Monday I visited my motorbike guy and paid him his monthly due of 400,000rp.
He lives around the corner from me and operates a small shop with his family. His wife is always nursing a young baby and he seems like a decent bloke.
I went to Thailand for 2 weeks and dropped off the bike in a hurry. “I’m leaving” I said, “I’ll see you in 2 weeks.”
Last weekend I picked up the bike and told him “I’ve still got 1 week left on the last month.” He just nodded and I was due to pay this last Saturday but forgot. Anyway I’m set for another month.
Arriving at Internet Outpost I saw the place was rather empty. Dave, the American from So. Cal was checking ESPN as usual ( this guy can be found in the same seat chatting in 4 different windows while reading ESPN any hour of the day).
It was Monday so I did a tour of Baliblog cardholders, shops and guest-houses that carry our cards. Its necessary to do this as staff often move the holder under the desk or behind a larger display. I love it when I come back after 2 weeks to a DVD shop and see my holder on top of the portable speakers, it means the staff have actually been packing it away and getting it out everyday.
Following this I walked down to Pantai Kuta to get a look at the tourist scene. People are here and surfers were out in force, but not to the levels of August. Still I see families and groups of Australians who have just arrived and that’s good. People’s confidence is gaining.
One of the shop vendors told me she was happy the sunny weather returned because there’s not much business at the beach when its raining. I bought a Pocari Sweat, an electrolyte drink from her. “You need drink you come back later, okay?” she said.
I continued gathering information for my hotel guide to Jalan Legian by exploring one of the gangs across from the Sari Club bomb-site in Kuta. I visited 6 guest-houses / hotels and my new camera got a workout. You’ll be surprised at the places that exist down these ramshackle streets.
One of the many people I talked to today was Wayan from Karangasem who works in a shop in the gang selling souvenirs. Business was slow and the best strategy is to stay in the shade and conserve your energy for the long haul.
Looking at the area around the Sari Club bomb-site on Jalan Legian I saw a large mural has been erected. People continue to place cards and flowers with special wishes.
Across from there one large building is still in a state of disrepair while the bank next door has made some exterior renovations that are still going on.
Across the small gang that I patrolled today is the site of the original Paddy’s Irish Bar. Banana trees have been planted to cleanse the area of evil spirits. Kadek Wiranatha the owner has already opened another Paddys down the street and says he doesn’t want to build on this site where people lost their lives.
Vincent from London called me this evening and told me he and Akari had checked out some villas in the Seminyak area including one ‘dream house’ that is a bit out of his budget…..maybe.
Vincent visited Made at Bali Land & Houses and also got some leads from Café Moka’s bulletin board. I tell you, I think Karangasem is going to have to wait and I’ll have some new neighbors before long.
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