Chatting with newcomers in Kuta Bali

Saturday night was the start of the English Premier league and Stadium Cafe was where I got see Liverpool draw 1-1 with Spurs.

Being an Arsenal fan of course I wanted to see Liverpool demolish them but Liverpool aren’t that good anymore so 1-1was okay.

Anytime they have an ‘event’ at Stadium the entry is the price of a drink, which mean’t I paid 25,000rp and had the choice of a beer or a Coke. Parking for bikes outside Stadium is tight but usually possible, for cars its usually impossible.

The packed house last night was due to the 2 large screens showing soccer, the smaller front screen near the street dedicated to rugby with a ton of Aussies hooting and cheering and the smaller screens showing the Olympics.

Sitting with a young couple from Norway was an opportunity for me to test their opinions on Bali. They both looked like they had been outside enjoying themsleves and said they had taken a boat to Nusa Lombongan. “How was it?” I enquired. “It was awful” they said. Seems they didn’t go with one of the large cruise companies but with a much smaller one. According to them the beach was covered in garbage, the hotel had about 8 beds and a 20sq meter pool. “I’ve heard the snorkeling there is wonderful.” I said. “Yes” they said, “if you like swimming in petrol, the boats refill their and spill petrol everytime.”

They said the day trip cost them $200 for 4 of them. “We could of rented our own boat and gone anywhere.” they said.

I know that Bali Hai cruises are probably the best and that Bali Hai has its own private Beach Club with bbq and everything. If you want to take a cruise go with a good company.

I asked the couple where else they had travelled to in previous trips. They told me their favourite place was the Dominican Republic. I asked what they liked about it and the husband said “It was like paradise. We were in a massive hotel the size of an airport. There were security guards everywhere and they wouldn’t let any locals in. We could leave our belongings anywhere and they wouldn’t be touched.”

I’m thinking a Club Med might be the right for for them in future and have to realize that just because its not my prefered way to go it doesn’t mean other people won’t like it.

After the game had finished I was still chatting when the MC announced the ‘drag queen show’ was about to start. Stadium often puts on a little something, dancers, models whatever to entertain. The first ‘benchong’ was dressed in blonde wig and was adorned with feathers. He / she was actually pretty in a weird kind of way and started heading into the audience to tease the uncomfortable soccer fans. I watched two panicked Aussies climbing over people to beat a hasty retreat and myself said ‘au revoir’ after I watched the dancer trying to remove one guy’s shirt.

Fun times and even sweeter knowing Spurs start the new season without a win.