Tourist central!

I've been here 5 days now, staying at the Contiki Resort- probably the most luxurious place I've stayed in, and makes a welcome change from all the $5 a night guesthouses. I've been mostly relaxing by the beach and pool here, not doing too much culturally, as I feel I need a break from the constant traveling around- Not that you will have much sympathy with me! I've met some great people here again- mostly Aussies, who treat this as their version of Spain! Contiki only allows people between 18-35, so it's been a great place to meet people.

Kuta Beach

I've also been to see the bombing site in central Kuta, which is a sad reminder of what happened here a few years ago in the middle of the party district, where some 500 people died, most of them doing the same thing I'm doing here now. There are many mini shrines on the site, showing photos of those who died, and how young they were.

bomb site

As I've become used to in SE Asia, there are many touts on the street and beach looking to sell you things. You try to be polite, but after a few days it can be a real hassle. Especially coming from Laos, a country much poorer, but far more friendly.

The sunsets have been amazing as you can see, as have the sunrises, which I've experienced on a couple of occasions from the swimming pool, where everybody heads after coming home from the clubs!

I'm off to one of the Gili islands tomorrow by speedboat- a sort of paradise island with only 800 people for 2 days before returning to Bali Sunday for one last night.

Bombing memorial

sunset

Contiki Friends

Monkey!

Sunset 2

Sunset 3