The First Day

I woke up this morning to a slightly overcast, but balmy 30 degree day. Bali seems much less humid than when i was here last, just over a year ago. The first thing i do is get in the beautiful infinity pool in the central courtyard of the hotel. I love the way they build pools here. Ours is lined with large green tiles, has a large seat up one end, and is deep and cool and the best escape from the heat. Another plus is that my hangover is being scared away at a rapid rate and I'm looking forward to my first full day in Bali.


After my swim i head down to the reception area of the hotel where the cafe and common seating areas are. Its a great space where you can sit and talk, drink great Bali coffee, and work on this blog! It comes alive at night with all the different travellers and their respective accents, drinking Bin Tangs and discussing the days adventures. I think the difference between the Island hotel and other boutique hotels is the feeling of community you get, everyone is friendly and happy to talk to each other, people from totally different countries and backgrounds, connecting over the travelling experience.
Pip and her boyfriend Kerry (a kiwi) tear off on their scooter in the direction of the Bukit Peninsula. They are heading down there with a bunch of their kiwi friends in search of beach front bars, and crystal waters. Anna, Jane & I have other things in mind. I'm looking to buy a camera and a book, and the girls need some supplies as well. Nev points us in the direction of the Discovery Mall in Kuta. We jump in a taxi and head down there. The Discovery is like any mall you would find in any part of the world, though with a distinctive Asian flavor. Amongst the Nike stores and other modern chains you can find locally made trinkets, and some interesting jewelery and textiles.
We leave the mall and head west to Kuta beach. I had never been there so thought it was worth a look. As suspected its a long strip of beach lined with hawkers trying to sell you anything you can think of. Surf schools dot the beach and families shelter from the burning sun under perfectly aligned rows of beach umbrellas. Its getting hot, and the crowds at the beach are starting to close in on us, so we head east on Poppies Lane.
Anna and Jane are having a combined 30th birthday on Saturday night, and want to have a black & white party. I have an idea! I head into one of the better looking tailors and order a white linen suit, a poo brown suit, and a matching waist coat. The whole lot for $80 aus! Boom....


I offer them an extra $10 if the could have it ready by Friday morning, which was happily accepted (apart from the seamstress charged with making it!).
We continue east along Poppies Lane and hit Jalan Legian right at the memorial for the Australians killed in the Bali bombing. The memorial is directly across the road from the old site of the Sari Club. The area is bustling with cars and foot traffic, and the names on the shrine are being read by a group of tourists. Its surreal to think that 8 years ago this was the site of such devastation and horror, and how it has sprung back to life, like weeds and flowers growing from a grave site. The last time i was here the sari club site was a vacant block, but progress has ensured that once again a building is going to rise from the ashes....i wonder how the victims families are going to feel about that.


We jump in a cab and head to gang 66, where Anna assures us in there lies the best Warrung (street restaurant) she has ever been to...and a good tip it was! I had the best fish curry i have ever tasted, a big bowl of rice and a beer, all for the princely sum of $3 Aus! Our bellies full we walk back to the hotel and spend the rest of the afternoon swimming and talking around the pool. It was great to relax and not feel like we had to do anything...
.... Anna and Jane need to organize the menu for their party! So around 6pm we head to the venue. Its a great looking new restaurant in Seminyak called Sea Circus. The owners, Charlie and Josh, run the girls through the options as we sip on a tasty passion fruit/vodka concoction. Its going be a Tapas affair, and the guest list is pushing 40 (including 24 kiwis)...
We leave Sea Circus and head to Ryoshi, an awesome Japanese restaurant on Jalan Legian, quite close to the hotel.We grab a table out on the street and check out the menu. The pictures look great! Jane and I think we have over-ordered...we eat it all...and then some!

After dinner we decide to head back to the hotel and get to work on Anna's bottle of duty free vodka. We stop in at a Circle k (7/11) and grab ice and some mixers. Jane and i argue over whether the ice is sterile or not...it is. Back at the hotel Pip & Kerry have returned from their day trip, so the 5 of us head up to the sunset bure on top of the building, to drink, laugh, and discuss our adventures. Nev joins us for a couple of BinTangs and pretty soon the vodka is gone.
I head to my room happy and content after my first full day on the island, and my mind wanders to thoughts of what tomorrow will bring. I set my alarm for 2.30am to watch the Socceroos take on Serbia, and fall into a deep sleep....