I never realised it had been nearly twelve months since I was last in Indonesia. The differences between my last sojourn to this is remarkable.
There is always a certain amount of excitement whenever you return to a place - new faces, restorans and shops, atmosphere and structural change. Although I have been here only 4 weeks up till now, the increase in the amount of shops and restorans was noticeable. It’s refreshing to see the Balinese progress in setting up businesses and the ilk after past occurences which threatened to decimate the tourist industry. The dogs have even returned!. Not many of course like before, but, they make thier steadfast stance causing you to walk around them.
I must admit that the new paving in Poppies Lane 2, Jl. Benesari and Jl Legian look great. They sure make for easier walking, but, the motor bikes like the new surafce even better!. I know, in previous comments that I’ve made on the baliblog regarding the upgrade as being ‘a destroyer of Kuta’s character’, but it really has improved the overall appeal. Of course you couldn’t tell it was new paving after the constant pounding they’ve had - they are a nice shade of ‘Kuta dirty’. Having said that, for those purveyors of broken and upturned concrete drain coverings and the odours emitted asunder, you can still find those on a small stretch of paving on Jl Legian heading towards Bemo Corner.
Candika and I went into Warung 96 for a meal and looking forward to seeing the resident ‘woofie’, Donna. Sadly, Donna has gone to the Big Doghouse in the sky and as to the manner of her demise, I couldn’t obtain a concrete answer. For those who have never been to Bali, Donna the Corgi was a well-loved resident who took every opportunity of sitting and staring at you whilst you ate. The method in the madness being that you would feel sorry for her and end up sharing your meal. I’ve done it so many times in the past.
Of course the security [although not noticeably apparent] are present everywhere. The other night I entered Circle K in Poppies Lane 2 to buy a pack of cigarettes only to come face to face with a tall, burly policeman totting an AK47 assault rifle. He was a cool guy. We joked and had a good chinwag. I was tempted to ask if I could take his foto. It was that have-you-seen-what’s-on-my-shoulder look which stemmed my photographic zeal. It is comforting to know that these guys are around. What amazes me is you never see them when you’re cruising the streets.
Travelling out of town has been great and has given me a chance to re-visit temples and sacred sites I hadn’t seen for a long time. A lot has changed in some of these places. All of a sudden there are huge signs ‘Obyek Wisata’ stuck somewhere around the place. I will never understand why Indonesians have to ‘grandstand’ such beautiful places in the primary order for gaining revenue. Nick, Candika & I recently visited Alas Kedaton as most of you have read. When I first went there, it was buried in the jungle with only a huge rock and the name scratched on it. Now it is a massive touristy-looking place with the ubiquitous rows of stalls selling everything from Bat T-Shirts to whatever makes money. Then, not so long ago, we all visited Pasar Putih on the east coast of the island. There ws only a small decrepid sign pointing the way down a scraggy old gang. I shiver at the thought of what this beautiful place will look like when I return there, in say, six months.
And the Balinese people themselves. Well, their renowned friendliness is even more beautiful than ever. There is an exciting air, an atmosphere of confidence and it shows in the smiles of the Balinese. The steady flow of tourists has brought a new life to Bali, and I can’t help but feel that there is nothing but good times ahead for the paradise island.
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