From Singapore To Bali

Singapore: the largest airport in the world is truly amazing and it deserves the reputation of being the best! I landed at 2:30 am and booked a room at the 2d level. No need to leave the airport. I woke up early, and after a nice breakfast at The Coffee Bean, I enjoyed the luxuries of the Cinema Lounge, equipped with flat plasma screen and individual speakers for every lounge chair: clever!!! Already impressed with the amazing array of tropical plants and orchids inside the airport, I was blown away by the pool/jacuzzi facilities sorrounded by palms and giant heliconias (ginger family, for the botanists out there). Also, the cactus gardens, the bamboo oasis, and the fern gardens are absolutely outstanding. These outdoor-gardens are the only area where smoking is allowed; I was enjoying the sun in the outdoor jacuzzi, when I noticed a funny scene: nicotine-starving junkies were heading to the gardens in full crisis, probably after a long flight! The relief was evident in their eyes after the first agonized puff ! Truly hilarious!! Meanwhile I was chatting the arvo away with this wild Aussie in his early 40's; we talked about surf destinations and East Oz; he was on a surf trip toward Sumatra. He asked me right away where I was heading for surf. I guess travelling surfers are easy to recognize just because of their looks; especially if I look at myself today with an afro hairdo that could rival Terry Fitzgerald's in his glory days (circa '75)....scary sideburns ala Neil Young, and sunburnt skin in the usual spots! I assume that 3 months of hard-core surfing in the tropics would leave a mark on anybody, regardless the insane amount of sun-screen used on a daily basis!

I landed in Bali at 10 pm and I was really happy to have Randy picking me up. He has being living on the island for almost 13 years. As soon as you step out of the airport and the balmy heat of Indonesia punches you in the face, you have to deal with a mob of drivers trying to take you places! I honestly thought it was going to be worse. I spotted Randy casually walking among the crowd, we crossed the road, loaded my board and gear, took off heading toward the mountains. My choice of spending the first few days away from the ocean can sound non-sensical, but I wanted to get used to Bali, avoiding the insane crowd of Kuta and the usual tourist assault. Ubud is considered a tranquil retreat with cultural events and art. It will do for the first few days before finding my final lodging on the coast. At the moment I'm staying in an outstanding bungalow sorrounded by well kept gardens. I feel like sleeping in a sacred place. The doors are carved displaying amazing woodwork, the roof structure is artfully crafted, and bamboo furniture decorates the room. Burning incense fills the air and offering to the Gods are everywhere....this is truly a special place.

Cheers
D