time. This temple provides a really nice sunset backdrop especially for couples. I was lucky to be able to see it as sometimes it's cloudy and people don't see it at all. I had read that Pura Luhur Uluwatu was one of the top places on the island to go to for sunset delights overlooking the Indian Ocean. So I felt that I had to go! It costed 20,000 to get in and you are given a purple sarong or yellow rope and you can also watch the local dance performances but I didn't. Just google it. The Balinese architecture, traditionally-designed gateways, and ancient sculptures made Uluwatu Temple very appealing. I walked all around the temple which took me an hour. It was still very hot and I was still very unwell but that didn't stop me.
Coming back in the evening, I really needed to rest. All the Aussies were drunk already. It was our Ibiza to their Bali. Music blasted in every bar, shops were closing down and tourists emerged on the street. Because I had slept extremely late last night, I opted for an early night by sitting in the jacuzzi and arranging my next few days. I booked a trip to Ubud by bus for a night, Gili Island by boat for 2 nights and one more night in Kuta before I am due to fly that next day. I truly get my haggling skills from my mum and managed to save thousands on bookings and shopping. I become a friend when I'm a buyer and soon talk money. It always works, especially if they know your name from the start. I really liked Bali today, reminded me of Thailand so it was really nice, the people are nice and speak great English. Tomorrow I move hotels just so I can get a feel of the hospitality and perhaps spoil myself, no definitely spoil myself. I was on vacation before I start work so I felt like I could pretty much do what I wanted. This is one of the benefits of travelling solo.
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