Loss of a good friend

Found out today one of my Gcru babies, one of the originals, passed away. I just got a phone call this afternoon as I was at a Christmas lunch with friends. Im so completely in shock and saddened by it all. I dont know what else to say but that he will be missed and hope he moves on to a better realm. May he pass peacefully and quietly through these next steps.

Miss you Talik...

Jam Karet Karim Style

Jam karet (rubber time). This is how we do in Bali. Its very very rare to find anyone who will remotely be on time on this island and no one else exemplifies this with more spectacular flare than my oldest and dearest pal.

Set the scene: Friday evening, sms discussion with Karim to try and plan a trip up to Batur in the morning. After much toing and froing, decide to meet at mine at 6:15 am so we can dash up, swim and come back in time for my 10 am appointment in Ubud.

Saturday -
6:00 - wake up to annoying alarm but somehow struggle to get ready on time
6:35 - no Karim. Call. Listen to his mumbling (obviously I'd woken him) to finally discern that there's no way in hell he'll be out of bed in the next couple of hours. Decide to meet at 11 after my meeting instead.
10:55 - phone chirps, call from Karim - he's just woken up. Will call me back in 45 minutes when he should be ready to take off.
11:45 - arrive at Karims, find him casually strumming guitar in one of the living rooms. Invites me to say hi to his dad, long chats follow.
12:35 - leave Karims to get nasi campur Kedewatan (essential... is the most delicious rice dish around and only costs $1 for massive parcel of vegs/meats etc) to take up to the lake
1:00 - head back into town as Karim remembers he has to pick up some mail for Jennifer (fabulously mad actress who lives by the lake) at a friends house
1:15 - stop by at my house to pick up my bikini (oopsies on my part for this one)
1:30 - Karim needs to change money, stop on road in Ubud main road
1:45 - Karim needs papayas? Stop 500m down to road to buy a couple
2:25 - Karim wants to buy a sign?? Stops on road to check out a small shop and decides on a couple of humorous pieces. Bargains like a pro, gets two for $4.
3:15 - arrive in Batur. Initial ETA - 7:15 am. Actual ETA 3:15 pm. Not bad for Karim really.

Losing it

Almost a week now and I’m starting to get a bit frustrated with this. I’ve visited god knows how many hotels/motels/losmens/homestays and have so far found 1 place that I would ever recommend. More on that one to come…

Up side, free stays in hotels, massage by Bali’s best therapists and endless free meals. Actually have gained too much weight, exercise just seems to be too much work right now. I worked out in a gym for the first time in weeks yesterday, can hardly walk this morning...

But this distinct lack of facilities for my target market is annoying. Most of what I’ve seen is more hostel than boutique, grubby little digs with scary bathrooms and strange smells. You would think the island would have cottoned on to the flashpacker trend by now but I guess there is such a huge amount of effort and energy aimed at villas, the “real” travellers are kinda getting forgotten.

Don’t get me started on the Villas! Mushrooming wildly around the island, most are eyesores badly built and of questionable design. Really, who would pay $400 to stay in a box with a plunge pool when you have the choice of spoiling yourself in a 5 star hotel for less around half the price? I’m so tempted to open my own place just to show em how it’s done! Hahaha, welcome to Chez Soma.