I was up at 5.45am as I wanted to get some walking done before our trip started. At 8.30am we got into two tuk tuks and set off for the airport. We arrived in half an hour but there was no sign of the other tuk tuk. It had broken down! The group came over an hour later. We queued up to check in and a man came along telling people something in Khmer. I asked what it was all about and I was told, “If you are an old man you can go to the business class desk.” At times like this I really don’t mind being old.
I was in front of the rest of the group so I went through passport control, security etc and sat to wait for them. After a while they came through the fast-track line, following an airport employee. She happened to be the cousin of a young man in our group. I love these developing countries where rules are bent a bit. She came all the way with us and even came on board to say goodbye to everyone.
I’ve always enjoyed Malaysia Airlines. The service was excellent on both flights. I sat next to a Glasgow couple who’d been relaxing in a lounge but then, when we were boarding,, they decided they were alone because they were in the wrong lounge. They sat next to me, huffing and puffing and saying all they wanted was a drink. They got a drink - a glass of juice.
On earlier trips to Jakarta I’ve paid for a visa but this time, in Bali, I paid nothing. It’s a very nice airport with lots of local art work all over the place. We had to cross a large room that was as big as half a football pitch. I could see no reason for the room; there were no chairs in it, no stalls selling things, absolutely nothing. The guide met us and took us to the hotel. It was dark but I got the impression that the traffic’s heavy but orderly. The guide said we didn’t have to wear our seatbelts as it was a safe place. A minute later he was talking about French tourists overstaying their visa and running off. Some of them were shot - so much for it being a safe place.
The hotel looks very nice with three swimming pools. I’m told the sea is just five minutes away but I have no idea in which direction. The folks wanted a Chinese meal. We were told there was a place down the road so off we went. As usual, I ended up in front. At one point I turned around and discovered I was on my own; the group had given up and gone back. We were told there was a Chinese place in the opposite direction, so off we went; there wasn’t. We did find a place that had Chinese food on the menu so I relaxed while the group discussed what to have. I know one of the dishes was deep fried squid but I’ve no idea what the others were. The men took out their phones and started to watch a football match between Cambodia and Malaysia. I decided to watch a rugby match between Australia and New Zealand. NZ were winning - maybe that’s why the Aussies are deporting a lot of Kiwis.
I was sharing a room with Meakara but he’s gone to join the lads in the next room. I was wondering if I’d developed leprosy or something but he said he had travel agency work to do and he didn’t want to keep me awake.
So let’s see what tomorrow brings.
