Wednesday in Bali I went to Internet Outpost and replied to some of the e-mails that had piled up. They had a new staff member today called Raffy, and this was probably her first job. The other employees Ika & Enda are more confident and helped me handle phone calls today. The manager Hendra also came in and said hello to me. Its really handy having this place when I’m out they take calls for me. I arranged to look at some houses through one of Jason connections and around 2.30pm Made ( another Made pronounced Ma-day ) picked me up on his motorcycle from the cafe. He was worried that I didn’t have a helmet as the cops out here pull you over for that but we made it to Legian / Seminyak ( the expat area ) without a hitch. I told him my budget, not as a final price but rather a ballpark figure and what I was looking for.
Highway to Seminyak
We looked at 2 houses and arranged to come back for a 3rd. I told him I didn’t need AC or a pool but all the places had some combo of this. The house I looked at had a couple of rooms ……not really worth the price and not really what we want long term. I want to sign a years lease to get the best price so a 3 bedroon place would be ideal.
The second place I looked at had a large bedroom with 2 double beds and one smaller bedroom.
They were doing somework out front and the owner was there to say hi. He’s a golfer and said he goes to Java to play.
The next place was actually occupied until mid Feb and we showed up to arrange a showing. No one was in so Made told me he’d call back.
I left Made at the junction of Oberoi, Kerobokan and Seminyak streets and found a tea house. I was in need of a bathroon and a cup of lemon tea and this hit the spot.
Across the street I used the wartel ( telecommunication place ) to call Jason and another friend. Jason was getting off work and swung by to pick me up. We decided to look around the neighborhood for other places that might be renting. We checked out the last place of the day which was by far the best. Actually the photos don’t do this place justice, it was cool!
It was in traditional style, with guard on the grounds, living room, 3 bedrooms and pool. The price was to high though so I didn’t spend time chatting. I liked the giant shell bathroon sink ( the bathroom was actually outside which is also traditional…you’ve got to try it before you say ‘no way’. Alfresco is the way to go.
Jason and I discussed some of the logistics of what I’m trying to do, balancing being right next to the backpackers with the expats and finding a long term location we’re going to be happy with. The deal is Kuta is backpacker central, its also crazy at times. Legian is expat central though a bit more spendy. Seminyak and furthur are cheaper.
I feel like wherever I live I’m going to need 2 things before long…some kind of transport and a cell phone. Neither urgent but its inevitable.
We finally went for a beer at a place called Spaghetti Jazz on Jalan Legian. This is the main thorofare in Legian and just down the road from the main supermarket. As seems to happen often a friend of Jason’s walked past and joined us. Getri a former Balinese dancer was shopping and stepped into the place as it started pouring. She joined us for a beer and after a while Jason had to leave for another appointment. Getri and I chatted about Balinese culture and how things were changing on the island. She was telling me about the caste system which still exists especially in the kampongs ( villages ), but to a lesser extent than 20 years ago. We split a pizza, okay she had a slice and I gobbled the rest…wasn’t exactly deep dish, or even Papa Murphys. She told me she had a ceremony to attend on Friday and I could go if I wanted, so I gave her my card and plan to make it.
Subscribe
|
Print
|
Share             
|
Sean,
It will be great to have youo ut here so we can chase down more of these leads. The first place I visited today was in the expat area of Legian, close to internet cafes and action. The was owned by a French guy 3 bed, living room, garden, kitchen fridge, the works. Only thing its more than I want to spend ( he’ll come down….how much we’ll find out ). Defintely aq nice place / area.
I ate local food with Jason and a Balinese fellow he knows and Mark the older guy from NJ came along too.
From there I jammed downtown by taxi to meet up with Noman for 2pm. He took me to a place 4km from the Kuta area which is a 5 bedroom newish place. The owner wasn’t around so I’ll have to come back tommorrow. THe asking price was quite low so it might be worth checking out. What I keep hearing is the furthur you get ot of Kuta the more the price comes down. Thing is I’ve got a cool connection going wit h Internet Outpost here. I’ll check out internet cafes in the Legian area soon.
Supposed to call back Getri now and look at more places. Would like to stay here and handle e-mail / other stuff online, but will check out what she’s got maybe.
Tommorrow Made #1 is coming round at 9am and Noman will take out to the place near Kuta. Hope to make Getri’s festival gig. Jason wants to go for happy hour but I’m going to resist and hit the e-mail (feel like I’m backed up).
Nick
I really enjoying coming into the office each day and catch up with your time in Bali. I do hope you are having some fun - and not just working allllll the time. You know the adage - all work and no play…..
I absolutely loved the 3 BR house with shell sink. I imagine sitting by the pool with mojitos. I am SOOOOO ready to come join you in Bali. Need a house mom? Cook? I am dreaming of early 2004. Hopefully there is golf nearby so Jeff won’t kick up too much fuss!
Enjoy!
Susan,
So wonderful to hear from you!!!! You are by default our house mom and are welcome anytime. I’m not sure where we’ll end up and will probably find an affordable place with good location. For foreignors with a few bucks to spend there are sweet places on the market right now.
The house with the shell was lovely and like many houses has a wall around it with a staff member on duty the whole time.
Jeff can come with you no worries. Any man who shares his ribs ( pork that is ) with me is buddy.
Sean is coming verysoon and so maybe we’ll play a bit then. So far its been great though.
Yesterday I saw the cutest thing, but didn’t have my camera handy, a mom zooming along a busy street on a scooter with a 2 year old on her knee fast asleep. She had one arm around him and the other on the handlebars.
When Sean gets here we’re going tio take lots of video so hopefully te folks back home can share moe closely in the goings on.
Tell Larry you need to research a new location for the TT office.
Nick
Wow Nick - you are kicking arse. Can’t wait to help find a place - have fun on your date.