Bye Bye Bali, Bali Bye Bye

I am fully aware that my posts are becoming more and more sentimental and I make no apologies for this, because as I sit here in my room on my last day before I fly home, after 18 months travelling, I feel very nostalgic and misty eyed!

Speedy service!

Lisa and I left Kuta, Bali on Saturday morning, jumping on a bemo (like a primitive public bus!) to Mataram. Lisa and I said goodbye and again it was a sad moment as I had grown to like her a lot and I also realised this would probably be the last of many friendships I had forged on the road.

I got to Mataram airport and told the ticket office I wanted a flight to Bali and then there was a period of slight confusion and chaos (on my part anyway!) when it became evident there was a flight leaving very soon.

I paid, handed over my passport and then pretty much had my own private escort through security, through the waiting room (Mataram is a pretty small airport) and across the tarmac onto the plane.

When I got on the plane I was the only one on it! I was thoroughly confused. Lombok to Bali is only a 15 minute flight and the plane is really small, but I couldn’t work out what the rush was to get me on the plane. About 10 minutes later other people started filing on and before I knew it the plane was full and we were in the air and then back in Kuta, Bali.

Amazing Times

I was back in Kuta again, but this time I knew it was the last time. Whereas before I was there to fly on to Australia now I was flying home. I checked back into Senen Beach Inn for my penultimate night and looked for somewhere nice to spend my last night.

I decided on Hotel Lusa, where I am currently laying on my bed writing this blog. 18 months ago to this day I was getting ready to leave and very nervous about what the future might hold. I now know it was to be the best 18 months of my life – full of new friends, new places and new experiences.

The Last Day

So what did I do on my last full day? Not much really! I wandered around the crazy streets of Kuta. When I saw someone walking down them with a HUGE snake draped over his shoulders I merely did a bit of a double take, shrugged my shoulders and carried on – you get accustomed to weird sights on your travels (although that was one of the strangest – on a par with seeing a man walking a Komodo Dragon type think in Phuket!). I bought some dodgy DVDs and fake rolexs, and just tried to soak as much of the place up as I could.

Now I am packing my bag ready to fly home tomorrow.

If any of you are thinking about travelling, and in two minds about it, all I will say is just do it, just get out there and do it. You won’t regret you did.