Muttis Bali Escape

Denpasar Airport: closed. Lombok Airport: closed. 59,000 tourists are stranded in Bali. The Balinese government has rented 100 buses to transfer the tourists to Java, just in case. News coverage is more than modest. My goal: To finally see my husband in Bangkok after three months on 30.11.2017! So what to do? Since I could observe Mount Agung from Nusa Lembongan and the ash emissions worsened from day to day, it was clear to me that hoping for improvement was hopeless. Furthermore, who gets to fly first once the airport reopens? The people who were supposed to fly days ago or those who are scheduled to fly on that day? How quickly will my airline react? Too many unpredictable variables. Especially since Thai Airways is not doing anything at all. Except to say that all flights until 30.11.2017 are cancelled and that you should follow the updates on their website. Haha! Even the email contact didn't work at all.
One thing Mother guarantees: As soon as I'm in Bangkok, I will put on my high heels and show up at your place. And if nothing happens then, the eruption of Mount Agung is nothing compared to what will happen when I explode.
Furthermore: Do they really believe in Bali that they can evacuate 59,000 tourists to Java with 100 buses in case of an emergency? Could be exciting.
So off we go through the middle and on to the odyssey "Muttis Bali Escape"!
Because my goal is to be in Bangkok on Thursday. Or rather, I have to be in Bangkok on Thursday, because I will finally see my husband again after three months and I want to!!!

Tuesday:

Phase 1: Get off Nusa Lembongan and over to Bali

As already described, the speedboat provider had its pitfalls. When I arrived on Nusa Lembongan on Tuesday, they firmly claimed that there would be no boat to Bali at 11:30 AM. A little smoke rose above the mother. After some back and forth, they finally came to the conclusion that there is a boat at 11:30 AM. Apparently, they were afraid that otherwise Nusa Lembongan would be doomed.
The boat was also 45 minutes late. Arriving in Serangan, Bali, I could have taken the shuttle bus to the hotel. That would have taken forever.

Phase 2: Off to Gilimanuk and onto the ferry to Java, no matter what!

Naturally, there were various taxi drivers on site in Serangan offering transportation to the hotel. I grabbed the first one and forced him to drive me to Gilimanuk immediately. Rule: Always have enough cash with you in a crisis.
It took a whopping five hours for a total of 148 km! Traffic in Bali is slow-moving. Especially when you have what feels like 1000 trucks and buses in front of you on the road, all heading to the ferry to Gilimanuk. The only way to leave Bali besides by plane.

Taxi cost: 65€ (regular taxi price?)

Phase 3: Take the ferry to Java and then to Banyuwangi

Getting on the ferry in Gilimanuk was relatively easy. Buy a ticket and then get on the rusty old ship! There is a ferry to Java approximately every 20 minutes. It takes about 30 minutes. 

From the ferry terminal in Java, it took another 30 minutes to get to my pre-booked homestay right next to the train station in Banyuwangi.

Ferry cost: 0,50€
Transfer cost: 12€

Phase 4: Book a flight from Surabaya to Jakarta

Who profits the most from such a situation? The airlines. Because everyone who is down in Bali has to go to Jakarta!

Flight cost: 86€

After almost nine hours of being on the go and a little bit of stress about whether everything would work out as planned, I fell into bed after a Nasi Goreng, dog-tired.
The accommodation had its peculiarities. My worst nightmare: A French toilet! I just can't do it here! Well, back in Nepal, we also had them in the mountains, but there wasn't any water in them. So, it's time to suck it up and deal with it!

Wednesday:

Woken up at 5 AM by the loud chattering outside. I tried to go back to sleep, but it didn't work. So I read some news and social media. Then I had pancakes and coffee. Comfort food! After that, the disillusionment: Direct flights from Jakarta to Bangkok are fully booked! The rest: Either be on the road for 20 hours with transfers (very expensive) or very expensive. Crisis! Scouring booking portals! Found a flight with Malaysia Airlines via Kuala Lumpur. The cheapest and with a flight time of five hours, the most relaxed, and I will be in Bangkok on Thursday morning at 10:15 AM!

Cost: 650€ I'm disgusted! But Business Class. However, that doesn't make the situation any better!

Phase 5: Take the train from Banyuwangi to Surabaya

I had also quickly booked this ticket in advance online from Nusa Lembongan. At least six hours of travel in the executive class. The good old train is reliable! At least on Java.

But only to a certain extent. Parts of the tracks were flooded due to a typhoon. 30 minutes before reaching the destination, another 2 1/2 hours by bus were added. 

Cost: 12€

Then the disillusionment at the airport in Surabaya: The flight with Malaysia Airlines could not be booked through the booking system. So quickly search all booking portals for other flights. And behold, there were suddenly direct flights from Jakarta to Bangkok again. At 6:30 AM with Lion Air Thai! Booked and received the ticket directly by email.

Cost: -650€ Malaysia Airlines
158€ Lion Air Thai

Phase 6: Fly to Jakarta late at 22:30 PM. Of course, with a one-hour delay.

Thursday:

Phase 7: Somehow sleep on a bench at the airport in Jakarta for two hours until check-in. Impossible! After 10 minutes, the mother was rudely woken up by an Indonesian because they wanted to sit. So no sleep!

Phase 8: Check-in at 3:30 AM to fly to Bangkok at 6:30 AM

Total cost including cancellation fees for two pre-booked hotels: 440,50€!

Yes, my dears, lightning does strike twice in the same place!

Despite everything: I'm really looking forward to seeing my husband!!!!

If you ever find yourself in a crisis situation while traveling:

1. Stay calm! Panicking doesn't help!

2. Observe the situation, follow the media!

3. Weigh your options for the best way to leave the place!

4. Talk to the locals. They know what is possible and what is not and usually know a good way.

In the end, everything worked out and I was pretty exhausted after being on my feet for 28 hours.

In this sense: I'm looking forward to a relaxing time in Thailand.

Have Fun and Be Proud!

Your Jan/Mutti