Bali

19th November

Its cloudy and even raining, how rude!

Not exactly sure what I wanted to do whilst in Bali, I had a chat with the tour desk today to find out what I could do and where was of interest. Yeah, I'd read the books but wasn't sure what would really take my fancy. A trip to the mall perhaps? Oh, go on then, if I must!

Discovery Mall is on the south side of Kuta (I'm on the north) so got a free shuttle bus down there. Its opposite the water park and its where the shack type stalls selling handicrafts, sarongs and fake dvd's turns into bold boutiques for Billabong, Rip Curl, Oakley and the likes. Oh and Starbucks Coffee (still no gingerbread latte... only toffee nut, what?!).

I have a quick wonder but I'm truly not feeling myself as I come away empty handed once again! I decide to brave the main road and walk back on myself towards Kuta, passing by so many people who want me to go and spend my money in their shop.

Its odd to have so many stalls interspersed with Balinese temples and you have to step over many a 'offering' to the temple when walking along. The Balinese hindhus seem to put flowers and incense into bamboo leaf boxes and leave them at the foot of statues, temples etc.

I finally reach the Bali bombs memorial which was built to commemorate the 202 people who died here, mostly Aussies on holiday. Its easy to see how so much devastation took place with the roads being narrow and bars being on top of one another.

I can see why they say that Bali is an Ibiza of the Far East, that is the San Antonio side of Ibiza! During the day its more difficult to see the signs of nightlife but being a seasoned pro, you can see the evidence that at night, this place turns into a hedonistic den of music, dancefloors, cocktails and neon lights! As I'm on my own, I won't be partaking (although I'm sure most of you are shouting that I should) but its good to see that the place is still thriving despite the atrocity that happened here.

Defeated from being asked to buy in stalls, I jump in a cab to reach my hotel some 4 / 5 miles north (in the heat, I wasn't going to try and walk it!) and end up taking it easy for the evening. I'm hoping on some sunshine in the morning so maybe I should be getting my bamboo leaves and flowers sorted?!!!!