In Reply to: Bali Blast from the Past Challenge posted by suew on Saturday, 19. February 2005 at 22:11 Bali Time:
It was April 1990 and I have never been overseas before. I was travelling with one girlfriend and we were on our way to Bali for 3 whole weeks. Flight over took 13 hours stopping at Sydney, Brisbane and then eventually moving along after hours of tarmac sitting.
Nothing can prepare you for that smell and the heat (which I in my wisdom attributed to the plane engines...being the seasond traveller and all!) but to my horror, it was even there outside the airport. Through customs easily thank goondess and into the bemo and off to Kuta Beach Club.
They gave us a drink on arrival friend necks hers in a second and me being all cautious decides that it is definatley drugged and decline (hindsight is a wonderful thing!). Checked into our room and laughed incessantly about the lack of TV, mini bar etc. We got over that soon enough and decided to hit the streets. First stop - money changers at Men at Work then to Kuta Market where we bought the obligitary bali t-shirts that have not been worn since...lol.
Back to the hotel where we eventaully decided we need to eat and agree to the safety of the hotel restaurant in a move that will change our lives forever. We met a group of 8 people (who are still dear friends to this day) and many years later, I find that I have even nursed one of them through a life taking illness (we miss him still).
Needless to say that with new found allies, we could take on the world - well - at least Kuta and we did with gusto. We spent every night out on the town dancing, too many arak attacks and wonderful memories and always finished the night at Sari Club :(
Arak attacks - well what can I say. I had one particularly bad night where the staff at one restaurant where making "special" drinks for the ladies and before we even ordered the meal...we were legless. The menu became a blur and giggles endless. Lets just say later that night I do recall not being very well and then waking up with bruised ribs and wondering what the hell had happened only to find out that said girlfriend had found me passed out on bathroom floor and rather than waking me nicely....she stood there poking me with her foot (clearly harder each time) and asking are you ok. That story still gets laughs to this day.
All said and done, wow what a great experience and one that I will hoping to at least partially relive in about 56 sleeps.