Bali, Indonesia - Day IV

Packed up everything but a spare top. We'd finally decided to just venture out along the street of shops, right until the Bali Bombing Memorial, then backtrack from there. Figured we'd need to change into something else or risk stinking up the plane.

Confirmed with the nice bellboy-who-resembled-an-Indon-actor whom we met on our first night that the memorial was in the direction I thought it was at. I was right, but me thinks NH and ZZ got rather worried when we walked and walked and walked and we still weren't there.

Was sad seeing the rows and rows of names listed at the memorial. There was one sole bunch of flowers for the victims that someone left there.

Just across the small road, was the small barren plot of land, where Sari Club used to be.

Returned to the hotel for final packing of last-minute stuff that we bought. Finally got some table coasters for Sis, which was difficult to stuff into my backpack, so finally had to just carry it.

We were greeted by a different tour-guide today. The ride to the airport was rather short. Thought of getting one of the cloth carry-bags to stuff my plastic-bag of stuff, but figured the rattan bag would be better. ZZ meanwhile went crazy getting more T-shirts. LOL.

I got a couple for Bro & Sis. A baby-T for Sis, as usual, as that's the kind she liked. NH asked skeptically whether she'd still be able to fit it. LOL. Told her it'd be an inspiration for Sis to get back in shape. Otherwise, it can always be for the baby... hehehe

Went around looking for a food establishment and found none. Then discovered it should be upstairs. Paid up airport tax, then had a panicky moment at the passport check when the officer counldn't find my entry stamp. Flipped to the page with the stamp for my Access Card and couldn't find the stamp anymore. Was I dreaming??

Asked ZZ, and she said she remembered me showing her the stamp. Flipped cover to cover and couldn't find it. Then ZZ tried. Nopes. NH tried. Still no. Passed it back to the officer who flipped through again. No stamp!

Then finally it was NH who noticed one page of my passport looked greener than the rest. Apparently the stamp was on that page with my Access Card stamp, but was hiding in between the green motives on the page of the passport. Phew!

Proceeded to find a place to eat. Got distracted by a CD-shop and a bookshop. Found nothing much so decided to go back to where we saw a MacDonald's kiosk. LOL. Discovered the golden arches of MacD's only have one arch. Reflecting the limited menu there? LOL. So decided to go back to a cafe I'd seen. Lunched on some pastries. ZZ, the hungriest one, ended up eating nothing coz nothing on the menu appealed to her.

Going to the departure gate, found it VERY crowded. But apparently 2 flights were scheduled at the gate, and we were waved in while the Qantas passengers had to wait. Those with children were allowed to board first as usual.

But some silly guy who thought it was safe to complain in Mandarin was grouching to his partner how totally unnecessary that was since it's not a free-seating flight, so why should they be given such privilege.

I was so tempted to turn around and give him a look to reveal that I heard and understood what he said... haha... But he's probably too thick-skinned to feel remotely embarassed. I probably feel more embarassed cause I'd bet he's my fellow countrymen... :P

GA841 was much more cramped, but the three of us got to sit together this time around. In the bright daylight, discovered that the Bandaraudara Ngurah Rai was right by the sea.

We were entertained with Just For Laughs this time round. Was fed spaghetti, or alternatively rice. Irritating kids behind was doing god-knows-what and kept bumping the seat. Was not fun especially when my back had been mysteriously hurting like crazy since morning. Wonder why, not as if I been trotting around in the backpack or something.

Turned around to glare at them but there wasn't anyone in the seats! They must have been like playing on the floor or something. The dad of the kids apparently saw NH and me kept turning around and chided his kids. Right. Did not help much.

Flight was a little turbulent, but we got in much earlier than anticipated. However, got stuck in our seats cause it was too cramped to try to jostle with other passengers getting their bags from the overhead compartments.

Just as we cleared customs, the strap of the rattan bag I got broke. How convenient. Luckily ZZ had some safety pins to spare me to try to salvage the situation. SIGH.

Shared a cab with ZZ. Got yet another chatty uncle. He only got the point like 20min into the ride that we were too tired to wanna talk...

Overall was an ok vacation. Just "ok". Was expecting more with all the hype about Bali. Maybe I should have dedicated one whole day for water sports, should have really tried out jetskiing and the ocean-walking. Another regret is not having the chance to experience a kecak dance at sunset.

Going around, I kept thinking of the Cultural Resource Management Module I took in uni, especially the part on the Tourisfication of Bali. Tourism seemed to have so commodotized Bali from the case-study, but things don't seem too bad from my POV.

Certain temples were still not accessible to non-worshippers, still very sacred grounds. Temples were also closed off to outsiders for certain village temple activities. Nature-wise, a lot of areas are also protected.

What was an apparent commodity however, were children. Such young young kids taught to memorise certain English phrases to sell trinkets to tourists at exorbitant prices.

ZZ was commenting how she felt so bad bargaining for something because the kids looked so jaded, so blank the eyes.

We had once witnessed the curious sight of a couple of angmoh guys walking along the street with a group of kids, two of whom were carrying a surfboard. Figured they must have paid the kids to help them carry some stuff.

A couple of the kids were just happily walking hand in hand with one of the guys, looking so adorably adoringly at him. Wonder how they communicated, but the whole group just looked like they were enjoying each other's company. Was a cheery sight.

You'd think that tourism help to give the people jobs, help to better their standard of living, help put food on their table, and kids in school, but hardly ever see the kids in school uniform. They are the ones that help power the tourism industry.

Suddenly thought of a pupil who had skipped school to "rest" because her stepfather had insisted she do the dishes and clean her room instead of having the maid do everything for her. So self-absorbed our kids. With their oodles of pocket-money for fast-food and the latest mobile phones. And still complaining.

Not appreciating the firm roof over their heads. The opportunity to study and land a good job in life. Instead of Community Involvement Programme, should have an exchange programme whereby they get to work under the hot hot sun the whole day asking tourists to please buy something without being sure how and when they'll get any bite to eat.........