Somewhat of a lie in today based on last night, at least I'm not hung over like the other day. It's not like I am missing an amazing breakfast or anything, ha. When I do eventually surface, it's just another day of relaxing, and trying to motivate myself to do some blog work. I'm really getting behind, it's ridiculous. There are no comfortable seats here thought, which is a problem when I do sit down to try something. I get distracted and the discomfort of wherever I am sitting is not conducive of maximum blogging potential.
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I get chatting to this girl Nikki, who has been volunteering in an eco school here in Bali for the past few weeks. It sounds pretty interesting, so I have a look online, and they do tours and stuff. Architecturally it is all made from bamboo, and is all about sustainable development, looks good. Amazingly the only part of the school that was made out of steel was a connecting bridge, which collapsed. So it was rebuilt using bamboo. Brilliant.
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I end up grabbing some food with Nikki, we wait until we hear the bell. That means food. Not as many street sellers here as in other places that I have been, but I know that I can expect quality food for a cheap price. I am not disappointed, some soup with some noodles, various deep fried things and chilies. Nice. We get served just opposite a restaurant that is full of the tourists ordering food that is 5 times the price. We get some strange looks as we sit in the street eating out of the bowls that the guy has given us. The truth is that they are missing out on some quality local grub.
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After we finish we go back to the hostel, Nikki is supposed to be meeting a couple of guys in one of the bars round the corner and so invites me. Sure, why not. It is a place called potato head, which doesn't conjure up images that are anything like what the place is like. We jump in a taxi, it turns out to be 2mins away, no need for the taxi, As we get to the entrance we have to pass through security where the taxi is checked, including popping the bonnet and opening the boot. There is even a guy checking under the taxi with a mirror?! What are they looking for? Very strange I must say. Anyway, we are not perceived as a terrorist threat and so we are let in. The first thing I see is the building, which has a colosseum look to it, though made out of vintage wooden shutters, hundreds of them. We enter and walk round a circular path between the walls lined with these shutters. Another security point, where bags are checked again and any liquids are poured out. You must buy everything inside. Then the corridor opens up to show the whole area. Wow. Swish doesn't even come close. Following an open plan idea, the semi circular structure is open or windowed so that everyone has a view of the sea. The centre has a carpet of grass, before the pool and beyond that the sea, with the famous Bali surf crashing on the beach. Here I am dressed like a tramp backpacker, ha. There are a variety of restaurants and bars around the complex and many of the bed and tables require a minimum spend in order for you to have them, somewhere in the region of $50, a bit pricey for my budget. Nikki has been before and she know the perfect plan, if we are in the pool we don't have to pay for one of the expensive seats, we can enjoy a drink and look out at the sea. Sounds good. The colour of the water in the pool is the most perfect blue you have ever seen. I was half expecting the water to be warm, it wasn't but this made for maximum refreshness, ha. There is even a bar here in the pool, not open tonight though. We grab some beers and enjoy chilling out. Nobody else is in the pool today, it probably is a cool night by Bali standards, so just a couple of crazy white people in the water. I'll have to come back here and take some proper photos before I leave. Not that you could describe the prices as affordable, but sure as a little treat, you know because my life has been so stressful. We decide to walk home after a few beers as it is only round the corner. It also gives me a chance to dry out as I came ill-equipped without even a towel. Back at the hostel, another movie as I was suffering withdrawal symptoms from yesterday. Then bed.