Seemingly, having your feet tied together whilst hanging upside down, attached to two others, strung from a rod that runs down the centre of the busses ceiling, was a very comfortable way in which to travel. Other than one of the chickens occasionally raising it's head into the normal upright position for a brief time, I heard not a cluck nor saw a flap from the birds tethered above my head. Somewhat in contrast, the three shallow cardboard boxes that lay on top of each other in the in the busses centre isle, emitted a chorus of peeps and cheaps to notify one and all of the hundred or so chicks that lay within. I had considered approaching the owner of the imprisonned chicks to ask if perhaps stringing them all up from the centre rod in groups of three, like their older cousins, might make for a more peaceful journey, not to mention a rather interesting photo opportunity. Thinking better of it, I lay back in my seat and over time the vocalizations from below fell into silence.
As well as foul, my little bus was filled with two large sacks of coconuts that made for a perfect resting place for some bags of mangos,twenty or so pineaples, a small ladder, a statue and thirty animated Indonesian passengers with their assorted bags and personal belongings heaped throughout the interior. This was only a small part of the cargo, the remainder being fixed to the roof of the vehicle under the watchful eye of a couple of young men who I rather envied as they had very comfortable positions perched on some soft bags atop. I on the other hand had to sqeeze my six foot three frame into a space that was not designed for a person so large. Although, I was near the rear window which allowed for a good view of the countryside as it bounced past, and it also provided a place to lean my head when drowsiness overcame me.
I was coming from Java to Bali to meet a friend who had been traveling elsewhere in the world, and I hadn't seen this person for quite some time and as such was very excited at the prospect of spending a couple of weeks on my favourite island with one of my favourite people. Truth be told, I actually harboured quite strong feelings toward this woman who had become my friend three years previous whilst living in a flat above mine, and although I no longer feel for her in that way, I regret somewhat never revealing myself to her, as who knows what might have been. I will always let the winds of fate and destiny blow me in any which way they will in my life, and who knows what the future may bring. Anyway, enough of these unrevealed love reminiscences.
My immediate neighbours on this bus journey were a young father and his five year old son. Wide eyed and intrigued by my presence, this little chap sat on his fathers lap for the entire journey and for long periods of time would stare intently at me until I turned to return his gaze, at which point he would let his head fall against his fathers chest in coy embarrasment, his father and I exchanging smiles at each other at his sons awkward inquisitiveness. To allay any further uncomfortableness, I demonstrated with great drama a couple of magic tricks and animal impersonations directed at my young neighbour. Court up in my animated pantomime I hadn't realised the attention of the whole bus was focussed firmly upon me, and turning back toward the front after my performance I was a little embarrased myself to find everyone laughing at my poor theatre skills. My slliness must have reasured my fellow passengers, as before long small fruits, rice dishes and other assorted nibbles started to find their way toward me until eventually I had to decline anymore food as I had had my fill.
Finally in a cloud of diesel fumes our little bus lurched off the ferry and onto the roads of Bali. A small grin spread across my face as it always did upon my arrival on this wonderful island of the Indonesian achipelago and I closed my eyes and laid my head back to savour the moment. I was back, and as always would not want to leave.
Not long after arriving on the island the bus pulled over at a small roadside stall and the bus driver as well as most of the passengers alighted to aquire drinks or food. Although I was no longer hungry I thought a bottle of cool drink would go down well and I also left the bus not far behind the others. Standing in line I turned back to the vehicle and noticed my neighbours, father and son, had stayed on board, and I wondered if perhaps there was no allowancs in their travel budget for such luxuries as cool drink. When it was my turn to place an order I chose three bottles of assorted cool drink and two packets of bbq chips. Returning to my seat on the bus I offered the drink and snacks to the father and son seated next to me. I hadn't thought the little boys big brown eyes could get much bigger, that was until he had a firm grip on his coke and chips. The father bowed his head low in thanks and we all sat sipping pop and crunching chips for the next couple of miles.
Finally we arrived at our destination and I must say I was glad to have this little adventure come to a close. I was tired, dirty and wanted nothing more than to flop into the tepid waters of Kuta beach.
Taking my backpack out from under my feet I smiled and waved at the remaining passengers and headed out in search of a bemo to get me to my favourite losmen in Kuta. Staring out the back of my bemo as it spluttered away from the bus station I passed the father and little boy, hands still firmly grasped around his empty bottle, walking along the side of the road. Spotting me the little chap grinned madly and waved his bottle back and forth above his head. He was having a good day.