Mick and his impromptu bbq in Kerobokan Bali

The day was a cloudy one today with temperatures very pleasant at around 84f (32C)and I went down to Kuta Beach to check out the tourist scene at around 5.30pm.

Several sets of decent waves came in and I watched an assortment of surfers from Europe and Japan jostle for position and try to stand up before the straight ahead wave close them out.

There’s a bit of everything down here and I saw an older guy from Europe who had obviously just arrived getting his bulk massaged by one of the beach weary massage ladies. Also on display were concervative Asian tourists who find their best view of the beach is right in front of you, single ladies fom Japan engaged in card games with the young Balinese guys, honeymooners just getting acquainted with the beach and bus loads of domestic tourists from Java who sit under the shade of the bushes.

Intermingled are all the vendors including drink, sarong, painting and bow & arrow salesmen.

Returning to Internet Outpost on Poppies II I got into my e-mail again and after a short time my phone rang. Mick Turnbull of Indo Bike Adventures was having a bbq and told me to get over there immedately. Not one to argue I rode up to Kerobokan trying not to speed while thinking of cooking meat.

Mick had some guests including 3 lady friends from Java he’s known for years, Chris ( a fellow I met before on one of Mick’s famous roadtrips ) and Ebong.

Mick’s friend Jasmine was upstairs but did not join us for the bbq. I tell you I do miss hanging out with the boys in Eugene, cracking open a cold one, playing a game of washers and watching the deer meat sizzle. Mick has a makeshift bbq ( gas powered ) and had sausages, hamburger, steak and veggies. He also made me an Aussie special delicacy called a ‘frog in a pond’ which is a slice of bread with a hole in the middle, into which an egg is cracked. This is left to cook on the bbq ( Aussie bbq’s are flat and have the effect of being a giant frying pan).

Mick always impresses me with his entertaining. Great atmosphere always, super hospitality and classy people.

Will take photos next time.