Disappointed to leave the Gilis, we boarded the Mahi Mahi bound for Bali. The seas were considerably more rough than during the ride out, but exhausted from the night before we were able to catch up on some sleep. We shared a taxi into town from the harbor with an extremely friendly British couple (he was wearing rainbow sandles that he had picked up on a surf trip to California) and ended up joining them for lunch.
Once again, it was difficult to find a room in busy Kuta, but our searching paid off. Our room made it feel like we were staying in the Four Seasons compared to the accomodations we had in the Gilis - there was even an infinity pool and we had a second story balcony with an ocean view (if it weren't for the 3 story hotel next door). For the first time since Taiwan we had a dedicated shower with an actual tub. Everywhere else we've been has just had a shower head coming out of the bathroom wall next to the toilet with a drain in the corner of the tile floor. It was nice to finally have a real shower.
Once again, we went to the beach to relax and stayed for the sunset. Pleased with our last massages, we went back to the same parlor and got the full treatment - body and head massage, pedicure, and manicure. We felt a bit strange going all out but they assured us that guys come in and do it all the time (most likely just a marketing ploy). Besides, with all that we've done our feet and hands needed some attention.
Now that we had detoxed, it was time to retox. This weekend is a big party weekend in Indonesia because Independence Day is on Monday, and we couldn't miss out on such a great cultural experience. We headed to our two favorite clubs, Bounty and Paddy's, and drank brightly colored cocktails from glass fishbowls. We're not sure how this fits in with Indonesian independence but the Aussies sure enjoyed it to the fullest, often double fisting them. At one point, Danny was literally dragged on stage to participate in a beer chugging contest. His opponents were all Aussie and each had at least 50 pounds and 5 inches on him. When they yelled "go" Danny started chugging like an American not wasting a drop, while all of the Aussies had half of their beers running down their chests. Despite this not being a fair competition, to Danny's credit he didn't finish that far behind.
Ashwin, thank you, thank you for not being the one to join the chugging contest. You have to save some brain cells for your PhD! I trust that the chugging beer was Coors, especially after its previous endorsement.
ReplyDeleteThanks for letting me be your friend!! I am starting out slowly... it all being new and everything. You must have been "on" when I was because it all happened so quickly. I have to find out how to chat with you!
I thought you'd be in Jakarta by now. It is 6PM there now. Maybe your update was just about yesterday. I am guessing it wasn't easy to bid farewell to Bali. I have loved being with you there (minus the drinking)!
Love and miss you both.
Danny, I hope that girl wearing the rubber band(?) is not my future sister-in-law. I don't want to be an uncle any time soon.
ReplyDeleteDon't forget my green (un-roasted) Indonesian coffee.
Sorry that Anu is a better sibling than me....
You mean to tell me the reigning beer chugging champion of Tulum, Playa del Carmen, Cabo San Lucas and Berkeley was defeated. That is heresy! NO WAY! I've never witnessed Danny lose a chugging competition. He's laid waste to a group of Armenians twice his size. Tell those Aussies it's a chugging not a spilling contest. If the international rules had been enforced I'm certain Danny would be the champion not only of Bali, but the entire Indonesian archipelago.
ReplyDeleteFellas, way too much information on that mani-pedi thing. Strange is to mild an adjective to describe two guys having a spa date. Freakish I think sums it up better.
Not sure I'm buying the story about a "mix up" at the bar and the next thing you know we are in a pool at 4 AM. It is like chasing a turtle and forgetting to breathe.
Have fun in Jakarta and keep the great photos of the trip coming. Good travels and are love to the two of you.
You are such a bum.... I love it!!
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