Indonesian election results

The Jakarta Post reports that the likely party to win the election is Golkar.

There are over 20 parties this time and the people are allowed to vote for the candidate they want.

Here in Bali the election didn’t have much of an effect really, a few places closed for 1 day but no stress or displays of any kind. I’m from the UK and am familiar with the political whining that goes on over there and also the tight ass pretending that America goes in for.

In Indonesia they don’t have debates or televised campaign blitzes. Rallies and streets promotions seem to be how parties get people aroused. Not sure which way is best, people telling you lies or people not telling you lies. I think I’d prefer a short speech from all candidates on what their mandate is and leave it at that.

Let’s hope the next government will support a new tourist visa, environmentally and culturally responsible tourism and clamp down on corruption and pollution ( and make Bali and cigarette free zone…please!!!).

Being here in Bali for over a year I meet all kinds of wonderful travelers from around the world. Here’s a lighthearted look at some of the stereotypical visistors.

The World Traveller. Sporting a variety of accents ranging from France to Canadian this traveller needs a calender to figure out what day it is. Complete with a tat from Thailand, hammock from Mexico and cap from Nepal can usually be found late night in internet cafes frantically calling the folks back home to send another $500….quickly.

The Japanese Surfer. Shaggy hair dyed a trendy brown, these guys hang in tight groups and have tans as dark as the locals. Non confrontational and polite but between themselves expressing some of the cocky surfer boy attitude. These guys could probably make one call to Tokyo and buy half of Bali, but the beach poverty routine fits in with the Bob Marley speed they live on. Sometimes spotted on large fast motorcycles.

The 35 year old Aussie Couple. Brad & Doreen usually inhabit the Jalan Melasti area and as well as sunning themselves to a crispy brown on Kuta Beach, enjoy their evenings in bars along Jalan Legian doing renditions of Khe Sahn in front of the other 50 members of their Wollongong neighborhood who have made the trip.

The Internet Geek trying to start a new gig in Bali. This guy ( and its always a guy ) packs a laptop heavier than any surf board and can carve his way through Windows Explorer better than most big wave surfers. He can be found at the internet cafe with the fattest pipe typing away and checking network properties like a pro. He knows there’s a beach about a block away but won’t spend more than a minute on it while using his Palm device.

The Scandinavian. This traveler has turned an already golden tan into bronze making the British travelers realise their situation is hopeless. Blonde hair tied back and a perky ‘there’s no trouble in the world’ attitude make Americans wonder if these people understand the word ‘reality’. Non aggressive, environmentally friendly and fond of pasta these folks are probably some of the best visitors having money to spend in the local economy.

The Italian. He’s escaped Naples in the rain for 90f and everything’s ‘bella bella’. Plenty of style here which when combined with a moootorcyyycle and surf board can give the illusion he has been living here for ages. Nightclubs in Seminyak are a lightbulb to him after sundown. NB. This traveler occassionally becomes and expat and the turning point is wearing all white pants and shirt.

The Aussie Surfer. Inhabits local guest house who’s owner is looking after a ton of gear for him to send back home sometime. This fellow’s habitat is Poppies Lane. Feeding holes include warung 96 and any American fast food joint. Can be seen riding a rented motorcycle with a surfboard rack, this guy has cuts and scrapes on various parts of his body recieved in one of 3 ways, coral cuts while surfing, roadburn from a drunken motorbike crash and scratch marks on his back from his Indonesian girlfriend.

The Indonesian tourist. Arriving from Jakarta by bus with friends and relatives this tourist is on a short trip. The Sari Club is now one of the highlights of a trip to Bali for the Indonesian traveller who’s bus makes a stop here for photos in front of the rubble. Other favourite points are Kuta Beach for sitting under a tree and gawking at the 2 Germans in Speedos. Staple diet, nasi campur. Favourite nightime hangout, who knows?

The French woman. Ooh la la, there is so much to do in Bali, visit a spa, get your nails done, legs waxed, body massaged and covered in coconut oil and seaweed. She can’t believe the prices out here and is shopping frantically for that special item that her Paris friends will adore. Can be found at Cafe Moka around 11am most mornings.

The Japanese couple. Fresh from the office environment, only the British traveler is paler. This traveler hates negotiating in the street and sometimes gets taken where a Yank might put up more of a fight. Favourite feeding grounds are any main street restaurant and Ryoshi, although some braver ones can be seen trying out the local warungs. Japanese being an unlikely language for most westerners to speak, these travelers can often seem to be traveling in a bubble.

Westerner English Teacher living in Japan. White as a sheet, 30lbs heavier than when they left home 14 monthes ago, but with great Japanese, this traveler savours every minute of freedom and each second of sunshine. The hard earned Yen goes furthur along Poppies Lane and this traveler often spends time alone gazing over their banana pancake trying to imagine where the hell they are heading next.

The San Diegan. He went to UCLA and loves to surf. Accompanied by his model girlfriend he’s got 10 days and a pile of money to spend. The resort he’s staying in is only $200 a night and dinner a snip at $30. He’s done his homework and has found a group of UCLA alumni who are out here. Can be found in Kori Restaurant in the evenings sipping margaritas or any one of the beach side places near Oberoi.

The Oregonian. This guy has an advantage on all the others. His local culture is Earth friendly, culturally sympathetic and his choice of piercings and tattoos share a strange sybiosis with the Balinese locals. Chilled from the plane ride out here he’s taking care of business by finding a local pot dealer he can trust and exploring the vegetarian restaurants. Ubud is his likely homebase and entire days can be spent getting to know a local and his family. Ya dude!

Am dining at Kori Restaurant tonight courtesy of the manager. Will be pleased to report on my experiences later. Here’s a sunset shot from last night.

• Indonesian election update in Kuta Bali
• Profile of a traveler: Mike Dicks
• Profile of a traveler: Jonno Howell
• What your money is worth in Bali
• Indonesian election day in Kuta Bali

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