Just Back

Cheza

February 2003

As a 51 year old woman taveling alone I felt compeltely safe and well looked after. Stayed at Garden View where the staff couldn't do enough for me. There were a lot of women taveling to Bali alone and in pairs and I met many freinds old and new. There was a live band playing every night and we all had a lot of fun singing 'Living next door to Alice'.

I have been asked to mention Bali Street dogs who do free steralizing. Their web page is www.balistreetdogs.org.au please look at this and then mention it to all your Balinese friends.

I also want to recomend Ketut's shop in Melasti st markets. She is very cheap so does not barter, same as Tootsies, also you can get clothes made there for very reasonable prices. I had three dresses made for Rp 30,000 each including material. Her shop number is 14 turn left off Shadewa st (Garlic Lane) just befor the market stalls start, a little ally way called Sorga Lines. She has some great new shirts in bright colours and new design prints.

I ate in Mr. and Mrs Gonnas restraunt (The International) and what yummie food it was. the raost was to die for. It was good fun night. Batu Belig sang for us and we all joined in singing Sweet Molly Malone which brought even more people in so the place was almost full. Beatifully clean. But knew I had enough arrack when I kept seeing fluffy clouds everywhere, even in the loo.

Mirah from Legian cyber looked after me very well, taking me out (thank you Mirah) to Denpasar and holding my had crossing the road. Nengah also from Legian Cyber gave me lessons in Balinese culture over a Bintang or two and always made sure my e mails got through.

Hulu cafe was good fun so was Bali rock though its a bit sad to see so few people there.

I will tell you all about meeting David from Adopt a Co Op and the wonderful work they are doing next time

These people have my respect and admaration. David sent a taxi to Sri Ratu which I shared along with them and Batu Belig. David is 6ft 5in at least and Batu Belig could not be described as a little leprecron (how ever you spell it !-0 ) We all quickly became 'close' friends in the hot car. Adopt a co-op is only (thankfully !-) ) 20 mins from Kuta. It had been raining that day so there was a power cut and the photos I took of the girls working are posed. Sing Ken Ken = no worries. One of the girls was only 21 and wanted to buy David's son for two buffalo and a pig. A very pleasant hour or two was spent chatting to these very brave ladies who had next to no english and me with very little Inodnesian. It was not a sad visit at all. If David saw anyone feeling a little sad he would make a joke and bring her out of it. Moria is a lovley lady, she made sure we had drinks and made batu Belig and I very welcome.

The Aopot a vicim bulding is very nice with a little garden at the front where the workers can rest and have lunch. Look for David and Moira's inputs, they make visitors welcome as do the girls who work there. I wish you all the very best of luck and hope to see you again. PS my son likes the girl in the hat, he will accept two cows and a pig hehehhehe

The rest of my time was spent shopping and eating and drinking. the last day was full on starting at 5:45 am with packing then a walk to early morning market at Legian where I bought baloons shaped like a motor bike with two people on for 10,000 rp for the children I expected to see later. Collect laundrey, leave shoe's as gift. Collect dress I had made, go to beach for 'goodbye' drinks. forget to pick up photos, go out for them. Then from 12 lunch time its open house at my room. party time with Batu Belig, another Indonesian friend and our Balinese 'family'. Send off from Garden View was wonderful and a little bit emotional but Sing Ken Ken (no worries) WE will be back soon.

Thank you's go to Garden View and Legian Cyber for looking after me so well. Anyone thinking of going to Bali alone or not can expect to be treated with respect, consideration and Not uncommon curtesie ( sorry if spellings are not right)