My Bali Trip.... Still got 3 days in!!!!

Been in bali for the past 4 days. Still got 3 more days to go.

Well, Bali is essentially a surfing island for the foreigner especially now for the Australian winter season.

It is a surfing Paradise. The closest to the airport is Kuta. Kuta is on it’s core divided into into 4 parts from south to north and segregrated into 3 section from east to west by the 3 main street.

South to North from Airport is Tuban, Kuta, Seminyak and Legian. Basically, these 4 areas are connected through the same beach, stretches out more than 10 miles of them.

And the section is typically separated by 3 main road.

The Beach side Jln Pantai Kuta, well, as the name suggest, it’s the surf turf. Then there’s the Jln Legian,(explaination: Jln is initial for Jalan, that’s street in indon.) which is essencially the party, boutique street. The least traveled street of them all is the inner most, Jln. Majapahit, this one is the road to artwork, and interior designer paradise, that’s the Art factory street. (Read below for more and cheaper area for furniture, sculpture shopping in Bali.)

Anyway of course for the local the island is divided into more areas than just the Kuta-Legian. But those others area are from those seeking tranquility. Because they are mostly paddy fields scattered with more skillful craftsman and refuge from the busy beach side. If you are looking for sculptor that can do wonders you can fine on the 3 small main street out of Kuta rounding the side of Ubud to Kintamani Volcano Mountain. This route is the only cultural route u need to take to understand Bali from the surfing paradise main character. The farming and the craftsman are the 2 part of Bali besides the mainly Ancient Hindus religion you can find everywhere.

So for most foreigners who come to Bali can enjoy the rest of the buzz besides the yoga and spa in the central surf spot Kuta. Beginning from Tuban Area, marked with the new and huge landmark, Discovery Mall, is the beginning for the surfing beach. Then you’d headed into Kuta. And then Seminyak, and Legian. If you want a fase lane through the area. Then you should go from the beach, literally. Because these streets besides the beach are scatter with quarters and hotels you need to zigzag through to get to anywhere. And the lane, especially those Poppies Lane Area is like beach side hawker on steroid, there’s miles and miles of narrow (and I mean one man’s waist length narrow lanes) cutting through it the whole area. It’s like walking through Venice hot summer on land. Fun for the surfers really, hospis, hotel, shops, restaurant, surfs shop, tattoo shop, food stall, all you can find in these lanes, just that if you don’t know your direction you could get lost in it, or hitting a dead end every way. (hint: follow the wall of the compound of the hotel or temple, you’ll always find a small alley to the other lane or the beach. Especially those that people and bikes are flushing out of them all the time.)

If you don’t like the chaotic, you can always choose Jimbalan. There’s great hotel, Villas to rent and isolated beaches, and best sunset view of the island, yet, to go anywhere and clubbing you’ll need to get a bike. Easily rented for you from anyone on the street, or you can hitchhike, locals are willing to help but some do ask for money when you arrive, so be….. a gents, tip the guy a 10k rupiah or something.

Well, to get around, I’m the walk stop slow warming kinda guy, so I walk all the way. Take the taxi to the mountains (it’ll take me like all 7 days of my vacation if I were to walk there. And damn it’s cold up there, get a sweater.) The most common thing people do is rent a bike. The fuel is cheap, just a 100 dollars deposit will then you are free on this great paradise, some even come with surfboard holder bars. (it is after all a surfing island.)

Tuban is the best place for me, Cheap, 3 mins walk to the beach, none of the chaotic bike and cars on narrow lane crossing and honking and most of all, peace and quiet.

Oh if you are thinking about safety?! Believe me, no one is gonna rod a half naked man or woman thinking you got a million(even in Rupiah)in your pocket.

and for the tattoo, don't do something you'll regret that will last a lifetime. Find someone that's experience and sterilize before anything. Don't go for the too good to be true cheap....