It is so good to be out of Australia! Don’t get me wrong it was fun while it lasted but I’m kind of a weird person and really like being out of my element. Australia was too much like home- but Indonesia is a whole new exciting world. Full of people completely different from me and being in that sort of environment is what makes me truly happy- inspired… Before I left home- while I was planning this little adventure- my mom said that the only time she really hears me happy is when I am planning a trip- “It’s like you’ve won the lottery,” she said. I guess she’s right in some respects but no amount of money can compare to fulfilling my lifelong dreams…
Anyway- I spent the last two days in Kuta, Bali a popular beach destination on the southwest coast of the small Indonesian island. This place is teeming with tourists mostly on holiday soaking up the intense sunrays- and the heat here is unbearable. The humidity weighs you down- clings to you- and the wicked, daily thunderstorms don’t offer any relief but just make it all the more steamy.
The busy beach town is comprised of stonewalled alleyways full of vendors who extend their arms in the direction of their stall and tell you, “yes, my shop- free for looking” as they try to sell you extremely affordable souvenirs. Apartments, houses and hotels are stacked one on top of another and even the most dilapidated abodes are adorned with extremely intricate architecture. Motor bikes race in and out of the confusing labyrinth of streets honking their horns at anything that moves and I was really surprised that in such a touristy place there were practically no beggars.
Religion is a huge part of the culture here and the people are extremely superstitious. Several times a day they leave offerings to the Gods around their homes of rice, flowers, Ritz crackers and burning incense. It was also very interesting to see that rather than erecting statues of famous leaders on horseback with their swords the Balinese have monuments 20 feet tall of their Buddhist Gods decorating the roundabouts in the city centers.
Bali is famed for it’s great surfing and the beach scene here is no different although Kuta’s waves are more geared towards beginners. The palm tree lined beach is littered with 
boards in all shapes and sizes for rent and eager Balinese men ready to teach you how to ride. I rented a great longboard and after not being on a wave for about 2 years had quite possibly my best surf day ever. The only little glitch was as I was paddling out a local thought it would be funny to tell me that there was a shark- I’m pretty sure he was just looking for a reaction- at least I kept telling myself he was kidding…
I really enjoy the people here- they are so helpful, friendly and thankfully speak English pretty well. It’s such a laid-back happy place- the people work hard but laugh even harder… Anyway, Kuta was fun but I am really looking forward to heading inland- away from all the tourists and really check out what Bali is all about.