I have been living in Bali for two weeks now. I am slowly seeing the island and learning about the culture. All while teaching english. It has been interesting.
Ghost Palace Hotel
I went on a little excursion last week with some Tribe members. We stopped at the Ghost Palace Hotel. Originally known as PI Bedugul Taman Rekreasi Hotel and Resort.
Room at the Ghost Palace Hotel
Who sat here?
Creepy Bathroom
I am not sure if it is really haunted, but it does have an interesting story. The hotel was almost finished when the owner went to jail and the project stopped. It never opened.
The hotel is open to the public. You just have to pay the “security guard” at the fence a few dollars. It is massive. I only had time to explore the lobby area. I plan to go back. But not at night or by myself.
Court Yard Ghost Palace Hotel
In America, a place like this would be boarded up with “no trespassing” signs everywhere. Or it would be a “historic museum” with a $10 donation to see three rooms. Just look. Don’t touch.
I fell in a hole
That is the story. I went to the corner store for some candy and was running from tree to tree so I wouldn’t get hit by a scooter.
I took a step backwards and fell in a water canal that runs down the side of the road. Thankfully there was no water in it. I ended up with a few scrapes and bruises but my pride was hurt the most. A little girl watched the whole thing.
Past my prime?
I was in class with a twelve year old Chinese girl. I was asking about her family. She was very good at english and we could carry on a simple conversation.
She asked me if I had any children. I said, “No.” Then she asked if I had a husband. I said, “No.” Looking at me with confusion, she asked, “How old are you?.” “I am 34.”
Well at this point she was about to fall off her chair. “No, no, no,” shaking her head, “You should have a husband and children.”
Imagine how you feel when your mom questions you at Thanksgiving. Trust me, a twelve year old girl… ten times worse.
Pahk the Cah
VIPKID is going well. Even though I do not have a thick accent anymore, I can not deny the facts. I will always eat Fluffernutters, it’s a bureau not a dresser and I will never say my R’s right.
Guess what my lesson was covering… the “ar” sound. I might have skipped over some stuff and pretended the connection was bad.
So don’t worry.. the kids in China will speak Boston. It’s called well rounded.
I discussed this in my last blog. I was shocked the hostels have had western toilets.
Normally, places in Asia have a squat toilet. This photo is of a bathroom at a house I was visiting.
If you ever come across this yourself. It is okay. Be confident and act like you know what to do. If you really don’t, then you can learn here.
Travel Tip
No shoes past this point.
Shoes are a big no no. Homes, restaurants, stores, hotel rooms, etc. It is really nice to walk around bare foot. Although, I have had a few moments where I felt like I forgot something.
I have been living in Bali for almost a week. Its been a great week of meeting friends and finding my way around. Here is what I did, what I learned and what I don’t want to do again.
Next to the Tanah Lot Temple
1. You don’t need to bring your snowboard.
I might have gotten really excited when I was waiting for my luggage at the airport. All these “snowboard” bags were everywhere. Obviously, it was snowboard season in hot humid Indonesia!
Yes, I promise it only took me a minute or two. Surfboards.
Remember, I am blonde underneath this purple hair.
2. One tourist attraction off my List, barely.
There are the typical top 10 tourist things to do anywhere you go. I knocked one off the Bali list when I went to the Tanah Lot Temple. I went with a new friend from my hostel Tribe Theory.
Our original plan was to leave at 6:00 am and drive scooters to the temple before the crowds.
Our new plan began when both the scooters we rented would not start, we could not get a GO-RIDE (see below) and the GO-CAR we rented wasn’t moving on the app. Since this would be my first time riding a scooter in Bali, I took this as a sign. Finally, on our last attempt before saying screw it, a GO-CAR driver was headed our way.
We arrived at the temple around 7 and missed the sunrise but we were the only ones there and the tide was still low enough for us to walk all the way to the temple. We received some type of blessing that we all know I need.
Tanah Lot Temple
3. No more autographs, please.
You might not know it, but I am a celebrity in China. I know. I know. You are not surprised. It was only a matter of time until I was discovered as they say.
Anyway, I have heard of this happening in certain parts of the world. But it has never happened to me.
As we were leaving the Temple, a tour bus had pulled in. We weren’t in our typical celebrity disguises because we just wanted to “be normal.” We were spotted almost instantly.
Just Two Famous People
A Chinese man approached us and asked us nicely if we would take a photo with him. Confused but being polite, we said sure. The photo was taken. Then a woman joined the man for another photo. Then just the woman by herself. Then two more people jumped in. Then another man. Then an older lady. Then the man and the old lady. Then a group photo with everyone.
We could not walk more than five feet when someone walked up to us asking for a photo. Finally, we nicely declined and got out of there.
From what I have been told and please understand I am not trying to be disrespectful in any way. If someone has a better explanation, please let me know. Many of these people are from more remote areas and have never seen people of another race in person. To them, we are people that are only in books and on tv.
