I left my room in Kuala Lumpur before 6:00 am this morning. I was awake so decided to head out early. Everything flowed! The bus was loading when I arrived so I took the SkyBus to the airport. Fare was $12 MYR, roughly $3. Comfortable ride! Roads were empty and the drive described at 1 hour 15 minutes took 45 minutes.
Airport is a bit more challenging. More on that later! Finally found the Air Asia check in and had hours to spare so I went in search of breakfast.
As I boarded and settled in, the seat next to me was empty. I was anticipating getting lucky and having more room when no one showed up. Didn’t work that way. But, before we departed the gate and everyone was on the plane, both rows in front of me were empty! I moved and had my own row to spread out in!
Honestly, I’ve been feeling some apprehension before returning to Bali. Maybe because my favorite places to stay had raised their prices out of my range? Maybe because of feeling how much Bali changed between visits last time? I wasn’t sure?
At the airport, which was once a small and intimate affair, I walked into the immigration area which felt like a large conference center! HUGE!
I was early so had a short line but noticed only three agents were working my area. The line moved steadily! As I got within 7 people, I decided to time how long it took the 3 agents to move people. It took 50 seconds for it to be my turn. Needless to say, it was a fast and easy process to get through.
I went to baggage claim and nothing was coming out of our carousel? I went to the screen and the carousel had changed. I went to the new one listed. Only JetStar bags were showing. Finally a man came and told us our bags were on a different carousel…which was full and overflowing.
Through customs, I walked into the insanity of any international airport where people are trying to get your attention for everything from hotels to taxi’s to sim cards, etc. I found an ATM and my card wouldn’t work. I tried my other card and it wouldn’t work either. At risk of being locked out, I walked around the corner and tried again. It worked. Now, I was faced with walking into that sea of noise and desperation to purchase my taxi ticket.
I know the airport has a fixed price station for taxi tickets. Easy to purchase and then I met my driver who spoke no English! He literally raced me through the airport! I slowed and looked around at all the new construction, architecture, flowers and such since my last visit I could barely see my driver ahead. At the taxi, I asked him where the toilet was. He rolled his eyes in frustration.
To be clear, I asked about a toilet at the ticket stand with him right there and the manager saying yes, then looking at him. Before we left, the manager told him “toilet”. For some reason, “we” were in a hurry? I found the toilet and was heading back with him when he disappeared ahead of me. I wanted something to drink so motioned him when he looked back…hand motion…something to drink and pointing.
Then the fun really started! We got on the road. I was with a maniac!!! And since I was here last, the traffic has changed. Once upon a time (three years ago), the roads were owned by motor bikes. There were cars here and there and an occasional bus. Now, cars haven taken over. Totally! A few motorbikes braved the roads. And these roads were made for motor bikes, not cars!
Crazy driving all around. They have new cars, seemingly all new cars, but apparently driver training is not required?! I’m surprised there weren’t bodies littering the road!
Then, suddenly, my driver turned onto a toll road and “asked” me ‘toll road’? Still apparently in a hurry! Him, not me! When we neared the toll, he asked me for money. I said no toll! He paid then turned off.
On the back roads, he was still an insane driver but at least I got to see the countryside which is beautiful in spite of the amazing construction.
In Ubud, he clearly didn’t know where he was going. He started to turn left and I told him we needed to go straight. NO! So we wound up driving all the way through Ubud in traffic. Once nearing my street, he realized he couldn’t turn onto it do tried convincing me that my place was the other direction.
I pointed and told him where to drive. Then where to stop. Then I got mystery pack and walked around the corner to where I was staying. I’ve never been here before but am familiar with the area.
I did tip him when we got here. Not because he even lifted a finger to help me with my pack. I tipped out of gratitude that we arrived alive and didn’t kill anyone on the way here!
Ubud has changed. It’s more crowded. There are cars everywhere. Cars! HUGE cars! On these tiny narrow roads, CARS!!!
So strange seeing “progress” over the past 10 or so years.
Driving the back road, it was gorgeous. The green’s are just as green! The fragrances just as special! The people just as friendly. I went to one of my favorite little Warung’s and the food was still great! I’m looking forward to adjusting and savoring my time here!
I’ll know more after I have a chance to go wander over the next couple days.
Ciao!