Hotel Mutiara
Trip Start
Jul 24, 2008
1
3
22
Trip End
Ongoing
Seminyak,
Bali,
Indonesia
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Where was I? Where was I? Oh yes that's right speeding along a road while various forms of traffic zipped by on either side at varying speeds and with little rhyme or reason.
One of the first things I noticed was the kites everywhere, giant versions and hey must have been a mile up. They are tethered to buildings and in some cases can stay up for weeks!! This is apparently the 'cool' and breezy season. I tell you one thing for nothing, come the 'hot and humid' season I'm royally buggered! Cos in the car with A.C. on I am melting, (another example of me being wussy unfortunately as it is only about 28 degrees in the shade... nothing... apparently!)
I arrive at my hotel and it is gorgeous, with a luxury pool lagoon and my own private flat to stay in, staff everywhere searching for ways to serve you - 'something to drink sir?', 'Can we get you anything sir?', 'Where are you going sir? Shall we drive you? Order a taxi? Go and get it for you?', pricey though for Bali... about £40 a night... Can't stay here too long... Luckily for me the head has arranged for me to go view a villa and within an hour of arriving and being dropped off I meet Chris. This guy is going to become a colourful character in these blogs I can tell, New York American who has lived in Bali for quite a few years and runs a property shop / coffee house. He arrives on a tiny little bike wearing an intriguing shirt choice and asks if I mind riding on the back? Hmmm... 'Of course not' I say dubiously thinking of the exciting traffic adventure awaiting me. In the first five minutes he has told me enough information to fill twenty in a regular conversation... Luckily he intends repeating this information on a continuous loop for the next hour in that distinctive New Yorker twang, (yay for ethnic diversity!) So you do not miss out here is a sample of the very accurate and sincere dialogue:
'Let me tell you Ian I am just so excited to be able to show you this place... It is one of the best villas I have ever seen and it's location so close to everything, I mean you just do not find this kind of a place in Bali any more.... etc etc. It is a little out of the price range you e-mailed but I think we might be able to convince you'
'It is a little rundown but they will fix all that up before you move in'
'Those cracks in the walls... the foundations are fucked but your not buying the place right? A bit f paint will hide all of that in no time.' Ahem!
'Ian can I tell you? Normally I don't do this rental stuff... Your principle just asked me if I could do this as a favour to him and I don't mind. You see I am trying to build a reputation at your school so you know. You know. When I am showing you something and saying this is a good deal - well This. Is. A. Fucking. Awesome. Deal! I can't believe it!'
'Are you married? Single? Oh the women are going to love this little pad! Your bachelor pad! Look at this pool!! (don't have a picture of the tiny, scum filled pond unfortunately) That will clean up in no time and all this is going to be grass in no time, (gesturing toward the mud pit surrounding the pond).'
'Ian, I'm your guy now, we'll go out and I'll show you some of the best places to pick up the girls! Oh the women, man! Wait till you see what's coming your way! You know what I mean'
'Ian I'm your man now, anything you need just call me and it's there!'
This patter together with some other well worn phrases... Endlessly... like a robot! God in heaven! The villa is not too bad but is 80,000,000 Rp to be paid up front... For the year. Too much! Even with the exchange rate! He zips me back to the Mutiara in what I can only describe as a breathless journey when I swear my legs were brushing the ground!! He is a bit obvious and assumes I am as naive as fresh grown grass, but there is something I like about him...
God have wittered on! will fill you in on my new house and school next time,
Ixxx
