Bali…. 2nd times a charm

October 18, 2024

This is great advice from the Chinese authorities and something I’m glad the pilots, cab drivers and I obey.

After ordering a cab and traveling with us Zongda guided us to the airline Check in, said his goodbyes and headed for the cab stand. His job had been mentally pulling at him for days so now the worry over his in-laws can be replaced by work, and moving. Our next visit should be late 2026 in Hong Kong, their next home.
Juneyao is China’s budget airline and it becomes apparent as we descend the three escalators below restaurants, carpets, ac and comfort to the walkout basement of this massive building. Seeing no reason to wait here it’s back to the main floor for b-fast with time to return for the packed bus ride to the plane.

Gone are the extra wide and deep seats that we enjoyed at arrival. I wasn’t aware seats could be so thin. Row 32, we were surprised to see, was the third row after the two rows of business class. Behind the privacy curtain lie 2 toilets and eight people so logically several people from economy moved the curtain aside to use the toilets only to be escorted back. I would silently root for the success of each attempt but sadly they would squint towards the stern while receiving instructions.

could this be the mystery island China built off their coast?
It was a long flight and I had a little to do

Six hours passes slowly as we receive a meal, beverages and instructions in Chinese with pseudo English mumble. We seemed to go around most of the towering clouds that blossomed over the tropical island.

The mountains of Bali. The island is dominated by a large volcano and a lot of local customs and religious practices center around it.

One of the many elaborate round abouts

After landing we were quickly off and my overdressing for this climate quickly became an issue. The amazing race was about to begin.

I am sure that my expression was carp like as my face, dripping with anxiety enhanced perspiration, only got worse as each step of the gauntlet unfolded. At step one we needed to photograph a QR code to fill out a medical form This required cell data that wouldn’t load. Sheri tried on the agents laptop that we hijacked with no success as I finally did get on the airport WiFi and soon I was cleared.

Passing the phone to Sheri she completed the task waved the results to a mobbed agent who didn’t acknowledge so she just left and headed for me in the visa line.

Step two was simple once I learned that we didn’t need local currency to pay the visa fee. Feeling briefly self confident we found the luggage and we were seeing the finish until a final challenge developed. We noticed a bank of computers with other sweaty carps swarming bewildered. This was a customs declaration step. We can do this…until the question of where are you staying. In frustration at my failed attempts to contact Wade, Sheri was just about to click on a random address in the drop down when I reached Wade and the top of my headache scale. Then success…but not out yet.

Thankfully, there was a Starbucks at the exit and they had pictures of what I wanted (I kept pointing at it every time they asked a question) for a mere 35,000. Winding through the cruise ship like mall and hordes of taxi hawkers I was grateful to be blasted by AC in Wade‘s new SUV on our way to another Bali adventure.

Walking up to the door by these beautiful hanging flowers

We went back to their place, which was a beautiful older home once owned by a missionary couple who had since passed away. They had stayed at the house for 11 months about 8 years ago.

Our bathroom had a water filled trough along one wall that was filled with small fish. My job was to see that the fish were fed each day. I’ve never seen such a thing. And there were three rooms that had these fish tank troughs…very cool

Our room had great air conditioning which was critical

Front entrance into dining, living room and granite top countertop kitchen to the right

Another view of the entrance from the kitchen and stairs leading to their 2nd floor rooms

Their bedroom

Bathroom

Closet….decisions decisions

Media room where we watched Milton coverage live…There is also an office and Wade’s bathroom but you have the idea

Third floor with exit right to outside patio with laundry and views

The missionary couples son Dick who also attends their church built this house for his parents but Dad passed just before completion. They have a great 2 year rental deal. Thanks for sharing with us!

Dick is also an author, and I was able to get a signed copy of a historical fiction book written about an island tragedy.

Flowers that litter the walk from the gated car park

Outside the car park gate a different neighbor each day attends to the small shrines and offerings to the gods. She is hoping that this offering to the evil god will help keep this bad intersection safe…while traffic goes around