kudos to kuta

as this is my first time in asia (other than countless hours in airports between brisbane and london...)i'm not sure what i really expected from bali. a culture shock certainly... a lower standard of living perhaps....a bit of dirt and grime amongst the palm trees and the rolling waves....my expectations are not, as perhaps some westerners are, for paradise on a deserted tropical island...i have, after all, carefully read the guide books....

we are staying in the thick of it all...near kuta beach, on the indonesian island of bali....it has long been a surfer's paradise...a backpacker's mecca....full of shops selling rip off D&G handbags and billabong boardies...cheap as chips hotel rooms...hawkers on the streets trying anything to sell you their wares. most of them have perfected an aussie accent and, as they see you coming from a mile off they yell out....'gday maaaaaaaaaate...how you going? cheap sunglasses...we have shirt in your size...you want?' on the whole they seem friendly, the balinese, with their big smiles...they are just doing their job, just trying to make a living...

our accomodation must be cheap and cheerful as we have another 3 months to make our money last....but we have managed to find a room with an ensuite for £15/night...it is basic, but clean and, most important, boasts an efficient air conditioner. I was not prepared for the heat...so humid that it takes your breath away as you step outside. I have given up wearing makeup - there's no point if it slides off your face the minute you walk out the door. our shower has cold water only but we dont mind....it helps us cool off.

the nightlife here is legendary but potentially dangerous. 7 years ago 2 nightclubs were blown up and 88 aussies died amongst many indonesians and tourists from other countries. this morning we saw the memorial....the australian government, even now, warns against us playing amongst other westerners on the main streets of kuta....so we are keeping our heads low...a few drinks tonight perhaps but we will be in bed early...this is a holiday. a time for us to get our heads together before our whirlwind tour of asia....we will spend the days wandering the streets, palming off the hawkers, drinking bintang (indonesian beer) with our satay at lunch and swimming in the luke warm waters of the hotel pool....

kudos to kuta...

stay tuned... xxx