Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Around the World: Bali

January 24, 1992



After a short flight from Jakarta to Denpasar, on the island province of Bali, we hired a taxi to take us to the hotel.  The place Harvey picked out has that Hollywood Hills appeal - a bathtub big enough to swim in, private garden, huge rooms and big price tag.  We enjoyed the luxury for a short time before investigating another hotel.  Harvey found one that is just as comfortable, a little smaller, less extravagant for a quarter the price.  It's available tomorrow.

We stopped in Kuta for a bite to eat and some shopping.  I bought a couple swim suits and some beach wear for 40,000 Rupiah (about $2) each.  It's wise to check everything for rips, tears, cracks, because the vendors will try to sell anything in any condition and once you accept it, it's your problem.

Tracey got trapped in a store when the vendor wouldn't let her leave until she bought something, so she chose a T-shirt, offered the guy 30,000 Rupiah and left.  It seems, here in Bali, the price of freedom is about a buck and a half.

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"The only freedom which deserves the name, is that of pursuing our own good in our own way, so long as we do not attempt to deprive others of theirs, or impede their efforts to obtain it."
~John Stewart Mill