Bali - Sanur

Sooooo dear people,

I promised you that there would be an update on my further journey today. Here is a first post from Indonesia about Indonesia.

After I spent the "winter" (depending on the snow conditions) at home, I started planning what my trip around the world could look like. Since the world doesn't just consist of Europe but also has some other beautiful places, I thought about which countries are at the top of my travel list - these include New Zealand (1), Iceland (2) and Japan (3) on par with South Korea (3). So I chose the country that is the furthest away and that I have been dreaming about for the longest time - New Zealand.

However, there are various options and stopovers I could make to get there. I was considering Hawaii and Bali. Since Hawaii is more expensive than Bali and I have never been to Indonesia, I decided on Bali and now I am here for 1 month.

I also found a suitable flight and threw myself into the preparations (backpacker backpack, vaccinations and visa). However, before I had researched everything for the Bali trip, I first applied for a Work & Travel visa in New Zealand so that the final destination of the trip was secure. I received this within 3 days and was able to book the flight I had previously found. 26 hours - Departure airport: Vienna - Arrival airport: Bali. However, with stays of several hours in Istanbul and Kuala Lumpur. As soon as I was packing my backpack I had a half-nervous breakdown because - how could it be otherwise - I had too much with me. In the end, however, there was still room for everything and I was more or less satisfied and hoping that I would somehow be able to manage this trip on my own. And if we're honest: I always get a return ticket somehow organized. Don't get too mental and go on an adventure!

Since I flew from Vienna, I took advantage of it to meet up with friends and have a few nice days there. Many thanks to Linda, Andi and Peter for the warm and funny moments on the weekend and the generous accommodation.

The night before the flight (9:55 departure time) I couldn't sleep and was tossing and turning from side to side. At around 2 a.m. I looked at my phone and noticed that I had received a text message from Turkish Airlines offering me a voucher if I canceled the flight from Istanbul to Kuala Lumpur. Since I had a similar experience in the USA, I first tried to check in online. Unfortunately without success. So my pulse definitely increased and I asked online how Turkish Airlines handles these overbooked flights. Not a good idea! Afterwards I had all sorts of horror scenarios in my head and since I couldn't sleep any more, I headed towards the airport 5 hours before the flight. I almost missed the S-Bahn and had to run a bit with all my luggage.

However, when I arrived at the airport, a super friendly Turkish Airlines employee was able to allay my concerns and checked me in 4 hours before the flight and I had a seat number for all 3 flights. She said to me at the counter: "Yes, the flight to Kuala Lumpur is drastically overbooked."

And this also became clear at the airport when some nervous people lined up at the designated gate three hours before departure and turned to the airline staff in a very stressed manner. (Of course I was already there and was very happy about my seat number.) In the end there were between 15 and 20 people who got a standby ticket for this flight. I can't say how many of them were left because I was on the plane very early. At that point, however, I only wished the lady at the counter in Vienna the best.

I had a 5-hour layover in Kuala Lumpur and unfortunately couldn't find any sleep there. Well, at least the view was okay and I was able to spend a little time planning my trip. The flight to Bali went smoothly and in these 26 hours I was able to watch a few films both at the airports and with the onboard program: Barbie (best film so far this year), Transformers the Beasts, Darkest Minds and the new DC Flash. All in all, an expensive visit to the cinema. ;)

After I got out of the airport in Bali in 31 degrees and twelve thousand screaming taxis, grabs and private drivers, I was briefly overwhelmed and had to let the super humid air take its effect on me.

Luckily the accommodation had already arranged transport and one of these drivers was equipped with a small sign with my name on it and then drove me to my accommodation. On the way I saw all sorts of typical pictures and even though I was exhausted and tired I couldn't stop being amazed.

There was a shower in the accommodation and afterwards I fell into bed pretty quickly.

The next morning we had breakfast with a great view and then I ventured on foot to the Sanur district and the beach promenade.

After the first sweaty km, I ended up in a nice café and treated myself to a coffee and a juice with a view of the sea.

Then we walked along the beach to the end of the district.

There were a lot of hawkers along the way but mostly they gave a smiling “No Thanks!” accepted. I also stumbled past the German embassy.

After I bought a cap and water, I went to withdraw my million rupiah and then went straight to the accommodation. Here I finished writing my outstanding blog posts and then fell into bed. The temperatures of 30-32 degrees and the incredible humidity are really something in themselves and it took me a few days to get used to it. In other words: I sweat all the time!

In summary, the first day was pretty hard but wonderful at the same time. I was able to collect some first impressions and wasted a little time on the beach. In addition to the blog, I also took care of my further diving career and booked an Advanced Open Water Diver spot so I could dive to 30 meters. I hope to see turtles, manta rays and some cool other fish and maybe even film them. I'm definitely curious.

But before that, there is a lot more to explore and experience - more on that in the next post.

Feel pressed 7 hours in the future,
Your Britta