People go on vacation and take photos of sights they have only seen in a brochure. So ultimately, a photo with two light-skinned, blonde and purple-haired females is the same as taking a photo with Cinderella at Disney World.
4. It’s a real toilet, kinda.
WARNING. This is getting a little personal. If you have ever been to southeast Asia, you understand and if not, sorry.
I actually have a flushable toilet. I mean it. You can flush pee, poop AND toilet paper.
Now I’ll be honest I haven’t really asked if it can flush everything but if not, there is usually a hose and a bucket. And a large sign warning you of what will come if you put anything other than human waste in the toilet.
I was nervous at first. I eased into it by only putting toilet paper in the toilet every other time. No issues yet and its been 4 days of semi-consistent flushing.
I say semi because my toilet does still have the ass cleaning water hose. I’m starting to get why people use it. It makes sense. Wiping with toilet paper instead of using the water hose is like washing with baby wipes instead of taking a shower. Something to think about.
One question though… I’m confused about what to do after. I mean, your bottom is clean but it’s wet. I’ve been using toilet paper to dry but normal households in many countries do not have toilet paper in their bathrooms. I have definitely done the shake shake after peeing in the woods at a pit party (It’s a hometown thing). But let’s be honest, it doesn’t work.
The whole thing is a mystery to me. Please help.
5. If it looks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck… It’s a Tourist Trap
I got scammed. It’s my own fault. I should have known when I walked in and only saw tourists shopping. Tip-off #1.
I needed to get groceries. I put a grocery store in google maps and off I went to what looked like a typical American grocery store. Tipoff #2.
I was so excited to see they had all the same brands, I bought back home in the US. Tipoff #3.
AND… everything was in English.
I know. I’m an idiot. Things were expensive but typical prices I would see at home. I thought that was weird but was still not overly concerned.
It wasn’t until later when I happily told my new friend how awesome it was that I could buy all my favorite food just down the street… Bubble popped… the grocery store chain (Pepito Market) is only for tourists.
Locals shop at all the amazing markets and stands I pass daily, selling…. you guessed it… groceries. But thankfully I’ll be ok because I now have my super healthy, organic, made in America almond butter.
Waiting for my GO-RIDE after getting scammed.
6. Your scooter driver is on his way. He is driving a green two-wheeled vehicle with license plate DK3198AC.
I think he can fit one more suitcase if he tried
My scooter arrives.
GOJEK. I thought Uber and Lyft were cool but GOJEK has them beat. In just a touch of an app, your scooter (yes, scooter) will be on its way. Fast and efficient. They even have their phone mounted on their handlebars. The only problem is there isn’t much room for stuff…
7. I went to the Gym… Once.
I went to the gym… once.
8. Beware of the scooters.
Don’t drink and drive. Don’t text and drive. Ok, whatever.
What is really important….
DON’T TEXT AND DRIVE A SCOOTER WITH YOUR WIFE, GRANDMA, INFANT KID AND THE KITCHEN TABLE WITH YOU ON THE SAME SCOOTER.
Of course, I was running late… moving out of where I was staying and packing took longer than I thought. But let us be honest, I could have had another week, and somehow I would still be late. And did I mention how hot Las Vegas is? That did not help me move any faster.
Going to Bali
I just want to take a second and thank my friend, Julie, for watching my car while I’m away. I can’t wait to see pictures of her and her dog driving around with the top down.
Thankfully my flight was delayed. This gave me time to check out my 2nd favorite (well 3rd favorite) domestic lounge, the Centurion Lounge. I have been there several times but always in the morning before the bar is fully open.
Centurion Cocktail Menu
Centurion Dinner Option
Old Fashioned Cocktail
The food was excellent, and the handcrafted cocktails were on point. The only reason the Centurion Lounges aren’t at the top of my list is they are always packed. If anyone is interested, you can read a great review of the lounge here.
I plan to do a whole blog on travel hacking and lounge access, but for now, any American Express Platinum cardholders have access.
A Little Reminder of Home in the LAX Tunnels
For anyone who frequents LAX, you will be happy to hear that all terminals are now connected airside. No more collecting your luggage, riding a bus, and checking back in at another terminal. I’m pretty sure I walked a few miles, but my ass will thank me later.
Aukland Airport
I have never flown Air New Zealand, but it was very nice. Even in economy, the seats were spacious and clean. The food was ehh, but the wine made up for it. I love that any international flight (at least that I have been on) gives free alcohol even way back in 3rd class.
Strata Lounge Self Serve Bar
Strata Lounge Shower
A Small Part of the Strata Lounge Buffet
I had a five-hour layover in Aukland. Strata Lounge has now moved to the top of my international lounge list. I know, I have an obsession with Lounges. Anyway, after a shower, amazing food, and a self-serve bar, I was ready for the next part of my journey. Another 11ish hours and I should be at my hostel.
