Saturday morning Sept 13th in Seminyak Bali

Waking this morning my water situation had not improved and I knew it was job #1 to get things working again.

Try going without water for 2 days and see how your daily routine is affected.

Fortunately Made from Bali Land & Houses on Jalan Raya Kerobokan was on the ball and came round to my house to check things out. I get my water from an well that is 35 meters deep. The pump that operates the water system is electronic and gives water to 3 houses including mine. The pump is located in the neighbor’s house so when there’s a power outgate or a big storm I might be without water for a day.

Made got the maintainence guy to fix it along with Made the ‘phantom gardner’ who I see occassionally. He came today to help with the pump and said ‘sorry I not come for a while, I sick’. This is one of the aspects to having staff in Indonesia. Some are good, some don’t give a shit like this kid. Problem for me is I don’t pay him directly, the owner does. I’ve asked to have him replaced 3 times and each time he’s round the next morning gardening away like a maniac.

While these guys were at the house I went to Cafe Moka and read part of Rolf Pott’s book ‘Vagabonding‘. I got to meet Rolf in Bangkok and he has some great ideas for would be travelers who wonder how the heck you travel without connections or money.

Rolf talks about how to work and save money for your next big trip and to look at the work not as slavery but as the anticipation stage that makes the trips more enjoyable. He also advises to venture off the beaten track, have your own adventure and not feel pressured to conform to other people’s expectations of what a ‘European trip’ should be.

I have had similar thoughts but Rolf lays them out with style and passion.

Arriving back at the house the water was back on and I wasted no time in flushing everything that would flush and washing my 3 longsleeve ‘Air Jordan on a trip’ t-shirts that were used and waiting for me.

As I was leaving the house my new cell phone rang and it was Vincent from London. He’s here with his girlfiend. I am meeting them later today. Vincent arrived yesterday and is staying on Jalan Dhyana Pura in Seminyak. He has already familiarized himself with most of the bars.

Sunny weather here in Kuta and I’m glad for the short term visitors. Just met a Brasilian surfer who was literally bursting out of her swimsuit to get into the water! She told me there was ‘swell at the moment’ ( no joke).