That was easy

Every book I read before I set off around the world perpetuated the American belief that travelling is difficult, trying and sometimes even scary. If someone had told me that travelling was so easy, I would have done it a long time ago. The books told me to pack light, but you rarely actually have to carry your pack, so I think a little bigger would have been better. The books told me to bring durable shirts and pants, but clothing is so cheap here in Asia I have bought and thrown out more items than I brought. They worried me about visas (how long they take, how much they cost), but same day visas for any country can be bought for less than $50 at any travel agency. Long story short, travelling is easy. Almost everywhere there are Internet cafes to book travel and correspond, people are always willing to help you, there are other travellers all around to meet up with, amazing guest houses for $5-$20 a night, and pretty much everyone speaks English (or tries to.) Although some people I know have had some misfortunes, (knock on wood) I haven't had anything stolen, haven't gotten sick, haven't had any botched travel plans, and overall have been pretty lucky. It is nice to know that today there is NO place I am scared to go. I told my mother that when I head to South America I am going to visit Columbia, to which of course she replied "OVER MY DEAD BODY" as I might get kidnapped with all the drug wars going on, but then again she also told me I was going to be sold into sex trafficking if I came to Asia (which I obviously wasn't, not yet anyway.) Travelling is not what I thought it was going to be, it's easier.


After a relaxing night in Hanoi I caught an early morning flight to Bali, with a layover in Kuala Lampur. On the plane ride to Bali I met Craig, an Englishman who I would end up travelling with for the next week. He was the only lone traveller I saw so I asked him if he wanted to share a cab and later a hotel room (it is that easy!) Off the plane we headed to an area called Kuta, AKA. Australian Party Central, where it is high season for thousands of Australian tourists. The street blocks are small, lined with shops selling clothing, knock-offs and other souvenirs, massage parlors, restaurants, guest houses and surf shops. Since the streets are so small (usually there is only room for one car) the traffic is horrible which leads to tons of beeping, motorbikes driving on the sidewalk, and cars blocking every turn. There are at least 50 bars and clubs blaring music, and begging you to come in for a free drink. The beach is gorgeous, but had so many tourists and people selling you things (massages, bracelets, bow and arrows (!), that it didn't make for a relaxing afternoon. We rented boogie boards and tried to brave the massive waves, and peeped in on a beach wedding that was going on at a local resort.



Over the next couple of days we rented a motorbike and drove outside of the city. Since I unfortunately left my Southeast Asia Lonely Planet on the plane, I can't tell you specifically where we went, but I'll do my best. We drove to a town called Ubud, and to the coastal town of Nusa , all the time admiring the beautiful pagodas and statues which are everywhere, and the idyllic scenery - inland jungles and rice paddies with massive volcanoes rising in the distance and amazing ocean views from the coast (and of course don't forget the occasional Dunkin Donuts and KFC.) We stopped off at couple of beaches to lounge, eat, and take pictures, but spent most of the day cruising. At night we went to dinner, walked the chaotic streets of Bali and even danced one night away at the popular local night club "Sky Bar."


After spending 3 days in Bali, I wanted to head to the Gili Islands to do some scuba diving, so Craig and I caught an early morning shuttle bus to the dock (where it seemed each of the drivers was racing to get us there, weaving in and out of traffic, etc., only to tell us "30 minute breakfast break" upon arrival), then a 2 hour boat ride on "Gili's Island's fastest transport", to the largest of the three Gili Islands, Trawangan. I thought I had seen some beautiful beaches until I got here - white sand, light blue water, and in the distance those same beautiful volcanoes.

The island itself is quite small (it takes about 1 hour to walk around), with one dirt road that doesn't allow cars or motorbikes (horse-drawn carriages only) lined with shops, guesthouses and restaurants. We did some scuba diving, lying on the beach and lots of eating. Although still touristy I thought it was an amazing get-away. After 4 days Craig and I parted ways, me back to Kuta to catch a VERY early morning flight to Manado, while he stayed in Paradise heading to another Gili Island (there are 3) called Gili Air.




I arrived here in Tasikoki Wildlife Rescue Centre near Manado on Sulawesi Island two days ago, where I plan to spend 2 weeks volunteering before I head back to Australia to live for a couple of months. All I have to say is, "my vacation is over" - with lots of animal poop, sweat and bugs I am no longer living in paradise!