Meeting Laurel from the USA in Seminyak Bali

I have a guest staying at my house right now from the USA.

Laurel from Oregon is a friend of Chimene who visited a couple of months ago and I have actually met her once before in Eugene.

She has just finished a year and a half of teaching english in Paris and is out here in Bali for a couple of weeks waiting for another friend from the US to visit. She is in Asia for the first time and this trip will last 5 months and cover Australia, New Zealand, Bali, Singpore, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Hong Kong and Japan. She then plans to retrun to the Bay Area in California.

Its great meeting travelers and getting their thoughts on a place. Laurel loved Paris and this was actually her 3rd time living in France. Some of the differences between Paris and the US she mentioned were that littering is common with many people having the attitude its someone else’s job to pick up after them and the abundance of dogs and their mess on the streets. Laurel told her friends that in the US people often carry a scoop and a bag for their dog’s mess and they were agast. She told me how quirky their fashion conciousness is and when something is popular, a type of shoe or a style or color of scarf then everyone has to have it. For some strange reason Jodie Foster is super popular in France and when Laurel showed her friends in a beauty salon a magazine picture of her walking her dog on the beach with a poop scoop and bag they couldn’t believe it.

Here in Bali she arrived at the airport and found the Senen Beach Inn on Jl. Benesari from the airport information desk. The Senen Beach Inn is a real budget place (35,000rp) with simple room and fan, so she didn’t waste any money in her first couple of days. I took her to Internet Outpost and we got into our email piles, mine slightly larger than hers. I love it when people say’ oh look I have 4 spams today.’

On Monday night we went to TJ’s Mexican restaurant on Poppies Lane I in Kuta and chatted about old friends and traveling. I ordered my favourite beef tostada and Laurel the beef tacos. Both were great and Laurel commented that the portions were just the right size. She also enjoyed a margarita and was considering a second when I suggested heading to Santa Fe in Seminyak for an arak madu (arak, honey, lemon). These have a margarita like taste and are half the price.

We had one drink apeice at the bar then went home. Laurel is going to the Gili islands on wednesdy and is flying. The cost she was quoted was $27 which is great as it saves such a lot of time. For me to leave Seminyak and ride to Padangbai, catch the ferry and ride to Bansal would take maybe 9-10 hours. The plane leave from Ngurah Rai near Kuta and gets her close to Mataram, just down the coast from the Gili’s.

Laurel’s friend who lives in Japan isn’t a budget traveler and told Laurel to make sure the places they stay in Bali are good quality. I’m a strong advocate of getting out of Nusa Dua and Kuta and checking out what the island has to offer. Forget day trips out of Kuta, to really experience the place you need time to sit and relax, go for a walk and share conversation with locals. Day trips to Kintamani will give you 3 hours in the bus, followed by an hour there, followed by 3 hours back.

I gave her 3 places I have visited (stayed in 2, ate in the other) that I think will be interesting and comfortable.

Seraya Shores has comfortable rooms in a great location. Ask for the room above the dining area, its the best room. This place is super chill and great to stay for a few days and explore the area.

Sanda Bukit Villas is located in the mountains NW from Ubud close to Mt.Batukaru. The hotel is super tranquil and located in an old coffee plantation. Super relaxing place.

Good Karma Bungalows close to Amed on the east coast (also many other
nice places along that coast you might like to check out. This place is on the beach and super mellow.

I also gave her a link to our selection of hotels that are affordable and great quality, maybe she’ll find something she likes.

While in Internet Outpost today the manager Hendra gave a photo of his young son Inal wearing on of my shirts. Great I’d like to see more of that.