It’s been a couple days since I wrote an update. I’ve been told to check with the “agent” near the jetty for the Sea Marlin fast boat schedule and information on when they will resume travel. I have, did again, did again, did again…it wasn’t a pretty picture as they knew nothing.
Via Skype, I called the office in Bali three days ago. The man sounded weary, frazzled and completely overwhelmed telling me “we don’t know”. Yesterday, I had a very “non-Indonesian” experience when I asked the man at the desk of Scallywags Mango Villa to call for me. He called and got a recording. He turned over the ticket cover, found another number and dialed it. A voice answered telling him another number. He did, chatting away in Indonesian, before he gave me a summary of the conversation. The department responsible for “sea” travel hadn’t lifted the ban on boat travel. They might today. He told them where he was calling from and they said they would call to update us on boat status.
What was unusual was initiative. Having someone here be proactive and aggressive in helping is extremely unusual among Indonesian’s. Most are content to tell you they don’t know and ask tomorrow. One other man called for me the day before and gave up when he heard the recording. I was impressed with the level of help!!!
This morning, hopeful, I had an early breakfast and headed to the jetty. Several days ago, the agent told me the boat leaves at 11:00 am. Yesterday, they told me to be there at 10:30 am. I arrived about 10:15 with time to spare.
I had only one small problem though: the boat had ALREADY left!!! I was early, it was gone, and there was nothing to do about it. That’s the more usual experience in Indonesia, misinformation, confusion, and such. Tomorrow, I’ll go back extra early to make sure. I thought about leaving earlier this morning but was having a visit with my friend Dina and thinking I had plenty of time saw no need to go so early.
Fortunately, this is still a very nice spot to be stranded! I came back to lounge in the beach chairs reading. Then went for lunch at the local Warung. Then a dip in the pool and visiting with two ladies who are also guests there. Now, I’m sipping an iced latte at Scallywags sitting in a huge oversized cushion chair, listening to the ocean and writing. Not a bad place to be! Perhaps tomorrow the ocean will be even more smooth and calm?
If all goes well, I should be in Candidasa Bali by mid afternoon, find a room, have a day or two to explore and then travel to Ubud. If I need to, I’ll travel on March 22nd, the day before Nyepi. Traffic will be really heavy as everyone is heading back to their home village for the Balinese New Year celebration.
Below are some photo’s of where I’m being forced to chill and wait. Rough job!
